♥️♥️🧠 Love Love Brain

💇‍♀️❤️‍🩹 Why Is My Hair Still Falling Out After My Brain Injury?

One of the most surprising things that happened after my traumatic brain injury wasn’t just the headaches, memory problems, or exhaustion.

It was my hair.

A few months after my accident, my hairdresser gently told me that my hair was falling out much more than normal. At first, I didn’t believe it. But over time, I noticed it too. Every shower. Every brush. Every ponytail.

Two years later, I’m still dealing with it.

🧠 Can a TBI Cause Hair Loss?

Yes. It can.

A traumatic brain injury puts enormous stress on the body. Physical trauma, emotional stress, surgeries, medications, chronic pain, poor sleep, and changes in nutrition can all push hair follicles into a resting phase. A few months later, those hairs begin shedding.

This is called telogen effluvium.

The good news is that the hair follicles are usually still alive. They just need time and the right environment to recover.

❤️ My Reminder

Hair loss can feel heartbreaking.

For many of us, it isn’t “just hair.” It’s another reminder that life changed after our injury.

If you’re experiencing this too, please know you’re not alone.

🌱 Love Love Brain Strategy

Instead of focusing only on stopping the hair loss, focus on creating the healthiest environment possible for your brain and your hair.

✅ Sleep

😴 Aim for consistent, quality sleep whenever possible. Your brain and hair both repair while you sleep.

✅ Eat Enough Protein

🥚 Hair is made mostly of protein. Include foods like eggs, fish, chicken, Greek yogurt, beans, tofu, or lentils.

✅ Check for Deficiencies

🩸 Ask your doctor to check common causes of hair loss, including:

• Iron (ferritin)
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12
• Zinc
• Thyroid function

✅ Reduce Stress

🧘 Gentle breathing, meditation, walking, therapy, or simply resting can help lower the body’s stress response.

✅ Be Gentle With Your Hair

💛 Avoid tight hairstyles, excessive heat, harsh bleaching, and rough brushing while your hair recovers.

💊 Some medications can contribute to hair loss. Never stop a medication on your own, but ask your healthcare provider if any could be playing a role.

✅ Talk to a Dermatologist

👩‍⚕️ If your shedding continues or you’re noticing thinning patches, a dermatologist can help determine whether something besides telogen effluvium is happening. They may recommend treatments such as topical minoxidil if it’s appropriate for you.

🌸 A Love Love Thought

Healing after a brain injury doesn’t always happen where people can see it.

Sometimes your brain is working incredibly hard to heal, even while your hair is reminding you how much your body has been through.

Be patient with yourself.

Your worth has never been measured by the number of hairs on your brush.

Love your brain.

Love your body.

Love yourself.

With love love,

♥️🧠 Adeline
Love Love Brain