Why Weight Loss Can Lead to Hair Loss
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why is my hair falling out during or after weight loss?” you’re not alone. Many people experience hair thinning or increased shedding after losing weight, especially if the weight loss is rapid or accompanied by significant dietary changes. This hair loss is often due to a condition called telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair shedding.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
This type of hair loss is often due to a condition called telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair shedding. Telogen Effluvium is typically triggered by physical or emotional stress, such as illness, surgery, significant weight loss, or drastic dietary changes.
Weight loss can contribute to hair loss due to nutritional deficiencies, caloric restrictions, stress or hormonal changes.
To combat this type of hair loss, maintain a balanced diet, avoid extreme caloric restriction, support scalp health, and consult a healthcare professional.
What is Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is a common condition that occurs when a large number of hair follicles enter the resting phase (telogen) of the hair growth cycle. Normally, about 10-15% of your hair is in the telogen phase at any given time. However, in telogen effluvium, this percentage can increase, leading to more noticeable hair shedding. This type of hair loss is typically triggered by physical or emotional stress, such as illness, surgery, significant weight loss, or drastic dietary changes.
How Weight Loss Triggers Telogen Effluvium
1. Nutritional Deficiencies
When you lose weight, especially if it’s rapid or involves restrictive diets, your body may not get the essential nutrients it needs to support hair growth. A deficiency in these nutrients can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle and push more hair into the shedding phase.
2. Caloric Restriction and Stress on the Body
Sudden caloric restriction puts stress on the body, and your body may divert its energy to support essential functions rather than hair growth. This physiological stress can disrupt the normal balance of hair growth, leading to increased shedding a few months after the weight loss began.
3. Hormonal Changes Due to Weight Loss
Significant weight loss can also affect your hormonal balance, particularly if it’s achieved through extreme dieting or fasting. Hormonal fluctuations can influence the hair growth cycle, increasing the likelihood of telogen effluvium.
How to Manage Hair Loss During Weight Loss
1. Maintain a Balanced Diet
Ensure that your diet is well-balanced, even when trying to lose weight. Include foods rich in iron, zinc, biotin, and protein, which can help improve hair health. If dietary changes make it difficult to get these nutrients, consider a multivitamin or hair growth supplement, but always consult your doctor before starting any new supplements.
2. Avoid Extreme Caloric Restriction
Try to lose weight at a moderate pace rather than through rapid or crash dieting. Gradual weight loss minimizes the stress on your body and can help maintain a healthier hair growth cycle.
3. Support Scalp Health with Targeted Products
In addition to proper nutrition, using hair care products designed to support scalp health can be beneficial. Nioxin’s System Kits and Hair Fall Defense products can help reduce shedding and promote a healthier scalp environment. For example, the Hair Fall Defense Shampoo and Serum, formulated with Sandalore, Niacinamide, and Caffeine, can help strengthen hair from the root and visibly reduce hair loss.
4. Consult a Healthcare Professional
If you’re experiencing significant hair loss, it’s important to consult with a dermatologist or trichologist who can help diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate treatments. They can also assess whether any nutritional deficiencies may need to be addressed through dietary changes or supplements.
Other Factors That Can Contribute to Hair Loss During Weight Loss
Stress: The stress of undergoing a major change, such as weight loss, can also contribute to hair shedding.
Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain health conditions, like thyroid disorders or anemia, can be aggravated by weight loss and trigger telogen effluvium.
Medications: If you’re taking any medications for weight loss or other health conditions, they could potentially affect your hair as well.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4606321/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0738081X88900685