Hair Shedding More Than Usual? Blame Your Crash Diet

It was such a good idea at the time, but is your January weight loss resolution coming back to haunt you? Many women who try to shed their holiday weight by drastically restricting their food intake are at risk of hair loss, but what can you do to prevent it becoming a long-term problem?

Is Your Hair Slimming Down?

Usually a month or two after the diet begins, hair will fall out at a faster rate that normal (we lose on average 100 hairs a day). Dieters may notice an increase in hair fall from the top of their head, perhaps skin on the scalp is more visible, or you might notice more hair falling out in the shower.

Washing your hair everyday will not cause an increased rate of shedding, so if you're making use of that gym membership there's no need to worry. However whilst increased exercise won't cause you to lose hair, your diet may well do.

The reason behind the shedding lies in the fact that restricting your calorie intake inevitably means that your intake of nutrients will drop sharply, and because the hair system is incredibly sensitive to changes going on elsewhere in the body, the hair loss condition Telogen Effluvium may occur.

Telling Telogen

Telogen Effluvium happens when hair follicles stop growing prematurely and enter the resting (telogen) phase. The affected hairs will  few remain in this phase for a few months, before shedding. So in theory, you could have given your diet the boot long before the hair loss occurs.

Happily for everyone who's been living off vegetable juices and fresh air for the past few weeks, hair loss from Telogen Effluvium should regrow after several months. However, sometimes hair can need a helping hand to return to its previous luster, especially if a nutrient deficiency is still ongoing.

The Diet Antidote

Firstly, any diets that restrict calories or certain foods to the extent that your body is missing out on vital nutrients are strongly advised against. In terms of hair loss treatment, there is one clinically proven hair loss medication available for use by women that is licensed by the MHRA: minoxidil.

At Belgravia our specialists often recommend applying recommended formulations of high strength minoxidil to the affected areas in order to help promote hair growth, especially in stubborn areas such as the hairline or crown.

Alongside minoxidil, there are a number of treatment boosters which can potentially enhance hair regrowth. These include nutritional supplement Hair Vitalics, which ensures that your hair is getting everything it needs to grow back strong and healthy.