Diabetes and Hair Loss: Is There a Link?

Can Diabetes Cause Hair Loss?

Hair fall due to diabetes is a common yet under-reported complication. Diabetes can lead to hair fall, hair thinning, breakage, and hair damage.. The following are the reasons for hair loss due to diabetes.

High Blood Sugar Levels 

High blood glucose levels can damage the small blood vessels that supply blood and nutrition to the hair follicles. This can lead to poor blood circulation. This causes reduced oxygenation and nutrient supply to the hair follicles, leading to the hair follicle withering and becoming damaged. This is the main reason for impaired hair growth and hair loss in diabetics. 

Stress and Cortisol 

Being diagnosed and living with Type 2 Diabetes can be stressful. When your body is under stress, it releases a hormone called cortisol. Persistently elevated cortisol levels can cause several physiological changes in your body, hair fall being one of them. Cortisol can negatively affect the hair growth cycle by interfering with the production of certain elements (hyaluronan and proteoglycans) that are crucial for the regulation of hair growth.

How Do You Prevent Hair Loss From Diabetes?

Hair fall caused by diabetes can be prevented by maintaining normal blood sugar levels. This can help preserve blood circulation to your hair follicles, which can prevent hair loss. Learning to effectively manage stress by meditating, getting better sleep, exercising regularly, being mindful, etc. can also help you avoid hair fall. Additional measures like regular scalp massages, avoiding tightly braided hairstyles which put stress on your hair roots, limiting the use of chemicals and products on your hair, and reducing exposure to heat and pollution can also prevent further hair loss.

Is Hair Loss from Diabetes Reversible?

Unfortunately, hair loss caused by high blood sugar levels cannot be reversed, as the blood vessels and hair follicles that are damaged cannot be restored again. However, it is possible to prevent further hair loss by managing your blood sugar levels effectively.

Hair loss caused by stress is mostly reversible. The earlier you detect stress-related hair fall, the more success you may have in reversing it.

Are There Any Treatments for Diabetes Hair Loss?

Hairfall due to diabetes is caused by damaged blood vessels. Currently, there is no treatment to repair damaged blood vessels. However, further hair loss can be prevented with good glycemic control. Regular scalp massages and stimulation can improve blood circulation to the follicles and thus prevent further hair loss.   The following are some of the treatments that may help in diabetes-related hair fall.

Supplements 

Nutrients like biotin (vitamin B7), omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, etc., can nourish your hair follicles and make them stronger. This can help prevent hair fall and stimulate hair growth.

Topical medication

Medications like minoxidil can help prevent further hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. Minoxidil works by shortening the resting stage of hair growth and stimulating and prolonging the growing stage. Consult a dermatologist before starting treatment with minoxidil.

Protein-rich plasma (PRP)

This procedure comprises isolating proteins and growth factors that are beneficial for hair growth from a vial of your own blood. These growth factors are then injected into your scalp. This procedure is thought to stimulate blood circulation to the hair follicles, which may help in hair growth.   Traditional forms of treatment like hair follicle transplants are expensive and may not work as the damaged blood vessels may be unable to support the transplanted follicles.

When to See a Doctor?

Type 2 diabetics should make regular appointments with their doctor to effectively control the condition. If you notice increased hair fall, discuss the use of supplements for improving hair quality with your physician. In case of any major lifestyle changes, medication use, or prolonged illness, you can explore hair loss treatment strategies.