Hair Loss and Weight Fluctuations: Are They Related? By on August 17, 2015

Checking weight on a scaleAt Chicago Hair Institute, we always consider the causes of hair loss, balding, and hair thinning while we determine a good solution to the problem. Not all kinds of hair loss are the same, and it's important that treatments be tailored to the needs of the patient to reflect that.

With this in mind, we want to consider hair loss related to changes in weight, and why it's important for us to examine the cause of the weight issue before proceeding with invasive procedures such as hair transplantation.

How Weight and Hair Loss Are Related

Changes to your general health and wellness can lead to a number of different symptoms and problems throughout the body. This is a given, and it should come as no surprise that fluctuations in your weight can trigger hair loss or hair thinning. This may be temporary or permanent depending on the underlying cause of the weight loss and health condition.

Why Weight Loss Can Lead to Balding and Thinning

When it comes to weight loss, the shock to the system caused by your drop in weight can trigger hormonal imbalances that result in the loss of hair.

If the weight loss is related to a major systemic illness, for instance, it's not uncommon for your hair to thin as your body's response to the sudden changes in your body. Similarly, if you lose weight as a result of malnutrition, you will lose hair as your body deal with vitamin, mineral, and caloric deficiencies. In fact, even basic weight loss that's normal may trigger hair loss. When a woman is pregnant, it's common for her hair to become thicker and fuller; after pregnancy, her hair may thin as the body responds to changes in hormones.

Should psychological issues or mental health issues occur along with weight loss, this may exacerbate or trigger the loss of hair. Psychological shock in addition to changes in weight can have countless effects on hair growth.

Thyroid Problems and Hair Loss

As we noted in a previous blog post, thyroid problems can lead to hair loss and thinning. The thyroid gland produces hormones and regulates metabolism, and health problems that affect the thyroid can result in major changes to your weight and the hormone levels in your body. When such issues occur, thinning of the hair and balding are both common symptoms as your body reacts to these internal changes.

Preventing Hair Loss Related to Weight Changes

In terms of just general health and wellness, it's always best to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that's rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Regular exercise is also important and can go a long way toward promoting general wellness. This combination of diet and exercise can help prevent other serious health problems down the road as well.

Keep in mind that even if you eat right and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight, you can still lose hair due to genetic predispositions for balding and thinning (e.g., male pattern baldness, female hair thinning).

Treatment Options for Hair Loss

When it comes to treating hair loss that occurs following a weight fluctuation, it's best to first treat the cause of the weight gain or weight loss. Getting at the root problem will sometimes result in gradual hair regrowth down the line. If this is not the case, we can then discuss non-surgical and surgical treatments for hair loss.

Schedule a Consultation at the Chicago Hair Institute

For more information about hair restoration treatments and how we can help you have a healthy head of hair again, be sure to contact our hair transplant and restoration surgery center today. The team at Chicago Hair Institute will work with you to help you achieve a full head of hair.

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Dr. Raymond J. Konior, MD, FACS

Chicago Hair Institute

Dr. Raymond J. Konior and the team at the Chicago Hair Institute offer world-class treatment backed by over 30 years of expertise in the field of hair restoration. Our doctors are nationally affiliated with professional associations including:

  • International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
  • American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

To learn more or to schedule an appointment at our Chicago, IL, hair restoration clinic, contact us online or call (630) 932-9690.

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