Navigating Hair Loss
I want to talk a little bit about HAIR LOSS.
Wow, it is not something I ever thought I would be dealing with, especially not at the age of 32.
When I started weight loss injections (happy to share more about that another time), I expected to lose weight— but I did not expect the side effects that would come with it. When I started losing huge chunks of hair in the shower, I was concerned. When I continued to keep losing huge chunks of hair in the shower, I started to freak out. I started to look for some sort of resolution because I was afraid I was going to lose all of my hair. Fortunately, I started with a lot, but having lost probably 1/4 of my hair at this point, it really has become noticeable to me. Of course, like any modern woman, I get on my phone and google “hair loss”, over and over again, and I just didn’t get the information I was needing. At some point I finally came across a term, Telogen Effluvium. It is a type of temporary hair loss caused by stress on the body — including weight loss or weight gain. It also happens when you aren’t getting the nutrients your body needs, which is pretty common when doing weight loss injections. At this point, I really should have scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist. SO- here is where I tell you— if you are experiencing hair loss that you are concerned about ~ SCHEDULE AN APPT WITH YOUR DERMATOLOGIST. It’s important to be diagnosed by your dermatologist so they can advise you in a treatment plan that is specifically for you. I was confident that this is what is causing my hair loss because I have had lab work done that didn’t indicate any other reason (except for my low ferritin ~ which I’m just recently learning about), and decided to take things into my own hands for now.
More and more, I am noticing how common it is for women to experience hair loss. I had two sweet clients this last week that are dealing with hair loss ~ and it seems like it’s becoming more and more common. They aren’t the only ones I see that have experienced it recently. Stress is seemingly one of the biggest triggers for women, especially in our earlier years. How are we managing our stress? What are we doing to lower stress levels in our bodies and our minds? It is a really difficult time to be alive ~ there is so much expected of us and so much heaviness in the world. We were never meant to hold this much pain and hurt in our hearts. It’s important to find coping mechanisms for our stress. Find the things that light you up and do them as often as you can. Fill your life with joy and love and people that support you. Find hobbies that bring you fulfillment. Move your body. Meditate and practice mindfulness. There are so many ways to manage stress, just choose your fighter.
Along with managing stress, there are other things you can do. I came across a Instagram Reel of a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner who has been dealing with Telogen Effluvium herself and she shared her recommendations which is why I decided to try her suggestions ~ I highly recommend watching it! She shared that a Monoxidil treatment (Rogaine) can be really helpful. It is a bit of a commitment, but to me it seems like the most effective, easy, and most affordable treatment. I use this 2% Monoxidil solution twice a day. It’s only $23 for three months supply. It can take a while to see results, but it’s important to stick with it. I plan on using it for the next year. Nutrafol is a supplement that has been clinically tested and has proven to be helpful for hair loss. It is pretty pricy ($80/month), but if you are able to add this in to your routine, it seems very promising. I am not sponsored by anyone, this is just advice I have been given that I’m passing on to you. I also have been using a High Frequency Wand that has an attachment for the scalp. The Argon Gas is helpful for hair loss because it helps increase blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair follicles. I use this one from Amazon at home. It’s most effective when you consistently do it on a day to day basis. I also use the Banyan Botanicals Healthy Hair Oil. Not only is my hair less dense, the strands themselves are thinner and more prone to breakage. Hair Oils are so nourishing and help keep your hair healthy and shiny. Last but not least, I use a jade comb to massage my scalp. Massage brings blood to the scalp which brings nutrients to the hair follicle leading to healthier, stronger hair.
I hope this is helpful for you if you’re experiencing something similar, or maybe you know someone who you can pass this information on to. It’s such a stressful thing to experience… but there is promising relief!
As a reminder, I am not a doctor, please see a dermatologist if you are experiencing hair loss.
