I am just going to lead with the fact that hair loss is commonly seen as a problem for men. When I first experienced hair loss, I felt like an anomaly. You see, it’s not that women don’t experience hair loss; it’s that no one talks about it. And I was not about to sit quietly while I lost my hair, so I was determined to find a solution and to add an extra voice to this VERY real issue that women face.

Reasons for hair loss

There are many reasons for hair loss in women, but here are the most common;

• Pregnancy
• Hormonal changes
• Stress
• Hair Styling and coloring
• Poor nutrition often from extreme dieting

I don’t know about you, but as I compiled this list, I thought, stressed? Check! Hair dye? Check! Weird diets? Check! Who believed that stress, hair styling, and diets could make our hair fall out? Yet here we are, dealing with hair loss and not knowing why. The good news is, most of these issues can be corrected, and growing your hair back is a lot easier these days with all of the new technology and research available. So let’s dive into how we can kiss hair loss goodbye and finally reach those #hairgoals we saved on Pinterest.

Pregnancy

The American Pregnancy Association says that hormones during pregnancy typically help prevent hair loss. Still, after pregnancy, your hormones take a dip, and the hair loss that was paused during pregnancy can happen all at once. The good news is, everything should return to normal after about six months. In the meantime, get on a reliable vitamin and check out hair growth vitamins too. If you are breastfeeding, check to make sure your vitamins are baby-friendly.

Hormonal Changes

Hormone changes can directly impact your hair growth and cause excessive shedding. If you suspect hormonal hair loss, it’s best to visit your doctor. They will check for Iron deficiency, hyperthyroidism and also check you for inflammation. Knowing the cause of your hair loss will help you address any health issues that might thwart your plans to grow back your hair. It might be a simple fix like increasing your iron intake, so make that appointment today.

Stress

Stress is just a part of life. We have jobs, bills, families, responsibilities, and so much more to worry about. The problem is that prolonged stress that remains unchecked is a surefire way to lose your hair and negatively impact your health. Try doing a life audit. What is the most significant source of your stress? Can you ask for help or find a better system to help you out? How about meditation? Just ten minutes a day can have a profound effect on your hair loss and your mental health. I suggest trying out meditation apps or even YouTube videos. It’s so important to give yourself a little time to unplug and do something for yourself, even if that means a yoga class, a hot bath, or getting a babysitter for a night out.

Losing your hair from stress is a sign that you need to stop going through the motions and address the anxiety. As you increase self-care and meditation, your stress reaction will decrease, and so will your hair loss.

Hairstyling

I have two addictions, Target and Hair dye. I love getting my hair done, styling my hair, and getting a good blowout. The problem is, our hair doesn’t like all of the heat and chemicals, and you might start to see some hair loss along the way. The solution here is purely personal.

I decided to ditch the bleach and embrace my natural color. I worked with my stylist to use fewer chemicals on my hair and at less frequency. I also cut back on the styling and opted for one blowout and a crap ton of dry shampoo. Please work with your stylist to get your hair healthy and keep it strong. I also recommend getting a sulfate-free hair growth shampoo. It won’t damage your color, and it will improve scalp health so you can grow your hair faster.

Poor Nutrition

If you hop on the latest diet bandwagon or cut your calories too drastically, I am talking to you (and me). Your diet could be causing your hair loss. You see, when our bodies do not get the proper nutrition and calories, your hair can be one of the first things to go. Your body relies on vitamins, nutrition, and energy from your food. If you cut out major food groups or restrict your calories too much, you work against your body. Now, I am not saying you shouldn’t focus on health, but the truth is diets don’t even work.

Psychology Today found that 95% of people on diets will gain back the weight. So does this mean you will never fit in those goal pants? Not exactly. It just means that you should focus on a more holistic way to get healthy. Check out intuitive eating and learning about hunger cues. Add more to your diet like fruits and veggies, and try to move even 20 minutes a day.

The truth is less can be more when it comes to weight loss. Try to work with your body to get healthier. As you start nourishing your body, those nutrients will help grow your hair and feel a lot better. Try adding hair growth vitamins and maybe some low-level laser therapy too. This will speed up the hair growth process for you.

Try Out LLLT

Using LLLT or low-level laser therapy can also help you grow back your hair. Low-level laser therapy helps shift your hair into the growth phase, regenerates old cells, and stimulates your scalp to help with hair loss. You see results around six months, and it’s non-invasive and easy to use. The cliff notes version is that you should address the stress and use a little light therapy to unwind and grow back your hair!

I hope you found this all to be helpful. It is important for you to know that you are not alone and to grow back your hair; it just takes time and knowing why you are losing it in the first place. Hair loss in women is more common than you think, but can be treated with consistency. Be mindful of your stress, eat healthy foods, move your body, and be gentle with yourself. Perfection is NOT a thing, and any step you make towards improving yourself is still a step forward, even if it’s a small one.