Hair loss and menopause: how to help your clients

Why does menopause cause hair loss?

It’s thought that hormonal changes are the cause of thinning hair and hair loss in menopausal women.

Leading up to, during and after the menopause, many women report changes to their hair and scalp and some report hair thinning or hair loss.

For example, some hormonal changes interrupt the anagen phase in the hair growth cycle. Some women may also experience female pattern baldness as a result of an increase in male hormones that can occur after the menopause.

While this can be very distressing for your clients, you can help support the changes in their hair and scalp.

It may be that your client doesn't feel the need to discuss hair loss with their GP and is looking for guidance and ideas to adapt their style, for example if hair has thinned. However, if your client is worried or hair loss is excessive it’s always best that they seek medical advice.

“Your knowledge of styling and colouring techniques can really make a difference in helping people to have confidence as they face changes in their hair”

Treatment for hair loss caused by menopause

There are lots of ways you can support clients coping with hair loss and thinning hair caused by the menopause.

As most menopausal hair issues are linked to fluctuations of hormones, they can affect the sensitive hair growth cycle. Products that specifically target this can be useful. Assessing your client's needs is very important, as it’s likely that they will need your recommendations for an appropriate regime as their hair and scalp change.

Ways to help clients with thinning hair and hair loss include:

Dry shampoo

Using dry shampoo can help women who have excessive oil on their scalps caused by hot flushes. You could also recommend hair growth supplements which may help some clients.

Hair colour

Colouring your client’s hair is a great way of making it look thicker. You could also use hair thickening products and volumising styling products link.

Regular trims

The menopause can also cause hair to become more brittle and snap easily so suggest regular trims.

Conditioning treatments

Maintaining the hair’s moisture can prevent unnecessary breakage so suggest conditioning treatments for your clients. Heat protection and styling products designed for thinning and fragile hair can also help.

Switch products

Talk to your clients about the shampoos and conditioners they are using to make sure they are the right ones for their changing hair and scalp.

When hair becomes thinner or less dense in volume it can be helpful to adjust your hair care regime and use products more suited to your hair’s needs. For example, products that help to stimulate the hair follicle into the growing (anagen) phase as well as shampoos and conditioners to strengthen and nourish new hair growth.

How to conceal hair loss and thinning hair

Another way to help your clients is by using specialist products to conceal any patches. These cover up products are temporary and shampoo out.

Bear in mind that products to camouflage and blend thinning areas may be completely new to your client. Having a stock of sample products available to demonstrate can be very helpful.

Learn more about menopause and hair loss

Experiencing hair loss, female pattern baldness and thinning hair can have a big emotional impact on your client. As a hair professional, you are ideally placed to give expert advice and help them with the changes in their hair and scalp.

Your knowledge of styling and colouring techniques can really make a difference in helping people to have confidence as they face changes in their hair.

Taking the time to have a more in-depth understanding about menopause and hair loss will mean that you can offer well informed guidance and support.