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Weight Loss and Hair Loss: What You Need to Know
First and most important: dieting is not going to ruin your hair.
We lose hair due to age, genetic inheritance, or as a consequence of medical treatments or autoimmune diseases. To this, we can also add rapid weight loss as a determining factor in hair loss in humans.
By the time you finish reading this article, you will know exactly what the relationship between weight loss and hair loss is, as well as how to minimize the risk of it happening to you.
To do so, it is important to distinguish between temporary hair loss and permanent hair loss.
If you already know the differences or prefer to focus on the relationship between weight loss and hair loss, go straight to the section of the article dedicated to that topic.
Natural Hair Loss: The Case of Telogen Effluvium
On average, we naturally lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair a day. Our bodies have the ability to regenerate this hair through a growth cycle with three recognized phases:
- Anagen phase: the hair grows actively
- Catagen phase: the hair stops growing and separates from its follicle
- Telogen phase: the follicle rests for months and then the hair falls out
The growth of new hair in the same follicle triggers the restart of the cycle. Temporary hair loss is an interruption of this cycle and generally occurs during the third phase.
We should note that pattern baldness has a strong genetic influence. No ethnic group is protected. Of course, some ethnic groups will suffer more than others or vice versa, but no ethnic group experiences zero cases of pattern baldness. However, certain genetic differences between ethnic groups will result in different types of male pattern baldness. Therefore, there is no single type of male pattern baldness in the world.
Among the different types of temporary hair loss, telogen effluvium occurs over a specific period of time and can last between 2 and 4 months before the hair begins to grow again.
For a proper diagnosis, it is recommended to visit a healthcare professional, but you can recognize some of these symptoms:
- Fallen hair gets caught between your fingers, in your brush, or on your pillow
- You do not notice an increase in oiliness in your hair
- Your hair does not lose density
- You do not feel itching, irritation, or tenderness on your scalp
Causes of Telogen Effluvium
The NYU Langone Health Center states that telogen effluvium can be triggered by the use of certain medications, a hormonal imbalance, or traumatic events such as childbirth or surgery.
Likewise, a study published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research also considers that major surgeries and radical diets qualify as causes of this condition.
Both sources agree that the effects begin to be experienced between 2 and 3 months after the traumatic event. They add that the hair lost as a result of telogen effluvium is recoverable once the cause has been identified and its effects corrected.
If telogen effluvium lasts more than 6 months, it is considered chronic effluvium and can trigger permanent hair loss.
What Is Considered Permanent Hair Loss?
Permanent hair loss refers to hair loss that is not recovered through the natural growth cycle mentioned above. It means irreversible damage or destruction of the structures responsible for hair growth.
Among the types of permanent hair loss, the following stand out:
- Androgenetic alopecia: it is due to genetic inheritance and is the most common among men and women
- Cicatricial alopecia: caused by infections, trauma, or autoimmune disorders that turn hair follicles into scar tissue
- Alopecia areata: an autoimmune condition that can affect adults and children and can affect the hair in other areas of the body.
These are not the only conditions that cause hair loss. Each individual is subject to specific circumstances that must be analyzed by a professional to make a diagnosis.
At Care4Hair, we specialize in restoring lost hair with the most modern technology available. You can book an appointment by clicking here or visit our office in Miami.
Why Can Rapid Weight Loss Cause Hair Loss?
Now that the difference between temporary and permanent hair loss has been established, it is worth describing the relationship between rapid weight loss and hair loss.
Our body's ability to naturally regenerate lost hair can be interrupted by various factors. Nutritional problems stand out among them.
Zinc, biotin, sulfur amino acids, magnesium, vitamin B6, iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 stand out among the nutritional elements involved in the growth and health of hair.
A radical diet or weight loss surgery can temporarily suppress the absorption of these vitamins and minerals that are key to hair health, causing the hair to fall out and stop growing.
However, this does not mean you should forget about diets or cancel the gastric bypass surgery you have been planning for months.
What Can You Do to Lose Weight Without Losing Hair?
If you are considering starting a weight loss diet, choose one that includes these types of foods to minimize the risk of hair loss.
Fruits: Specifically, citrus fruits such as lemon or orange contain high doses of vitamin C, and are also rich in collagen. Others, such as avocado, provide amino acids and vitamins B and E, which act as hair repairers.
Animal-based proteins: The vitamin B12 found in eggs oxygenates the hair follicles, just as milk contains the calcium needed to strengthen your hair. Fish provides iron and omega-3, which are vital for hair health.
Vegetables and legumes: Beans and lentils are another recommended source of protein for hair health. Carrots, broccoli, or spinach contain potassium, antioxidants, vitamins E and C, as well as calcium and iron. Consult your surgeon about how to include these food groups in your post-surgery diet if you have undergone weight loss surgery.
Also Consider These Factors
Even if you eat a balanced diet, a febrile state caused by infections, dehydration, a severe physical injury, or severe emotional stress can lead to hair loss.
If you take oral contraceptives, beta blockers, or other medications such as captopril, you could also be at risk of hair loss, according to a study conducted by Dr. Shashikant Malkud.
Take Care of Your Hair With Our Clinic
A quick and accurate diagnosis can prevent and reverse the effects of hair loss. We know this because hundreds of people have recovered their hair with Care4Hair.
