Almost half of us will experience hair loss during menopause – around 40 percent to be exact, according to Dr Sharon Wong, one of only a handful of people combining medical trichology with dermatology. There’s no doubt that this thinning and loss of hair can be one of the most challenging changes for midlife women.
We also know, from our recent midlife beauty survey, that a good hair day is key to self esteem and confidence. 85% of our survey respondents told us that a good hair day makes them feel more confident than a new outfit does.
So it’s a significant issue for many of us that our hair is the part of our looks most affected by the hormonal changes of menopause. Overall, 87% of our survey respondents noticed major changes to their hair in these midlife years, with almost half reporting all of the following: Changes to texture, increased dryness and brittleness, hair loss, finer and slower growth and thinning eyebrows.
READ MORE Trichologist Dr Sharon Wong explains menopause hair loss.
Will hair loss from menopause grow back?
Trichologist Anabel Kingsley is a world authority on hair health, and offers this insight into how hair changes with the hormonal fluctuations of this time of life. “Fortunately, as the hair cells adapt to the hormonal changes, the shedding decreases and normalises and the condition of the hair improves,” she says, reassuringly. “However, the natural process of ageing can bring about a very gradual permanent change in hair diameter and hair density.”
Trichologist Lorna Jones has this additional advice. “It would be useful for women to start thinking about hair issues as they approach their perimenopausal years,” she says. “This includes looking at diet, so eating well and trying to incorporate oestrogen-rich foods into the diet. Also, managing stress levels and having techniques in place to provide stress relief. All of these can impact the growth of hair.”
READ MORE Trichologist Anabel Kingsley on caring for menopausal hair
How can I fix my thinning hair during menopause?
Our hair naturally grows thinner as we age, but the biggest culprit is the effect of testosterone as our female hormones drop. The female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) are hair ‘protective’ and help to keep your hair in its anagen (growth) phase for longer. Meanwhile male hormones (androgens) kick-start the balding process in genetic hair loss.
During menopause, the ratio between the female sex hormones and male hormones is gradually reversed. “The decline in estrogens/progesterones means you lose the protective effect on your hair, whilst the effect of androgens on the follicle is amplified,” explains Dr Wong. Hair follicles begin to get smaller, causing hair to grow back finer and weaker.
Menopause is also a time which can coincide with the onset of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). “This is the female equivalent of male pattern balding, with loss of density and thinning specifically over the crown,” explains Dr Wong. Not all menopausal women will experience thinning, however. “They must have a genetic predisposition which then becomes active when the oestrogen levels start to change,” trichologist and hair loss expert Lorna Jones says.
Will HRT help menopause hair loss?
“Certain HRTs can help prevent or improve hair density changes,” says Anabel Kingsley. “Others have no impact, or can actually be detrimental. Speak to your doctor about any hair loss concerns you have so they can point you in the right direction.”
READ MORE HRT, is it safe? Everything you need to know.
As well as HRT and healthy lifestyle measures, what are the best products out there for menopausal hair? Here are 10 of the best.
Best for a healthy scalp: Philip Kingsley Tricho 7 Volumizing Hair And Scalp Treatment For Fine/Thinning Hair, £52.
Backed up by seven years of research, Philip Kingsley’s treatment gives clinic-worthy results.
Formulated to stimulate the scalp to extend the anagen (growing phase) of the hair growth cycle, it also inhibits the production of hair-thinning hormones, as explained above.
Best for hair breakage: Kérastase Genesis Masque Reconstituant Hair Mask, £23.65
The Kérastase Genesis range strengthens thinning hair that’s become prone to breakage. We love the intensely hydrating five-minute masque. It’s enriched with edelweiss native cells and ginger root for a super glossy finish. You’ll find more of our Kérastase favourites here.
READ MORE What are the 34 menopause symptoms?
Best for healthy follicles: Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo, £8.99
Created for midlife women, Plantur Shampoo uses a Phyto-Caffeine Complex to reduce hair loss caused by menopause.
Research shows that caffeine promotes growth by stimulating the hair follicles. With the inclusion of zinc and niacin, it’s a powerhouse formula for thicker hair.
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Best to encourage new growth: Aveda Invati Advanced™ Exfoliating Shampoo, £20.25
Meaning ‘invigorate’ in sanskrit, Aveda’s Invati range claims to reduce hair loss by 53%. The award-winning shampoo contains pore-clearing salicylic acid to renew the scalp and provide a healthy foundation for new hair to grow.
Best for instant styling: Kevin Murphy Full.Again Thickening Lotion, £25
If it’s a quick fix you need, this Kevin Murphy lotion is formulated with rayon particles to make fine hair act thicker. You only need to use a small amount, and it feels weightless, giving your hair natural movement and body.
Looking for a menopause forum?
Best nourishing treatment: Kiehl’s Magic Elixir, £30
Kiehl’s much loved pre-shampoo treatment works to optimise the health of your scalp to encourage hair growth and reduce shedding.
It’s formulated with a blend of avocado, rosemary leaf and safflower seed oils, plus soothing aloe, to leave hair looking and feeling healthy.
Best to add thickness: Revitalash Thickening Shampoo, £41
If you’ve tried their iconic eyelash serum, you’ll probably be very happy to hear that Rivitalash has added a shampoo to its portfolio. Filled with proteins and amino acids, it encourages hair to grow thicker while protecting against breakage.
Best vegan formulation: Grow Gorgeous Intense Thickening Shampoo, £16
Vegan haircare brand Grow Gorgeous has created a shampoo to increase hair density and stimulate growth, thanks to a cocktail of amino acids, biotin, caffeine and B vitamins. It’s a great all-rounder that works with every hair type.
Best styling aid: Klorane Quinine & Keratin Strength Fortifying Spray, £16.42
Looking for a low maintenance treatment? This is lightweight and non-greasy with a subtle scent – perfect to quickly spray on before styling.
It feeds the follicles with active ingredients to add instant thickness and improve the strength of your hair over time.
Best luxury hair treat: Sisley Hair Rituel Regenerating Hair Care Mask, £75
Packed with restorative plant-based proteins and enriched with a blend of shea, macadamia, and camellia oils, this Sisley mask hydrates and strengthens each strand from the root. Apply as a luxurious treatment once or twice a week.
