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Hair loss can be a jarring experience for women. I say this confidently because of the growing bald spots on my scalp. My mother is 65, and she’s completely bald. She began losing her hair in her 50s and decided to embrace the process in her early 60s. As I watched her navigate her new normal, I often wondered if I would handle the transition with such grace. I panic at the thought of losing my hair in 20 years. But at 41, I see the potential foreshadowing of my future, and it caused me to question hair loss, why it happens, and if it could be prevented. Perhaps if I address my scalp and the best ways to care for it today, I can change the trajectory of my hair journey.
Hair loss is a hereditary trait in my mother’s bloodline. All of my aunts are bald or have extremely short hair. When I was younger, I assumed it was just something my folks decided to do as they age, but I quickly realized it was a last resort because their hair was thinning. My aunts and mother normalized their hair loss because they figured it was part of their aging process. And while it is, there are ways to combat it or prolong hair thinning or shedding so you have more time to enjoy a full and healthy mane.
Source: Marsha B. / (L-R: My mom Dezelle, Aunt Juliette, Marsha, Aunt June)
To learn more about hair loss, why it happens, and ways to address it, I spoke with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman, Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. He shares a wealth of knowledge that addresses products we can use, diets that stimulate hair growth, and more.
What are a few reasons why someone would experience hair loss?
There are several triggers that can be identified as the root causes of hair thinning and shedding. Women can experience hair thinning during periods of hormonal changes, such as after giving birth or menopause, while changing lifestyle habits and environmental factors like air quality, water quality, and even the products you use can have a major impact on your hair health. Whether it’s hormonal changes, stress, lifestyle, metabolism, nutrition, or aging, more than half of women will experience hair thinning during their lifetime.
How much does stress affect hair loss?
When experiencing stress, including trauma and grief, our body signals can become disrupted, which can impact the hair growth cycle leading hair to enter the shedding phase prematurely. The stress hormone cortisol signals hair follicles to prematurely shift out of the hair growth phase, accelerating the time it takes for hair to shed. Over time, stress can also disrupt hormones and nutrient absorption needed for hair growth.
Can your diet affect hair loss as well?
Yes––a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports hair health, while deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin D and protein can lead to hair thinning. Brittle, dry hair or all over thinning can be signs of gaps in the body’s nutrients that are needed to support healthy hair growth. You may also notice bloating or digestive issues. As a micro-organ, our hair follicle is affected by nutrient deficiencies, so key nutrients are needed to build hair and support a healthy hair growth cycle.
What are some natural ways to address hair loss?
Because hair thinning is multifactorial, it’s really important to take a whole-body approach to addressing hair health – including eating a balanced diet filled with nutrient-rich foods, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, incorporating regular exercise into your routine, and reducing stress. When paired with a drug-free, clinically proven hair growth solution like Nutrafol, which takes an inside out approach and addresses the root causes of thinning and shedding, over time you’ll see stronger, thicker hair. Nutrafol contains standardized ingredients like ashwagandha to balance stress hormones, and curcumin, the active ingredient found in turmeric. This supercharged antioxidant addresses multiple root causes of hair thinning and is 500x more potent than turmeric alone.
What are some products you’d recommend for someone experiencing hair loss?
Nutrafol Women Hair Growth Supplements use highly concentrated, drug-free ingredients to address the multiple root causes of hair thinning. For example, ashwagandha is an ingredient and adaptogen that helps balance stress hormones in the body. Additionally, biotin, marine collagen, vitamin E, vitamin C, and more, work together within the supplement to create a comprehensive approach to supporting hair health from the inside out. Therefore, Nutrafol contains ingredients that work to strengthen and nourish hair, along with anti-stress adaptogens to lower cortisol levels and reduce follicle damage.
Hair thinning and needs change based on life stage and lifestyle, so I love that Nutrafol has formulas available to support women through menopause (Nutrafol Women’s Balance), postpartum (Nutrafol Postpartum), and those choosing a plant-based diet specifically (Nutrafol Vegan).
Topical minoxidil stimulates hair growth by shortening the resting phase of hair loss, called the telogen phase. When you shorten the resting phase, hair goes into the hair growth phase. You can find minoxidil in many topical products, like Women’s Rogaine. I like the foam formula as it easy to apply and see where you are adding it to your scalp. The trick with minoxidil products is you have to be consistent. It takes 2-3 months to start seeing results, and you need to continue to use the product for ongoing results.
You can help slow hair loss by incorporating a product with finasteride, which works to slow hair loss by blocking testosterone from being turned into dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Excess DHT can lead to hair loss. Her Hair Blends Postmeno Serum is a great choice as it uses both finasteride to slow hair loss and minoxidil to stimulate hair growth. It’s a nice option for anyone – not just postmenopausal women.
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