My Personal Journey Through Hair Loss: Finding Solutions Beyond the Surface
Let me get real with you—running a business, staying on top of life, and keeping a polished self-presentation is a lot. And for the past few years, I found myself in a downward spiral that hit hard in ways I didn’t expect.
For 5 years, I’ve been running a business, dodging the stress of politics, chasing after natural remedies, but somewhere along the way, I lost sight of the things that truly fueled me. I missed workouts, felt constantly deprived of energy, and for what? I chalked it up to being an adult, just like many of us do. But when my hair started falling out, that was my wake-up call.
The Turning Point: Perimenopause & Hair Loss
It started with sleepless nights that stretched into weeks. Irritability became my norm, and despite being on an IUD, my periods began to change. And then the epic weight gain hit—seemingly out of nowhere—despite no real shift in my eating habits. This is when I started researching perimenopause symptoms, and everything began to make sense.
But what didn’t make sense was how my doctors dismissed these symptoms as "just normal." The dreaded medical gaslighting began—symptoms were chalked up to simple depression, and the suggestion of anti-depressants loomed over me, even though I knew deep down this was about more than just my mood. There was nothing to compare my current hormone levels to, so how could it be “normal”?
Taking Charge: My Solution Through HRT
I was desperate for a change, and I wasn’t ready to accept that anti-depressants were my only option. That’s when I found Winona and began hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It’s been a game changer—not just for my hair but for my overall well-being. I share this because I know many of you are navigating similar waters, and hair loss is often the first visible sign of deeper issues.
Understanding Hair Loss: Hormones, Stress, and Seasonal Shifts
Hair loss can feel like a punch to the gut, especially when you don’t expect it. Every strand in your hand or the drain seems to indicate it's time for the 40 year old karen cut. But don't panic. Stress can make it worse. Here’s what I’ve learned about the biggest culprits:
Hormonal Changes 🌀
Whether it’s perimenopause or other hormonal fluctuations, a dip in estrogen can lead to thinner, more brittle hair. Hair loss is often one of the first visible signs that something is off inside.
Challenge: Hair thinning, especially around the crown or temples, combined with a loss of density.
Solution: Consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if you're experiencing symptoms similar to mine. Winona offers personalized care plans that might be worth exploring. In the meantime, nourishing your scalp with a hydrating treatment can help. A week in and I am finally getting a full nights rest for the first time in a year.
Stress Management 😓
I know firsthand how hard it is to juggle it all, and stress is one of the silent killers when it comes to hair health. Chronic stress can push hair into a shedding phase faster than normal, and trust me, I’ve felt that panic when strands of hair start falling out in handfuls.
Challenge: Rapid hair shedding during high-stress periods, leading to thinning.
Solution: Incorporating stress-relief techniques, even small ones, can make a huge difference. I’ve found meditation, gentle exercise, and giving myself permission to rest (guilt-free) essential. And remember—healthy hair starts with a healthy mind!
Try an evening with a face mask and scalp mask – Rosemary oil has been shown to be just as effective as minoxil or finesteride without the horrid heart palpitations or birth defects. Here's a recipe i like to use on a friday night.
Seasonal Scalp Shifts 🌬️
Living in the Midwest means our weather swings from humid summers to brutally dry winters. The dry air can lead to an irritated scalp, which contributes to more hair fall during the colder months. Fall and winter especially can trigger seasonal shedding, which feels like adding insult to injury.
Challenge: Dry, flaky scalp and seasonal shedding during the colder months.
Solution: Keep your scalp hydrated with moisturizing treatments and protect your hair when you’re outside in the cold. Hats are stylish and protective, but choose silk or satin linings to avoid friction on your strands.
What I Recommend from My Experience 💆♀️
If you’re looking for a few tools to help support your hair during these changes, here are some must-haves from my favorite things:
The Luxe Satin Pillowcase – Available right in the Dana's Favorite Things section of our website, this satin pillowcase will help reduce friction and breakage while you sleep. It’s a game-changer for keeping hair healthy.
Shower Filter – Eliminate as much environmental stressors to your scalp. Chlorine, Flouride, Copper, and Lead deposits can have a huge effect on your hair loss.
Low Tension Brushes- as your follicle starts to heal and get more blood flow, be sure to decrease tension in the meantime. I love Olivia Garden brushes because the bristles have less contact with the hair overall. The wavy structure means less pulling, tugging, and tearing.
You can find these and more on our website!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been feeling like something’s off—whether it’s hair loss, weight gain, or just being downright exhausted—I want you to know that you’re not alone. It’s not all in your head, and sometimes the first step to finding a solution is realizing that your body is trying to tell you something. Don’t be afraid to seek out the right support, whether through a health professional or simply taking time to care for yourself.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Have you experienced hair loss or other symptoms lately? I’d love to hear from you and share what’s working for me.
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