Dealing with hair loss, especially during menopause, can knock your confidence, but with a little know-how, you can encourage volume and vitality back into your locks
WORDS: ADRIANNE WEBSTER IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
It isn’t until you begin to deal with hair loss that you realise how much of your confidence and sense of beauty is wrapped up into something as simple as your locks. As hair begins to shed more and more and you’re noticing your once voluminous ’do is now looking a bit lacklustre, it can have a knock on your confidence and send you spiralling.
It’s easy to feel like you’re alone in it all but, in fact, hair loss is surprisingly common. According to trichologist Annabel Kingsley, in the UK over 20% of women under 50 experience hair thinning, and this number jumps to about 65% during and after menopause.
That doesn’t mean we have to accept it, though. There are many things we can do – both before experiencing any hair loss and during – to keep hair looking in top form.
What Causes Hair Thinning?
There are many different causes of hair loss in women so it’s important to see a doctor or professional trichologist to understand the reasons behind your thinning issues specifically.
Namely, hair loss can be caused by hormonal changes in the body, especially as we age. Consultant trichologist Eva Proudman
(ukhairconsultants.com), who has over 20 years of experience as a hair and scalp specialist, says, “A sudden increase in hair shedding and an overall thinning can be an imbalance to the growing and shedding cycle called ‘telogen effluvium’.
“This condition can have multiple underlying causes, most of which can be treated to help the hair return to a normal growing and shedding cycle with hair density eventually recovering.”
The menopause can be a major culprit when it comes to hair thinning, says Eva.
“During menopause, hormone levels fluctuate causing changes to the menstrual cycle. Many women begin to experience heavier, more frequent periods which lead to a depletion in serum ferritin, our stored iron.
“We know that low ferritin levels can lead to excessive hair shedding (telogen effluvium), so it’s important to keep your ferritin levels up throughout this time in order to keep your hair glowing and healthy.
“Good food sources for this include red meat, beans, nuts, brown rice and fortified breakfast cereals,” she says.
As well as this, many women in midlife may also begin to notice a r
