Dealing with female hair loss and what’s helping me!

As a woman…..dealing with female hair loss is a strange phenomenon. We assume it’s a thing for men…they go bald… we rock hair until the day we die. Right? Maybe not…. I used to think I was alone struggling with this secret…..this shame, but I’ve since found out this seems to be something so many women are struggling with.

Where’d my hair go?

2 Months after giving birth to Joshua….I thought there was something bizarre going on with my forehead, but I could not pinpoint it. I felt I looked strange in the mirror, but I had no idea why. My mom and brother had been out of town for probably around a month when they arrived home and immediately my brother asked: What happened to your hair? A lightbulb went off and I ran to the mirror. My hair was gone! At least 1cm of my hairline had vanished….making my forehead appear larger. Mystery solved. I was horrified!

I’ve had many experiences with hair loss, from excessive breakage due to anaemia…..to hair loss due to hormones after both my boys were born. Before I get stuck in, please note…I am not a professional, but merely writing this post based on MY personal experiences. I had just kind of accepted this hair loss and breakage…until I figured, no…try to do something to fix this. Your hair is on your head, there is NO hiding it. Unless I change religions or cultures where I can wear clothing that never show my balding head ever again. Tempting….

What are the causes of female hair loss?

Hormones

I definitely have seen, heard and experienced that after having babies, women lose their hair. You don’t get more hormonal than after you’ve just had a baby right? Our hormones take months to stabilize. I’m not sure if this affects every single woman….I didn’t experience it after having Addison, but I did with both the boys. I lost my hairline basically.

Weight gain or loss also plays a part here and I have gained a lot of weight, so I am positive this is also a factor.

Anaemia

Iron deficiency and anaemia also lead to hair loss. I find when my iron is really low, my hair is extremely brittle and I go bald at my temples. After having Adam the hair loss was really bad. I ended my pregnancy with severe anaemia so the 2 together was just a hair loss cocktail waiting to happen!

Hyperthyroidism

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism when I was in my late 20’s. Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid and: Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffused and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. 

I had been living with the condition for months before I was diagnosed and this led to bald spots on my scalp. I had to master the comb over to combat these situations as well as invest in 1000 grips to pin down regrowth or I looked like Simba the Lion.

Stress

Reading up, stress is also a culprit when it comes to hair loss. Who doesn’t have stress?? Raise your hand please….

At this stage I’m thinking….maybe hair loss is just inevitable. Lose weight, gain weight, disease, stress, hormones (hello we are women??)….maybe we’re just doomed??? I hope not….. 

Changes I’ve made

Supplements

Bad diet, weight gain, low iron, stress……I feel like it’s a mixed bag at the moment as to the cause of my hair loss. I thought the best thing to do would be to find a supplement specifically for my hair. The Trichotin Hair Regenesis claims to:

• Reduces hair loss
• Stimulates stronger, healthier hair growth
• Improves skin clarity

Key Ingredients

• Saw Palmetto, Oat Straw, Pygeum and Nettle are effective ingredients for minimising hair loss.
• An exclusive blend of Pyrodoxine, Kelp, Inositol and select amino acids form the primary ingredients required to stimulate hair follicles and initiate the process of growth and rejuvenation. Kelp, in particular, accelerates growth since it contains auxins and cytokinins. These ingredients are more accurately referred to as growth regulators since they also play an important role in cell metabolism and development.
• Cysteine, Zepufa, Sarsaparilla, Thiamine and Biotin are top-end protein builders which improve the quality of hair and skin by supporting cell construction and cellular repair.
• Vitamin A, Silica, Choline and Folic Acid prevent keratinisation of the hair follicles and maintain consistent growth.

I have taken Trichotin Hair Regenesis before and I felt it worked, but I could only afford 1 month’s supply at the time. I decided to go for it and order 3 month’s supply this time, and I am currently in my 2nd month. I’ve definitely felt like my hair is stronger, the breakage has decreased and I’m growing baby hairs again along my hair line!!

Root stimulator – Ogx Niacin & Caffeine Root Spray

I spotted this product in Dischem and I just grabbed it. Claims:

OGX Niacin3 & Caffeine Root Stimulator Spray helps nourish your scalp with a powerful blend of active ingredients. The formula works to  rejuvenate roots that are prone to excessive breakage. This invigorating spray helps stimulate the hair follicles and scalp with niacin and caffeine, alpha hydroxy acid, and natural DHT blockers.

I massage this into my scalp when I remember and I just kind of hope it’s doing its thing. There’s definitely been an improvement w.r.t. my fallout and breakage, but because I started using it at the same time as the supplement, I cannot say this is the sole product that is working. I think it’s a good supplement to everything else though.

Diet

I’m trying to bump up the iron-rich foods in my diet like spinach, whole-grains and proteins. I’ve also read that Vitamin C helps. These foods allow your body to absorb iron in a more efficient manner. So be sure to eat more strawberries, broccoli (my favourite!), oranges and tomatoes.

Anti breakage shampoo and conditioners

Last year some time I started using the Tresemme Breakage Defence shampoo and conditioner and I really liked it. Sometimes new shampoos and conditioners perform well purely because it’s a change for your hair. I try not to use the same shampoo and conditioner all the time and change things up. This range seems to aid in preventing breakage, its affordable, so worth a shot. I will be trying the OGX shampoo and conditioner that goes with the root spray above and let you know how that goes.

In between I also use really nourishing products like my Kerastase, Inoar or MoroccanOil. Just whatever feels like it’s nourishing my hair at that point. 

Styling

I am well known for my bun…and my ponytail. The tighter the better! I just have this thing about my hair being flat on my head and pulled back. I guess this does me no favours  as it puts a lot of stress on my hair in the front that’s already so fragile. For now, I do try to wear my hair down occasionally just to give it a break. Also I try to use good hair oils and also heat protectant sprays are a must when it comes to heat styling my hair. Sometimes I take a break from heat for a few weeks and just braid my hair….I think it’s a good break for your hair to just regenerate..relax.

This is my experience and what has led to my hair loss issues and also what I’m doing to combat these issues. I am loving having baby hairs again and seeing the hair grow back at my temples. My hair also feels so much stronger and thicker. Let me know if you battle with fallout, breakage or baldness and also your top tips on combating these issues.