Hair Expert reveals how to tackle menopausal hair loss

Going through menopause can be a confusing time for women, full of bodily changes and over 30 symptoms including weight gain, hot flushes and mood changes.

But did you know that it affects the hairline too?

Affecting over 40 percent of women, menopausal hair loss occurs as a result of the body’s slower production of oestrogen and progesterone. Without a steady balance of these hormones, the rate your hair grows becomes slower and hair follicles shrink, causing the hair to become thinner and finer.

However, this can be extremely damaging for a woman’s confidence.

Here, Haircare Expert Nicole Petty at Milk + Blush discusses ways to promote hair growth and maintain thick and healthy locks.

Limit stress and self-care

Firstly, consider making lifestyle changes to limit stress, as high-stress levels, combined with a sudden change in hormones, can result in telogen effluvium.

Consider taking some time to slow down your pace of life by reading a book, going for a walk or practising yoga and meditation.

Switch up your diet

The foods you eat have a direct impact on the growth, strength and volume of your hair.  By consuming plenty of protein, hair produces high levels of keratin, enabling it to repair and grow.

And foods rich in iron, Omega-3, Vitamins A, C, & E, Biotin, Zinc, and Selenium are great for hair health.

Meanwhile, look to boost any oestrogen lost during menopause with foods such as flaxseed, soy products or garlic.

Regular Exercise

Exercise is not only beneficial for menopausal side effects such as mood swings, bloating and sleep issues, but hair too.

That’s because when exercising, your blood flow and circulation increase, resulting in more nutrients and oxygen reaching your scalp, which hair needs to grow.

Watch your products

Revise what you’re putting on your hair by checking the label for harsh chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate, parabens, propylene glycol, imidazolidinyl urea and sodium chloride – that could result in further hair loss.
Instead, look for products containing essential oils like rosemary or tea tree that help boost hair growth.

Change up your styling

Consider how you could change up your regular styling routine to help with menopausal hair loss.

Try and limit your use of heat styling tools such as straighteners or hairdryers. If you’re someone who dyes their hair regularly, give your hair a break from harsh chemicals during this tricky time, as they can kill off melanin and destroy the hair follicles, leading them to thin or fall out even further.

However, while you might reduce hair shedding, the rate the hair grows could be a lot slower than pre-menopause.

So, for anyone with long hair, this could be your time to make the chop. Shortening the length adds volume and reduces the weight of the hair while making it easier to hide problem areas that may have occurred as a result of thinning.

Get help from a professional
If you feel like trying to reduce hair loss, shedding or thinning naturally isn’t working – visit a trichologist.

Trichologists are specialists in the function, structure, and diseases of human hair and scalp. Upon appointment, they will be able to work with your GP to evaluate which treatment is best for you, with options such as laser therapy, hair systems, scalp micro-pigmentation, and alopecia treatments or specialised creams and shampoos.