Losing weight can be rewarding, but it sometimes brings unexpected challenges, like hair loss. If you’ve noticed extra strands in your brush or shower, you’re not alone.
Hair loss during weight loss is common and often linked to nutrient deficiencies or hormonal changes.
Let’s explore why this happens and how you can maintain healthy hair while losing weight.
Table of content
Understanding the hair growth cycle
Your hair is constantly cycling through different stages, and understanding this cycle can help make sense of why hair loss occurs. Hair growth goes through three distinct phases:
- Anagen (growth) phase: This is when your hair is actively growing, and it can last anywhere from 2 to 7 years.
- Catagen (transition) phase: A short phase, lasting just a few weeks, where hair stops growing and prepares for rest.
- Telogen (resting) phase: This phase lasts about 3 months, where the hair is no longer growing and eventually falls out.
Hair health depends on several factors:
- Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet rich in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins like A, B, C, D, and E is key for strong hair.
- Genetics: Family history can play a big role in hair loss patterns, though early intervention can help manage it.
- Health conditions: Hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, and other health concerns can contribute to hair loss.
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Can weight loss cause hair loss?
Yes, weight loss, especially rapid or extreme weight loss, can lead to hair loss. When your body experiences significant weight loss, it can trigger stress and hormonal imbalances, which may cause hair follicles to enter the resting (telogen) phase too early, resulting in increased shedding.
The body sees rapid weight loss as a form of physical stress, and this can disrupt your hair’s growth cycle.
Hormonal shifts, like an increase in cortisol, may further complicate the situation. It’s important to be aware of this if you’re pursuing quick weight-loss methods, as your hair could be impacted in the process.
What causes hair loss during weight loss?
Hair loss during weight loss is often tied to nutritional deficiencies. When your diet lacks key nutrients, it can impact your body’s ability to grow healthy hair. This can be especially common with crash diets, weight loss surgeries, or restrictive eating plans.
Some nutrients that are vital for hair health include:
- Iron and zinc: Low levels of these minerals can significantly increase the chances of hair loss.
- Fatty acids: Essential for keeping your hair and scalp healthy.
- Vitamin D: Known to play a role in the hair growth cycle.
Hair loss happens when stress on the body forces hair follicles into the resting phase (telogen) prematurely, causing more hair to fall out. This process, known as telogen effluvium, can often follow significant weight loss, but the good news is that with proper care, the hair typically grows back once the stressor is removed.
Why can hair loss occur after weight loss?
Losing weight quickly or following restrictive diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies and cause hair loss. This often happens due to a condition known as telogen effluvium (TE), where hair enters a resting phase and falls out more than usual.
Below, we'll explore some key factors contributing to hair loss during weight loss.
Crash dieting and hair loss
Crash diets, which severely restrict calorie intake, have been linked to hair loss since the 1970s. Studies show that when your body lacks enough calories and nutrients, it prioritizes essential functions over non-essential ones, like hair growth.
A 2015 study found that iron deficiency and psychological stress, both common in crash dieters, were major contributors to hair loss in women.
Low-protein diets and hair health
Protein is critical for hair growth because it’s needed to produce keratin, the main structural protein of hair. Diets lacking in protein can lead to hair loss, as your body focuses on functions vital for survival, like tissue repair, instead of hair growth.
Research has shown that deficiencies in amino acids, such as histidine and leucine, are common in those experiencing hair loss.
Weight loss surgeries and hair loss
Weight loss surgeries, especially those that limit nutrient absorption, can cause hair loss. A study of people who underwent sleeve gastrectomy found that 56% experienced hair loss, with women being more affected.
Deficiencies in zinc and vitamin B12 were common among these individuals, both before and after surgery.
Restrictive diets and nutrient deficiencies
Restrictive diets that cut out entire food groups can lead to hair loss due to missing nutrients like iron, zinc, and essential fatty acids.
Low-calorie diets and stress from strict eating habits have also been linked to hair loss in numerous studies.
How to prevent hair loss when trying to lose weight
Maintaining a balanced diet is key when aiming to lose weight without compromising your hair health. A diet rich in nutrients can support healthy hair growth and reduce the risk of hair loss.
Here are some tips to help protect your hair during weight loss:
- Prioritize protein: Make sure you include enough protein in your meals to support hair growth.
- Include biotin-rich foods: Foods like eggs, avocados, and nuts are great sources of biotin, which is known to support hair health.
- Stay hydrated: Water is essential for healthy hair, so make sure you're drinking enough.
If you're following a restrictive diet or have certain medical conditions, supplements might be worth considering under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Can extreme exercise lead to hair loss?
Yes, extreme or sudden increases in exercise can lead to hair loss. When your body experiences significant stress from intense workouts, it can trigger a condition known as telogen effluvium.
This stress forces more hairs than usual into the resting phase, causing shedding. It’s important to balance your exercise routine to avoid over-stressing your body and your hair.
Can weight loss surgery cause me to lose hair?
Yes, weight loss surgery can result in hair loss, often due to the rapid weight loss and nutrient deficiencies that follow the procedure. Hair loss typically begins 3–4 months after surgery and can last several months.
It's important to monitor nutrient levels, especially for zinc and vitamin B12, as deficiencies in these can contribute to hair loss after surgery.
A better approach for your overall hair health
If you’re struggling with hair loss during or after weight loss, using a targeted product like Bio-Pilixin® Serum can help.
This clinically tested serum is designed to reduce hair thinning and promote hair growth by stimulating blood flow to the scalp and delivering vital nutrients to hair follicles.
With its plant-based growth factors developed through stem cell technology, Bio-Pilixin® can support healthy hair in various stages of hair loss.
What’s great about Bio-Pilixin® is that it works on most types of hair loss, as long as your follicles are still capable of growing hair.
Many users notice less hair shedding in as little as a few weeks. In a clinical trial, 77% of participants reported reduced hair loss after 45 days, and 73% saw a measurable increase in hair density after 150 days.
With results like these, Bio-Pilixin® offers a safe, drug-free solution for daily use that can support your hair’s overall health as you continue your weight loss journey.
Conclusion
Weight loss and hair loss can be connected due to factors like nutrient deficiencies and stress.
By understanding the causes and taking preventative measures, like maintaining a balanced diet and using products like Bio-Pilixin® Serum, you can reduce the risk of hair loss and support your hair’s health.
Try Bio-Pilixin® today with a 150-day money-back guarantee!
FAQs
How does crash dieting impact hair growth?
Crash dieting, which involves rapid and extreme calorie restriction, can shock your body into focusing on essential functions like breathing and circulation while deprioritizing hair growth. This lack of nutrients can halt hair production, leading to hair loss.
How do low-protein diets impact hair health?
Your hair is made up of keratin, a protein formed by amino acids. Low-protein diets can cause a deficiency in these amino acids, which are essential for hair growth. Without enough dietary protein, your hair’s growth cycle can stall, resulting in thinning hair or hair loss.
How do low-carb diets impact hair loss?
Low-carb diets, such as keto or Atkins, can restrict the nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. These diets may lead to hair loss because they limit the intake of vitamins and minerals essential for hair health.
Can extreme exercise lead to hair loss?
Yes, sudden or intense increases in exercise can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair loss caused by physical stress on the body. Excessive exercise can also increase stress hormones like cortisol, which can contribute to hair shedding.
Can a lack of nutrition lead to poor hair health?
Yes, inadequate nutrition can negatively impact hair health. Hair follicles require vitamins, minerals, and proteins to function properly. A diet lacking these nutrients can lead to weakened hair follicles and hair loss.
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