Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, helping thousands of women achieve their ideal silhouette every year. However, some patients have strong adverse reactions to breast implants, exhibiting a number of symptoms, including hair loss. This blog will explore the link between breast implants and hair loss, as well as risk factors and alternatives to implants.
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Can Breast Implants Cause Hair Loss?
No, breast implants themselves do not cause hair loss or affect the hair growth cycle. Hair loss associated with breast augmentation surgery is a complex, multifactorial issue that has a lot to do with a patient’s unique physiology and genetic history.
It is important to note that hair loss is a possible side effect of any surgery. In the case of breast augmentation surgery, specifically, it’s equally pertinent to discuss the rare but possible occurrence of Breast Implant Illness (BII), of which hair loss is a potential symptom.
What Causes Hair Loss After Surgery?
Any surgery carries the risk of temporary hair loss. Telogen effluvium is a condition that is triggered by a disruption of the normal hair follicle cycle. Essentially, stress from surgery can divert necessary nutrients away from your vital organs, including the skin and scalp. This can lead to hair thinning and telogen effluvium. Some medical professionals also suspect that anesthesia can affect cell division in longer surgeries, although more research is required to support this claim.
Fortunately, hair loss after surgery is usually a temporary side effect, if it occurs at all. There is one other consideration, however, that is less common but more serious.
What Is Breast Implant Illness?
Breast Implant Illness (BII) refers to a collection of symptoms that have a strong connection to breast implants for some people. It is a major consideration when it comes to the connection between breast implants and symptoms like hair loss. Some patients experience these symptoms immediately, while for others, they can take a few years to develop.
BII is characterized by a variety of symptoms reported by patients, including:
- Musculoskeletal symptoms (joint pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness)
- Cognitive symptoms (anxiety, depression, brain fog, chronic fatigue, memory loss)
- Systemic, or whole-body, symptoms (autoimmune symptoms, chronic pain, dry eyes, low vision, hair loss, rashes)
What Causes Breast Implant Illness?
The cause of BII is still unknown, but researchers have a few theories, including:
- Autoimmune response: For some people, the immune system harshly rejects foreign devices like breast implants, causing their bodies to exhibit symptoms similar to those present in autoimmune diseases until the foreign body is removed
- Inflammatory reaction: Silicone is a material that may stimulate an inflammatory reaction in some patients
- Bacterial infection: This occurs especially with textured implants, but the formation of a bacterial biofilm on the surface of the breast implants can cause a host of issues, including an autoimmune or inflammatory response or even the development of BIA-ALCL, a rare type of immune system cancer.
Can Breast Implant Illness Be Prevented?
The only way to completely prevent BII is to avoid getting breast implants. A responsible plastic surgeon will take your medical history and genetic predisposition into account and won’t recommend breast augmentation if you have risk factors for BII. It’s also important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon to reduce the risks of infection due to malpractice.
Remember, BII is extremely rare in breast augmentation patients. Nevertheless, if you are considering breast augmentation surgery but are concerned about BII, discuss your concerns, risk factors, and treatment options with a trusted surgeon.
Breast Augmentation Alternatives
If you have a history of autoimmune or inflammatory symptoms or conditions, it may be wise to steer away from breast augmentation surgery. There are other cosmetic procedures that may help you achieve your aesthetic goals while preventing an autoimmune or inflammatory response:
- Fat Transfer: A natural breast augmentation involves using liposuction to remove fat from one or more areas of the body and inject it into the breasts. Because this type of breast augmentation uses your own fat tissue, there is less risk of rejection. Fat grafting to the breasts comes with the added benefit of sculpting other areas of the body, which may further visually enlarge the breasts.
- Breast Lift: While a breast lift won’t increase the size or volume of the breasts, it does enhance the shape, resulting in an improved breast aesthetic.
During your initial consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon, you can discuss your aesthetic goals and options, as well as your concerns, medical history, and possible treatments for issues like hair loss.
Want to Learn More About Breast Augmentation in Tampa, FL?
If you are interested in learning more about your breast augmentation options, visit a highly qualified plastic surgeon. At PREMIERE Center for Cosmetic Surgery, our coordinated team is ready to guide you through your journey to your most confident self. Schedule a consultation with our highly skilled plastic surgeons today—just fill out our online contact form or call (813) 400-1465.