Can breast augmentation surgery cause hair loss?

Question

I had breast augmentation surgery almost 2 years ago and since about 3 months post op my hair has been coming out and thinning at quite a fast rate. I was wondering if the hair loss could be connected to my surgery but haven't found any definitive answers anywhere. Any opinions much appreciated thanks

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

There is a condition called telogen effluvium, which is hair loss after a stressful event such as surgery.  It can also be caused by medication or other psychological or physical stress,  It reportedly occurs a few months after the procedure and generally does not affect the entire scalp.   It is a rare occurrence and typically improves over time.  Many years ago I had a breast reduction patient who was diagnosed with this condition when she had hair loss several months after her surgery.  She has done well and her scalp has recovered for the most part, although her hair is still thin.  You are two years out from your procedure and might want to consult with a dermatologist or other specialist to rule out other possible causes and possibly have treatment..

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Change of blood flow, and scarring (deep and at the skin level) can cause hair follicles to shut down restricting new hair growth. The current hair may go in the dormant phase (telogen) and fall out (telogen effluvium). Areas involved with scarring may result in areas of permanent loss of hair.Please read the attached link for more information.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Breast augmentation surgery would not cause you to have hair loss. You should address this with your primary health care physician.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

It's not a usual for the surgical stress to cause some temporary hair thinning and loss. This is due to the stress of the procedure. If your hair loss has been progresses over the last several years.

Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS · Answer

I have never heard of hair loss and implants being connected. If it were a cause it seems the hair loss should have started 2 years ago. I would talk to my family doctor about the hair loss.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry.   I do not know of any association of breast implants and hair loss.  Please see your primary care doctor to see if there are any medical reasons for your hair loss.

Frank J. Ferraro, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. I am unaware of any literature that shows a connection to hair loss and breast augmentation.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question. There is no association with the breast augmentation procedure (or implants themselves) with alopecia. There are no studies in literature that document a correlation between the two. This is likely an unrelated coincidence that could be associated with genetics, medications, medical comirbidities, etc. Hope that this helps. Best wishes!

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

There is no link between the two. There are reports of hairless from having ones scalp on head rings during general anaesthetic but these are usually down to prolonged anaesthetic times and very unusual. Global hair loss may be down to something entirely unrelated and worth consulting with your family doctor.

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Having a breast augmentation would not cause you to have hair loss. Please see your primary care physician so that they can do a formal history and physical and run some lab tests to see if a cause can be found to your hair loss.

Can breast augmentation surgery cause hair loss?

Answers (10)

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