Can numbing cream from Botox harm transplant hair?

Question

I had hair transplant six months ago, yesterday I went to have Botox on my forehead and to numb my forehead, for half an hour doctor put numbing cream which also covered some of my front transplanted hair and then wiped it off and I had no burning sensation. Now I’m really worried if numbing cream has burned my new transplanted hair follicles or cause my hair to fall off.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

It's completely natural to feel concerned, especially after investing in a hair transplant. The good news is that topical numbing creams, such as those used prior to Botox, are generally very safe and unlikely to cause any harm to transplanted hair follicles—especially six months post-transplant. By this stage, the grafts are well-established and resilient.

The fact that you had no burning, redness, or irritation is reassuring. Most numbing creams contain lidocaine or similar agents that work on nerve endings in the skin and do not penetrate deeply enough to affect hair follicles. It's unlikely that brief contact with numbing cream would disrupt follicle health or trigger hair loss at this stage in your healing process.

If you notice any shedding, it may be due to normal hair cycling or unrelated factors, but it would not typically be caused by numbing cream. Keep an eye on the area and reach out if you notice persistent changes, but overall, there is no cause for alarm.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

There is no reason to believe at the present moment in time that numbing cream in the manner described should harm the transplanted hairs. This worry should be set aside.

Can numbing cream from Botox harm transplant hair?

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Can numbing cream from Botox harm transplant hair?

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Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.