With so much information (and misinformation) on menopause and hair loss available it can be overwhelming to know what to advise your clients. HJ spoke to hairstylists in the know to find out how you can best support your clients before, during and after menopause – with a particular focus on those experiencing hair loss.
When approaching the subject of hair loss with any client, you must do so with the upmost sensitivity and compassion. "Losing hair can make a client feel extremely vulnerable and so always take your lead from the client. If a client is experiencing hair loss or hair thinning, they are likely to mention this to you as you conduct your consultation. Menopausal hair loss looks more like shedding, rather than patches, however there can be a number of reasons for hair loss,” says Tim Scott-Wright, Schwarzkopf brand ambassador. Tim recommends asking your client about their lifestyle: “For example, are they taking medication or are they under any stress, or perhaps the changes to their hair are seasonal? Within this conversation, if you have established that there are no other causes, you can then raise the question of menopausal hair loss. In my experience, clients are grateful for the potential identification and feel happy that you are thinking about their needs,” he says, adding: “I would always recommend that a client makes an appointment with their GP to talk further on the subject and suggest they start taking Biotin, a great supplement for healthy hair. I also recommend a local trichologist or suggest that the client does some research into tribology professionals in the area."
Marcello Moccia, Room 97 Creative, Wakefield and Leeds has expertise in this area and finds his clients are a mix of those affected and those that arent. “For many of my clients, menopause has no effect on their hair at all, but in others there can be significant hair loss. Generally, the hair becomes finer and doesn’t grow as long as it used to. Occasionally the scalp can become more visible. For some it can become distressing and may lead to a loss of self-confidence.” Marcello explains that general hair thinning is more likely to occur if an individual is ill or run down. “Gentle exercise and a well-balanced diet can help greatly. Many people think that washing their hair will make it fall out more, but this is a myth; the cleaner the hair and scalp the better. If a client is distressed, we always recommend they see a qualified trichologist who can determine whether it is hormonal or other causes such as stress or diet related.”
Craig Taylor, creative director of Hari’s for L’Oréal Professionnel, explains that menopause can cause hair loss through the change in hormone levels due to less oestrogen and progesterone being produced: “These are key to hair growth and maintaining the hair from shedding. Androgens are hormones that shrink hair follicles and more greatly produced pre, and during, menopause.”
Craig adds that hairdressers can haircuts and styles that disguise any hair loss: “This might be a shorter haircut, less layering (style depending) to maintain more weight in the hair, or shorter shaping around the face to help disguise any hairline loss and keep strength at the hair ends.”
“One thing I would recommend would be to get your ferritin iron levels checked by a doctor,” says Paul Windle, Windle Lab, adding: “Ferritin iron is your body's ability to absorb and store iron, a doctor will tell you that a level of 30 is fine, for good hair growth though it needs to be around 80 plus.” Paul suggests recommending ferritin iron supplements to clients however, they should always consult their doctor. Tim adds Vitamin B helps the thinning and shedding of the hair and helps maintain the oxygen and blood supply to the scalp and hair: “Foods such as egg yolk, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, milk, cheese, and yoghurt are rich in Vitamin B. Vitamin E is rich in antioxidants and help prevent hair stress and fall, try spinach, broccoli, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, wheat germ oil, mango, and kiwi. Alternatively, supplements like biotin-based products can help stop hair loss during menopause. These products supply the hair roots with folic acid and B7, both of which are very important for good hair.”
Why not read our article to find out what happens to hair as it ages?