The first few months of every year are often referred to as weight loss season among physicians as countless Americans turn to extreme diets to meet New Years resolutions or to lose the extra pounds they packed on during the holiday season. But, as Alan J. Bauman, M.D. explains, what many men and women dont realize is that so-called crash dieting isnt just bad for the body, it can also lead to temporary hair loss.
We see this every year around February, like clockwork, said Dr. Bauman, a board-certified hair restoration surgeon and national hair science consultant for health care and consumer products companies. Four to six weeks after the start of a crash diet, major shedding occurs throughout the crown of the head. Its a condition known as telogen effluvium in this case, caused by a steep drop in nutrients to the body, which forces some hair follicles to shed their hair strands and go into a prolonged resting phase during which time no new hairs are grown. Fortunately for patients, this condition is usually temporary, but it can still take six to 10 months for the hair to return back to normal. The condition can be truly frightening for many people, particularly younger women, so its important that people understand its causes and prognosis.
Each year starting in February, Bauman and other hair loss specialists and dermatologists see an influx of new patients concerned about sudden hair loss resulting from New Year-inspired crash diets. According to Bauman, many patients falsely believe that the shedding or hair loss will stop as soon as they end their diet, which he calls a dangerous misconception. The reality is, first its going to take a few months to see all the shedding, then a minimum of six months for the body to stabilize and the hair follicles to return to normal operation; but, for some, the loss may be permanent, he cautioned, especially in those people who have a tendency toward genetic hair thinning.
Because there is a risk for long-term or even permanent hair loss, Bauman advises those patients who begin to experience shedding, thinning or decreased hair volume or coverage to consult with a full-time board-certified hair restoration physician who can help assess the risks for hereditary hair loss, as well as scientifically track and monitor the hairs progress and prescribe a course of treatment in more serious cases. Similar to hair loss associated with childbirth and menopause, a readily treatable tendency toward permanent hereditary hair loss may be revealed by this typically temporary situation.
HairCheck Monitoring:
The HairCheck device is one of the many tools being used by Bauman and his team to determine the extent of damage to a patients hair. HairCheck is a simple, painless, non-invasive way to measure and track the amount of hair growing in a given area of scalp (called the Hair Mass Index or "HairNumber"). The highly sensitive hand-held trichometer, measures hair caliber and hair density together and expresses them as a single number. It can also measure the percentage of hair breakage, which is a common cause of hair loss. Tracking these numbers over time can help determine the extent and rate of a patients hair loss and/or breakage and inform them of any changes. HairCheck can also be used to quantify the degree of hair breakage from harsh hair care regimens or hair loss from extreme diets.
The data we collect provides consumers with actionable information by combining scientific hair tracking measurements with a series of non-invasive, easy-to-follow hair improvement plans and options, explained Bauman.
Dr. Baumans Nutrition Tips for Healthy Hair:
While the HairCheck and other tools allow doctors a better understanding of the damage a patients hair has suffered, the best way to protect the hair is through preventative measures. One of the simplest preventative actions consumers can take is a healthy diet, which gives the hair the vitamins and nutrients it needs.
Everyone knows that what you eat greatly affects your health, but people too often overlook the fact that the same is true for your hair, Bauman advised. Whether you want to reduce the risk of shedding or increase your hair's fullness, shine or thickness, the first step to achieving healthy hair is eating well and maintaining a balanced diet.
