Diabetes Causes Hair Loss
- 5 Key Medical Reasons [Explained]
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Award winning
Clinics Across the UK
Over 1 million Treatments
delivered
Rated 92%
on Trustpilot
9 Clinics
Across the UK
Expert Team of
professionals
If you’ve been dealing with diabetes and noticed more hair in your brush than usual, you’re not alone. Hair loss can be frustrating, especially when you’re already managing blood sugar levels.
Is diabetes the underlying cause? Yes, it cancontribute. While hair loss is disheartening, with the right resources, you can manage it. Your hair and health deserve the best care.
Diabetes affects more than blood sugar; it can alter hair growth. If you notice more hair fallingout, diabetes might be a factor.
Let’s break down 5 surprising ways diabetes can cause hair loss and what you can do about it.
Hair Loss for Diabetes: 5 Causes
Diabetes can affect more than just your blood sugar.
It can also change the way your body grows hair.
If you’ve noticed more strands falling out lately, diabetes could be part of the reason.
Let’s break down 5 surprising ways diabetes can cause hair loss and what you can do about it.
1. Poor Blood Flow to Hair Follicles
When blood sugar levels remain high, blood vessels can become damaged. This makes it harder for oxygen and nutrients to reach your hair roots. Hair becomes weak and falls out more easily.
Key points:
- Less blood flow = less hair growth
- Hair follicles starve without nutrients
- Thinning usually starts slowly
2. Hormonal Changes from Diabetes
Diabetes can cause hormone imbalances. These changes affect your hair’s growth cycle. Hair may stay in the “resting” phase too long and not grow back quickly.
Watch for:
- Patchy hair loss
- Delayed regrowth
- Changes in hair texture
3. High Blood Sugar Levels
High sugar levels damage your body in many ways, including your scalp. It creates inflammation and stress on your skin and follicles. Over time, it stops hair from growing properly.
What happens:
- Chronic inflammation slows down growth
- Hair gets brittle and dry
- More strands fall out each day
4. Certain Diabetes Medications
Some diabetes drugs may have hair loss as a side effect. Not everyone gets this, but it’s possible. If you’ve started a new medication, be aware of any changes in your hair.
Possible culprits:
- Metformin (in rare cases)
- Insulin (via hormonal shifts)
- Other combined therapies
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It may be accompanied by other conditions, such as alopeciaareata, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair. This leads to sudden and patchy hair loss.
Common signs:
- Round bald patches
- Eyebrow and eyelash thinning
- Fast and visible loss
5. Low Iron or Nutrient Deficiency
People with diabetes often have poor nutrient absorption. This includes low iron, zinc, and vitamin D all of which are essential for healthy hair growth. Lack of these nutrients can lead to weak or falling hair.
Nutrients to watch:
- Iron
- B vitamins (especially Biotin)
- Omega-3s and protein
What You Can Do to Regrow Healthy Hair
Hair loss from diabetes can often be managed or reversed. Begin by consulting with your doctor and maintaining a balanced diet. Treat both your diabetes and hair loss simultaneously.
Tips for healthier hair:
- Keep blood sugar in a healthy range
- Take a multivitamin if needed
- Massage your scalp to boost circulation
- Use gentle hair products
- Get enough sleep and reduce stress
How Much Does Treatment Cost?
Conclusion
Dealing with hair loss on top of diabetes can feel overwhelming, but don’t lose hope! The key is to focus on balancing blood sugar levels, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress. Small changes in your routine can make a big difference over time.
If your hair loss feels sudden or severe, don’t hesitate to check in with your doctor. Sometimes, it’s not just diabetes, and it could be thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, or even stress. Getting the right help early can set you on the path to healthier hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, diabetes can cause hair loss due to poor blood flow, hormonal imbalances, and stress. It can also slow down your hair's natural growth cycle, making regrowth harder.
Not always. If you manage your blood sugar and address the underlying cause early, hair can often regrow. Treatments such as PRP therapy and laser regrowth can also be beneficial.
Some people may experience hair thinning as a side effect of medications like Metformin or insulin, although this is not a common occurrence. Always speak to your doctor before changing any medication.
Look for signs such as slow regrowth, dry or thinning hair, and loss in patches, especially if your blood sugar levels are high. A consultation with a specialist, such as those at CoLaz, can help identify the exact cause through scalp analysis and testing.
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