10 Easy Ways to Make Your Hair Thicker After Losing Weight
- Written by Simon Lordhair
- Jul 31, 2022
- |
- 12 min read
When you lose weight, it’s natural for the volume of your hair to decrease. So if you’ve just embarked on a new eating plan or are fitting into smaller clothing after hitting the gym more often, it may be an obvious side effect. The good news is that there are simple things you can do to make your hair appear thicker. In addition to a drop in volume, thinning hair can also be a sign of an underlying issue like iron deficiency or a disease like alopecia or another type of alopecia. Luckily, most cases are temporary and can be reversed with the right diet and lifestyle changes. Read on to discover how you can get thick hair again.
Why Can Hair Loss Happen after Weight Loss?
Nutrient deficiencies and other adverse effects of sudden and severe weight loss may contribute to hair loss. An example of this is acute telogen effluvium (TE), one of the most frequent causes of extensive hair loss on the scalp. It has been associated with weight loss and restrictive diets.
TE is common after weight loss or other triggering events and lasts about 6 months. Androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) is one of several types of hair loss linked to restrictive diets, as chronic TE does, which lasts longer than 6 months.
Weight loss and diet can cause several types of hair loss including:
Very Low Protein Diets
Hair requires amino acids to produce keratin, a crucial hair structure protein. Amino acids are necessary to create keratin. When you diet with insufficient protein, you may lose hair as a result of protein malnutrition. Hair loss may occur if your body's protein needs are not met. Important protein-dependent processes such as digestion, tissue repair, pH and water balance regulation, and hormone production are prioritized.
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Crash Dieting
Because hair requires adequate calories and nutrients to grow properly, deficiencies can lead to hair loss. A link has been found between hair loss and rapid weight loss, calorie restriction, nutrient deficiencies, and psychological stress—all of which are frequently experienced by people on crash diets. Poorly planned diets, including crash diets, may cause hair loss by depriving the body of essential fatty acids, zinc, protein, and overall calories.
Restrictive Diets
Hair loss can occur as a result of nutrient deficiency or stress if you follow a crash diet that eliminates entire food groups. Iron, protein, zinc, selenium, and essential fatty acids have all been connected with hair loss due to nutritional deficiencies. Hair loss has been linked to very low-calorie diets as well as major stress, which may occur as a result of restrictive dieting.
Weight Loss Surgeries
An occurrence of hair loss may be caused by rapid weight loss after weight loss surgery, which commonly results in protein, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies. Weight-reduction surgery can make the stomach smaller, reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold. This can result in the malabsorption of nutrients, leading to nutritional deficiencies. To make up for this, patients must eat smaller amounts of food and more frequently.
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How to Thicken Hair after Weight Loss
1. Stay hydrated
Thinning hair can be caused by many different factors, but one of the most common culprits is dehydration. When your body is deficient in water, it can’t properly regulate the amount of hair growth you experience. This is why it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water every day. When you’re properly hydrated, your hair follicles stay healthy and protected, which allows them to grow thicker and longer. Additionally, it also makes your hair less susceptible to breakage, which can cause your locks to thin over time.
2. Try a dry shampoo
Another thing you can do to enhance your hair’s thickness is to use a dry shampoo in between washings. This product is specifically designed to soak up excess oil from your scalp and hair without actually washing it out or leaving any residue behind. If you’re experiencing thinning hair, it’s a great way to stretch out your washes, which can also help reduce the amount of time you spend styling your hair in the morning. The best dry shampoos contain minerals and baking soda to help cleanse your hair and scalp, along with volumizing ingredients that can make your hair look thicker.
3. Use volumizing products
If thinning hair is more of a short-term issue, try adding a volumizing product to your existing hair care routine. Volumizing shampoos, conditioners, and styling products are designed to add texture and boost volume to your hair. You can also try choosing a thicker hair weave or wig if you want a quick and easy solution. Using volumizing shampoos is easy, and it can help give the appearance of thicker hair for up to 12 weeks.
4. Try a conditioning treatment
Another easy and effective way to add volume to your hair is by doing a conditioning treatment. This can be done by mixing two tablespoons of coconut oil with two tablespoons of honey and applying it to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it out with warm water and shampoo. This treatment is proven to add volume to your hair and can be done as often as needed to maintain the results.
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5. Incorporate proteins into your diet
If you’ve been experiencing thinning hair for a while, you may want to consider upping your protein intake to help strengthen your hair and make it appear thicker. Proteins are essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of hair. They contain the amino acid cysteine, which is a precursor to keratin, the protein that makes up 80% of your hair. When you take in more proteins, it boosts the amount of cysteine in your body, which can help make your hair look thicker.
Some examples of foods rich in protein include fish, eggs, soybeans, milk, yogurt, and lentils. Be sure to include these in your diet at least once a day and you should notice a difference in your hair’s thickness in a few months.
6. Take supplements
Iron deficiency has been linked to hair loss and thinning hair. You can make up for any iron deficiency by taking iron and vitamin supplements. Iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss. It’s also a common side effect of weight loss since many diets are low in iron. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s essential to make sure you’re getting enough iron in your diet. It’s recommended that women get around 15 milligrams of iron per day, while men get 8 milligrams.
7. Manage your stress levels
Stress is another common cause of thinning hair, so it’s important to manage your stress levels as best you can. When you’re under stress, it can cause your body to produce more cortisol. This hormone is a natural response to stressful situations, and it’s essential to survival. However, cortisol can also negatively impact your hair and cause it to become thinner. Luckily, many stress reduction techniques can help.
This can be done through meditation, yoga, or even a brisk walk outside. If you’ve been experiencing thinning hair for a long time, it may be a medical condition that requires medical attention. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about your hair loss, and they can help determine the best course of action. Taking time to de-stress every day can help promote thicker hair, as well as overall better physical and mental health.
8. Go easy on the heat
Excessive heat is another common cause of thinning hair, so it’s important to go easy on your heat styling tools. Using a hair straightener or curler daily can cause your hair to break, which can lead to thinning over time. If you have to use heat on your hair regularly, try to keep it to once a week or less. Also, be sure to use a heat protector before applying any heat to your hair. A heat protectant spray will help shield and protect your hair from the damaging effects of heat styling. It’s best to use a heat protectant spray before each use of heated styling tools, as well as after. You can also try out some no-heat hairstyles to keep your hair healthy and promote thicker, fuller-looking hair.
9. Take care of your scalp
While some cases of thinning hair are genetic, others are caused by an unhealthy diet or poor scalp care routine. A healthy diet is the first step to improving your scalp’s health and promoting thick hair growth. You can also try out some scalp massages to promote thicker hair. When your hair is in its growth phase, it grows about one centimeter each month. Scalp massages can promote hair growth, increase blood flow to the scalp and remove toxins from your hair follicles, which can help promote thicker hair. While these tips can help reverse the effects of a poor diet on your hair, it can take a few months to see noticeable results. In the meantime, there are other ways you can style your hair to make it appear thicker and fuller.
Exfoliating your scalp once a week can help remove dead skin cells and build up healthier hair. Massaging your scalp with a scalp brush or massage tool can help increase blood flow to the area, which can lead to thicker hair. You can also try using a scalp tonic or moisturizer to promote healthier hair and a thicker appearance.
10. Massage your scalp
Scalp massages can promote thicker hair growth, as well as prevent hair loss. When you massage your scalp, it promotes blood flow and circulation to your hair follicles, which helps stimulate hair growth. You can do a quick scalp massage every day to promote thicker hair growth. There are many ways to combat the effects of losing weight on your hair. While it’s important to take good care of your hair, it’s also important to keep in mind that these effects are only temporary and don’t indicate a health issue. If you notice your hair becoming thinner, try out these tips and see if it makes a difference!
Final Point on Thickening Hair after Weight Loss
Losing weight is an incredible achievement, but it can lead to thinning hair in certain cases. It’s important to be mindful of the changes your body goes through when you transform your eating habits. By paying attention to your hair and adjusting your habits as needed, it’s possible to minimize the amount of hair lost during the process.
Crash diets and restrictive diets can cause your hair to thin out, so avoid them if you want to keep your hair. Working with a qualified healthcare professional to determine the cause of your hair loss and come up with a plan to restore it is crucial.
Remember, everybody is different, and there’s no way to know how much your hair will change during a weight loss journey.
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