How The Menopause Can Affect Your Hair

How Does The Menopause Affect Hair in Black Women?

All women go through menopause, but not all women experience the same symptoms. Afro-textured hair loss, a result of a decrease of the hormone oestrogen, can occur before, during and after menopause, with many black women seeing an increase in hair thinning, or hair loss.

The experts at our Afrotherapy Hair Salon in Edmonton can offer advice to help you with any hair issues you may be experiencing. We can work with you to find a hairstyle that can help you to disguise your hair thinning or hair loss and we can share our knowledge of some great treatments and products that promote healthy hair growth.

Thinning Hair in Black Women During the Menopause

During menopause, many women find that their hair does not grow as long. This is because oestrogens keep the hair in the growing phase, and the longer the growing phase, the more hair will grow. Reduced oestrogen levels cause the hair to grow more slowly, and so the hair will shed more than it is growing, leading to thinning hair. Black women should try to avoid shampooing or over styling thinning hair, as on average you lose 100 hairs a day from your head, through brushing, shampooing or generally handling your hair.

Hair Loss in Black Women During the Menopause

Hair loss in women is often cause by fluctuation in hormones, such as during the menopause. Emotional stress, such as those suffered during this time of life, can also have a detrimental effect on the new growth of hair, so when hair is lost, new hair does not grow back in its place.

Often, aggressive hair styling techniques may contribute to significant hair loss and thinning. As women age, the damage caused to hair follicles over time could lead to a higher rate of hair loss amongst black women who have styled hair, versus those who allow their hair to be natural. 

How To Reduce Hair Thinning or Hair Loss During the Menopause

There are many ways in which black women can take steps to reduce hair thinning or hair loss during the menopause including:

• Reducing stress as much as possible, taking up yoga or meditation
• Letting hair go back to natural from using relaxers
• Loosely braiding hair, as tight braids put pressure on the scalp
• Use a pillowcase made of satin, reducing the friction on hair strands
• Using moisturising treatments on your hair

How to Encourage Hair Growth 

If you have suffered with hair thinning or hair loss due to the menopause or the ageing process there are many ways to encourage new hair growth:

• Have a scalp massage treatment to stimulat blood flow and encourage growth
• Increase proteins and vitamins in your daily diet
• Take supplements to encourage hair growth
• Continue to avoid pressure on the scalp from braiding 
• Use hot oil treatments and deep conditioning treatments to improve the quality of your hairs condition

Book an Appointment at Afrotherapy Hair Salon in Edmonton

At our Afrotherapy Hair Salon in Edmonton we can offer advice to help you with any hair issues you may be experiencing.  We can work with you to find a hairstyle that can help you to disguise your hair loss and we can share our knowledge of some great products that promote healthy hair growth. To book in please call us on 020 8345 5621, book in for a consultation using the form below or book your hair appointment online here.