Weight loss and hairfall ( GLPs)
With the increasing accessibility to GLP-1s, weight loss medications, gastric banding and off market peptides we need to talk about the elephant in the room that is hairfall relating to weight loss.
IA common side effect of any extreme weight loss and caloric deficit can be additional hair fall, this might mean when you brush your hair at home the brush has more shed hair then usual, wash day might feel like suddenly there’s an abundance of hair in the bottom of the shower, or other more subtle signs like loss of volume in a blowout or a smaller ponytail.
With a decrease in appetite it means that all calories need to be of high nutritional value, and ensuring you’re getting the vitamins and minerals to sustain the body. In short, when the body is put under stress the body prioritises sending energy and resources to the vital systems that keep you alive and lets non vitals ( hair, skin and nails) go to the wayside.
Common vitamin deficiencies that may contribute to additional fall may include iron, zinc and vitamins B7 ( biotin) and vitamin D. Your GP can assist with a blood panel to check for abnormalities in these areas.
some alternate options that can aid in hair growth and loss prevention include;
Minoxodil is a topical over the counter spray / foam and oral prescriptive medication that helps stimulate hair growth via widening blood vessels and shortening the dormant and resting stages of the hair follicles growth cycle. requires consistancy and can cause what feels like an initial increase in hair fall which can cause distress when you’re in the thick of hair loss stress.
I’ve personally been utilising topical exosome serums ( I’m personally using calecim) with a dermastamp to help support my hair though my post partum / post breast feeding hairloss cycles to try mitigate the extreme end of hair fall.
Minimising insalon services, this includes all colour work ( salon or at home), smoothing or relaxers and extension work. In the past when consulting potential guests tackling hairloss, This is always my first stop. While its not what some people want to hear taking the chemical exposure out of the picture means we can find baseline, nourish and protect what is left and remove the potential for chemical breakage adding to the loss of density. avoiding heat styling and extension work can feel like a death sentenance but again we’re taking gravitational weight pressure off the remaining hair until the loss cycle has past.
