Hair Loss, the Good...the Bad...the Ugly

 Ah...a flowing, luxurious mane...our hair is one of the few things that we can change on a whim with just a few snips of a scissor or stroke of a bleach-coated brush. However, hair loss can be a difficult and somber part of aging.

Recently I celebrated my 35th birthday and I noticed that I was forever cleaning up errant hairs after a shower or brushing my hair. With long hair, this was not new but I noticed that I would have side part that ran deeper than I liked or that my updos were sitting flatter than usual. The last straw was when I tried the middle part to see what all the hype was only to be shocked at the lack of volume. I tried volumizing spray with a little success but I knew I had to get to the root of the problem...pun totally intended. So here are some things that I tried and what I liked and did not like:

This is about 6 months apart with red light therapy, hair serum, peppermint oil and biotin. Now that I know this combination works, I will remove one product at a time to see what works...and what doesn't.

The Ordinary's Hair Density Serum

This is a cheap serum at only $17.90 that is meant to work as a leave-in treatment for clean hair. Unfortunately, it made my roots so oily and greasy that I had to wash it out the next day even though I usually can go 2-3 days between shampoos. I may have applied too much product so I am willing to try again to see if less product can give me a less of a "I-just-changed-my-car's-oil-and-did-not shower" look. If you do not tend to have oily roots, you may not have as much of a problem and at this price point, it can certainly be worth a try. Just remember, hair grows slow so you will not see results for a while!

Vegamour Hair Serum

I had been using eyelash serum and saw great results...only to find that lash serum can cause orbital fat loss and age you. I was back on the market for a serum that would let me hang on to my long eyelashes without damaging the collagen around my eyes. Lo and behold, Vegamour serum! This vegan serum does not contain prostaglandin analogues so it will not cause fat loss. The eyelash serum was pricey and far less amount of product so when my Babelash serum ran out, I refilled it with Vegamour serum. Warning...I almost got a little bit in my eye and while it did not sting, there was definitely some discomfort and I imagine their eyelash serum is formulated with much less intensity. 

It does get the job done and my eyelashes continue to be quite long. Unlike the Ordinary, this does not leave a greasy look and can be used daily. It does work as I noticed my baby hairs growing longer and my hairline appeared thicker too. I applied this and then used a high frequency comb attachment to distribute the serum evenly through my hair. High frequency uses ultra-violet and high-frequency rays to stimulate the hair follicles. The treatment boosts blood supply to the hair follicles and draws nutrients to the roots, encouraging hair growth (source).

Peppermint Oil

This was more of the DIY, price-friendly option of the the bunch. It smelled very strong as I did not dilute it with a carrier oil but I would not recommend following this course of action since it is highly irritating. My scalp was ok but I applied it with a very light hand and only dabbed a bit on a cotton ball. I did make the mistake of slapping on some green tea serum on the same spot near my hairline and migrating the peppermint oil down my face and chin. This left my skin feeling like I was sunburned and sensitivity for almost a week afterwards. So, please be very cautious when using any essential oils near your face.

However, the smell did not last long and it just smelled like I had super-strong toothpaste. I would apply this and then conduct my red light therapy session, angling my mask and pillow in a way that it would hit the top of my head for at least half of the time. Regular red light therapy has been proven to be effective at  increasing density and hair growth.

The biggest drawback was the risk of damaging my skin but this is a great alternative to help with hair growth and I would recommend it as a cheaper option.

Biotin

My mother was recommended this supplement when she had brittle nails and hair loss and seeing her success inspired me to try it as well. I had read that some people experience acne while taking this supplement so I was a bit apprehensive but since it has been years since my last breakout, I felt confident that I had managed my acne. Because I had been trying more than one strategy to address my hair loss, I cannot say how effective this vitamin was at reducing hair loss. However, it has strengthened my nails from my recent foray into dip powder nails (long story short...it's literal nail glue and will leave your nails looking like they've just had glue on them) and makes me feel like my hair restoration can be attributed to biotin as well. 

If you decide to add biotin to your stack (AKA vitamin regimen), make sure you get it from a trusted supplier. Unlike medication, vitamins and supplements are unregulated and not all vitamins are created equal. Whole Foods is a convenient option for me but there are also online vendors who will mail customized vitamins to you!

Alternatives that were researched but not tried:

- rosemary oil

Research has shown that this oil may also be helpful at promoting hair growth. I may try this after the peppermint oil to see if it has a less noticeable smell and works just as well.

- Vivascil

This vitamin has received glowing reviews as to its effectiveness. At $40/month, this is a higher price option and I do not see myself trying this unless my other products stop working. If you are looking for something with verified results and less of the experimentation route, this may be the choice for you.

- minoxidil

The active ingredient in Rogaine, this can be found in several different products for people of all genders. It is available OTC but can be pricey and has been shown to cause hair growth in other areas. My dad tried to use this but unfortunately it caused irritation and just wasn't worth it for him so please spot test it, just like any new product!

So, while hair loss may be something you chose not to embrace, just remember...your hair does not define you and like wrinkles, it is just a sign of a life well lived!