Can Dehydration Cause Hair Loss? Here's Everything You Need To Know

Water, comprising 60% of our body weight, is essential for our overall health, including the well-being of our hair.

In our busy lives, however, sufficient water intake is often neglected, leading to dehydration.

This can negatively affect our body's function, including our hair health. Insufficient water can make our hair dry, brittle, and frizzy, causing breakage and inhibiting growth.

In this article, we'll explore the vital role water plays in maintaining hair health, and how dehydration can lead to hair loss.

What is dehydration?

In simplest terms, dehydration occurs when the outflow of water and fluids from the human body exceeds the inflow of water. This condition arises when more water is lost from our cells than we intake by our drinking water only.

Water comprises two-thirds of the human body and facilitates multiple bodily functions. It aids digestion, helps flush out waste and toxins, and produces saliva and tears.

Water is also pivotal in lubricating our joints and eyes. Furthermore, adequate hydration is crucial for healthy skin, hair, and nails.

However, when dehydration sets in, the water content in our blood begins to decrease. This situation results in an imbalance of minerals, salts, and sugars within our system, potentially leading to various health issues.

It's important to note that our body naturally loses water and fluids daily through perspiration, urination, and breathing. 

Hence, we must ensure that this lost water is regularly replenished to prevent dehydration.

This ongoing cycle of water loss and replenishment is vital for maintaining the overall equilibrium of our bodies.

What causes dehydration?

There are multiple reasons that cause dehydration in your body. Some of them are:

• Forgetfulness and busy schedules: Ironically, one of the main reasons for dehydration is forgetfulness. Amidst busy schedules, many individuals inadvertently neglect to drink sufficient water.
• Physical ailments: Physical discomforts like a sore throat, mouth sores, or stomach upsets can sometimes deter individuals from drinking enough water, leading to dehydration.
• Environmental factors: The climate can significantly influence hydration levels. Hot and dry weather can cause increased perspiration, leading to higher water losses.
• Lifestyle and dietary factors: Physical activities and diet also affect hydration levels. High-intensity workouts can cause heavy sweating, and specific diets may not provide sufficient fluid intake.
• Illness-induced dehydration: Dehydration can also be a byproduct of illnesses that lead to significant fluid loss, such as persistent diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Age and medical conditions: Elderly individuals and those with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or alcoholism, are more prone to dehydration due to decreased fluid intake or increased fluid loss.
• Occupation and habits: People who work in air-conditioned environments or in the aviation industry often experience dehydration due to reduced moisture in the air. Athletes are also at risk due to high sweat levels during intense physical activity.

Does dehydration cause hair loss?

While dehydration may have an impact on the health of your hair, it's important to note that there's no definitive evidence to suggest it directly causes hair loss. Lack of sufficient hydration may affect the condition of your hair shaft, potentially making it more susceptible to breakage.

Inadequate hydration might influence the moisture levels reaching your hair roots, which could, in turn, affect the appearance and texture of your hair. However, no definitive scientific evidence supports the claim that it directly causes excessive shedding or slows hair growth.

Keeping yourself hydrated is generally considered good for overall well-being, including the appearance and texture of your hair.

However, there is a prevailing assumption about the link between dehydration and hair loss. Current scientific research has not established a direct connection.

Therefore, if you're noticing changes such as a receding hairline, a bald spot at your crown, or the typical horseshoe-shaped hair loss pattern, it's unlikely that inadequate water intake is the cause.

Moreover, no evidence suggests dehydration directly contributes to other common forms of hair loss, such as telogen effluvium, fungal infections, or alopecia areata.

If your hair is thinning, it's probably not because you're not drinking enough water.

However, that's not to say that dehydration does not affect our bodies. While it might not significantly impact hair growth, dehydration can notably affect skin health.

Since our skin is composed of about 60 per cent water, maintaining adequate hydration is crucial for proper functioning, particularly as a protective barrier.

When our bodies lack sufficient hydration, we run a higher risk of developing dry, cracked skin.

As the skin becomes drier, it might flake, potentially becoming itchy and painful, primarily upon touch. Severe dehydration could even lead to skin breaking, thus heightening the risk of skin infections.

In this light, chronic dehydration might pose a risk for certain forms of hair loss, such as those resulting from tinea capitis. Also, dehydration could potentially impact the supply of nutrients to the hair.

Research suggests that even mild levels of dehydration can diminish blood flow to the skin, which could, in turn, restrict the blood supply to your hair follicles, possibly affecting hair growth.

Common signs of dehydration

Dehydration can occur for multiple reasons, such as excessive urination, sweating, illnesses that cause fever, or fluid loss from diarrhoea or vomiting. Even simple factors like forgetting to drink enough water can lead to dehydration.

The following are some common signs of mild dehydration::

• Xerostomia (dry mouth): This condition, also known as dry mouth, occurs when the salivary glands in our mouth stop producing enough saliva. It can lead to difficulties in speaking, eating, and swallowing.
• Dizziness: Dehydration can reduce the blood flow to the brain, causing feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness.
• Tiredness and fatigue: When the body lacks adequate water, it has to work harder to carry out regular functions, which can lead to tiredness and fatigue.
• Intense feelings of thirst: The body signals the need for hydration through thirst. If you're feeling excessively thirsty, it's a clear sign that your body requires more fluids.
• Dry skin: The skin requires ample hydration to maintain elasticity and suppleness. Dehydration can make the skin dry and less elastic.
• Infrequent urination: If you're not urinating regularly, it could indicate that your body is working harder than usual to retain water due to insufficient intake.
• Dark-coloured urine: Well-hydrated urine is typically light yellow. It might indicate dehydration if your urine is deep yellow, amber, or brown.
• Excessive sweating: While sweating is a natural body process, excessive sweating could lead to fluid loss, potentially causing dehydration.

Severe dehydration can trigger more acute symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, confusion, lack of urination, or excessive sweating.

It can disrupt your organs' blood and oxygen supply and the circulatory system, potentially leading to shock.

Moreover, in extreme cases, dehydration impairs cognitive performance and motor coordination and can also be life-threatening.

If severe symptoms of dehydration develop, immediate emergency medical help and assistance are crucial.

How does dehydration impact hair loss?

Dehydration can exacerbate hair loss through both increased shedding and hair breakage. When the body is dehydrated, the hair shafts, which consist of about one-quarter of water, can become weak, leading to fragility and breakage. Furthermore, a lack of adequate hydration can lead to hair shedding as the hair roots are deprived of necessary moisture, resulting in hair strands falling out.

In cases of severe dehydration, the body prioritizes water supply to vital organs, often neglecting the hair roots. Reduced hydration levels may affect the well-being of your hair.

Additionally, new hair growth can slow down, as the lack of moisture at the roots hampers the stimulation of fresh growth.

Moreover, dehydration impacts the circulation in the scalp, which reduces the water supply to the hair roots.

This, combined with external factors such as sun exposure, chemical treatments, and wind, can lead to the hair becoming dehydrated from the inside out.

The resulting hair loss can appear sudden and drastic, and if not promptly addressed, it could potentially lead to balding.

How to treat dehydration-related hair loss?

Here is what you can do to treat dehydration-related hair loss:

Consider trying Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine

The 3-Step Hair Growth Routine by Scandinavian Biolabs is designed to nourish your hair and enhance its appearance.

One essential product in this routine is the Bio-Pilixin Serum.

Clinically tested, this serum has been met with high levels of user satisfaction due to its effectiveness in nurturing damaged hair follicles and keeping the hair healthy.

Each product in the 3-Step Routine boasts a selection of carefully chosen ingredients.

These include niacinamide, known for its ability to enhance blood flow; aloe vera, a potent hydrating agent that also strengthens hair; an amino acid complex for bolstering hair shaft integrity; vanillyl butyl ether to promote blood flow to the hair follicles; and zinc PCA, which regulates sebum without skin irritation.

Quality and ethics underpin the manufacturing of these products. Each ingredient is scientifically backed but also 100% vegan and predominantly inspired by nature.

A rigorous quality assurance process ensures that every component undergoes third-party lab evaluation. 

This way, Scandinavian Biolabs maintains a high-quality standard, guaranteeing that many of its ingredients are either plant-powered or synthetically produced to mirror natural molecules.

Incorporate Water-Rich Foods 

If you prefer to avoid drinking large quantities of water, you can still stay hydrated by taking proper nutrition, like fruits and vegetables rich in water.

This method helps with dehydration-induced hair loss and provides additional fibre. Some excellent options include lettuce (96% water), cucumber (95% water), celery (95% water), and watermelon (92% water).

Revitalise Your Water 

If plain water isn't quite your cup of tea, try enhancing it! Infusing water with fruits like lemon, berries, cucumber, or watermelon can make hydrating a more flavorful experience. Alternatively, opt for unsweetened sparkling water or pure fruit juices.

Regardless of the flavour, ensuring the water you drink is safe and pure is crucial. Filtering your water can improve its taste and overall effect on your body, including your hair health.

Consider Decaffeinated Beverages 

Though it may sound like a drastic suggestion, switching to decaffeinated teas, coffees, and other sugary drinks can help increase your daily water intake.

Despite decaf versions containing trace amounts of caffeine, the quantity isn't sufficient to cause dehydration.

Hydrate Before Meals 

Incorporating a glass of water before every meal is another practical hydration strategy.

Not only does it help increase your water intake, but it also provides a natural way to control portion sizes at meals and consume fewer calories. Begin each meal with an 8-ounce glass of water, refilling as necessary.

Can hair loss from dehydration be reversed?

Yes, hair loss caused by dehydration is usually reversible. Once hydration levels are restored, the hair follicles will receive adequate nourishment, revitalising hair growth and reducing hair shedding. However, it's essential to maintain a consistent hydration level, as recurring dehydration can cause ongoing hair damage. 

If hair loss continues despite adequate hydration, it's recommended to consult with a hair expert or a trichologist to rule out other potential causes.

Can drinking more water help with hair loss?

Yes, drinking more water can potentially help with hair restoration. Proper hydration is crucial for many body functions, including hair growth. Adequate water intake helps nourish the hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. 

It can also prevent dry and brittle hair, reducing the risk of breakage and loss.

However, if hair loss continues despite proper hydration, other factors might be at play, and a healthcare professional should be consulted.

Conclusion

Drinking water might not always be the most thrilling choice of beverage, but it's undeniably beneficial for your overall human body health, including your hair.

If you notice considerable hair thinning or shedding, it's essential to evaluate your daily hydration habits and seek guidance from a healthcare professional.

Always keep a bottle of water nearby when engaging in outdoor activities or exercising to maintain hydration.

While more research is needed to definitively ascertain if dehydration directly contributes to hair fall from the roots, the consensus among experts is that inadequate water intake can negatively impact your hair's appearance and texture.

Thus, ensure you're drinking enough water, consuming foods high in water content, and enjoying the confidence of a beautiful, shiny head of hair.

FAQs

Does dehydration directly lead to hair loss? 

While there is no direct evidence that dehydration hair loss is directly related, it can create conditions such as dry and brittle hair that are more susceptible to breakage and damage, which can eventually lead to the appearance of hair loss. It's also worth noting that severe or chronic dehydration can disrupt normal body functions, including hair growth.

Can hair loss from dehydration be reversed? 

Yes, hair loss due to dehydration is usually reversible. When hydration levels are restored, hair follicles can receive adequate nourishment, potentially revitalising hair growth and reducing hair shedding. However, it's essential to maintain consistent hydration levels, as recurring dehydration can cause ongoing hair damage.

Does drinking more water help prevent hair loss? 

Yes, proper hydration is crucial for many body functions, including nourishing hair follicles, which stimulate hair growth. Drinking adequate water can also help prevent dry and brittle hair, reducing the risk of breakage and hair loss.

Does dehydration affect hair health in other ways besides causing hair loss? 

Dehydration can lead to dry and brittle hair, making it more prone to breakage. It can also dull the hair's natural shine and make it feel less soft or smooth. By disrupting the delivery of essential nutrients to hair follicles, dehydration can also potentially slow down hair growth.

Can hydration alone solve hair loss issues? 

While hydration is essential for healthy hair, it's not the only factor contributing to hair health. Other factors, such as diet, stress levels, underlying health conditions, and genetic predispositions, also to hair's health and play a significant role in hair loss. If hair loss continues despite adequate hydration, it's recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a dermatologist to rule out other potential causes.

Resources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369642/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8808739/

Read more:

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• 9 Undisputable Stylist Tips How To Keep Highlighted Hair Healthy
• Uneven Hairline: Why It Happens & Should You Worry?
• Why Is Your Hair Falling Out With White Bulb?