Anesthesia and Hair Health: Restoring Your Mane To Its Glory

Having a pending surgery on your calendar is stressful. Not to add to that stress, but I want you to be aware of the havoc anesthesia can wreak on your hair. Post-surgery recovery affects your body in a myriad of ways, and can also alter the texture and overall feel of your locks.

Stress, worry and anxiety obviously play a major factor in all of this, too. While we’re aware that practices such as meditation and yoga can help your body stay centered, sometimes all of the calming practices in the world can’t calm your pre-surgery jitters. 

Another big factor is that your hormones often shift after a surgery and this can affect both body and hair. However, most people are unaware that it’s the anesthesia that can alter your tresses negatively. 

One of the most common effects is increased hair shedding, which may begin two to four months after surgery and can last for up to three months. This occurs due to the rapid increase in stress levels within the body. If you are healing at a normal rate, then you should see your hair start to grow back, but for some the texture of your hair may be altered permanently. 

Why does this happen? Unfortunately, hair follicles are commonly impacted by any surgery which requires anesthesia. When you are induced into a relaxed state with anesthesia, the fast-paced cell division that typically occurs in your hair follicles slows down. This can cause a significant disruption to hair growth. As a result, it is very common for hair follicles to create hair that’s differently shaped or, in some cases– finer or thinner. 

Some individuals who once had stick-straight hair may notice that their post surgery hair has a natural bend. Others with thick, coarse hair find that their locks now appear dull and fine. 

While you can’t (and wouldn’t want to) avoid anesthesia for a major surgery, you can talk to your doctor and stylist about the noticeable changes you’re seeing. They can help ensure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs to heal, and also evaluate your hormone levels to see if they have significantly shifted. 

Your stylist can recommend products that can bring your hair back to health as well as recommend a scalp treatment to help remediate the damage. In addition, there are hair supplements that may help speed along the hair regrowth process. 

ZEN’s top go-to recommendation is Goldie Locks Hair Growth Supplement. Four of these supplements daily, a healthy diet, and reduced stress are the best Rx you can get for your post-surgery hair. 

We often shrug hair loss off to aging, but sometimes there are other factors that play a major role, too. When we talk about it and share, we make the topic of hair loss less taboo, and find ways to help individuals regain what they once had. Youthful locks aren’t reserved for only the young. Book a consultation with a ZEN stylist to discuss your hair changes and needs. We have you covered!

And, below are some product recommendations that will help boost your hair back to its natural fullness and health. 

Kevin Murphy Plumping Wash,Kevin Murphy Plumping Rinse,Kevin Murphy Full Again

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, we’re here to help!

Maria Elizabeth

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Founder | Owner | Stylist | Philanthropist

Loves helping her clients connect to their inner authentic selves. By making connections with her clients and team, she brings meaning and purpose to every engagement. With over 20 years of experience, Maria is a mastermind of all things hair and beauty. She especially loves techniques like balayage where she precisely hand paints hair to create exquisite color. She is also well-known for her precision cuts. She can literally cut a whole head of hair with the tiniest razor blade imaginable.

When Maria is not behind the chair, she does her best to support her team and community in every way. Watching individual stylists flourish in this every changing profession brings Maria much joy. Maria believes, that “if you are not reaching back to help others then you are not building a legacy.”

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