Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause & Your Hair

As we get older, many women find themselves experiencing the changing effects of menopause. This includes a variety of changes to their hair. If this sounds familiar, don’t stress – you’re not alone. There are a number of things you can do to improve the look and feel of your hair during this time of life. That’s why the Boise hair salon stylists at unDONE would like to answer some of the most frequently asked questions we get about menopause and your hair.

Why does menopause cause thinning hair?

It can be very upsetting to find your hair suddenly falling out or thinning. However, it’s important not to worry. If you’re going through menopause, this condition is 100% normal. It’s also temporary. Menopause causes many hormonal changes, which can affect your hair too.

Naturally, your hair grows in cycles, which are often affected by the hormone levels in your body. This is especially true for pregnant women who find themselves with lush, beautiful hair during pregnancy, only to have a lot of it fall out postpartum. The three stages of the hair growth cycle are anagen (growth), catagen (an intermediary phase), and telogen (a resting/shedding phase).

Normally your hair contains oestrogens, which help keep your strands in their growth phase for 3-7 years. However, during menopause, a woman often experiences a decline in oestrogen. This can cause more hair to fall out of their growth phase and into their shedding phase at the same time. That’s why women experiencing menopause find themselves losing more hair than normal. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your hair will stop falling out once your hormones stabilize.

Why is my hair thinning as I get older?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that everyone’s hair thins as they age. No one is going to have the same hair they did in their 20s when they are in their 40s and 50s. That said, some women experience more thinning than others. This also comes down to hormonal changes.

When oestrogen levels drop, hair follicles are more exposed to androgens, which some people are generally sensitive to. In these cases, your hair may start to grow back finer with each growth cycle. This can make it easier to see your scalp through your hair, especially towards the front, top, and crown. Known as androgenetic alopecia, this is a type of progressive hair loss.

At unDONE, our Boise hair salon stylists see many clients with existing density changes to their hair that are exacerbated by menopause. We also see others who haven’t experienced any issues with their hair at all until the hormonal shifts of menopause trigger them.

Is there anything I can do to stop or slow thinning hair caused by menopause?

The absolute best way to treat thinning hair caused by menopause is to apply a stimulating anti-androgenic scalp serum every day. Why? Hair density changes are caused by follicle sensitivity to testosterone. That’s why it’s essential to use professional products that help block the effect testosterone has on your hair.

At unDONE, we recommend Davines ENERGIZING Superactive Hair Growth Serum. This product has been specifically formulated for hair loss due to androgenetic factors. Its formula improves the scalp tone, controls the hyper-production of sebum, and reduces hair loss while improving hair density. It’s absolutely perfect for women with fine hair and reduced hair volume.

Does Hormone Replacement Therapy help or make menopausal hair thinning worse?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this. Different types of Hormone Replacement Therapy can help or contribute to thinning hair. That’s why it’s important to speak with your doctor about any hair loss concerns you may have so they can help you choose the right one for you. Whatever you do, make sure you speak up. There’s no sense in suffering from your hair concerns in silence.

What products can I use to improve my thinning hair?

Along with the Energizing Superactive Hair Growth Serum that we mentioned above, there are other products that can help you add more body and volume to your hair. At unDONE, our Boise hair salon stylists recommend Davines VOLU Shampoo and Hair Mist that are formulated to cleanse and style your strands without weighing them down.

Keep in mind that fine hair is more fragile and prone to breakage. Combined with the products above, we also recommend a hydrating hair mask at least once a week. We love Davines NOUNOU Hair Mask that resorts hydration and body to hair, nourishing it in depth without weighing it down. You can leave it on your hair long enough for it to penetrate (20 minutes), then rinse it away for deeply nourished hair.

Is Thinning Hair Necessarily Caused By Menopause?

If you find yourself with thinning hair, don’t automatically assume it’s because of menopause. In fact, there are a wide variety of factors that can contribute to thinning hair or loss. These include a poor diet, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, illness, and thyroid imbalances. That’s why it’s important to speak with your doctor if you’re concerned about hair loss.

Undone Salon

At unDONE, we help clients with thinning hair by providing them with the best services possible to keep them looking their best. If you are experiencing thinning hair, we would love to talk with you during a free consultation to help you find the right hairstyle based on your individual needs. Our Boise hair salon stylists will provide you with the best advice to achieve volume and fullness with the perfect hairstyle, styling techniques, and products.

Contact us today at (208) 287-2010 or book a free 15-minute consultation online.