5 Reasons Your Hair May Be Thinning… And How To Treat It…

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Hair loss or shedding can be very daunting.. clumps of hair in your hand or plughole can be the trigger to know that something may not be right, I feel as women we know when something with our bodies is off and we shouldn't ignore it.. there are two types of hair loss, genetic and reactive, Im going to explain the difference and how you can treat it. 

Post Partum:

Have you got those wispy bits of new hair along the hair line?! If youve just given birth and feeling like your hair is shedding, sometimes in large amounts, do not fret! This is completely normal and called post partum hair loss, so post partum hair is something that affects most new mamas at around 3 months after giving birth.. its so complex I’ve done a whole other blog on it so head over there for more advice on this..

Vitamin Deficiency:

I have to point out here im not a doctor and not medically trained so can not diagnose lack of vitamins. However it can have a huge affect on your skin, hair and nails. Iron and Vitamin D can play a part in the regrowth of new hair so lack of these in your body can have drastic affects. 

People forget the hair is a big indicator of what is going on internally, lack of anything in the body will eventually show in the hair. 

Im constantly being asked about supplements, especially as my clients go through hormonal changes whether this is related to post partum or menopause. I am not medically trained and can not diagnose medication or treatment but do know that supplements massively helps with hair growth.

‘‘ Taking supplements is something we should all be doing and I have seen amazing results from clients assisting their diets with a tablet a day’’.

I recommend HairBurst! I love this brand, the fact they make taking supplements fun! Not only do they actually work but are chewable too. They do a supplement and shampoo and conditioner bundle which I have had amazing feedback off clients for.

Covid-19 Hair Loss!

As Covid-19 is a new illness its hard to tell what it causes and any long term affects. However it has become apparant that in some cases the illness can cause severe hair shedding. This is more common in long covid patients. I have personally dealt with post covid hair loss and it is no joke. The good news it is it seems to be very temporary and the hair seems to grow back quite quickly and relatively back to normal, Having said this I do have a client who suffered with post covid hair loss and not only has her hair grown back thick and fast it has grown back a curlier texture than she ever has been.

There are supplements to aid hair growth like the Hairburst Gummies

When hair loss to this extent happens even though there isn’t a lot of research into why it happens my own research has conducted that it can be due to shock within the body, when the immune system is put to drastic lengths it focusses on helping you get better, as many as 70% of the scalp hairs can shed in large numbers about 2 months after the ‘shock’. This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as the hair coming out in handfuls, is acute telogen effluvium. This is a different problem than gradual genetic hair thinning. However, this can be seen in the less common chronic telogen effluvium, only after a significant amount of hair has already been lost.

As a hairdresser the main way to help the new hair grow is to get a really good haircut, this doesn’t mean you need to rock a pixie crop but the more blunt the haircut the better. The ‘interior’ of the haircut needs to be blunt cut within, this helps every hair grow so much healthier and in time thicker. I personally have a lot of experience with this as a specialist in post partum hair which happens in a similar way.

In between visits to your hairdresser its important to use a good quality shampoo and conditioning treatment to help keep the hair strong and the new hair moisturised so it can grow healthy. I recommend Redken Extreme - I absolutely swear by this for strengthening the hair and adding much needed protein, combine it with the Anti Snap Treatment before blowdrying and in time your hair will feel more combust, healthier and smoother.

Its All So Scientific:

An imbalance of hormones in your body can mean many health and beauty issues, from thinning hair to adult acne and weight gain if your hormones are off due to contraception or menopause the affects will radiate through your whole body, including your hair! 

Hormones are huge when it comes to regulating the hair growth cycle. 

Oestrogens - female hormones are 'hair friendly' and keep the hair in the growth phase for the optimal amount of time. 

Androgens - male hormones are not very hair friendly and can shorten the hair growth cycle. 

An excess of androgens (which could be caused by an endocrine disorder, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or menopause can cause hair loss. The extent of this is often down to genes - If you have a genetic predisposition to follicle sensitivity, a hormonal imbalance can affect your hair more than it would someone who does not have a predisposition

You Could Be Over Processing Your Hair:

If your hair is bleached or coloured it could be over processed, check with your hairdresser what techniques and products they are using and see if anything can be improved. As a professional Im constantly checking my clients hair condition and asking the correct questions to make an accurate diagnosis to see if anything needs changing. 

Olaplex.. Olaplex.. Olaplex.. did I mention this stuff is AMAZING! Olaplex has patented technology to help rebuild the bonds in your hair.. Its so amazing Iv done a whole blog about why you should be using it..

Shop the whole Olaplex range now ✨

You Just Need A Good Haircut:

If your hair is feeling split, dry and wispy on the ends and strands are falling when being washed and dried it will probably be that you need a good haircut.. Having amazing hair is like the body being healthy and toned.. its high maintainence.. Regular trims are paramount to having luscious locks, not only does it cut off the split ends a good haircut should create such a lovely shape meaning you dont have to over style and heat to make it last all day overall meaning healthier better shaped hair..

Vidal Sassoon doing what he did best - 1960s

To Clarify…
I feel figuring out the reason for shedding hair you need to be conscious of what you are doing to your hair and putting in your body.. It may be a good idea to write a food diary and research the correct nutrients which will stimulate hair growth, if you have tried everything and still no avail you may want to consider seeing a specialist, a trichologist, this is a scalp and hair scientist that is qualified to do do blood tests and has many ways of investigating the reason for hair loss. I am currently awaiting to start my adventure into trichology and personally can not wait, in the mean time I spend my life researching and trying to find answers for my clients, as a hairdresser this is not something that is taught which I feel should be. Watch this space…