Why Do You Lose Hair When You Lose Weight After A Diet?
The sudden changes in diet and calorie restriction can cause stress and nutritional deficiencies, leading to hair loss. The physiological and emotional stress and hormone imbalance due to dieting may cause Telogen Effluvium (TE), a form of temporary hair loss (1). Telogen effluvium may also be triggered by bariatric surgery (for obesity and weight loss), iron deficiency, anemia, and the side effects of certain drugs (2). Scroll down to learn more about it in detail. A study was conducted on 2538 patients who underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) to study the effect of the surgery on hair loss. About 57% of the patients, more seen in younger women, reported experiencing hair loss after MBS which decreased with time.
Stress
While striving for the ideal weight and staying fit is good, the immense pressure to lose weight may cause stress. This is further aggravated when it is accompanied by unfavorable consequences of weight loss, such as hair loss, dull skin, and fatigue.
Nutritional Deficiency
Nutritional deficiency may impact both hair structure and hair growth. Sudden weight loss or reduced protein intake may cause acute telogen effluvium (TE) (4).
Drugs And Hormones
Weight loss medications and hormone supplements may also trigger hair loss. Crash diets cause mild to severe depletion of essential nutrients needed for sustaining proper body function. Loss of nutrients like protein, iron, biotin, zinc, essential fatty acids, and vitamin B12 triggers hair loss (4). A recent study reports that nutritional deficiency of amino acids, such as histidine, leucine, valine, alanine, and cysteine was found in participants with different types of hair loss (5).
Anti-thyroid agents Hormones, such as androgens (testosterone) Phentermine (Although anecdotal evidence suggests that it can cause hair loss, this side effect isn’t often listed. More research is warranted to validate this claim.)
If your hair loss is caused due to underlying conditions and medications, talk to your doctor. However, if it is triggered by weight loss, it is a temporary phase.
How Long Does Hair Fall Out After Weight Loss?
You may experience hair loss for 3-6 months after weight loss. This is a temporary phase, and once you resume a healthy and balanced diet, your hair will start to grow. If you are experiencing hair loss during weight loss, here is how you can prevent it.
Tips To Prevent Hair Loss When Losing Weight
Avoid crash diets. Avoid diets that demand severe calorie Get adequate sleep for 7 to 8 hours. Consult a doctor and take high-quality multivitamins (100% RDV). Get regular scalp massages to improve circulation.
If you are concerned about whether the hair will grow back or not, scroll down for the answer.
Will The Hair Grow Back After Weight Loss?
Yes, the hair you lost during your weight loss journey will grow back once the body adjusts to the diet and the underlying stressors are gone (2). Hair loss mainly happens when your body does not get an adequate supply of nutrients. Once you start following a balanced, healthy diet, your hair should grow back within six months. While losing 50-100 strands every day is normal, consult a doctor immediately in case of excess hair fall. Here is how excess hair loss is diagnosed.
Excess Hair Fall: Diagnosis And Treatment
You may try the hair pull test (2). Grasp around 50 hair strands between your thumb and forefinger and pull gently along. It is normal if a few strands (less than 10%) come off. However, if most of the hair strands come off, consult a doctor immediately. The doctor may perform tests for further diagnosis. They include:
Hormonal test Tests to check serum ferritin levels Thyroid test Tests to check vitamin D levels
The doctor may also suggest treatment options like:
Minoxidil: Studies show that 2% topical minoxidil can stimulate hair regrowth (8). Spironolactone: Spironolactone therapy also encourages hair regrowth (9). It slows down androgens (testosterone) to promote hair growth. Keep in mind that it should be taken only with your doctor’s consent.
The doctor may also use drugs and therapies like PRP(platelet rich plasma), laser treatment or hair transplantation to treat hair loss. However, the treatment may vary from case to case. Do thyroid issues cause hair loss and weight gain? There are various reasons for weight gain and hair loss, including thyroid. Weight gain can result from hypothyroidism. Due to how slowly hypothyroidism develops, many people don’t experience any symptoms for months or even years. Additionally, it can lead to hair thinning on the scalp and body and dry, brittle hair (10). Thyroid disorders, if severe and left untreated, can result in hair loss. The video below discusses the association between weight loss and hair loss. Know other key factors affecting your hair health and get insights for maintaining strong and healthy hair. Check it out!
