Why we lose our Hair

found this online, I hope it helps, Linda Telogen effluvium is when a stress (such as dieting/weight change) causes noticeable shedding of hair after the stressful event. The hair loss is always delayed, usually 3?4 months after the "stressful event". The event can be a physical stress such as an illness (especially with a fever), sudden weight changes (the most common), or a major surgical procedure. Sudden severe emotional stress can also trigger telogen effluvium, including the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a job termination. It's all about something called "Transition to Resting Phase". In telogen effluvium, the stressful event causes a high proportion of hair follicles to halt their growth phase prematurely, and to begin a transition to the resting phase at the same time. 3?4 months after the stressful event, a high proportion of follicles shed their hairs all at about the same time, as they prepare for a new cycle of growth. The confusion comes in here -- What triggers the hair loss begins 3?4 months before the loss of the hair actually occurs. Usually, the person losing hair has recovered from the event (or stabilized from the weight change or dietary change), and then they start shedding their hair in clumps! The condition is almost always temporary, and new hairs soon grow back in. Within a few more months the normal random cycle of hair follicle growth and rest resumes. Usually telogen effluvium results in random hair loss from all over the scalp. Often the effect is not noticeable to others, although seeing the increased quantities of shed hairs is disturbing to their owner. Treatment for telogen effluvium includes waiting for the new hairs to grow in, and styling to give a fuller look in the meantime. Rest assured this phenomenon is not restricted to low-carbing, and in fact because our diet is high in protein, we often recover more quickly. Make sure your diet is TRULY TOTALLY sugar free. Sugar greatly exacerbates the condition

Thanks for the info Linda. I started losing hair right around the 4 month timeframe - since it's only been a month since then, guess I'm in for a few more months of it. Have a great day. Cindee 310/235/?

Cindee, Thanks for replying. Mine started a few weeks ago. Looks like we will losing a couple of months. Hope mine doesn't run out by then! Linda

Linda, Thanks for sharing that... ~Hugs~ Very interesting.... Debra P

I went to my surgeon's support meeting last night...the question of hair loss came up .. someone said that they were taking Biotin. He responded by saying that in order for the Biotin to help a person would have had to begin taking it 6 months prior to surgery. He did say however, that he's never seen a case where the hair did not grow back...and most of the time thicker and stronger. (I have my fingers crossed!) thanx for the info...very informative Linda

Linda, Mine too! Linda

Thanks Linda, I started losing mine exactly 3 months post op and THANK G*D I had thick hair to start with. But I am still losing my hair and I am almost 5 months post op! I haven't noticed new growth yet and I guess that will take time, but I started taking the Nioxin vitamins and I am noticing that what I have is starting to grow in faster. My roots already need a touch up and I did my color only a month ago. Prior to surgery I had to do my color every 4 weeks, then after surgery I waited to go back to work. Once i was back to work it took 8 weeks till roots started coming in, which was when I started the Nioxin! WOO HOO, the hair will come back! Thanks again for the article, where did you find it? Ilyssa 268/198/???

Hey Linda! Thanks for sharing this. I know when everything is said and done w/me I am going to end up looking like GI Jane. Hee-Hee. What can you do? Thanks again! Tavia

JUST to put my two cents worth in .... I took BIOTIN well before my surgery a year! I started it on atkins.....to help with shedding which is worse now then even then and im still looseing. SO the biotin in my view isnt helping even if started way before surgery! LISA

HAIR LOSS AFTER WLS Yes it will take longer for the hair loss to stop and regrow. why? READ ON: According to Dr. Louis Flancbaum the author of: "The doctor's guide to weightloss surgery: How to make the decision that could save your life", 2001, pgs 69-70................................................ (paraphrased) "Hair loss can occur with any form of stringent dieting and weight loss. After WLS 10-30% of patients will experience hair thinning or easily removed hair during combing. Protein and iron deficiencies are a common cause, and increasing both can help. If it occurs it will start around 3-6 months and stop around 6-9 months. This is because immediately following WLS adequate protein intake is difficult and it takes about 3 months for the effects to become evident, therefore taking in additional protein via shakes/supplements at the time hair loss is seen is ineffective. There are also many other things including medications that can cause hair loss" · Protein and calorie intake insufficiency · iron deficiency · mineral/vitamin insufficiency · major systemic stress (surgery. trauma...) · Chronic diseases · Ace inhibitors for high BP · Actigall taken to prevent gallstones · allopurinal taken for gout · anticoagulants, (ex coumadin) · anti-depressants · anti-thyroid medicine · beta-blockers for high bp & heart disease · birth control pills · tagamet for stomach acid · lithium-a mood stabilizer TREATMENTS: Increase protein intake (we need at least 60gms a day according to most sources, remember we malabsorb some we take in!), & make sure you are taking a good quality multivitamin.Some people use Rogaine for women and some people take a natural B vitamin product called biotin (800-2,400 mcg a day). Also some have reported that biotin shampoo available at GNC or zinc 50mg a day sometimes helps (beware too much zinc for too long can raise cholesterol...and possibly lower your HDL)....Basically hair loss today is result of 3 mo ago defice. so keep on with protein if it starts today what u eat today will help in a few months! SIP those protein shakes folks! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"