My hair is coming out and im scared to death. Please help

by Latisha
(Dalton, Georgia)

Post Surgery Stress

Here’s my story. I just turned 30 in October and my hair has never been what you would call thick, but it wasn’t this thin either. I eat right, I’m not on any meds, and I have always tried treating my hair right. By treating it right I mean I do highlight my hair, but only above the roots and I don’t keep putting colour on top of my hair. I use excellent shampoos and conditioners. Right now I’m using Nioxin products, for thinning hair.

On July the 11th I had a breast reduction, I was under for almost 6 hours. In September my hair started coming out really bad, mostly in the shower and picking it out while it was still wet. When it’s dry it doesn’t do it any more than normal. Now it seems like it is slowing down, but I am starting to see my scalp.

I have been to my general practitioner and he tested hormones and thyroids, both came back great. He seems to think it’s from my surgery. I am also currently taking biotin 5000, Nioxin vitamins, vitamin e, folic acid and a hair skin nail vitamin. I was thinking about going to a dermatologist. I’m wondering how much longer this is going to go on.

Right now I’m scared to get my highlights redone to, I’m afraid it will make more hair come out. I am starting to see new growth all through my hair, it’s about an inch long. I also have lines in my finger nails, my doctor says that’s also part of my body going through the stress of the surgery I had. PLEASE HELP!!!!

Editor’s Comments

Dear Latisha, you really do have obvious signs of Post Operation Stress, which is also a reason for sudden hair loss or Telogen Effluvium. The nail lines represent the time line where you were having that period of stress and your hair loss 3 months after the surgery indicates that your body has faced with a short period of stress.

This condition is perfectly normal and there is nothing you should really worry about as the sudden shedding will slow down and return to its normal rates and I believe that your doctor has pinpointed your problem correctly.

As you have noticed some regrowth, then it’s a good sign that your body is normalizing so all that you have to do in the present moment is to stop worrying about it. I believe your hair will return to normal within a few months time.

At the present moment, I strongly suggest avoiding any hair treatments like highlights or straightening. Keep your hair as natural as possible when it’s recovering to prevent further stress to your hair. You should be able to continue with your highlights and other treatments 3-4 months down the line when everything returns to normal.