How to Deal With Female Hair Loss and Thinning

So, when I went through surgical menopause one of the things I was worried about was the effect this huge hormone change would have on my skin, hair, nails, mood, everything, and because I really didn’t know how it was going to affect me I did a lot of research into ways to combat any hair loss I may experience. 

Obviously, not everyone’s hair loss concerns are triggered by such a singular event as mine, but hair loss in women is a common concern and there is a lot of noise out there about the best ways of combating it. Postpartum recovery, menopause, or even stress can cause an imbalance in your hormones which can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to thinning or shedding. You may have coloured your hair a lot in the past and as a result your hair can be brittle. Or you may have a genetic sensitivity to a form of testosterone called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes your hair follicles to gradually shrink. And actually during menopause the decrease in your estrogen levels can make your hair follicles more susceptible to the effects of DHT. And estrogen itself supports healthy hair growth so during menopause this is gradually declining. The good news for women is that there is a lot you can do to minimise and even reverse this hair loss, but the earlier you start on this the better. And it’s always best to talk to a Trichologist if you’re really concerned visit the Institute of Trichologists UK register and find an expert.

At home, I swear by the Philip Kinglsey density collection — I use their Density Duo shampoo and conditioner, their density drops, the density protein spray and their new scalp foam is great too. I sound like I’m sponsored by Philip Kingsley, which would be great as I could stop lying to my husband about how much money I spend on hair products. 

I also use a scalp massager at least three times a week, it stimulates the blood flow to the scalp which therefore gets oxygen and nutrients flooding to the follicles. I only use it on dry hair to minimise breakage and I use my scalp drops after I’ve done this because it helps the product get absorbed better. And I mean yes you could use your hands to do this, and nothing beats a scalp massage in the treatment room, but I just find it easier to use a tool when doing it on myself, and you just use circular motion. 

And also, brush your hair (when it’s dry)! I think I worried at the beginning that brushing my hair would make my hair thin quicker, but that’s not the case and in fact brushing it, a bit like the scalp massager, gently stimulates the follicles in the scalp, gets the blood flowing, to promote hair growth. 

Collagen is also a great supplement for hair, though people usually only associate it with their skin. As we age, our natural collagen production declines, which can impact hair strength so drinking collagen daily can help replenish your body’s stores. The key with collagen is consistency, you really should be taking it for 3 months before you’ll start to see a difference so make sure whatever you’re taking you can bear it long term. I have tried myriad collagen drinks: Absolute Collagen, Beauty Pie, Bare Biology, Ancient and Brave, Vital proteins Matcha, before settling on Vida Glow. But as I said, with all these things, consistency is really the key so find a routine that works for you and that you can stick with.