How Can I Stop Hair Loss During Menopause?
Every woman will go through the natural biological process of menopause. This stage in our lives is marked by fluctuating hormone levels and the end of menstrual periods. It is often accompanied by other side effects, including hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, and maybe the worst one for many women — hair loss!
Most menopause-related thinning is connected to heredity and hormone changes; however, other factors are at work. While there is nothing you can do to change your genetic predisposition to menopausal hair loss, you may be able to counteract other contributors — including anxiety, nutritional deficiencies, and harsh hair styling methods.
Keep Stress at Bay
Although stress can happen at any point in life, the hormonal shifts of menopause affect your brain chemistry — this can trigger a heightened response to anxiety, mood swings, and depression.
Researchers have established a direct connection between stress and hair loss. Follicles can react to extreme anxiety by curbing hair growth and then shedding the strands a few months later. If you notice an excessive amount of hair loss in the months following a stressful event, anxiety is likely the trigger.
Stress can also manifest itself through compulsive hair-pulling or an immune response in which your white blood cells attack your hair follicles and make the hairs fall out. The good news is, stress-related hair loss is almost always reversible. When the stress levels subside, your hair should grow back.
Practice self-care to reduce stress levels and hasten hair regrowth. For example:
- Reduce your workload if possible.
- Take time for your favorite hobbies.
- Calm your mind through yoga and meditation.
- Exercise regularly.
Clean Your Scalp
Hot flashes and night sweats are other common menopause symptoms that have an impact on your hair. When you feel that surge of heat, your body reacts by releasing sweat to cool you down — primarily on your scalp, face, and neck. The salty residue that remains after sweat dries can clog your follicles and contribute to hair fall.
Whether your perspiration is a result of hot flashes or an intense workout, cleanse your scalp by using a sulfate-free shampoo like Better Not Younger’s Wake-Up Call Volumizing Shampoo. Follow this once or twice a week with a buildup-removing exfoliant like BNY’s New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser. This innovative product works by drawing out impurities and scrubbing away harmful residues.
Discuss Your Hair Loss with Your Doctor
A certain degree of hair loss during menopause is normal, and gradual thinning is generally not cause for concern. However, if you unexpectedly begin losing large tufts of hair or discover sizable bald patches on your scalp, make an appointment with your doctor. They will run tests to help determine if there is another underlying issue.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, you may be able to reverse hair loss caused by conditions including:
- Scalp infections
- Thyroid disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
Additionally, some prescription drugs claim hair loss as a potential side effect. Ask your doctor if any of your medications could be triggering your condition — there may be alternative medications that can prevent or reverse this troubling trend.
Pay Attention to Your Diet
Hair loss is often one of the first signs of a nutritional deficiency. When your body lacks particular micronutrients to function adequately, essential processes like brain and heart function take priority. Non-essential jobs, including hair growth and production, are stopped to allow nutrients to be redirected to the body's parts where they are needed the most.
Nutrient deficiency is more prevalent among older individuals because the body loses its ability to effectively use and retain the vital compounds found in our food. This can amplify hair thinning that is already taking place during menopause.
Consume a well-rounded diet that incorporates plenty of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and olive oil. The fatty acids found in fish, seeds, and legumes are also crucial for your tresses' health. Augment your nutritional intake with Significant Other Hair Fortifying Vitamins, a multivitamin supplement that includes folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B6. Significant Other gummies are packed with vitamins chosen specifically to bolster your aging locks.
Safeguard Your Strands and Scalp
Menopause engenders fragile, easily damaged, and inelastic hair. Our weakened strands can simply break along the shaft or prematurely fall out at the root, producing thinner and less voluminous hair.
To preserve your fragile hair, consider taking the following measures:
- Avoid extensions and other tight styles — Constant tension on your scalp from hair extensions or severe ponytails can further weaken your hair and follicles, leading to breakage and hair loss. Although this condition is usually reversible, your follicles could be damaged beyond repair.
- Use natural products — Dyes and perm solutions often contain artificial chemicals that can be detrimental to your scalp and hair health over time. Use sparingly or use products with natural ingredients.
- Wear a hat — Protection from the sun and wind is essential once you reach menopause. Shade your hair from the sun’s ultraviolet rays or tanning beds and steer clear of chlorine water and excessive winds.
- Use a heat protection spray — When using high-heat hair styling tools like flat-irons, curling irons, or hairdryers, use the cool or low setting. Mist your hair with Better Not Younger’s No Remorse Heat Protection & Taming Spray. This lightweight, non-greasy spray provides a protective coat around each strand.
- Use a hair and scalp serum — Better Not Younger’s Superpower Fortifying Hair & Scalp Serum stimulates your scalp and strengthens your follicles to promote thriving hair during menopause.
BNY Has the Solution to Hair Loss During Menopause
Hair loss is one of the more unpleasant side effects of menopause; however, you can slow or stop your thinning hair by taking a holistic approach. From nutritional supplements and serums that hydrate your scalp and furnish building blocks for healthy locks to cleansers and styling aids that manifest a healthy biome for your aging hair, Better Not Younger has the solution.
Come over to our Shop page and discover our entire line of hair care products.