Recently, I noticed that it was taking far fewer hair- pins to pin curl my hair at night. I have to admit, I was more than a little concerned when I noticed. Not only that, the ponytail I would be sporting by day three after the salon, was feeling a little light. I asked my hairstylist a/k/a daughter, if she felt that I was losing some hair. It wasn’t my imagination. She said, “Well….” and I knew what followed wasn’t good news. “You definitely don’t have as much hair as you did two or three years ago. My initial thoughts were, well that coincides with being on BP meds. Maybe the meds were causing my hair to thin out. She said, “Well, I do know that I have clients whose hair thinned out after they started taking blood pressure meds, so that could be the reason!”
Of course, I dug deeper and thought long and hard about it. It might not be the meds! Maybe there is a deeper issue at play. Perhaps it’s the fact that menopause is the reason that so many women my age end up on blood pressure meds. Before menopause, I had perfectly normal BP. Of course, I didn’t have the level of stress or the crazy lifestyle that is the past three years, but I’m guessing that menopause is partly to blame for the blood pressure issues and completely to blame for the thinning hair. So, you know me. Research followed! Here is what I learned.
Hair loss may be caused by many factors: stress, nutritional deficiency, underlying medical conditions, prolonged sleep loss, hormonal disturbances, extremely dry weather, chemical buildup on the scalp, harsh hair care products, wrong hairstyle, (yes, that too) clogged follicles, or a combination of two or more of these factors.
While gradual hair loss is naturally a part of biological aging, excessive shedding around menopause should not be taken lightly. According to the data collected by the North American Hair Research Society, about 50% of women in their 50s face excessive hair loss problems. As a matter of fact, our age starts affecting the density and overall appearance of our hair as we enter our 40s. But this change is so gradual that it is typically not a cause of concern.
However, menopause and seasonal changes can accelerate the process so much that it might become a significant source of discomfort and anxiety. More importantly, unnaturally thinning hair might be an indication that there is something seriously wrong with your diet or lifestyle. In any case, excessive hair fall at any time of your life deserves your attention.
Aging does affect your hair and scalp. I’m not alone in my wider-part-thinning-ponytail world! Hair follicles slow down and eventually shut down due to declining cellular and hormonal functioning. BUT, the good news is that you can revive your cells and the hormonal functioning making it possible to regrow hair.
In Roxy Dillon’s book, Bio Young, she explains, “Hormonal and cellular decline produce distressing scalp hair thinning loss and unwanted hair growth. Thankfully, there are many natural cellular and hormonal stimulators that can reverse hair loss on the scalp and stop the growth of unwanted hair.” (You know that Aunt Bunnie stache you didn’t see because you needed glasses. You went to get your brows done and were shocked to be asked, “You want mustache waxed too?”)
In her book, she further explains that declining estrogen in women is a huge factor in our hair loss and thinning. And just as our estrogen levels fall during menopause, a male hormone DHT (which has a long ass technical scientific name) the same hormone that affects men’s hairlines becomes dominant. “When DHT levels rise, scalp hair follicles shrivel up and become inactive.”
BUT, Dillon also points out that rebalancing estrogen in a woman’s body can result in hair regrowth.
You need a combination of cellular stimulation along with hormonal balancing in order to restore things on your crown!
But wait. There’s more good news. It seems it may even be possible to reverse graying hair. Hair color loss is due to a decreasing number of melanocytes cells responsible for hair color.
But wait! I have some more good news! There are some highly esteemed herbs, oils and natural treatments that have been proven to help regrow hair and reverse hair graying.
For centuries women in India have used sesame oil and coconut oil for restoring gray hair. The herbal supplement Ashwagandha, is yet another Ayurvedic herb said to restore melanin. (Lack of is responsible for your silver mane.)
Even if you’re okay with that silver fox look, surely it’s good to know that there are still things that you can do to prevent and reverse thinning.
Here are a few other natural options commonly used in the East.
Amla
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is their top pick for promoting hair regrowth. Amla is truly a superfood for hair that provides everything your hair needs to stay healthy and shiny. It has been scientifically proven to check hair fall, improve scalp health, thicken hair strands, repair split ends, promote hair growth, strengthen the roots and reverse graying.
Amla is one of the richest sources of vitamin C on earth – it contains about 20 times more vitamin C than the much-hyped orange! Vitamin C, used by the body to make keratin can work wonders for your hair. In addition, vitamin C naturally boosts collagen production (another important protein that is a part of the hair structure), removes scalp buildup, and helps keep the hair follicles clean.
Vitamin C is also a great antioxidant helping to repair the color pigment melanin at the roots, thus reversing discoloration or premature graying.
Secondly, Amla is also a rich source of iron – another ingredient that your hair needs to shine. The Vitamin C can also help increase your iron absorption – great for pre menopausal menstruating women when they are at a higher risk of anemia due to heavy blood loss.
Vitamin C and iron are both essential nutrients for aging hair. A deficiency of can cause severe hair loss and discoloration.
In additional Amla is a powerhouse of strong antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids that protect the hair from free radical damage and improve the elasticity of strands, making them more resistant to breakage.
And finally Amla is a great immunity booster, a potent adaptogen, and an anti-aging herb that detoxifies and rejuvenates EVERY cell of your body. Its ability to balance hormones and reduce stress indirectly helps in checking hair fall. (Stress is one of the most common factors for excessive hair loss which could also be a factor in my case!)
There are many ways to use Amla – you can add the fruit to your diet (which is very bitter, but nutritious), drink Amla juice, apply the juice directly to your hair, use the powder form in your homemade hair packs, or massage your scalp with Amla oil. I suggest you massage your scalp regularly with Amla oil,(Easier to do when you are natural or not visiting a salon!)
Castor oil
Castor oil is unarguably one of the most potent oils for promoting hair health, second only to coconut oil. Castor oil is incredibly rich in essential fatty acids that provide complete nourishment to the scalp and hair. Regular scalp massage with castor oil is an age-old remedy to check thinning hair and naturally stimulate hair growth. It also contains antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with some scalp conditions that might be causing hair breakage. Castor oil has a very viscous, honey-like consistency. You can mix it with coconut oil in a 1:2 ratio (one-part castor, two-part coconut), and give yourself a scalp massage regularly.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is said to be a good scalp and follicle stimulator, also capable of strengthening and thickening hair. Apple cider vinegar can be added to shampoo or used as a rinse. You can add equal parts of Apple cider vinegar and shampoo, or simple apply apple cider vinegar to your scalp 30 minutes before you wash. Another option, is to make an herbal rinse using a few handfuls of fresh organic herbs such as rosemary, basil, parsley, or mint, all of which have been shown to benefit hair, along with two cups of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of essential oils. (Might I suggest, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, or mint?)
Coffee
Although coffee or caffeine has less anti-DHT activity, it can still help to awaken hair follicles on the scalp that have become dormant. Apply strong coffee to your scalp several minutes before washing. According to Dillon, even a strong instant cup of coffee will suffice.
Dillon’s book also refers to a study investigating the effects of caffeine on hair follicles. According to the study, caffeine can help with the negative affects of DHT.
Pumpkin seed oil, which can be used in salad dressings are smoothies has also been shown to lower DHT and can be effective for hair regrowth.
Onion
Onion juice or onion powder can stimulate follicles to regrow hair. Onions are a rich source of sulfur that is essential for the formation of Keratin. (Keratin: structural protein material with protective functions that helps to form the tissues of hair, skin and nails)
You can add onion powder to shampoo or blend and strain the juice from fresh organic onions.
Quertecin, (A pigment that belongs to a group of plant compounds called flavonoids linked to many health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease, cancer and degenerative brain disorders) found in onions, can also increase the production of melanin in the hair, restoring color.
Study’s have shown that Quertecin’s powerful estrogenic activity is beneficial to not only hair, but your skin and bones.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28620474
“The Journal of Dermatology published a study that found that onion juice overwhelmingly supports hair growth. After applying onion juice to the scalp twice a day for six weeks, 20 out of 23 participants saw positive results and reported that onion juice is a natural hair loss treatment that actually works. Onions have long been loved as a natural hair loss treatment because their sulfur content helps increase blood circulation, they promote collagen growth, and they contain antibacterial properties that treat scalp infections. To use, work onion juice into your scalp and let sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse using your regular shampoo.”
Maca a root vegetable with anti-aging powers can stimulate hair growth and also help to form a protective coating around the hair shaft. (You can find this in pretty much any health food store or Wholefoods.)
Lard stimulates hair growth as a cheap amazing treatment. (Also so in Wholefoods and many grocery stores.)
Essential Oils
There are also some essential oils that can stimulate your scalp and hair follicles.
Ylang Ylang and Lavender oil has been shown to be highly effective in stimulating hair growth. Head massages manually stimulate hair follicles. Rosemary and Eucalyptus oil can be effective used separately or together. According to Dillon you should apply the oil every day to your scalp for six months. (Skipping a day here and they is optional.) For best results use rosemary and eucalyptus oils combined. Try Rosemary and eucalyptus oil‘s in equal parts. Use along with a base of olive oil or lard for scalp massages.
Fennel and Aniseed are estrogenic herbs that can stimulate hair follicles. Massage you scalp regularly with these essential oils. Your follicles are manually stimulated.
“A scalp massage can increase blood flow to the scalp and to the hair follicles,” explains Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in private practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist.
A study in the January 2016 issue of ePlasty shows that as little as four minutes of scalp massage daily increases activity among genes known to promote hair growth, At the same time, slows activity of genes linked to hair loss and inflammation. Study participants also noted an improvement in thickness of their hair. “Gentle massaging of the scalp can increase blood flow to the hair follicle, the root of the hair, which is the only living part of the hair,” says Abraham Armani, MD, medical director of Armani Medical Hair Restoration in Dallas. “Massaging works by dilating the very small arteries within the scalp, increasing blood flow to the hair follicle and therefore prolonging the growth cycle of hair.”
And finally, I must include the importance of diet in pretty much EVERYTHING! Your hair, like the rest of you, needs the right foods and nutrients.
Nutritional deficiency, especially iron deficiency, can worsen age-related hair loss. Consume foods that are rich in protein, iron, Omega 3, and Vitamins C and E. Folic Acid, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc, and Vitamins A and D are some of the other nutrients that can help improve hair health. Load up on antioxidants to naturally protect your hair from free radical damage that comes from sun and age. Wild caught salmon, lemon, eggs, avocados, walnuts, licorice root and, nettle leaf teas or tinctures should be some of your go-to foods for hair.
If we take good care of our bodies on the inside, our good health will be reflected on the outside!
http://europepmc.org/article/med/9627805
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931
https://www.readersdigest.ca/health/conditions/hair-loss-natural-remedies/
https://www.readersdigest.ca/health/conditions/hair-loss-natural-remedies/
Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR. Flavonoids: an overview. J Nutr Sci. 2016 Dec 29;5:e47. doi: 10.1017/jns.2016.41. PMID: 28620474; PMCID: PMC5465813.
Elumalai P, Lakshmi S. Role of Quercetin Benefits in Neurodegeneration. Adv Neurobiol. 2016;12:229-45. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-28383-8_12. PMID: 27651256.
Takekoshi S, Matsuzaki K, Kitatani K. Quercetin stimulates melanogenesis in hair follicle melanocyte of the mouse. Tokai J Exp Clin Med. 2013 Dec 20;38(4):129-34. PMID: 24318284.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27651256
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24318284
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/