Help: I’m Losing Hair As I Lose Weight!
I see it all the time: my patients are losing weight, and quickly. It’s great! But then, I ask about whether they are experiencing side effects of their tirzepatide medication and they say, “Yes, thinning hair!”
Even on my own weight loss journey, I experienced more fallout in the showers, and gradually noticed that my hair was not as thick or as healthy as it had once been. Hair loss can be stressful when you are already undergoing a physical transformation and likely dealing with the insecurities that are wrapped up with our bodies and weight.
However, while thinning hair can be alarming, it is actually not a side effect of the medication, but of the weight loss itself. Weight loss related hair loss is a common condition known as telogen effluvium. This is a temporary condition that occurs when weight loss occurs rapidly due to restrictive dieting or sometimes nutrient deficiency.
It’s all in the nutrients
One thing we talk about when I am prescribing tirzepatide is the importance of eating the right things. The medication will indeed reduce your appetite, but this is not enough to ensure you experience healthy and sustainable weight loss.
As much as we all wish there was a miracle drug that would let us eat whatever we want and still have our ideal body, it’s just not realistic. Nutrition will always be key in creating a weight management routine that’s sustainable and healthy.
We should look at these medications more as a tool to help us develop better habits, and that includes eating nutrient-dense diets. Tirzepatide does help to reduce our cravings for unhealthy foods, so use that as a tool to build healthy, fresh foods into your daily diet.
Focus on eating a big variety of nutrient-dense fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Your hair health is very much influenced by the nutrients you are putting into your body.
With any rapid weight loss, you may still experience some hair thinning, but focusing on healthy food choices will help to slow or reduce hair loss while you get your weight under control.
Time for a little self care
Other what goes in your body, what goes on your scalp can also help to stimulate hair growth and overall scalp health. Like most other people, I love a little self care moment. About once every week on Sunday, I finish up any errands and chores and retreat to my bathroom to mix up a scalp treatment before hair wash day.
The ingredients are simple: mix a small amount of organic, cold pressed castor oil, argan oil, and coconut oil into a small bowl or jar. Add a drop or two of rosemary essential oil and mix well until combined. You may need to warm the mixture slightly for the coconut oil to liquify, but it helps to thin out the thicker oils so that they are easier to apply.
You can apply the mixture with your hands, or I like to use the small brush that hairstylists use to apply hair dye to really get down to the scalp. Try to avoid the ends of your hair, keeping the oils on your scalp to avoid oily, weighed down hair.
Some people like to wrap their hair up with plastic wrap or a plastic shower cap to generate some heat and really let the oils sink in. All of these ingredients are thought to promote hair growth and hair strength. They are also great for the skin, moisturizing the scalp and reducing any flaky, dry skin that can exacerbate hair loss.
Leave this mixture on for at least 30 minutes- or longer if you get caught up bingeing your favorite reality show on the couch. Bonus points if you light a candle and drink a cup of tea, just for the self care of it all! You may find you need to shampoo twice to get all of the oil out.
A combination of 5 ingredients known to promote hair growth: minoxidil, melatonin, GHK-cu, tretinoin, caffeine. Stimulates new hair growth, while promoting thicker and longer hair. Apply 1ml to affected area twice daily. If no hair regrowth in 4 months, stop the medication.
Don’t worry, it’s temporary
The main thing to remember about weight related hair loss is that it is temporary and very treatable! Hair loss can be scary, especially when you are already dealing with the insecurity and emotions that come with losing weight.
Follow my advice and focus on getting lots of great nutrients and healthy foods into your diet to prevent or reverse hair thinning. Finally, take some time to take care of yourself. Not only does scalp oiling help to promote hair growth, but taking time for yourself also helps to promote reduce stress and anxiety and promote self love.
Health is holistic, and all of this matters when it comes to being your best, healthiest self, including your hair. I am always here to help, so my patients can reach out to me any time for help dealing with thinning hair or any other side effects they may be experiencing.
