There are plenty of reasons why we start losing hair. Yes, genes are often a factor but suddenly losing large quantities of hair could indicate that something’s not quite right. Sometimes an underlying medical condition is to blame, including diabetes. In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, let’s take a look at the connection between diabetes and hair loss – and how laser hair therapy can help if you’re one of the millions of individuals diagnosed with diabetes every year.

1) Diabetes affects blood flow.

Diabetes affects blood circulation, and not in a good way. Extremities like your feet and hands are not the only things affected: blood flow is compromised in the scalp area as well.

So what happens next? Blood carries nutrients. Hair cells need nutrients to divide and replicate, and eventually these cells form hair follicle tissue. If you’re healthy, hair follicle tissue thickens into cuticles, which grow into healthy, terminal hair. But if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, hair follicles thin out and eventually, hair follices are miniaturized. Your existing hair weakens and sheds, while a lack of nutrients to the scalp prevents new hair growth.

While some diabetics can regrow their hair without any assistance, numerous individuals often need help; and since laser hair therapy is natural solution to diabetes hair loss with no side effects, it’s always the best way to go.

2) Diabetes causes easy bruising.

You may have heard that applying ice on a bruise will make it heal quicker. A colder temperature promotes blood flow to that area and accelerates healing. Anyone with poor blood circulation, including due to diabetes, will be a lot more susceptible to bruising. This can cause skin problems, including the scalp.

Having thick, lavish hair entails having a healthy scalp. One just can’t happen without the other. In fact, scalp conditions can often lead to thinning hair and ultimately hair loss. Fortunately, scientifically engineered laser hair therapy devices, such as the Theradome LH80 PRO, are proven to promote quick wound healing, reduce scalp inflammation, minimize dandruff and oiliness, and prep the scalp for ample hair growth.

3) Diabetes weakens the immune system.

Any type of disease or illness weakens the immune system. In this case, your body needs to work much harder to fight off any type of infection – including infections attacking your scalp. Anyone with an enfeebled immune system will be more prone to fungal disease, including ringworm, which can result in patchy hair loss and overall hair thinning.

On top of this, the healing process for diabetics takes much more time than for healthy individuals. This means that anagen hair (which belongs to the growth phase) becomes energy deprived and can never really blossom. In other words, your scalp suffers from a compromised hair growth cycle.

Keep in mind that regardless of your health, you can strengthen your hair follicles with the Theradome. And don’t forget that laser hair growth therapy is clinically proven to shift hair in the anagen phase, which prevents hair loss.

4) Diabetes induces hormonal changes.

Diabetes can also cause severe hormonal imbalances, which, in the case of women, unfortunately leads to hair loss. Ever heard of the term telogen effluvium? It specifically includes hair loss due to drastic hormonal changes. This means that healthy hair in the growth phase get pushed prematurely into the resting phase, causing an abundance of shedding.

Protect your health (and your hair!)

If you think that you might have diabetes, and are experiencing symptoms such as hair loss, bruises and wounds due to poor circulation, book an appointment with your physician immediately. Diabetes, if left untreated, can cause severe, irreparable damage to your body – and we’re not just talking about your hair. If not addressed properly, diabetes can damage your heart, eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and nerves. First consult your doctor and decide on a treatment course; for instance, did you know that Type 2 diabetes could be treated with simple lifestyle changes? Once you’ve addressed the root of the problem, then you can focus on re-growing your hair in the comfort of your home with the FDA-cleared Theradome LH80 PRO.