At Modena Hair Institute, we always strive to ensure that our patients receive only the highest standard of personalized care. A large part of that process is ensuring that we properly diagnose the cause of your hair loss so that we may be prepared to provide you with the best and most effective treatment available for your specific case.
Now, we all know that genetic factors can lead to hair loss, but there are other less obvious potential causes of hair loss which may surprise you. Some of our patients have expressed their concern regarding a possible correlation between hair loss and weight gain. The fact of the matter is, surprising as it may seem, hair loss and weight gain can indeed be correlated. The body is an almost infinitely complicated natural wonder; a negative change in any one part of the body’s system can easily yield unexpected results in another, superficially distinct, part of that same system. Often, weight gain can trigger a host of serious health and wellness issues and, as we have discussed in our previous posts, an unwell body is more likely to suffer from hair loss.
However, the good news about hair loss caused by health and lifestyle problems is that surgical hair restoration treatment is rarely required. In such cases, lifestyle changes and the medical treatment of preexisting conditions are often sufficient to restore one’s hair to its former state.
Let’s talk about some of these common health issues which may lead to weight gain and hair loss. There is a strong connection between our mental health and our physical well being. Therefore,  it is not surprising that depression has sometimes been shown to be linked with hormonal imbalances. Whether such imbalances are the cause or the result of depression, the fact remains that hormonal state and hair health are deeply connected.
While depression alone can constitute a sufficient cause for hair loss, lack of physical activity can also have a detrimental effect on both general wellness and hair health. Besides potentially leading to depression, a lack of exercise is often the cause of weight gain and obesity, both of which can be damaging to the body and lead to hair loss.
Diet and exercise, as you’ve no doubt heard, are key. If you are not eating a well balanced diet, this can have a severe negative impact on your overall health,wellness and mental state. Eating too much ‘junk food’, particularity foods containing high fructose corn syrup, can be extremely taxing in the body. Strive to eat a well balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables. The high antioxidant content of white and green teas can work wonders for promoting general health, maintaining healthy gut flora and flushing the body of toxins and impurities. A body deprived of the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to function will inevitably break down, the effects of which may very well become manifest in an accompanying decline in hair health.
Certain pre-existing conditions like diabetes may, over time, lead to a decline in hair health. Diabetes (Type I and II) can lead to damaged blood vessels including those of the scalp. Hair follicles, if deprived of the oxygen needed to nourish and support their well being, are more likely to become damaged in ways that will manifest as noticeable hair loss. As mentioned above hormonal imbalances can lead to hair loss, in particular the condition of  hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism describes a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce the necessary quantity of certain essential hormones. There are a large number of potential causes among which congenital disorders and autoimmune diseases, the side effects of certain medications, the after effects of thyroid surgery or radiation therapy, Iodine deficiency and/or old age may all play a significant role. Whatever the cause, such hormone imbalances in turn have a negative effect on the metabolism. Hormones regulate a host of important bodily functions and conditions like hypothyroidism often result in unpleasant symptoms such as weight gain, depression, fatigue, dry skin, and, of course, hair loss. Hypothyroidism is best treated with medications that specifically target and restore proper hormone levels in the body which, in time, may help to reverse the adverse symptoms of the condition.
As we have mentioned above, lifestyle is key; not only for healthy hair, but for your general well being and state of mind. Our synergistic bodily processes must be maintained by a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, plenty of exercise, by engaging in mentally stimulating activities and by avoiding bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Often, the first and most crucial step to healthier and thicker hair is almost always a lifestyle change. By improving your habits and lifestyle you may very well save yourself  the trouble of pursuing a surgical course of treatment as your hair loss may reverse course and mend itself within the course of a few months. However, if your hair loss should continue after healthy lifestyle changes have been implemented, then it is time for a meeting or digital consultation with one of our experienced hair restoration specialists.
For more information about different types of hair loss and their treatment, or about the role of general health as it relates to hair loss be sure to contact our hair restoration surgery center today. We always strive to provide our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Our specialists are eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.