Have you noticed the texture of your hair is a bit different now? There are many factors that can play a role in why this happens. However, one of the most common, and yet often overlooked reasons, is surgery. If you had any type of major surgery, you may notice that your hair does not feel the same. It may provide you with some key insight into why your hair has changed by looking at the things that have happened to you recently. Here’s a closer look at why surgery plays a role.

Consider the Stress of Surgery

There are a variety of factors that impact your hair. Stress is one of them. During surgery, a person may experience significant changes not just during the procedure and in healing, but also as a result of the changes in hormones. Every situation is different, and not everyone will have the same types of changes. However, most surgeries, especially those involving anesthesia, will result in some changes to your hair.

Many who have had surgery will initially see a significant amount of hair shedding. This occurs from the rapid increase in stress levels within the body. It is not uncommon for this to be the catalyst to additional changes with hair in the coming months either. The hair shed may begin about 2 to 4 months after surgery and lasts about three months. If you are healing normally, you should see your hair start to grow back soon after. Yet, what you may also notice is that your hair does not feel the same. The texture may be significantly different. Why does this happen? There could be a few reasons for it.

Anesthesia Can Impact Your Hair Too

Another way in which you may see change has to do with the use of anesthesia. The follicles themselves generally are impacted by this process. Because the cells in the follicles are some of the fastest producing cells, and they are also some of the most sensitive to change, you may notice the damage anesthesia causes right away.

During surgery, doctors use anesthesia to put the body into a very relaxed state. When this happens, it causes the fast-paced cell division occurring in your hair follicles to slow down. This can cause a significant disruption in the normal production process. As a result of this, it is very common for your follicles to create hair that’s differently shaped or, in some cases, thinner or finer.

Nutrients Change

Another key concern occurs with nutrients. During surgical procedures, the body has to divert all of its energy towards the healing process. As a result of this, it cannot put as many nutrients in the body’s growth and development of new hair. Those diverted nutrients can actually starve the hair follicles somewhat. This makes it hard for hair to grow, especially at its normal pace. In addition to this, the healing process – which continues for some time – can change the way the metabolism works overall, changing the way your hair grows long term.

What is happening to you? If your hair has changed significantly, it is worth bringing this up to your doctor. Discuss the changes, and when they began to become more noticeable. You will want to ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs at all times and that the stress is reduced when possible. This process can take a few minutes of conversation with your physician and simple blood tests, but it can provide you with the insight you need to have when it comes to ensuring your hair goes back to its normal texture. To learn more, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts.