The Hairy Truth: Why Is Your Hair Leaving You?

Ah, the joys of being a woman in your late 30s and early 40s: the wisdom of a seasoned adult, the energy of a toddler (some days), and… a suddenly thinning hairline? Yes, it seems the universe has decided that our hair follicles should join the ranks of our metabolism and youthful enthusiasm—slowly disappearing as we age. But don't worry, we're here to laugh about it, and maybe even find a few solutions to help you keep the hair you've got left (and make your scalp less noticeable in the process).First things first, why is your hair suddenly dropping out like an ex-boyfriend who said, “Let’s take a break”? There are a few culprits:

Hormonal Havoc

Ah, hormones, here we are again. This was one of the first signs I noticed on myself. Each time I took a shower I was left grasping a fistful of my own seemingly healthy hair. Only after swirling it into a group of highly conditioned little circles, did I fully realize the amount that was falling out. At times, this took me into a complete meltdown, leaving me sitting on the shower floor, telling myself not to cry. To my surprise, I wasn’t the only one. In fact, my best friend was suffering the same thing at the same time. At the time I was 41 and she was 35. We both decided to take action together and see what would work for us. One thing I learned is that what works for one of us doesn’t work for the other.

Stress (Or Just, Life)

I know what you’re thinking, you lived in Dubai what could you possibly have to stress out about. Well a lot actually. The lifestyle that we lived in that part of the world is all go and no slow. I was juggling work, family, a ridiculous amount of school obligations for my kids, friendships, social interactions, and the constant existential question of whether I was aging well. Stress can trigger hair loss. It’s like your hair is saying, “You’re worried about life, so I’m going to check out and take a vacation”. No amount of miso black cod could take away the sense of impending and imminent doom though I did hope the fish oils would help somewhat.

Genetics (The Guilt Trip)

Let’s face it, some of us were just born with “thinner hair genes” and, no matter how many avocado toasts you eat, your follicles still might not be as thick as you'd like. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Now that we know why your hair’s on a permanent vacation, let’s get into how to get it back—naturally or with a little modern magic.

Natural Remedies: Because Who Doesn’t Want a DIY Hair Rescue?

Before you start heading to the salon with a full-fledged breakdown in tow, let’s talk natural remedies. They might not bring your hair back overnight, but they’ll give you a little something to do while you wait (besides crying into your pillow).

1. Scalp Massage: The Poor Man’s Botox

   - What to Do: Take a moment (preferably not during a Zoom call) to massage your scalp. You can use essential oils like lavender, rosemary, or peppermint mixed with a carrier oil like castor, avocado, coconut, or again oil. Gently rub it for 5–10 minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, add in a scalp massager and you can pretend it’s part of your self-care routine when it’s actually desperation.

   - Why It Works: It boosts circulation to your scalp, which is basically like giving your hair follicles a little pep talk. "You got this, follicle, grow strong!"

2. Onion Juice: Yes, Really

   - What to Do: Slice up an onion, extract the juice, and apply it to your scalp for 15 minutes. Yes, it sounds a little dramatic, but you might start smelling like a salad bar afterward. You’ve been warned.

   - Why It Works: Onions are rich in sulfur, which encourages collagen production and hair regrowth. Plus, you can use the leftover onion slices for a hearty stir-fry. Multitasking at its finest.

3. Aloe Vera: Your Cool, Soothing Best Friend

   - What to Do: Apply aloe vera gel to your scalp, let it sit for 20 minutes, and rinse off. It’s like a spa day, but for your scalp, minus the cucumber eye patches.

   - Why It Works: Aloe vera soothes the scalp and hydrates hair follicles. It’s like sending your hair follicles on a mini-vacation to the beach.

4. Biotin and Vitamins: Because Hair Loves a Good Multivitamin

   - What to Do: Start taking biotin or a multivitamin with zinc and vitamin D. You’ll be glowing and maybe even convince your hair to hang around a bit longer.

   - Why It Works: These vitamins support healthy hair growth. If anything, you’ll get some extra shine while your hair slowly makes its grand return.

Conventional Remedies: If You Need to Get Serious (Or Just Like Fancy Bottles)

Sometimes, natural remedies are great, but let’s face it: We’re not all walking around with perfect hair follicles and endless time for DIY treatments. If you’re looking for a little more science behind your hair growth, let’s talk about conventional remedies.

1. Minoxidil (Rogaine for men): The Classic Go-To

   - What to Do: Apply it twice a day, like a religious ritual. No, seriously, stick to the routine if you want results.

   - Why It Works: Minoxidil is a vasodilator, meaning it improves blood circulation to your scalp, encouraging hair growth. It's the medicine that says, “Hey, let’s get your hair follicles back in the game!”

2. Prescription Medications: When You’re Ready to Get Really Real

   - What to Do: Talk to your doctor about medications like spironolactone or finasteride. They can block the hormones responsible for hair loss and get you back on track to full, fabulous hair.

   - Why It Works: These drugs stop those pesky hormones from sabotaging your hair. You might not feel like a superwoman immediately, but your hair will.

3. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Fancy Hair, Fancy Treatment

- What to Do: Prepare for a small needle party at your scalp. Blood is drawn from your arm, processed to harvest the platelets, then its mixed with a vitamin cocktail and injected into your scalp.

  - Why It Works: The growth factors in your blood stimulate your hair follicles to grow. It's basically a VIP treatment for your scalp, but the cost is also VIP. You might have to remortgage your house. Also let’s be clear, don’t expect results until after 5 to 7 of these expensive treatments, but your hair will thank you. And I won’t lie to you , it hurts like you can’t believe. The scalp area is highly sensitive and those little pricks don’t care how much you payed to receive your torture session so use a numbing cream where you can. And to make it worth your while, add in the face and neck for good measure and that youthful shine.

4. Hair Transplants:  If You’re Really Done with the Balding Thing and need hair now.

   -What to Do: Consult a professional, because this is not DIY. If you want to take drastic action, this is your route.

   - Why It Works: Hair follicles are moved from thick areas (back of the head) to thin areas. You’ll walk out of that office with a new scalp, literally.

5. Laser hair growth helmet or laser cap: Because you’re one good laser session away from having a mane so glorious, even the wind will stop and ask for an autograph!  -

What to Do:  Ensure your scalp is clean and free from any hair products like gels or sprays that might block the laser light from penetrating your scalp. Place the helmet or cap comfortably on your head, ensuring that it covers the areas where you want to stimulate hair growth (usually the crown and hairline). Typically the session lasted between 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the device. It’s recommended to use it 3 to 4 times per week to see optimal results. Though it will take 3 to 6 months to actually see the results. Don’t give up this could be your chance. Option 2, use the red light face mask you already bought and put it on your head.

   - Why It Works: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), which is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates hair follicles enabling cell growth and boosts circulation in the scalp. The laser light has anti-inflammatory properties, which can also reduce follicular stress.

Using these devices consistently and over an extended period is critical to seeing results. However, they work best for people with mild to moderate hair loss and may not work for everyone.

Keep Laughing, Keep Living, Keep Your Hair

Losing your hair might feel like the universe is playing a cruel joke, but remember: You’re not alone. Embrace it with humor and of course your bestie. Whether you’re massaging your scalp with oils, (which I still do to this day), slathering onion juice on your head, or considering high-tech hair treatments ( my bestie’s favorite), the most important thing is to keep a positive mindset.

And who knows? Maybe this is just the universe’s way of telling you it’s time for a new look—or maybe it’s your hair’s subtle way of telling you, “It’s not you, it’s me.” Whatever the case, at least we can laugh together while we figure it out.

So go ahead—try a natural remedy, pop some biotin, or treat yourself to the wonders of modern science. After all, hair today, gone tomorrow... but maybe not forever.

Feel free to share your favorite hair growth hacks—or just enjoy the ride. You’ve got this (and hopefully, some hair to go with it)!