Vegan Hair Loss: Causes, Diet Tips, and Lifestyle Tweaks 

Embracing a plant-based diet is not only a humane and ethical choice to make but it offers several health benefits as well. More than 3% of the world population is already vegan and the cultural movement is flourishing. However, concerns about vegan hair loss are growing louder as well. That’s why Lordhair decided to shed some light on the relation between hair loss and the vegan movement. 

Read on to discover the causes of vegan hair loss and remedial measures that can be taken to retain luscious locks. Before we talk about the causes of hair loss after the vegan shift, let's discuss if going veganism can really lead to hair loss. 

Note: If your hair loss has already escalated too far, then, we highly recommend checking out our collection of hair systems

 

Hair Loss and Veganism: Relationship

Hair loss majorly occurs when our body’s cycle of hair production gets out of balance. When hair loss is triggered by diet gaps, it means that hair follicles are not receiving the right nourishment from the inside. 

Dermatologists state that both non-vegan and vegan foods are rich in protein and iron which are essential for hair growth. However, people who transition to a vegan lifestyle without the right information often fail to make the right dietary adjustments. This can trigger hair loss. 

 

 

Vegan Hair Loss Causes 

We have already mentioned that men and women who consume a vegan diet lacking the right nutrients have a higher possibility of developing temporary hair loss. In addition to that, some scientists also say hair thinning can be triggered by several other health factors. 

Below are the dietary and health causes of hair loss among vegans: 

 

Iron Deficiency 

Just like iron beams help make buildings stronger, iron in food helps nourish hair follicles and make the hair stronger. A lack of iron in your body may cause a medical condition called iron deficiency anemia and impact our potential to develop healthy oxygen-carrying RBCs (red blood cells). Slower production of RBCs can slow down the cell-repairing process of your scalp and cause hair loss. 

 

Low Protein 

Proteins - among other things - help build hair structure. People who go vegan with limited understanding see a sudden drop in protein intake as they are not aware of plant-based protein sources. This makes the body halt hair growth so that it can conserve protein and energy for other essential functions. As a result, we see sudden hair loss in certain parts of the scalp. 

 

 

Fast Weight Loss

Cutting out meat from your diet and switching to a completely plant-based diet can cause fast weight loss in some people. That’s because changeability in body mass index causes physical stress and signals the hair follicles to move into a passive stage. It confounds the core systems and disrupts natural processes related to hair growth, and overall health as well. 

 

Stress 

You read it right! Stress and hair loss are related. Studies have shown that stress triggered by any event can contribute to the progression of telogen effluvium in vegans. This causes a sudden, abnormal shift of hair from the anagen (growth) phase to the telogen (resting) phase. This results in weaker hair strands and frequent hair fall. 

 

Vitamin Deficiencies 

One of the major causes of vegan hair loss! Several vitamins including vitamins A, B12, C, D, and E play a critical role in new hair growth on the scalp. If your vegan diet doesn’t supply these vitamins or limit the same, then, you are likely to face hair shedding. 

 

10 hair growth vitamins and nutrients for dazzling hair.

 

Above are the common causes of hair loss among vegans. As you must have noticed, dietary gaps that may emerge during the shift towards a plant-based diet become the major reason behind hair loss. The good thing is that vegan hair loss is not permanent and can be completely reversed if taken care of on time. 

 

Vegan Lifestyle Changes for Healthy Hair

Here are the treatments and lifestyle changes to deal with hair loss and thinning triggered by the vegan shift: 

 

Make Informed Changes 

Men and women who have started a vegan diet recently and are noticing a lot of hair on their pillow, towel, or during the shower can prevent hair fall by making informed changes to their diet. 

To reduce your risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia, focus on including iron-rich vegan foods in your diet. Consider adding fortified breakfast cereals, beans, lentils, spinach, potatoes (with the skin on), dark chocolate, and enriched rice to your diet. If required, take iron supplements to hit optimal intake. 

Include zinc-rich foods in your diet as well. Pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds, and kidney beans are some good vegan sources of zinc. In order to hit your protein targets, we recommend eating protein-rich vegan foods such as nuts, beans, soy products, and cheese substitutes such as nutritional yeast. 

 

 

Avoid Stress 

Stress is an inseparable part of modern life. We all experience it but if not handled properly, it will turn your life upside down. Consider non-competitive aerobic exercises, strength training with weights, or movement activities like yoga to avoid stress. 

Stop using tobacco and nicotine products to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Instead, practice relaxing techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation. 

 

Use Medications 

If dietary changes are not helping, this is the next logical step to overcome vegan hair loss. Medications like Finasteride are proven to be helpful in dealing with hair loss. It works by decreasing the amount of a natural body hormone called DHT, and it leads to increased hair regrowth and slower hair loss. 

We recommend only men use this medication. However, don't forget to take a prescription from your dermatologist as it does have some side effects. Here are the major ones: 

• Decreased sex drive
• Ejaculation disorder
• Skin rash

 

Hair loss prevention tips and recommendations from top experts

 

Hair Systems 

If your hair loss has escalated too far and medications are not helping, then, a hair system is a good recovery option. Unlike finasteride, hair systems - also known as hair toupees - have no side effects and deliver results almost instantly. That’s why we decided to include this solution in our list. Hair systems are helping men across the globe put a full stop to hair loss. These are designed using human hair strands woven into a skin-friendly base that covers the scalp area with the bald patch or thinning.

 

Hair systems for women also look realistic, are durable, and can be easily attached using clips. Check out how awesome Kelly looks after wearing a premium hair system:  

 

 

Above are the treatments for vegans to deal with hair loss. 

 

Hair loss is a sad reality. It can happen to anyone, be it vegans or meat-eaters. Give your hair the right nourishment, care, and attention to retain hair for the long term. 

Got any queries to ask? Send them to support@lordhair.com. Our hair experts will be more than happy to answer them for you! 

 

Check these hair resources and products as well:

 

Hair replacement systems to get back a full head of hair

Hair patches to recover from partial and complete hair loss

Best hair colors for thin hair to look like a rockstar