Does Keto Cause Hair Loss? How Can You Prevent It?

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 3 years ago · 7 min read

In the world of dieting where there is always a new trend waiting just around the corner, it can be difficult to know whether the next diet you hear about will be the real thing or just another flash in the pan. One simple way to check for the viability of a given diet plan is to avoid the rush to hop on the latest trend. Instead, sit back and look for a method that has remained popular over a sustained period of time, as this is the true indication of a diet that is successful and delivers results for many of its followers.

A diet that has risen to prominence in recent years and is still going strong is the keto diet, which stood out from the crowd due to the ability to eat many foods that would not normally be associated with a shredding diet. When you see a friend looking incredible and bragging about their love of bacon, your ears will naturally perk up. Unfortunately, there have been some other results associated with keto diets -- most notably hair loss -- that are less desirable. If you're considering giving keto a shot but are worried about your hairline, here's what you need to know before making the change.

What is a Keto Diet?

If you've only heard of keto by its name but never had it properly explained to you, it may be hard to believe that anyone has positive results eating a diet that is designed to be high in fats. The key to a successful keto diet is remaining very diligent with the dietary choices that you make.

The keto diet revolves around forcing your body into a state of ketosis. This occurs when the body is deprived of access to the carbohydrates it needs in order to create energy. As a result, your body begins to burn fat in an extremely efficient manner. So long as you maintain the ketosis, you can have significant results in burning fat and getting lean and fit. When coupled with putting a focus on choosing healthy fats, such as those found in avocados and nuts, a successful keto diet can help you build muscle while burning fat, resulting in a shredded appearance.

Benefits of Going Keto

There are many benefits to going keto if the diet works for your body, and not all of them are aesthetic. Some of the best benefits that you may see if you begin a keto diet include:

•      The most apparent change is weight loss and muscle growth.

•      Keto has been shown to produce clearer skin for some followers.

•      Studies have found some improved brain activity among keto practitioners.

•      The keto diet leads to your body having more good cholesterol and less bad cholesterol.

Does Keto Cause Hair Loss

The first thing you should be reassured of is that there is no one-for-one trade on offer when choosing between keto and your hairline. With that said, there is some correlation between making the switch to keto and increased hair loss. It is believed that this can happen because you may not be getting enough variety of nutrients on your keto diet, or because ketosis triggers a change of energy allocation that leads to a decreasing share given to generating your nails and hair, which slows the growth and can lead to hair loss.

How to Avoid Hair Loss on Keto

If you think that keto may be the right diet for you, but are concerned about the prospect of losing your hair as a result of making the change, the good news is there are options to help avoid that scenario. Here are some simple solutions to minimize the risk of hair loss during ketosis:

•      Taking probiotics can help you to maintain a healthy personal biome, which is occasionally affected in a manner that affects your hair when you go keto.

•      Treat your hair gently when washing or brushing. Whenever your hair is delicate and fragile, it becomes more important that you handle it with care to avoid uprooting or breaking weakened strands.

•      Taking hair loss medications can help you to counteract the negative effects of keto on your hair, reducing the chances of suffering increased hair loss.

Anytime you make the decision to try a new diet, it's important to remember that no two bodies are the same, and even the most popular diets may not be well suited for you and your results can vary, both for good and bad. The best way to determine if keto is for you if it sounds appealing is to give it a try. If you're holding back for fear of losing your hair while finding your abs, then try some of the above countermeasures and get started getting slimmer.

Nu Image Medical® offers a new and futuristic approach to achieving optimal health and wellness. The company has been a weight loss, anti-aging and wellness provider since 2004 and offers medically supervised programs for medical weight loss, peptides, erectile dysfunction, scream cream, and hair loss (NuDew) 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.