Solutions to Recent Hair Loss
So many clients have come to me in the past year with questions and concerns about losing unusual amounts of hair. In our conversations, I recognized a recurring theme ~ how prolonged stress is a leading cause of hair thinning and loss.
Technically known as Telogen Effluvium, stress-related hair loss is brought on by major life changes. These can include childbirth, surgery, medications and treatments, significant weight loss and, you guessed it, pandemic-related emotional and psychological stress.
“Long-term chronic stress can affect hormone levels in the body, especially cortisol and other stress hormones,” says Dr. Patrick C. Angelos, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and author of The Science and Art of Hair Restoration: A Patient’s Guide. He adds, “Hair loss is affected by those fluctuations in hormone levels.” When stress hormones are released into the scalp, they force hair follicles into a resting phase. These hair strands then fall out over the course of three to six months.
The good news is that “stress shedding” is typically temporary.
My colleague, Mary Wendel, MD, and Medical Director at MediTresse in Wellesley, Massachusetts, offers her insights. “Most people will recover in 3-6 months and regrow all that was lost. However, if the shedding doesn’t improve in a few months, we do recommend having a thorough evaluation … Over 95% of people with Telogen Effluvium recover with proper treatment.”
Here are some of the options you can explore to stimulate new regrowth:
- Rogaine ~ Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine that revives and enhances hair follicle functioning to help regrow thicker hair. It also contains botanical extracts and emollients to help maintain a healthy and conditioned scalp. Alpha hydroxy acid exfoliates the scalp and gets it ready for new growth. There are specific formulas for men and women. We have seen some side effects from Rogaine that include unwanted hair growth on other parts of the body, scalp irritation, rashes, dark circles around the eye area, and more. You also have to commit to regular, uninterrupted use of the product to maintain the new growth.
- Low-Level Laser Therapy ~ Practices like MediTresse offer LLLT as a safe and effective way to restore visible hair loss from Telogen Effluvium and some forms of Alopecia. This FDA-approved treatment utilizes LaserCaps that emit cold-beam lasers to encourage cellular activity in hair follicles and reduce inflammation to help restore your full head of hair. You can purchase caps at various strengths and use them in the comfort of your own home.
- Nutrafol ~ This natural vitamin supplement encourages new growth from within. Company research is highly published, and its products have undergone rigorous testing. Nutrafol addresses thinning hair by targeting the underlying factors that affect overall health and undermine hair wellness. These include stress, hormones, environment, metabolism, and nutrition. Ingredients include biotin and a blend of micronutrients including medical-grade ashwagandha and saw palmetto that are clinically proven to increase hair density. The supplements also come in specific formulas for women, post-menopausal women, and men. The company also offers complimentary consultations with naturopathic staff doctors who tailor a supplement regimen to your own unique needs.
One of my clients demonstrated remarkable results within three months of use of Nutrafol supplements. We were so excited by the effectiveness of Nutrafol that we now carry it at K/WSalons!
Thank you for your continued enthusiasm for our HairLine blog. We’re going to drop down to one topic per month for the summer, then ramp back up to two posts per month again in the early Fall. Please keep your suggestions for future topics coming here. I want to be certain to cover content that is important to you!
Regards,
Kenny