During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and wreak havoc with our hair. Thick, smooth, shiny locks are suddenly thin, dry, and frizzy. Not to mention going gray and looking a little dull.
The best way to prevent frizz is to seal the cuticle layer against the penetration of moisture. Increased perspiration caused by hot flashes can be a problem but it is not an insurmountable one. Using a high-performance shampoo and conditioner is key.
It's not your imagination: Hair can become drier, thinner, and frizzier before and during this life stage. Here, top experts explain these symptoms, plus serve up solutions for a smoother (thicker, and shinier) transition. "The change" doesn't happen all at once.
Hair will slowly become drier, coarser, and thinner over the years. The truth is that as we grow older, the oils that our scalp relies on for nourishment decrease, resulting in drier, frizzier hair. Along with a change in oil production, our body stops creating melanocytes, the substance that colors our hair.
With less estrogen, the hair thins out, and each strand can eventually become more fragile, drying out and creating fluffy frizz. Remember when you were an adolescent? You probably noticed the opposite in hair changes, thicker, coarser, fuller hair. Yes … it's those hormones that play havoc with our serenity.
Biotin is often referred to as the "hair vitamin" because of its role in maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. Deficiency in biotin can lead to hair loss, brittle hair, and a dry and itchy scalp. Biotin supplements are often recommended for people experiencing hair loss due to biotin deficiency.
After menopause, many different physical symptoms can appear, including menopausal hair loss. These symptoms can also include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. Many people want to know if hormonal hair loss can be reversed. The answer is yes!
Effective treatments such as minoxidil are usually used alongside shampoos and left on the scalp for a longer period. A doctor can prescribe these treatments for use alongside over-the-counter shampoos. However, there is no reliable method for preventing or reversing hair loss during menopause.
Heavily layering the hair can leave ends looking thin and frayed as well, so, McReynolds recommends growing those out or just leaving a few around the face for movement or to blend in any breakage; hiding thinning hair in the front around the hairline.
If you are taking estrogen or E+ medications as a transgender woman, transfeminine person, or nonbinary person, you might experience dramatic or not-so-noticeable changes in your hair growth pattern, hair texture, and even the thickness or natural color of your hair.
Dry hair lacking in hydration and moisture is the most common cause of frizz. Think of it as a cry for help, your hair is literally reaching out into the atmosphere for what it needs: moisture. So make sure you're cleansing (and clarifying) properly and regularly, to allow the water properly hydrate the hair.
Well-formulated conditioners, oil treatments, and masks can provide temporary improvements to the texture and appearance of hair, especially when they contain nourishing and protective ingredients. These products can help hydrate the hair, reduce frizz, improve manageability, and enhance shine.
The simple answer is no, heat damage is irreversible. Once the protein bonds are broken and the hair cuticles are cracked, the inner cortex is exposed to all types of damage.
How Much Should You Wash? For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “There is no blanket recommendation. If hair is visibly oily, scalp is itching, or there's flaking due to dirt,” those are signs it's time to shampoo, Goh says.
Biotin for Healthy Hair
One of the best vitamins for menopause hair health is biotin, aka vitamin B7, part of the vitamin B complex that helps our bodies convert food into energy.
Many women notice hair growth slows or stops on their legs, arms, and armpits.
Pubic hair growth begins at the onset of puberty when estrogen and progesterone levels increase. After menopause, when estrogen levels decline, pubic hair - along with the hair on the head - stops growing. Not everyone will experience pubic hair loss after menopause, it may simply turn grey or simply thin.
Many women find their hair loses volume and length around menopause; hair can also become brittle, fragile and break more easily. Some women also notice hair thinning and shedding - particularly around the hairline and crown – known as female pattern hair loss (FPHL).
Limp and stringy hair is also a red flag that your hair is lacking protein. High porous strands have tears and gaps in the hair, which causes the hair to absorb and release moisture faster than normal. This leads to tangled and frizzy strands.
Without a sufficient amount of moisture, your hair tries to draw hydration from the air around it. As a result, your hair becomes overdried and shifts from your regular hair pattern. Thus, while warm temperatures and sunshine bring good summer vibes, they also bring frizz.
However, too much humidity can damage the hair and make it look limp or lifeless. The key to managing frizz in hair is finding suitable protein and moisture. Moreover, properly balancing your hair type and concerns is also essential. Protein treatments may be helpful for hair that is dry, brittle, or damaged.