Eating disorders disrupt the body’s balance, and anorexia nervosa is no exception. Withholding nutrients adversely affects the body. A protein and vitamin deficiency makes the body focus on vital functions.
Eating disorders cause the body to focus on vital organs, neglecting hair, skin, and nails. People with anorexia or in recovery often face severe hair loss. Hair loss from anorexia often links to telogen effluvium.
Telogen Effluvium
To grasp telogen effluvium, first understand the normal hair growth cycle. This cycle is simply growth, rest, and shedding. New hairs grow for a couple of years, enter the resting phase (called telogen) for a few months, and eventually shed, making room for new hair.
Traumatic events usually initiate telogen effluvium. Hair follicles prematurely hit the telogen phase and shed quickly. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says 70% of scalp hair might be affected. While telogen effluvium can cause hair loss, it rarely results in a receding hairline.
Recovery and Hair Regrowth
Fortunately, for most people, telogen effluvium is reversible once the body starts recovering. Those recovering from anorexia can continue to experience the effects of hair loss for upwards of eight months. If you believe that your hair may be falling out due to telogen effluvium, a doctor can help you confirm the cause and decide on treatment moving forward. When reversing hair loss isn’t a viable option, there are still solutions to permanently adjust the appearance of your scalp. We offer Scalp Micropigmentation in over 50 US cities. Call or text us today at 833-HAIR-INK (833-424-7465) to schedule an appointment, learn about our pricing, or get a free quote!
