I was only back to work for ten weeks this fall but there is one concern that came up over and over again in that short amount of time. I’m here to compile some research and give you solutions to the hair question of the year. Why is my hair falling out so much?
Before I jump into causes and solutions I want to ask you, do you need to worry about hair loss? None of us like to confront the cushion of hair blocking the drain but it's important to keep a few things in mind. 2020 has turned most of our lives upside down and for many of us, that means changes in routines, including our hair routines. Do you find yourself in a high pony that has gone one or two too many days without a shampoo? It can be alarming when we finally run a brush through or hop in the shower and see what feels like gobs of hair coming out, but keep in mind that the average person loses 100 hairs a day. If it's been 3-6 days since you’ve agitated your hair and scalp that can mean up to 600 hairs coming out at one time! Remember to give yourself some slack, it hasn’t been an easy year.
Hair Loss is multifaceted and can be a combination of several imbalances, but there is one thing we all have in common this year, stress. Hair loss caused by stress often occurs as thinning all over the head rather than thinning concentrated in the part or hairline like other forms of hair loss. With that said, stress can also exacerbate hair loss caused by hormones or genetics.
The stress hormone, Cortisol, signals hair follicles to prematurely shift from the growth to rest phase resulting in follicles that stop growing. For many of us, this is the likely culprit to the excess hair in the brush or in the drain this year. There are several ways to address stress-related hair loss varying from daily practices to topicals and supplements.
First, let's talk about topical hair products. Shampoos and hair products applied directly to the hair and scalp can stimulate growth and lengthen the hair growth phase through various ingredients.
The beauty of topical solutions is that they often offer more than one benefit. My #1 topical recommendation for hair loss and scalp health is CAKE by REVERIE. This organic, plant-based product not only addresses hair loss but also helps to address the many scalp imbalances that can result from stress, such as dry scalp. CAKE is powered by plant technology, formulated with apple stem cells that stimulate growth and lengthen the growth phase of the hair bulb. I love that cake can be applied specifically to trouble areas or massaged throughout the scalp. CAKE is also an ideal quarantine product since it helps to soothe and refresh the scalp in between shampoos.
Another topical approach is the KEVIN.MURPHY plumping line, namely BODY.MASS thickening spray. I’ve recommended
BODY.MASS over the years to clients because I love that it doubles as a hair loss treatment and an instant volumizer. BODY.MASS works by fighting hair loss at three different levels - stimulating hair growth with ingredients like nettle, protecting the hair from DHT (the androgen that causes female and male pattern balding), and utilizing eyelash growing technology
-BIOTINOYL TRIPEPTIDE-1, a protein derivative that creates a protective shield and elongates the hair growth phase. In my experience, BODY.MASS works best when applied to the hair and scalp daily then blow-dried in.
REVERIE CAKE & KEVIN.MURPHY BODY.MASS are both available for purchase at Goldfinch Salon, click here to shop for pick-up at Goldfinch or drop off (5-mile radius), use code: GOLDFINCH for 20% off. Or you can shop my online links and have either product shipped to you directly.
Now let's talk about supplements. How many of us have picked up a Costco-sized tub of Biotin after watching one too many youtube videos on hair thinning. Don’t get me wrong, biotin is one of the most important B-Vitamins when it comes to the health of our hair, skin, and nails and can help our hair grow stronger resulting in less breakage and more density but it doesn’t address the root of our problem.
I want to speak from experience here, despite my seemingly thick and luscious hair ;), hair loss has been a major concern of mine for years. Androgenic hair loss AKA female-pattern balding runs in my family and I have experienced the density of my hair lessen significantly over the years. I’ve spent hours on the computer reading about the correlation between hormones and hair loss and looking for solutions other than adding more hair into my bangs. (Let’s be real though, styling can play a huge role in your confidence about hair density!)
The two things that made a major difference for me were changing my method of birth control and taking Nutrafol Hair Loss Supplements. Nutrafol is a supplement that addresses several key factors in hair loss including stress, hormones, and metabolism. Namely, it addresses the core of many hair loss problems by using ingredients that help build resistance to cortisol, that pesky stress hormone. See a breakdown of Nutrafol ingredients here.
In 2019 in the months leading up to my wedding, I supplemented with Nutrafol consistently and went from palm fulls of hair after each shower to minimal shedding and noticeably thicker and stronger hair. I chose to discontinue Nutrafol when the pandemic hit since my budget no longer allowed for it but between the stress of 2020 and some hormonal changes, my hair loss has reached a new peak. I recently restarted my regimen. I figured if there is anything worth investing in right now it's my health, and building my resistance to stress hormones sounds more worthwhile than ever.
If you want to join me in my journey to thicker hair? Use this link when you subscribe to Nutrafol.
It's important to note there are rituals that cost nothing that can start to combat excess hair loss. Brushing with a boar bristle brush can stimulate blood circulation that can promote healthy growth. Addressing stress-related and exacerbated hair loss starts with addressing stress. Practicing mindfulness, exercising, eating healthy, and including foods that help lower your stress hormones, like dark chocolate, can be effective in starting to overcome hair thinning.
Which of these solutions are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!
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