Post-Surgery Hair Growth: Causes and Concerns After Bone Fixation

Increased body hair after surgery?

Hello, doctor.
After undergoing an intramedullary nail fixation (titanium plate) for a leg fracture, I noticed that one month post-surgery, there is a significant amount of hair growth on the entire leg, which is very dense and uniform, extending from below the knee to the toes, with each hair averaging nearly 2 centimeters in length.
Could you please explain what might be causing this? If I shave it off, will it continue to grow back indefinitely and become longer? Thank you.

Nini, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/10/25

Dr. Wu Yuxin reply Dermatology

You need to have it evaluated by a physician first.

Reply Date: 2022/10/25

More Info

Post-surgery hair growth, particularly after a procedure like intramedullary nailing for a leg fracture, can be attributed to several physiological factors. The phenomenon you are experiencing, where hair grows more abundantly and uniformly on the leg following surgery, is not uncommon and can be explained through a combination of hormonal changes, increased blood flow, and the body's healing response.

Firstly, after any surgical procedure, the body undergoes a healing process that involves inflammation and increased blood circulation to the affected area. This enhanced blood flow can stimulate hair follicles, leading to increased hair growth. Additionally, the stress of surgery can trigger hormonal changes in the body, particularly an increase in androgens, which are hormones that can promote hair growth. This is often referred to as "hypertrichosis," which is an abnormal increase in hair growth.

Another factor to consider is the potential impact of medications used during and after surgery. For instance, certain pain medications or steroids can influence hair growth patterns. If you were prescribed any medications post-surgery, it might be worth discussing with your healthcare provider to determine if they could be contributing to this phenomenon.

Regarding your concern about shaving the hair: shaving does not affect the rate of hair growth or the thickness of the hair. When you shave, you are cutting the hair at the surface level, which does not influence the hair follicle's activity beneath the skin. Therefore, if you choose to shave the hair, it will grow back at its normal rate, and it will not cause it to grow back thicker or longer than it would have otherwise.

It's also important to note that while increased hair growth can be a temporary effect of surgery, it typically normalizes over time as your body heals and returns to its baseline hormonal levels. If the excessive hair growth persists or if you have any other concerns, it would be advisable to consult with a dermatologist or your primary care physician. They can provide further insights and, if necessary, recommend treatments to manage the hair growth.

In summary, the increased hair growth you are experiencing after your leg surgery is likely a result of the body's natural healing processes, hormonal changes, and possibly the effects of medications. Shaving the hair will not lead to permanent changes in growth patterns, and if the condition continues to concern you, seeking professional advice would be beneficial.

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