This content is meant for informational purposes only. You should consult a credible medical professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Can Losing Weight Make You Lose Hair?
Weight Loss and hair loss are linked often but are not always cause and effect. Several explanations exist for why weight loss can cause hair loss:
Nutrient Deficiencies
With rapid weight loss or restrictive diets, you can expect a deficiency of some nutrients and, most particularly, iron, zinc, and protein. The onset of hair growth depends on having these nutrients. It takes time to replenish your stores, and the lack of any can slow or even halt hair growth.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is defined by an excessive number of hair follicles prematurely entering the resting phase (telogen) of hair growth in response to any number of physical or emotional trauma. In the case of telogen effluvium, hair shedding typically commences 2 to 3 months after an emotional or physical trigger. The condition persists for just a few months before clearing up on its own.
Hormonal Changes
Significant weight loss sometimes affects hormone levels, which then affects hair growth. Hypothyroidism, for example, is a condition that may arise from rapid weight loss, and hair loss can be the result of untreated hypothyroidism.
Autoimmune Diseases
These diseases, which can cause hair loss, include lupus and alopecia areata, and weight loss could trigger or exacerbate their course.
Medications
Certain drugs used for weight loss or other related conditions have hair loss as a side effect.
If you notice some hair loss after your weight loss, it may be time to check with a doctor for underlying conditions, or come up with a reasonable treatment of the situation.
Here is a list that may help with hair loss during weight loss:
- Eat a balanced diet: As always, make sure to have sufficient protein from all sources including meat, beans, etc., iron, zinc, and other nutrients of value for your body.
- Avoid any crash diet: The rapid loss of weight gives you a greater risk of hair loss.
- Hydrate: Taking daily measures to prevent dehydration has been seen to ease the burden of losing hair during weight loss adventures.
It has been found that managing stress is very essential since stress can lead to hair loss.
Consider a good supplementation therapy: If you are deficient in biotin or iron, talk to your doctor about taking these in supplement form.
Disclaimer: It is general knowledge and information only, and is not intended to be medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, consult the appropriate qualified healthcare provider.
