6 Home Remedies for Low Carb & Keto Induced Hair Loss 💇🏿
Because We’ve Been There
Let’s start off by saying that we’ve got personal experience with keto induced hair loss (Paola here! 🙋🏿). You see, a couple years back I suffered from a bout of excessive hair loss (i.e. losing roughly 1k hairs per day… yup, I counted!). And then guess what? A bad hair dye job finished it all off, and I lost two-thirds of my hair. Not fun to say the least.
But guess what? After a couple months of trying everything and anything related to hair loss, I finally found a regime which worked. And within just two weeks, my hair stopped falling in chunks. It literally went form 1k to just 30-50 (at least those that I could count!). A year later, and my mane was back in full swing.
And most importantly, do not despair! As you probably know already (and I know, it probably doesn’t help me saying it again!): stress also causes hair loss. So if there ever was a vicious cycle, this is it.
An important note is that excessive hair loss can be caused by a thyroid malfunction, so it’s worth getting a quick workup to check that that’s not the underlying issue.
Otherwise you’ve got options. So here are 6 home remedies you can try for keto induced hair loss. With an MSM supplement most definitely at the top of our list.
1. MSM 🏆
If there’s one treatment for hair loss you really (and absolutely!) must try it’is a simple intake of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). And forget the scary name, it’s simply a sulfur-bearing compound naturally found (in very small amounts) in several fruits, veggies, animal products, and algae.
You see, MSM helps to create several of the chemical links that you need in order to form several types of structural tissues in your body. Including connective tissues such as articular cartilage, skin… and for the creation of keratin, which is responsible for hair (and nails!).
As a supplement, MSM is mainly used for supporting healthy cartilage and connective tissue in general. But do a quick google run, and you’ll see raving reviews when it comes to hair loss.
And that’s because for a great amount of peeps it truly works. This was the last thing I tried, but within two weeks excessive hair loss completely ceased.
In terms of brands, we use NOW MSM 1000 mg.
And how much to take? We suggest starting with the lowest recommended dose (1000 mg/daily). But you can go up to 4000 mg if need be.
Also, it appears that absorption may be increased when MSM is ingested with vitamin C. So we pop an MSM pill in the a.m. with a small glass of lemon water. Also note to take it in the mornings, as one of its side effects is increased energy (ideal!).
2. Bone Broth 🍖
You’ve probably heard this countless times already, but if you’re on a keto diet, you really need to be getting your bone broth in. And talking hair loss, this incredibly collagen-rich infusion is ideal. Also packed with essential amino acids, it’s ideal for boosting new hair growth.
Particularly when paired with MSM, which helps to bind keratin and collagen together.
The one caveat? Bone broth is truly ideal when brewed at home with grass-fed bones. As most store-bought varieties (and there are exceptions of course) have been shown to not contain the same nutritional profile as homemade. So we highly suggest you whip up your own bone broth (recipe here!).
3. Biotin
Biotin, or vitamin B7, is a crucial component of skin cells and is also perhaps the most popular hair loss supplement out there. And, along with an overall vitamin B complex, it’s a very popular component of most hair loss pills out there.
It’s worth keeping in mind that Biotin can lead to breakouts (from mild to severe) in certain peeps. I, personally, couldn’t do take it for longer than a couple weeks as my skin wasn’t doing so great. But I did see a marked improvement in my hair. So most definitely worth a try.
Another great way to get your vitamin Bs (without the associated workouts, in our experience) is to incorporate nutritional yeast into your diet.
4. Zinc 🎃
Zinc is an essential mineral for healthy hair, and studies have also shown that a zinc deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism and alopecia (i.e. extreme hair loss).
And while you can very well go ahead and take a supplement, it’s our belief that if it’s possible to get it from a natural source all the better. And with zinc you totally can: just pick up some pumpkin seeds, one of the foods with the highest zinc content out there.
5. Coconut Oil 🌴
A healthy scalp is paramount to a healthy set of hair, and few things to a better job at hydrating it than a simple rub of coconut oil. So melt it up and do a scalp massage before jumping in the shower.
In our experience, leaving it overnight makes for a greasy mane (even post shower). So play around to see what feels best.
6. Onion Juice
Weird, we know. But it’s also one of the most effective scalp treatments due to it’s high sulfur content, which is ace at improving blood circulation to your hair follicles.
So if you’re down, go ahead and grate some onion, squeeze out the juice and apply as a tonic for a couple hours (but preferably overnight).
The MSM worked! Thank you!
The MSM worked like a charm! I started with 1000mg daily and within a week I stopped losing handfuls of hair! Thank you so much!!!
My hair has been shedding but as of late, it’s coming out in gobs and my scalp is visible. I’ve been taking MSM and biotin daily but am going to try collagen as an add-on. I’ve also been short on protein so I need to be more mindful of that. I tend to go long hours without eating and don’t know if that contributes to the problem.
I got the collagen chews and some fresh Biotin today. If I see any results (or not), I’ll update soon.
Would love to know! Fingers crossed Sherry!
Day 2 on collagen and lost a massive amount of hair after showering, after losing hardly any yesterday. I have a dermatologist appointment tomorrow to make sure there’s no underlying medical issue, but I know the increased hair loss started with keto and weight loss. I just had labwork done and all my results were normal, so it’s probably just keto effects after 5 months.
I’ve always been a ‘shedder’ but never like this! My husband suggested a few days ago that I change the part in my hair to cover up my bald spots. I’ve dyed my hair for years because I went gray very young but have always used the same products with no allergic effects. Very discouraging but I’ll get it figured out!
I looked at RVL but it’s too rich for my blood at almost $200 for the package.
Oh no Sherry! With me the doctor checked it wasn’t my thyroid. Otherwise could it be stress? I just went through a very stressful period in the summer after an accident and a few months later I’m shedding like crazy again (my doctor told me hair loss after a stressful episode happens a few months after).
Alternatively, have you tried eating a bit more carbs? I’ve read that for some peeps that works too?
Paolo: It’s Christmas baked goods test time, so my sugar-free, gluten-free cookies, candy, and fruit bread taste tests might add a tiny bit more of not-the-best carbs but I’ve still been at/under 20g carbs/day. I just compensate elsewhere (except for veggies).
My hair is shoulder length and I may go get it cut chin length to make it easier to untangle, although I’m very careful when I comb it.
Stress?
•Daughter is going through a nasty divorce, so stress level is definitely higher than normal.
•My husband says he’s retiring next year – now there’s a stressor! My make-a-mess kitchen days are at risk😂
I’ll report back on the doctor’s advice!
Sherry I’m so sorry to hear! So yeah… stress is an understatement right? 😂🙈 I definitely feel you! Do report back and see if we can add a suggestion to the post (I’m starting a round of MSM again as this weekend so I’ll be putting it to test again) Big kiss and loads of hugs!
On the bright side, when I started keto, my A1c was approaching pre-diabetes level at 6.4. It’s now almost a point lower at 5.6 and back in the normal range.
This is wonderful news! I hear of SO many diabetes success stories for you guys (my doctor uses keto for his diabetes patients… I was the guinea pig for autoimmune diseases and it has also been a godsend!).
Teligen effluvium; doctor believes that’s what it is and says don’t stress about it and up my iron intake (more broccoli and steak is good for me!). It should reverse itself but she doesn’t think I’ll be bald anytime soon👍
I hope I don’t jinx myself, but…it appears that my hair loss is slowing after 2+ weeks of a daily regimen of 2000mg collagen, 3000mg MSM, and 5000mcg Biotin. Fingers crossed…
Happy to report that (as the doctor told me in March) my hair is starting to regrow. Today is the first day I didn’t have to Caboki it to go out in public. Because I have long hair, it will be a while before the new hair gets to be a decent length and it won’t catch up with my still-growing locks. Still, I am ecstatic!
whats RVL?
My hair loss has slowed to an almost normal rate but I’ve lost so much h hair that I’m using Caboki (doctor recommended) to conceal all the scalp that shows through the thin spots. Hoping to see some regrowth in the future but for now I’ll just keep sprinkling!
Okay, Sherry… I’m reading all the thread between you & Paola… so… Super Curious… did your hair grow BACK… Because I’m in that circumstance right now & need to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel! Ive just started upping my calorie intake & my protein, after watching a few youtube videos by Dr. Berg…
Thanks so much! There is also a solution that promotes hair growth for Keto hair loss. it works at the cellular level from the inside out. @RVLhairlosssolution on Facebook
So glad to find this… I have started collagen and biotin and will now order some MSM to add to the routine. My hair is coming out in HUGE amounts… lots in the brush, on the floor, in my hands when I run through and in the shower drain… scary!! I hope this helps me too!
Fingers crossed Catherine!
Thank you for this information. I have been eating this way for six months trying to get it dialed in. About two weeks ago I started noticing a lot of hair loss. Is there a way to search your recipes by ingredients like the nutritional yeast? To add these nutrients to my food I eat.
How can I add nutritional yeast into my keto diet?
I add nutritional yeast to almost all my savory things. Eggs, veggies, kale chips, etc. It gives these foods a cheesy taste….the flakes melt right in. There are also recipes for making actual cheese from it. I tried it once and it worked great. It even melted like real cheese.
I have been on Keto for about 20 days now. My hair has been coming out in chunks too; it’s terrifying!! Thanks for these tips!’
Wow…in just 20 days? Maybe if you were already dieting…just seems very quick for a response to a ketogenic way of eating. Usually hair shedding/loss starts around 3-6 months into doing a ketogenic diet in general.
Thank you so much, I started keto about a week ago and have long thick hair. A few days ago I noticed I was losing way too much hair. Will definitely try out MSM. A friend of mine told me to try Castor Oil and Carrot oil. Don’t know if you heard of that remedy. At this point I’m open to any natural remedy.
Hi Celeste! Castor oil was in fact my grandmothers remedy, but more than anything with it I noticed an improvement in texture xo and fingers crossed it works for you too!
That’s what I use. I wash and condition my hair, and add a few drops of castor oil mixed with hyaluronic serum. It’s amaaaaazing!
Collagen Chews from Wholefoods solve the issue in a matter of days and new hair growth will ensue
Thanks for the tip Grace! And yup, collagen is awesome (you can have it all natural in bone broth 😉 xo!
Grace: I don’t have a Whole Foods near so I ordered Neocell collagen chews online. Is this what you have or similar?
I am slightly in ketosis now. I have been doing a high protein diet for some time now and switch to no carbs for weight loss. The top layer of my hair has been breaking off for about a year. I’ve tried coconut oil, not using my hot iron, but nothing is working. I understand high amounts of protein in your hair can make it dry and brittle. Do you have any solutions for this problem? I am trying to grow my hair long which is making the process very difficult.
I can’t help you much here Connie. But do you use elastic bands etc on your hair? I had breakage a few years back also on the top layer because I wear my hair in a half ponytail a bunch…? xo and all my best to you!
Keto isn’t high protein. its high FAT and low carb.
nope that is not true, high fat low carb was used for medical reasons, for weight loss the protein should be higher and fat should be healthy fat
Thank you so much for this!
Question: what about dairy and keto diet? I read conflicting reports, some say high fat full cream cheeses, hard cheeses, sour cream. Others: no.
Plus dairy can cause hair loss.
Thoughts on dairy fats and keto?
Hi Eanlai! Personally I think that dairy (and any food really) is a personal choice as our bodies are all so different. And even within dairy I’ve found that big differences throughout. For e.g. I don’t have a problem with grass-fed butter, but heavy cream in excess can get me bloated (so I leave it for treats once in a while). And even cheeses I do very well with feta and mozzarella (the real Italian buffala), but sometimes get bloated from hard cheeses. So I think keto is all about experimenting and figuring out the foods that work best for you. I hope this helped! xo
My hair is falling out in chunks due to the Keto diet. Thank you so much for this! I am going to try the MSM and pumpkin seeds now and I will keep you updated.
Hope it helps Tamara! xo!
My hair is also coming out major major loss. Thankfully I have my own wig business and I do wear wigs. My hair was pretty thick and looking great until the keto diet I know I am doing the diet perfectly as I follow it on a daily basis I take all of the vitamins except what you mentioned with that MSM which I will try . I am extremely healthy but this hair loss since the keto diet is pretty scary. The hair loss is so severe I will have to tape my wigs on If I can’t get a handle on it.
Just wondering on update on your hair issue? Did the MSM help? and how is your hair now? I am experiencing the same thing and it is devastating.
Have you seen any new hair growth?
Thank you so much for this!