Can a scalp sunburn cause hair loss or hair thinning?

Question

About 20 days ago, I went to the beach with a fresh fade haircut (I'm a male) and ended up getting a sunburn on my scalp. It really wasn't too bad, but a few days later, I peeled like a lizard. My hair was very short at the time of the peeling. Is it possible that some tiny hairs could have come out while the skin is peeling? The reason I ask is because my hair seems to be growing in patchy/uneven right now (I still haven't cut my hair again)

Amir Yazdan, MD · Answer

A deep enough sun burn can lead to hair loss at times especially and can sometimes lead to telogen effluvium due to the inflammation. Telogen effluvium, often caused by stress, can sometimes cause hair loss in patches. If you’d like to read more about telogen effluvium and what you can do to prevent further hair loss, visit my website. You may want to consider meeting with an experienced hair transplant surgeon who specializes in the medical management of hair loss to discuss your options. The best way to avoid hair loss is to prevent it. This means acting at the first sign of hair loss.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This requires an in-person evaluation. I suggest seeing a hair loss expert now to evaluate and go over your condition and provide you information about your best treatment options. There are great non-invasive options like prp/progesterone and/or hair transplantation. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Craig L. Ziering, DO · Answer

A severe sunburn can be detrimental to hair growth and damaging to the scalp. It causes inflammation, which is known to cause hair loss. Depending on the degree of burn (depth of scarring) most of the hair is likely to grow back over time.

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

Sun burn may cause a transient hair loss but  ı dont think so that it is possible for some tiny hairs could have come out while the skin is peeling.Hair bulbs may damaged under sun exposure , but hair will regrow again.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

A sunburn can cause a telogen effluvium (shedding) which can last a few weeks. Ultraviolet radiation is a powerful inducer of hair cycle changes. Burns can cause inflammation which also drives shedding. Most with sun burn induced telogen effluvium find things settle in 3-6 weeks. Please see your physician if issues persist.

Steven Schuster, MD, FACS · Answer

While you may have noticed some change in your hair in all likelihood this is temporary.  Remember, a bad sunburn can easily be a 2nd degree burn which could have the temporary effect.  See what happens over the next couple of months and remember to always wear a hat and use sunscreen even on the scalp.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

A scalp sunburn can not cause hair loss even if your are thinning. The sun only impacts the epidermis but the hair grows deeper to the epidermis

Can a scalp sunburn cause hair loss or hair thinning?

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Are all of our hairs the exact same size, calibre/thickness and colour?

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