If you are working on losing weight, it is likely a good idea to anticipate a number of changes with your body. One of the changes many people do not anticipate, however, is the loss of hair. At first, it may include thinning hair, but it can get worse. Why is this seemingly good resolution leading to this type of complication now?
Why Are You Losing Hair?
No matter how you work to lose weight, and no matter how strict you are during the process, it is likely that you'll lose some hair in the process. Temporary hair loss is common during any type of weight loss, whether you are losing weight on purpose or not. The good news is that you may notice improvement in this hair loss over time. Though some may see a significant thinning overall, many others will see improvement within a few months.
According to some studies, hair loss can be significant in those who are working to lose weight. Many people have experienced significant hair loss in the first two to five months after beginning a weight loss plan. This tends to happen after you've started a rather stringent or very specific type of plan, one that alters the type of nutrients your body is getting. If you lose between 25 and 50 pounds during that time you will likely see hair loss as a direct result of it. In these cases, according to the study, most people saw their hair re-grow within the several months after this initial loss. Some people in the study saw as much as 50 percent hair loss occur.
Why does this happen?
There could be multiple reasons for this to occur. One of the most common causes, though, is a direct result of caloric restriction. In short, the significant drop in the number of calories that you are losing will lead to a shock to the body, which translates into hair loss. When you consume so many fewer calories than your body is used to, it leads to inadequate energy supply. This directly impacts the body's hair production. This is generally thought to be the cause of hair loss.
Another key concern comes from the shock of calorie restriction coupled with the changes in hormones in the body. When you change your nutrient intake, you also make changes to the types of nutrients your body's cells have access to. In some cases, this changes the production of hormones in your body. As a result, you may see significant hair loss occur. Hormone changes especially as you lose weight can impact your overall health and they can jolt your system enough to leave it unable to produce hair.
What Can You Do About It?
If you are struggling with weight, it is still wise to work to lose that weight. Choose a healthy diet that is based on eating whole foods, natural foods, and less processed and high fat foods. Most importantly, invest some time in exercise, too. If you begin to notice hair loss during this process, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about why this may happen. It only takes a few pounds of weight loss in a short period of time to create this type of loss. However, the good news is that you may not have to deal with it long.
Many people spend a great deal of time worrying about hair loss during weight loss, but the good news is this doesn't have to be the case. Most people will see an improvement in hair loss from weight loss within a few months. Though it may seem drastic at first, it does not have to be long term. If it continues, it is a good idea to work with your doctor to determine what the underlying cause is and what can be done about it. Don't stop losing weight, but do talk to a hair loss professional about your hair loss. Contact our team for more information.
