Hair Growth/Re-growth Tips

My journery with hair loss…

About a year ago, I realized that I was losing a lot of hair and a few months after that, when my hair situation wasn’t getting better, I assumed it was because I had too much unhealthy hair. I did a major chop over the summer (like 8 inches!) in an attempt to improve my overall hair health. A few months later, my hair loss issue hadn’t gotten better, in fact, it had gotten WORSE. I was losing hair by the handfuls and finding huge hair-balls in my room and bathroom. I PANICKED. In September I made a trip to my Doctor to get some vitamin levels checked and it turned out I had an iron deficiency. I took iron supplements for 2 months and not a single difference was made in my hair loss. I was still losing tons of hair and at this point I was very visibly balding. My doctor felt terrible that she couldn’t diagnose a problem right then and there and sent me to a dermatologist specialist. The dermatologist took a quick look at my head and immediately determined that my hair loss pattern was not nutritional but hormonal (center scalp) and sent me to an OBGYN who almost immediately diagnosed me with PCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome. After I was clinically diagnosed with PCOS they ran some hormone tests and sure enough my body was producing an unusually high amount of a hormone called Androgen. Androgen, also known as the steroid hormone, is a male hormone that all women carry. This imbalance was causing me to lose my hair as a young female. My two immediate treatments were 1) birth control to level out my hormones with estrogen and 2) women’s Rogaine for new growth.

I’ve noticed a pretty big difference in my hair health the past few months and I’ve picked up a few other tips and tricks on this journey that I think can work for anyone trying to get longer and healthier hair. That being said, here’s some hair tips for you.

Determine any nutritional or hormonal imbalances.

If you are experiencing a serious amount of hair thinning/balding, go see your doctor. I wish I would have before it got as bad as it did! Your hair loss could be as simple as you not getting enough protein, calcium, iron, etc. in your diet or it could be a little more complicated like a hormone imbalance, but still treatable.

Rogaine

I know what you’re thinking right now – ICK! Rogaine!? I’m not 80! You’re probably right (idk maybe you are 80) however, Rogaine WORKS. I don’t recommend just using it if you want more hair because this product is specifically for those experiencing balding.

Biotin supplements

Whether it’s those expensive Sugar Bear Hair gummies (they really do taste good…) or a $6 bottle at target, get you some biotin! I really do notice a difference in how fast my hair length grows when I’m taking biotin v.s when I’m not.

Sugar Bear Hair for $30 @ Ulta

Target gummies for $10 

Stop using shampoos and conditioners full of sulfates and silicon.

Really, stop. You can’t expect your hair to get healthier if you’re not investing a little extra into it. There are NICE drugstore/affordable shampoos and conditioners that don’t have silicone and sulfate in it! I’ll leave some of my curly hair specefic suggestions below. If you don’t have curly hair, don’t panic! All it takes is a walk down the hair care isle. All sulfate and silicone free hair products boldly advertise themselves as so.

• DevaCurl (NOT DRUGSTORE) My absolute fav for my curly hair gals. This will transform your hair.
• Shea Moisture (curly hair types)
• Maui Moisture (curly hair types but they have products for normal hair as well)
• Pacifica Pineapple Curls (curly hair types)
• Not Your Mothers Curl Talk line (curly hair types)

Silk Scrunchies

Whether I’m putting my hair up for bed or on the go, silk scrunchies are the only thing that touch my hair anymore. These never tear my hair out or cause breakage. They also keep my hair from rubbing all over my pillows in my sleep if I remember to throw it up in a LOOSE bun.

Packs of 5 for $8 @ Ulta 

Stop putting your hair up in a towel after you shower.

Ground-breaking, I know. The harsh fibers in towels can cause breakage and damage to your hair! Instead (if you really want to throw your hair up) use a cotton shirt. For my curly gals, apply your stylers immediately after your shower and scrunch with a microfiber towel and then let air dry. If you want to use a diffuser, I recommend using it only after your hair has been 90% air-dried.

Microfiber towel by DevaCurl for $20 @ Ulta

A slightly cheaper Microfiber towel that does the job on Amazon 

Stop brushing your hair.

GASP! Stop brushing!? Yes. Ever notice how much hair comes out in your brushes? Try switching to a comb, or better yet your fingers. I know that detangling with your fingers can be really tricky, especially when you have curly hair, but it’s the least damaging way to detangle and it’s not terribly hard to do if you do it in the shower and use a good conditioner. I try to finger comb unless I have a very stubborn tangle and then I bring out my shower comb. Even then though, I see minimal hair loss. The one little clump I lose in the shower 2-3 times a week (how often I wash my hair) is nothing compared to the huge clumps I used to lose daily in my brushes.

Shower comb for $3 @ Target 

Stop washing your hair everyday.

Please don’t stop washing it completely! Just stop washing it every day. Let your hair and scalp enjoy its natural oils before stripping it away. Dry scalp = breakage. It can also cause product buildup which leads to clogging of the hair follicles. So just become a hippie like me and wash your hair 2-3 times a week. 🙂