My hair is ruined… low carb…

[LibbyL92]

I’ve been doing low carbing for a year.

Around May I noticed a massive difference in my hair. Beginning of last year it was glowing and in great condition.
It started looking lifeless and breaking. It’s now in such a bad state. I was trying to work our what’s changed and it was only last night my mate suggested it might be the low carb lifestyle..

I can’t believe it’s never clicked before.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so what can I do?? I don’t want to go back to old habits but my hair is really suffering…

@hamstersarse

Also how old are you?

I’m 29

Thank you! I will definitely start with them. @MrsTerryPratchett hopefully it makes a difference

This is meant to be v good, I keep meaning to order it

https://www.allbeauty.com/gb/en/128505-joico-k-pak-deep-penetrating-reconstructor-treatment-150ml?abref=GoogleShoppingCsGoogleUkSandgoogleUkB&utmsource=pla&utmmedium=cpc&ref=%7Badtype%7D&utmcampaign=%28GB%3AWhoop%21%29AllProducts-ME-Brand&utmadgroup=&gclid=CjwKCAiArOqOBhBmEiwAsgeLmZ-ojclP1jAItLgoDjJRaM6uck2qArT3KjIqL3JzgZ6AKk9eeJ8ORoCkaQQAvDBwE

Biotin makes me break out so I take the feel beauty probiotics supplement and it's definitely helping - my medication causes hair loss, and the pic attached is 7 months of growth

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda

Hairdryer counts as ‘heat styling’ btw

Of course. But I doubt a quite blow dry would suddenly wreck my hair. Seems incredibly drastic.

Thank you so much for that @MaybeHeIsMyCat

That’s amazing!!

I used to have my hair bleached every two to three months. Never a problem but my hairdressers changed and what she did (I didn't realise) was that instead of just bleaching the roots, she was putting bleach on all the way down my hair - so rebleaching bits that had already been bleached. At the same time I think my hair went through that no growing phase it goes through. My hair was breaking, felt like it was falling out, and not growing. Total nightmare. I olaplexed, massively conditioned (leaving a variety of argan oil conditioners on overnight) and used Aussie moisturising shampoo and 5 minute conditioner every time I washed
I also took asda hair, skin and nails vitamins. You could see the difference in my nails before and after me taking them. Literally, the top half of the nails were ridged and peeling, and the bottom halves were flat and smooth. It was inbelievable. I hadn't believed in vitamins before that. So I reckoned if they were doing that for my nails, they must be doing good for my hair.

I am now bleached every 7 weeks. My hair is in really good condition which my hairdresser comments on. I still use Aussie shampoo (and olaplex once every three months - only because I have it, though).
Ultimately, though, I don't know what was causing the problem so I can't say what of this put my hair right. I still have a crappy diet but I've got great hair and nails!

LC/keto causing hair loss is discussed here:

www.dietdoctor.com/can-low-carb-diets-result-in-hair-loss

I used to see a trichologist for my very thin hair and she said red meat twice a week and small portions of carbs because hair likes slow release carbs as well as protein e.g. brown rice, pumpernickel or rye bread.

I switched to having a couple of scrambled eggs for breakfast on half a slice of Biona rye bread (have to keep the carbs low because I am diabetic). I also added in daily fish oil and I do eat red meat twice a week. My hair is much thicker and in much better condition now. I no longer use mousse or hair thickeners, just a heat protector spray when I blow dry.

TBH I would get your cut in a shorter style and start feeding your hair for a bit as above. Biotin can't hurt either, my nails are always better when I take it.

I don't know if it would make any difference, but it looks to me like your diet is pretty low in fat - whereas a low carb diet should be high in fat.

Hmm, quite a few things can affect hair quality. I doubt carbs have a lot to do with it .

A few things that can affect hair are:

-stress
-lack of vitamins (if you’re suppressing calories then it’s important to take vitamins and keep to a well balanced diet, I.e don’t limit or cut out too much). You can get special ‘hair’ vitamins but I’d recommend sticking to a good quality women’s multivit, such as WellWoman or SevenSeas.
-hair products/treatments

@BIWI

I don't know if it would make any difference, but it looks to me like your diet is pretty low in fat - whereas a low carb diet should be high in fat.

Right, what sort of thinks can I eat to increase fat? Sorry if it’s a silly question!

@Rno3gfr

Hmm, quite a few things can affect hair quality. I doubt carbs have a lot to do with it .

A few things that can affect hair are:

-stress
-lack of vitamins (if you’re suppressing calories then it’s important to take vitamins and keep to a well balanced diet, I.e don’t limit or cut out too much). You can get special ‘hair’ vitamins but I’d recommend sticking to a good quality women’s multivit, such as WellWoman or SevenSeas.
-hair products/treatments

Thank you for this, I’ll take a look at the vits!

@Darley368

I used to see a trichologist for my very thin hair and she said red meat twice a week and small portions of carbs because hair likes slow release carbs as well as protein e.g. brown rice, pumpernickel or rye bread.

I switched to having a couple of scrambled eggs for breakfast on half a slice of Biona rye bread (have to keep the carbs low because I am diabetic). I also added in daily fish oil and I do eat red meat twice a week. My hair is much thicker and in much better condition now. I no longer use mousse or hair thickeners, just a heat protector spray when I blow dry.

TBH I would get your cut in a shorter style and start feeding your hair for a bit as above. Biotin can't hurt either, my nails are always better when I take it.

Thank you!

@madisonbridges

I used to have my hair bleached every two to three months. Never a problem but my hairdressers changed and what she did (I didn't realise) was that instead of just bleaching the roots, she was putting bleach on all the way down my hair - so rebleaching bits that had already been bleached. At the same time I think my hair went through that no growing phase it goes through. My hair was breaking, felt like it was falling out, and not growing. Total nightmare. I olaplexed, massively conditioned (leaving a variety of argan oil conditioners on overnight) and used Aussie moisturising shampoo and 5 minute conditioner every time I washed I also took asda hair, skin and nails vitamins. You could see the difference in my nails before and after me taking them. Literally, the top half of the nails were ridged and peeling, and the bottom halves were flat and smooth. It was inbelievable. I hadn't believed in vitamins before that. So I reckoned if they were doing that for my nails, they must be doing good for my hair.

I am now bleached every 7 weeks. My hair is in really good condition which my hairdresser comments on. I still use Aussie shampoo (and olaplex once every three months - only because I have it, though).
Ultimately, though, I don't know what was causing the problem so I can't say what of this put my hair right. I still have a crappy diet but I've got great hair and nails!

Really interesting! I’m glad your hair is regained it’s health!

I’ll certainly try these. I also have Olaplex as a result and it’s helped slightly

@LibbyL92 Fry rather than grill or steam, use butter on your veg, add oily dressings to your salad as well as using mayonnaise.

Make sure you're eating fattier cuts of meat and fattier fish.

Cream sauces, full fat yoghurt as a breakfast or snack.

Drizzle olive il on top of soup.

Hope that helps!

Seems like you're low cal rather than low carb. You need to up the protein and fat

Think omelette with smoked salmon and spinach kind of thing

@LibbyL92

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the late reply.

A typical day would be intermittent fasting. First meal at midday which is usually a home made burger (no bun) with lots of spinach and kale.

I’ll also have a baby bel as a snack.

I’ll have an iced coffee with full fat cream.

For dinner it’s usually meats with green veg, such as asparagus, green beans, greens.
Salads.

I feel a bit silly writing this as I’m guessing it’s properly not enough or varied enough.

When I say my hair is ruined it’s suddenly very dull and very, very broken. (I don’t use heat on my hair, only a hair dryer)

I’m at a loss as to what it could be if it’s not diet related. Nothing seems to have changed otherwise

I had my thyroid checked about 18 months ago. And I’m not having any other weird symptoms ect.

Speaking of vitamins is there any in perticular? Biotin? Anything else (I break out with biotin)

This is probably around 600 calories so no wonder your hair is falling out. You need to add more fat and carbs (not just fruit and veg). More calories in general. This is your body telling you that it’s not being fed properly.

I agree with @Rubyglitter!

Can I also ask you @LibbyL92 how tall are you and how much do you weigh?

@BIWI

Can I also ask you *@LibbyL92* how tall are you and how much do you weigh?

I’m 5 ft 5 and currently weight 11st 5

Last jan I was 14st 2

Thank you,

I’ve changed things up this morning for lunch. I’ve done two boiled eggs with Mayo mixed in with salad and grated cheese. For dinner I’m going to have steak with veg cooked in butter and more Mayo,

I’m feeling disappointed with myself as I didn’t realise I was lacking all of that. Just saw the weight coming off and was running away with it.

Thank you @Rubyglitter I will definitely take that on board.

I’m going to start writing things down moving forward and incorporate more of the suggest foods. Thank you

That's a good loss in a year, so nothing untoward there, and your BMI is probably just above normal weight. (I was a bit worried you might have disordered eating, but it doesn't look like you have!)

But I'd definitely say you need to up the fat and protein (and therefore calories) going forward. A very low calorie diet is fine for a short period, but not in the longer term.

I lost a stone on here with the low carb boot camp. Between mid May to Aug 2020. First time I have ever been on a concerted diet/WOE. Seemed like a steady and healthy weight loss bringing me from 67Kg to 59KG, the weight I was at age 40.

At end of Aug 2020 I experienced the beginning of a massive hair fall! 🥲 I lost half the width of my pony tail over the next 6 weeks. Luckily I had very thick hair to begin with or it would have been devastating. Hair loss was all over and not in patches.

I'm in the low carb Boot Camp again now as 6KG crept back on. Mainly I am giving up a lot of wine. Also last time, the first 2 weeks we stuck to 1K cal a day and we aren't doing that this time so I'm hoping the same won't happen again.

The only other time I lost that much hair was travelling in India in 1997 when I lost a stone due to poor diet.

Some people have reported this on the Very Fast phase of Fast 800.

I eat things like nuts, avocado, fatty fish (salmon/mackerel) and I do have a few carbs - rye bread, lentils, sweet potato in particular as they are excellent for fibre. I also have full fat dairy in small amounts. Loads of veg.

Low carb gives you awful breath and does make your hair fall out. It just isn't right to cut it right out or healthy. I just make sure I eat wholegrain carbs never processed.