Aneroxia and Hair Loss: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
What is Anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychological eating disorder that causes individuals to drastically reduce their food intake due to an intense fear of gaining weight. This leads to severe malnutrition, affecting both physical and mental health. Over time, the body lacks essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals—critical for maintaining overall health, including hair growth and quality.
Does Anorexia Cause Hair Loss?
Yes, anorexia is a direct cause of hair loss. The body, in survival mode, prioritizes life-sustaining organs and systems over non-essential functions like hair growth. This results in thinning hair, increased shedding, and, in some cases, temporary bald patches. It’s one of the early warning signs the body gives to signal a nutritional crisis.
Why Does Anorexia Cause Hair Loss?
Hair health depends on a constant supply of nutrients such as protein, zinc, biotin, iron, and essential fatty acids. When these nutrients are deficient due to anorexia, the hair growth cycle is disrupted. The hair enters a shedding phase (telogen effluvium), and the follicles remain dormant. Additionally, hormonal imbalances—common in individuals with eating disorders—further exacerbate the issue.
Hair loss can either be temporary or permanent and might affect your scalp or the full body. It can be caused by various hair loss reasons such as hereditary, hormonal changes, illnesses, or aging. Even though anyone can lose hair on their head, men are more likely to do so.
Anorexia is a severe, potentially fatal eating disorder that is also treatable. Extreme food restriction and a strong dread of putting on weight are its defining characteristics. Anorexics emphasize maintaining their weight and physical appearance, often by extreme efforts that seriously disrupt their lives.
Protein reserves already present in the body are depleted when it is malnourished and lacking in nutrients. The body prioritizes organ function and muscle development when under stress (such as when a person has anorexia or bulimia). Since the protein keratin, which makes up hair, is not necessary for the body to operate, hair development might stall. As the body concentrates on surviving, there may be excessive shedding. This frequently leads the hair follicles to enter the resting phase again, delaying hair development and leading to hair loss.
Protein depletion, including proteins like keratin, is frequently a sign of malnutrition, which is prevalent in persons with eating disorders. So, naturally, hair loss is the end outcome.
The normal diet of anorexics is very low in calories. As dietary restrictions increase, the body stops supplying nutrients to body parts that are not necessary for survival. As a result, the nail beds and hair follicles become thin and brittle, which in turn causes hair loss.
Diet restrictions might sometimes cause the hair to start falling out suddenly.
What are the Symptoms of Anorexia Hair Loss?
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Noticeable hair thinning, especially on the scalp
- Dry, brittle texture
- Increased hair fall during brushing or showering
- Slower hair regrowth In severe cases, individuals may also experience the growth of fine body hair (lanugo), as the body attempts to regulate temperature due to fat and muscle loss.
Can Anorexia-Induced Hair Loss be Reversed?
Yes, hair loss from anorexia is often reversible with early intervention. Restoring a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and achieving a healthy weight can reignite the natural hair growth cycle. However, recovery timelines vary. For some, regrowth can take several months depending on the severity and duration of the disorder.
How to Stop Hair Loss from Anorexia?
- Focus on nutritional rehabilitation with a diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals
- Work with a healthcare provider and therapist to treat the root cause
- Avoid harsh hair treatments and minimize stress
- Use gentle hair care products and consider supplements as prescribed
Treatment for hair loss
There are many treatments for hair loss which include
- Medication
- Vitamin supplements
- Healthy diet
- Hormone therapy
- Laser therapy
- Use hair loss shampoos
- Scalp massage
- Hair transplant
The fact that hair transplants are a permanent solution makes them the best treatment for hair loss.
A hair transplant is a technique in which a plastic or dermatological surgeon transfers hair to a bald portion of the head or bald or thinning areas of the scalp. Typically, the surgeon moves hair from the head
Hair transplant methods
Hair transplant methods include:
- Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) Technique
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Technique
- Manual Punch
- Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) Technique
- Robotic Hair Transplant
- Hyperbaric Hair Transplant
The hair transplant procedure that best meets your demands is your choice. For example, FUE and FUT can offer you a thicker head of hair and an improved hairline, but the FUE technique has certain distinct advantages.
As a result, most clinics use the FUE technique to assist clients in getting their hair back because of its benefits. Most individuals with thinning hair are suitable candidates for FUE hair transplant, but you need an adequate supply of donor hair.
Turkey has the best hair transplant clinics and specialists; they are inexpensive and produce good results.
To assist potential patients considering getting a hair transplant in Turkey, the following are the turkey hair transplant costs per graft: A FUT operation could cost little per graft. However, the cost of the FUE process could be slightly higher.
You can visit the Asmed website and contact our specialists to learn more about hair-related issues, what to anticipate, and when to get them treated.
Regrow with Confidence at ASMED
At ASMED, we understand how deeply hair loss can affect your self-image—especially when tied to a health challenge like anorexia. Our clinic combines advanced FUE technology with a personalized, medically driven approach to help patients restore their hair and regain confidence.
Led by world-renowned surgeon Dr. Koray Erdogan, ASMED provides expert consultations, in-depth scalp analysis, and precision-focused treatments. If you're ready to take the next step in your healing journey, we're here to support you with care, innovation, and results that speak for themselves.
Take the first step toward recovery and transformation—contact ASMED today to explore your hair restoration options.
