EXPERT DERMATOLOGISTS ON HOW TO STOP PERIMENOPAUSE HAIR THINNING

We women are so used to dealing. We endure debilitating period cramps, squeeze actual humans out through our vaginas, and, as we enter peri, put up with increasingly annoying stuff like terrible sleep, woeful hangovers, and some of the most insane moods imaginable. We just deal with it all, we soldier on.

However, if there’s one thing that jump-starts us into seeking help, it’s when hormones mess with our hair and it starts thinning and shedding. Oh, hellll no.

When hormones fluctuate in peri, hair starts acting very weird, and not in a fun, interesting way. Bouts of low estrogen affect the body’s moisture levels, inflicting upon us a dryness from top to toe, literally. Think dry, itchy scalp, dandruff, and brittle hair.

Meanwhile, around this age, higher testosterone in relation to the levels of our other hormones means women may start to experience thinning/receding around the hairline and even bald patches. You might notice more and more hair is coming out in the shower, and your ponytail is looking a little thin and sad. Ironically, there is often an increase in facial hair, and we don’t just mean peach fuzz. Tons of women experience long dark hair around the lower face. Someone pass the dermaplane!

Your hair can even start to grow differently in peri. Hair follicles can change from round to oval shape and previously straight hair can start growing wavy or curly. TF! Often hair texture will get wiry, too. 

If you’ve noticed changes in the quality or thickness of your hair, you’ve probably been investigating solutions, like hair supplements to help with strength and thickness. Something that's saved our hair many times is the hair growth supplement Viviscal, made from a marine complex called AminoMar and biotin, plus vitamin C, iron, and zinc. There’s also Nutrafol, with a Women's Balance formula that was developed specifically for peri-age women. In fact, Nutrafol was organically recommended when we asked some expert doctors how to stop hair thinning in perimenopause.

“I like Nutrafol because it's a ton of vitamins," says celeb-fave dermatologist, Dr. David Colbert of New York Dermatology Group. Made from Maca, the carotenoid Astaxanthin, and the Saw Palmetto plant, the brand is geared toward peri women 45 and older, but peri symptoms can and do start much earlier. If you’re late thirties or early forties and are noticing a decline in your hair quality, you will probably want to get right on that, Rose. There’s also Rogaine for women, a topical scalp solution/foam available as 2% or 5% strength of minoxidil, the active ingredient for hair growth. If the reviews on Amazon are anything to go by, thousands of women using it have seen improvements. 

“I see a ton of peri-age women and their hair loss is really upsetting”

“I see a ton of peri-age women and their hair loss is really upsetting,” says dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “Estrogen starts to decrease and it throws off the balance with other hormones. At her practice in New York, Dr. Green has a bunch of prescription treatment options that can help with hair loss, such as spironolactone or Propecia orally.” Dr. Green’s office makes a 7% minoxidil serum that she prescribes to patients and often adds in treatments of Platelet Rich Plasma. PRP is the process of drawing your blood, “spinning” it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and injecting these platelets directly into the treatment area. Dr. Green calls the combination of oral medication, minoxidil serum and PR her “trifecta” for hair growth. 

Even if you’re not noticing thinning hair, you may see changes in its texture. One day you look in the mirror and realize your hair is less glossy than before and is now more wiry and dull. It's kind of a bummer. Even if you didn’t love hair oils before, you may find now they are exactly what the hair doctor ordered. Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil will make even the most coarse hair look and feel silkier. 

Supplements, products, and hormones aside, your hair styling habits may need an adjustment, too. Your days of straightening irons may be behind you, and letting your hair dry naturally instead of using a hair dryer. 

“In peri, the actual quality of the hair changes”

“In peri, the actual quality of the hair changes,” says Dr. David Colbert of New York Dermatology Group. “It gets more fragile. Don’t use a hairdryer, or at least use it on a cold setting. An amino acid supplement can help, and estrogen and progesterone are really important for hair growth. During pregnancy everyone’s hair gets really thick – why do you think that is?”

If you’re noticing hair thinning or shedding, the best thing you can do is deal with it ASAP. “With hair loss, the earlier you catch it, the better,” says Dr. Green.

The Perisphere is not medical advice. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.