Weight Loss And Hair Loss: What Happens And How To Treat 2024

If you’ve recently experienced dramatic or rapid weight loss and you’re losing hair, that’s because of the special link between weight loss and hair loss. Hair loss due to weight loss is typically temporary, and regrowth should occur once your weight stabilizes. However, it’s still essential to identify any potential medical conditions related to hair loss.

Many nutrients affect hair growth, and certain nutrient deficiencies can cause you to lose hair. In addition to following a balanced diet, some other tactics may improve your hair health and keep your locks strong. These include stress management and gentle hair care. 

Why Does Weight Loss Cause Hair Loss?

Telogen effluvium causes a shortening of the active growth, or anagen, phase of the hair cycle, with more hairs moving to the resting, or telogen,^[2] phase. This causes increased shedding,^[3] leading to overall hair thinning. 

It’s normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair daily, while more than that can indicate excessive shedding. Telogen effluvium can cause shedding^[3] of about 300 to over 1,000 strands per day, a significant increase from the norm.

This increased shedding generally occurs about 3-4 months^[3] after a trigger such as a significant weight loss and can last for 3-6 months.

Other common causes include psychological stress, childbirth, hormone changes, illness (especially with fever), or surgeries. 

Bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery for obesity, often triggers excessive hair shedding within 3-6 months after the procedure.^[4]

A nutrient deficiency^[4] may be to blame if the shedding continues after this. Severely restricted or crash diets can also lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Hair Loss And Nutrient Deficiencies 

After losing weight, hair loss may occur due to inadequate nutrition. An inadequate^[5] calorie intake can lead to hair falling out and thinning, as can a nutrient deficiency.

Optimal intake of protein and multiple vitamins and minerals is critical to hair health.

Protein

The hair shaft is composed mainly of protein, and the hair follicles need adequate protein and energy for cell division and hair shaft production.^[6]

One study in India, where inadequate protein intake^[7] is more common, identified low levels of various amino acids^[8] in hair loss patients.

While protein deficiency is rare in developed countries, if you’re following a reduced-calorie diet, it’s critical to ensure you’re getting enough protein to preserve lean tissue as well as hair health.

Minerals 

Some studies have found a link between low levels of iron^[9] and hair loss disorders. Losing hair is a symptom of iron deficiency,^[10] and iron deficiency anemia is a commonly identified cause^[11] of telegon effluvium. It’s thought that low iron availability impairs the follicles’ hair production.

Common causes^[12] of iron deficiency include menstrual blood loss (in premenopausal women), pregnancy, and diets low in iron.

Following a vegetarian or vegan diet can lead to iron deficiency because iron in plant foods is less bioavailable than iron in animal products. Good plant-based sources of iron include beans, lentils, and dark green leafy vegetables. 

Consuming foods high in vitamin C along with iron sources increases iron absorption^[13] and thus may indirectly promote hair growth. Adequate intake of the amino acid L-lysine may also benefit iron absorption.

Research has found that adding L-lysine to iron supplementation increased levels of ferritin, an iron-binding protein that reflects iron stores.

Deficiencies of other minerals are also linked with hair loss, including selenium and zinc. Selenium deficiencies are more common in certain medical conditions and in countries with low soil selenium levels.

There is limited research on selenium deficiency and supplementation for hair loss, however, and too much selenium can cause toxicity and lead to losing hair.

Zinc deficiency^[14] is more common in vegetarians, particularly vegans, during pregnancy, or in people with certain gastrointestinal disorders.

Research has found that zinc supplementation reverses hair loss in cases of telogen effluvium with zinc deficiency. However, supplementation may not help if there’s no deficiency present, and toxicity can occur with excess supplementation. 

Vitamins

Some vitamins are also linked with hair loss, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, and the B vitamins biotin, niacin, and riboflavin. Fortunately, because of fortification, deficiencies of niacin and riboflavin^[12] are rare in developed countries. 

Biotin deficiency is also rare in healthy people since the body’s gut bacteria produce biotin. It’s also abundant in high-protein foods such as eggs, meat, fish, nuts, and seeds.

Biotin deficiency is more prevalent^[15] during pregnancy and in people who take anticonvulsant medications, have abnormal gut flora after antibiotic use, or have health conditions^[16] such as gastrointestinal disorders or alcohol abuse. 

Though research has found that biotin supplements improve hair loss associated with deficiency, there’s a lack of research on biotin supplement use in individuals experiencing hair loss without a deficiency. Though there’s no evidence of toxicity with biotin supplementation, a high intake can interfere with lab test results. 

Vitamin D^[17] has a role in the cycling of hair. Some studies have found lower vitamin D levels in women with hair loss, but research is limited.

Vitamin D deficiency is more common in individuals with darker skin, those with limited sun exposure, and those who avoid dairy due to allergy, intolerance, or a vegan diet.

In one study^[18] of women with telogen effluvium, supplementing with the amino acid l-cysteine, medicinal yeast (also known as Brewer’s yeast) containing B-complex and the B vitamin pantothenic acid improved their hair regrowth significantly within six months.

Is Hair Loss Dangerous?

Although hair loss is common, it can be very distressing and has been linked with anxiety and depression. The type of hair loss caused by weight loss, telogen effluvium, is generally temporary and lasts less than six months. 

However, in some cases, telogen effluvium continues for a more extended period and is considered chronic. Diffuse (all over) hair loss can also have other causes, including female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia has a genetic link and may be treated with medications. 

Sometimes hair loss is accompanied by pain in the scalp, termed trichodynia.^[19] This scalp pain is prevalent^[20] with telegony effluvium but also occurs in other hair loss disorders like female pattern hair loss.

The cause of trichodynia^[20] is not well understood, but it’s been linked to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. A dermatologist may recommend various oral or topical treatments if symptoms are bothersome. 

If you’re concerned about hair loss, it’s best to consult a health professional such as a dermatologist to determine the cause and potential treatment options. Various health conditions can lead to hair loss, including thyroid, and immune or gastrointestinal conditions. 

Additionally, some medications or treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can cause hair loss. Using harsh hair products or wearing hairstyles that pull on the hair can also cause hair loss. 

An ongoing cause for hair loss, such as crash dieting or an eating disorder leading to nutrient deficiencies should be addressed. A restrictive diet due to allergies or intolerances, food dislikes, or ethical beliefs can also contribute to a nutrient deficiency.

How To Stop Hair Loss After Weight Loss?

Losing hair can be very upsetting, and you may be wondering how to stop hair loss due to weight loss. Most hair loss resulting from weight loss is temporary. It’s typical to see hair growth 3-6 months after the cause, such as weight loss, has been resolved.

However, there may be steps you can take to take to optimize your hair health and prevent further losses.

Stress Management

Since emotional stress has been linked with losing hair, managing stress levels through therapy and other methods such as meditation, yoga, or other calming exercises may be beneficial. 

Gentle Hair Care

Experts^[21] recommend handling hair carefully and washing it with a gentle shampoo while going through hair loss. Avoid^] hairstyles that pull on the hair to prevent damage or further losses. Limit brushing and use of flat irons, blow dryers, and harsh styling products.

Good Nutrition

It’s critical to ensure you follow a healthy diet with adequate calories and essential nutrients. Iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss, particularly in premenopausal women. Ferritin levels lower than 50-70 micrograms per liter may indicate less than optimal iron storage, according to researchers.

Medical Advice

Consult your healthcare provider about testing for any potential medical conditions or nutrient deficiencies contributing to your hair loss. You should also talk to your healthcare provider before supplementing nutrients.

Some nutrients can lead to toxicity when taken in excess and can actually cause hair loss. These include selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin E.

Summary

If you’re experiencing hair loss after a recent significant weight loss, it often is temporary. However, it’s still essential to address any potential medical causes and any nutrient deficiencies contributing to your hair loss.

Following a balanced diet, managing stress levels, and gentle hair care may all play a role in restoring hair health.

---