Hair loss can be a frustrating and stressful experience for any woman. Healthy hair is a measure of physical beauty and health, and hair loss—even in modest amounts—quickly becomes a major concern. Just like the Nutritional Aesthetics® approach to healthy skin, we find that hair loss warrants a holistic view. Ahead, check out an initial conversation between a CNAP practitioner and a client that builds a foundation of knowledge about stopping and reversing women’s hair loss from the inside and outside.
Got a Nutritional Aesthetics® question? Just ask a Certified Nutritional Aesthetics Practitioner™ (CNAP):
Client:
I’ve really been concerned about my hair lately. It seems to be falling out at a much greater rate than what’s normal for me. Could it be stress? Or my diet?! I want to stop this hair loss before it really starts to show!
CNAP:
First, take a deep breath with me. There are quite a few catalysts for hair loss, but before we talk through them, it’s important to note that additional stress over what you’re experiencing can only complicate the situation, and even make it harder for healthy new hair to regrow. Even if your hair loss has nothing to do with stress, the stress you’re feeling about the situation can prolong the problem. Since you mentioned stress first, let’s start there. Have you experiences any major stressful events lately, or have you been feeling lots of stress in general?
Client:
No major stress events, but I do feel stressed in general. And since you mentioned it, some of that stress is definitely coming from my hair loss.
CNAP:
Okay, so we can discuss some practices to get your stress under control, lower stress hormones, and reduce inflammation—from breathing exercises to meditation to physical activity. It’s really important for you to actively take action to reduce stress in your life, because it may be manifesting in hair loss, and there are surely other negative effects that your body will experience as well. But first, let’s keep exploring your hair loss. Feelings of anger and aggression can also be related to lack of hair growth or slow growth. Have you been dealing with any of those lately?
Client:
Actually, yes. I’ve been dealing with a frustrating situation at work for a few months now, and I’ve had a hard time keeping my cool lately.
CNAP:
One thing you can do to encourage new hair growth is to alleviate your anger around that situation. Is that something you can work on going forward?
Client:
Definitely, if it could help my hair situation.
CNAP:
Good. Now, nutritionally, it’s very important for you to stay hydrated to support new growth as well. Be sure to eat an adequate amount of clean protein and healthy fats at each meal, which support new hair growth and the development of a healthy scalp and hair follicles. Hormone balance is especially important for healthy hair growth, and so it’s a good idea to have your hormone levels tested to see if you are experiencing any major hormonal shifts that could be a hair loss catalyst. A big hormonal shift, like the kind women experience postpartum, is known to cause hair loss, but a smaller hormonal shift can be a factor too.
The way you care for your hair is really important to its overall health and growth too. Avoid hair products that contain harsh ingredients like sodium laurel or laureth sulfate, formaldehyde releasers, and synthetic fragrances, since too many active ingredients can overstimulate the follicles and contribute to the problem. Overbrushing, overwashing and harsh styling are also problematic, so take it easy on those fronts, and note if your washing, brushing, or styling could be worsening the situation in the weeks and months ahead. One practice you may want to incorporate is a regular, gentle head massage, with just your fingers, or with some natural scalp oil added. This will help bring circulation and nutrition to your scalp, and reduce stress and tension.
Client:
That actually sounds nice. I’ve actually been afraid to touch my scalp too much; I dont want to cause even more hair to fall out!
CNAP:
Just be sure to massage very gently, the same way you wash and brush. I’m so glad you brought this up right away, because the sooner you find and address the cause of hair loss, the quicker the process can be reversed. This is not a condition to worry about on your own; you made a great decision by asking for help right away.
We want to hear from you:
We want to hear from you:Have you or a client ever been confused by hair loss?
Where did you seek help and what measures did you take that were most successful for you?
Reference: Dr. Claudia Aguirre, The Brain-Skin Connection, 2012