Can Lack of Protein Cause Hair Loss?
A variety of factors play into the overall health of your hair. The diet that you eat, for instance, can impact the hair growth cycle. The amount of stress that you are under at work can play a role in hair thinning or hair loss. Your family history, too, can impact your appearance and the amount of hair loss that you experience over the course of your lifetime.
With that in mind, you may be wondering about the root cause of your hair loss and how much impact your diet actually has on it. This guide will tell you everything you need to know.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
In order to fully understand the impact that protein has on hair growth and hair loss, you need to know about the three distinct phases of the hair growth cycle:
- Anagen Phase — The anagen phase of the hair growth cycle is known as the growth phase. When a hair follicle is in the anagen phase, it will grow from between three and ten years. This the longest and most active phase of the hair growth cycle.
- Catagen Phase — The catagen phase is the shortest portion of the hair growth cycle. It is a transitional phase that only lasts for about three weeks, during which time the hair stops growing and pigment is not produced.
- Telogen Phase — The telogen phase is often referred to as the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. This phase lasts for about four months, and during this time, hair strands are shed from the scalp.
The Impact that Diet Has on Hair Growth
The food that you consume on a daily basis has a huge impact on the function of your entire body, including the hair growth cycle. It is important to enjoy a well-balanced, nutritional diet in order to have healthy hair, but protein is particularly important when it comes to hair strength and growth. A diet that is rich in lean proteins promotes good scalp health, which ensures that hair follicles grow, rest and shed as normal. Foods that are rich in protein include lean meats, fish and seafood products, peanut butter, nuts, legumes and dairy products.
Can Lack of Protein Cause Hair Loss?
Yes, a lack of protein can cause hair loss — but it usually has to be a severe protein deficiency in order to have a noticeable impact. When your body is lacking protein, your scalp will not have the fuel it needs to produce hair. Rather than keeping your hair in the anagen phase where hair grows, it will transition into the resting phase. If you do not refuel your body with additional protein, your scalp could adjust to the minimal amount of protein in your body, which can have a long-term impact on your hair growth and could lead to significant hair loss.
Other Common Causes of Hair Loss
In addition to protein deficiency, there are other common causes of hair loss that could be impacting your personal experience:
- Family History — Family history is one of the most common causes of hair loss. Conditions like pattern baldness and receding hairlines are genetic, and many people are born predisposed to hair loss in the future.
- Stress — Extreme stress and other environmental factors can have an impact on hair growth and hair loss as well.
- Autoimmune Conditions — Some autoimmune conditions, such as Alopecia Areata, lead to permanent hair loss over the total body. While there is no cure for these conditions, there are hair loss treatment options to consider.
Scalp Micropigmentation: The Best Hair Loss Treatment Option
Regardless of the root cause of your hair loss, you will find that scalp micropigmentation is the best hair loss treatment option available today. This affordable solution provides instant results that last for years. The non-surgical procedure is performed by a licensed technician, who injects cosmetic pigment into the scalp using a micro-needle in order to create the impression of a freshly-grown hair follicle.
Set Up Your Scalp Micropigmentation Consultation Today
No matter what is causing your hair loss, scalp micropigmentation is the best treatment option for you. As the leading provider of scalp micropigmentation in New England, we will ensure that you get the personalized care that you need and the superior results that you deserve. For more information about the scalp micropigmentation procedure and to find out if it is the right choice for you, contact Scalpmasters today and set up a consultation appointment.
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