Weight Loss and Hair Growth

bigfriendlyvegan · Postby **bigfriendlyvegan** » Wed May 25, 2011 8:26 pm

Over the past three years I've lost ~45kg cycling. My BMI is normal and everything is going well. I have noticed recently, however, that I've had increased hair growth over my entire body. It's growing faster and in places where it wasn't before. I have never been a hairy person, but now I have noticeable back and chest hair. The hair on my head is also growing faster. I don't think it's simply an increased density of hair due to my smaller size.

I googled the problem, but only seem to find info about losing hair with weight loss.

Any thoughts people? I'm content with being a gorilla provided there's nothing else wrong with me.

David

TrekStar · Postby **TrekStar** » Wed May 25, 2011 8:43 pm

Not a doctor but it sounds like maybe it's related to hormonal changes? Might be worth asking your GP to have a look.

Zynster · Postby **Zynster** » Wed May 25, 2011 8:49 pm

Guys naturally get hairier as they get older. Everywhere except the top of the head.

sogood · Postby **sogood** » Wed May 25, 2011 9:22 pm

Zynster wrote:Guys naturally get hairier as they get older. Everywhere except the top of the head.

You are so cruel!

bigfriendlyvegan · Postby **bigfriendlyvegan** » Wed May 25, 2011 10:38 pm

Zynster wrote:Guys naturally get hairier as they get older. Everywhere except the top of the head.

No solar panel up there yet, though father and both grandfathers are/were thin/bald on top. They also all had heart attacks; my dad's second one jump started my focus on fitness and cycling. Maybe fitness prevents heart disease and hair loss.

BarryTas · Postby **BarryTas** » Thu May 26, 2011 8:14 am

maybe maybe maybe, in extreme weight loss, the body grows more hair to keep warm.

but generally it's a sign of good health and good circulation

Comedian · Postby **Comedian** » Thu May 26, 2011 11:48 am

Once Apple finds this thread I suspect things will go down hill and fast.

Personally I don't think I've noticed myself getting any hairier but I'll be watching for it now.

bigfriendlyvegan · Postby **bigfriendlyvegan** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:19 pm

Comedian wrote:Once Apple finds this thread I suspect things will go down hill and fast.

Ooh, I hadn't thought I would be in the Apple-league. I don't know what my missus would have to say about it, but competition is healthy

Comedian wrote:Personally I don't think I've noticed myself getting any hairier but I'll be watching for it now.

That's why I'm posting - I haven't heard of it before, nor can I find any info on it.

BarryTas wrote:maybe maybe maybe, in extreme weight loss, the body grows more hair to keep warm.

but generally it's a sign of good health and good circulation

Adaptive mechanism? Possible, but I'm skeptical. Good circulation and health, that's actually a better hypothesis. Maybe the new hair is my normal state and the old me was abnormal. I have been overweight since I was in my early teens (I am the same weight now as I was when I was 14, in fact), so I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case.

Cheers,
David

Postby **im_no_pro** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:26 pm

Would love to help you out, but unfortunately im in the opposite camp i.e. gaining weight and losing hair

foo on patrol · Postby **foo on patrol** » Thu May 26, 2011 6:47 pm

How old are you Bigfriendlyvegan?

Off topic. I had a mate that was totally hairless (from the shock of his mother dying) and got burnt at my place, when doing a burn off and his hair grew back!

Even made the Australian Medical Journal.

bigfriendlyvegan · Postby **bigfriendlyvegan** » Thu May 26, 2011 8:09 pm

foo on patrol wrote:How old are you Bigfriendlyvegan?

Just turned 38.

wombatK · Postby **wombatK** » Thu May 26, 2011 8:28 pm

Good grief BFV, you're anorexic

Once enough body fat is lost, a thin peach-fuzz type of hair will begin to grow on the head, arms, back, and chest. This is the body's last resort instinct to try and keep a person warm when they don't have enough body fat. This hair is called lanugo

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_anor ... z1NS9RQ4VN

marinmomma · Postby **marinmomma** » Thu May 26, 2011 8:31 pm

Comedian wrote:Once Apple finds this thread I suspect things will go down hill and fast.

Lol, I had the same thought....if there were pic's we might get her back here!

Anakist · Postby **Anakist** » Thu May 26, 2011 8:35 pm

Holy smoke. I am a gorilla anyway, maybe I should lay off the exercise!

James

fatherofmany · Postby **fatherofmany** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:53 pm

sogood wrote:
Zynster wrote:Guys naturally get hairier as they get older. Everywhere except the top of the head.
You are so cruel!

yes but unfortunately sogood it's sotrue

bigfriendlyvegan · Postby **bigfriendlyvegan** » Thu May 26, 2011 10:38 pm

wombatK wrote:Good grief BFV, you're anorexic

Wow, the world's only 88kg anorexic. Unfortunately, I'm not malnourished, but apparently lanugo hair grows on elephants as well, which is much more likely. When I bend forward I get a good hang of saggy-baggy skin, I'm large and I'm a vegetarian. Hmmm, I think I'm onto something.

Chuck · Postby **Chuck** » Fri May 27, 2011 5:26 pm

bigfriendlyvegan wrote:Maybe fitness prevents heart disease and hair loss.

Didn't seem to help these guys....

....although maybe it was the PED's

Apple · Postby **Apple** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:07 pm

bigfriendlyvegan wrote:Over the past three years I've lost ~45kg cycling. My BMI is normal and everything is going well. I have noticed recently, however, that I've had increased hair growth over my entire body. It's growing faster and in places where it wasn't before. I have never been a hairy person, but now I have noticeable back and chest hair. The hair on my head is also growing faster. I don't think it's simply an increased density of hair due to my smaller size.

I googled the problem, but only seem to find info about losing hair with weight loss.

Any thoughts people? I'm content with being a gorilla provided there's nothing else wrong with me.

David

Oh Baby,
You must look fantastic.
Maybe you are growing up young David; you have blossomed into a MAN.
Please post a picture of your gorilla body. That will show some of these bum fluff cyclists what a real man should look like.
You should thank your lucky stars.
A true Creation of Adam

Apple · Postby **Apple** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:09 pm

Anakist wrote:Holy smoke. I am a gorilla anyway, maybe I should lay off the exercise!

James

PM me James

marinmomma · Postby **marinmomma** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:10 pm

Yay, it worked...Apple, you're back!!!

Apple · Postby **Apple** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:13 pm

marinmomma wrote:Yay, it worked...Apple, you're back!!!

Yes I am sexymomma, I am going riding again.
one project completed so watch out girl friend.

bigfriendlyvegan · Postby **bigfriendlyvegan** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:17 pm

Apple wrote: Oh Baby,
You must look fantastic.
Maybe you are growing up young David; you have blossomed into a MAN.
Please post a picture of your gorilla body. That will show some of these bum fluff cyclists what a real man should look like.
You should thank your lucky stars.
A true Creation of Adam

Hey, how you doin?

Photo is strangely accurate. Yes, I'm a ranga and I do have some saggy skin from the weight loss. Actually, I also have a beard, so I'm more like a 70s "movie" actor. Here's a real pic:

marinmomma · Postby **marinmomma** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:21 pm

Apple wrote:
marinmomma wrote:Yay, it worked...Apple, you're back!!!
Yes I am sexymomma, I am going riding again.
one project completed so watch out girl friend.

Bring it on girl friend, see you over in the 6k club

Apple · Postby **Apple** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:25 pm

I will follow your wheel anyday.
bigfriendlyvegan.
as for you Momma. See you at the club.

foo on patrol · Postby **foo on patrol** » Sat May 28, 2011 9:04 am

bigfriendlyvegan wrote:
foo on patrol wrote:How old are you Bigfriendlyvegan?
Just turned 38.

Hmmm to young for you to start growing extra hair. (nose, ears,

longer eyebrows and across shoulders)

Maybe you can work it out and turn it into a cream to rub on heads for regrowth!