Causing a lot of damage to your scalp almost always results in some hair loss. That is definitely the case if you suffer from burns – a severe burning of the scalp can not only burn our hair, but also damage our hair follicles and prevent further hair growth. However, in some cases, people may be able to get their hair back even after experiencing burns.
So, can you regrow hair after burning your scalp?
Scalp Burns and Scarring Alopecia
The most likely effect of a severe burning of the scalp would be scarring alopecia. Also called cicatricial alopecia, this type of hair loss is permanent, and it happens when our hair follicles die. The person suffering from this condition will not experience hair regrowth naturally or with the help of hair loss medication.
Although there are currently no treatments available for this condition, a team of scientists is working on a new treatment that could be a possible solution in the future. The treatment includes artificially growing new skin that could contain healthy hair follicles.
Recovery and Other Possible Causes
Many cases of scalp burns are minor, and it’s possible for the scalp to make a full recovery. The recovery time depends on the severity of the burn, but as soon as the scalp recovers, our hair follicles start producing hair. This typically takes up to a year.
However, it’s important to note that going through a stressful experience (such as a fire) can cause a different type of hair loss – alopecia areata. In this case, your hair loss would be caused by stress, rather than by damage to the hair follicles.
Conclusion
In most cases, you will be able to regrow hair after burning your scalp. However, if you notice no regrowth a year after the burn, you should be prepared for the worst scenario.
