Thinning hair

Hormones! Hormone! Hormones! Yes, it is largely due to hormonal changes that you might notice changes to your hair. Your hair main become more brittle, thin or even start to go bald in patches. And as if that wasn’t enough, you might find hair growing in places where you definitely don’t want it… on your face, chest or back!

Normal decreases in oestrogen and progesterone during menopause can lead to hair loss, dry scalp and thinning hair. At the same time, relative increase in testosterone can cause some of the unwanted hard, dark hair growth.

Other factors such as genetics, severe stresses or trauma experiences, certain medications and medical conditions can all impact on the health of your hair.

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is another factor that could impact hair loss – and as it typically becomes more noticeable with aging, it tends to appear right in the middle of your menopause years! FPHL is one of those conditions that isn’t properly understood in the medical fraternity, as it hasn’t had as much research as Male Hair Loss (hmm… this is another one of those examples of women not getting the support and help they need!). If you experience sudden hair loss – or your hair loss is becoming more prominent than a couple of strands or generally thinner hair – you might want to consult with a dermatologist that specialises in hair loss to find out what the causes are and what treatment options are available for you.

Here are a couple of things that you can do to help manage thinning hair during menopause.

• Managing stress: Stress can aggravate hair loss, so staying on top of your stress and using effective stress management tools like regular exercise, managing your diet, and taking appropriate supplements can all help your body cope and keep your scalp and hair in good condition.
• Quit smoking: the chemicals and heavy metals in cigarettes can worsen the state of brittle hair or increase hair loss.
• Speak to your hairdresser: He/she will know your hair well and be able to recommend haircare products specifically designed for treating hair loss, dry scalp or brittle hair. While many of these products may not be scientifically tested, there is anecdotal evidence that some of them may help – especially with dry scalp or brittle hair.
• Take good care of the hair you have: We can be very unkind to our hair sometimes – excessive styling, heat, chemical treatments, and braiding can all have an impact on hair health. While you may not be able to stop some of the natural thinning or changes in condition, there are things that you can do to look after the hair that you do have. For example: consider alternatives to harsh chemical treatments or take a complete break, if you can. If you regularly braid your hair, consider looser braids or longer periods between new braids. Make sure you are using a good quality shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair and scalp needs. And cut back on the heavy heat styling – use our beautiful African warmth to dry your hair naturally, or make sure you use protective products if you absolutely have to use the dryer or flat iron.