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Dealing with PCOS caused hair loss
Hi friends, Sammy here 🤗
Hair loss is a common symptom of PCOS, affecting approximately 40-70% of us. If you’re like me, praying that your hair loss doesn’t progress into a full-on bald spot, hair loss can have a significant impact on your mental well-being. The hormone imbalances in your body, particularly an excess of androgens like testosterone, can cause hair follicles to shrink and lead to hair loss and thinning.
I’m writing this article, because I hope that there are a few practical steps you can take! Hopefully, you’ll learn of 1 or 2 new ways to treat PCOS hair loss from the comfort of your own home. These tips are particularly useful if you prefer to manage your PCOS hair loss without relying on spironolactone or other medication.
Sammy
Here are 7 tips on how to treat PCOS hair loss that you can try at home
1. Massage your scalp regularly
Regular scalp massages can help increase blood flow to your hair follicles, which can in turn stimulate hair growth. This is because the increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to the follicles, which are essential for hair growth. By incorporating scalp massages into your hair care routine, you may notice an improvement in the overall health and appearance of your hair.
The length of time it takes to see results can vary per person and also depends on the severity of your hair loss. Some people see improvement within a few weeks, while others may need to continue for several months. Consistency and patience are key. If you don’t see results right away, just remember that hair growth is not your only benefit. You’ll also be adding a relaxing, stress-reducing self-care activity to your daily routine.
To do a scalp massage, use your fingertips to apply gentle pressure in circular motions on your scalp for 5 – 10 minutes a day. Start at the base of your neck and work your way up to the top of your head. You can also use a scalp massaging tool to help stimulate hair growth and increase circulation.
2. Vitamins for PCOS hair loss
You might already be taking over-the-counter supplements to help manage your PCOS symptoms. But did you know that some of those supplements might also promote hair growth? 
- Biotin: Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that helps to strengthen hair and nails. It works by producing keratin, a protein that forms the structural foundation of hair, skin, and nails. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails, and taking biotin supplements can help promote stronger and healthier hair growth.
- Folic acid: Folic acid, or vitamin B9, plays an important role in cell growth and division, making it essential for healthy hair growth. It can help prevent hair loss by strengthening the hair follicles and improving blood circulation to the scalp.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a key nutrient that plays a role in hair follicle cycling, which is the process of hair growth and shedding. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with hair loss, so taking vitamin D supplements can help promote healthy hair growth.
- Zinc: Zinc is a mineral that helps to promote healthy cell growth and division, making it essential for healthy hair growth. Zinc also helps to regulate the production of androgens, which can contribute to hair loss when produced in excess.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to protect against oxidative stress, which can contribute to hair aging and hair loss. It also helps the body to produce collagen, a protein that helps to strengthen hair and promote hair growth.
All of these vitamins are likely already part of your daily nutrition! If you’ve tested low on any of these vitamin levels, know that the prescribed supplements might help you in more than one way. Always consult a doctor beforehand.
3. Best shampoo and conditioner for PCOS hair loss
Using a gentle shampoo and conditioner is an essential step in promoting healthy hair growth and preventing further damage to your hair. Harsh chemicals found in many hair products, such as sulfates, can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause damage to the hair follicles. Look for products that are specifically formulated for thinning hair, as these often contain ingredients that can help strengthen and nourish the hair.
To keep your hair healthy, it’s also important to avoid using harsh chemicals on your hair, such as chemical straighteners, perms, and hair dyes. These chemicals can further damage your hair and lead to more hair loss. Opt for natural or gentle alternatives instead. Some specific chemicals to avoid include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium chloride, formaldehyde, and parabens.
Since we’re all spread around the globe, it may not make sense to share my favorite Dutch shampoo here (okay fine, it’s Naïf Care), but I will let you in on a handy tool to decipher labelled ingredients. Head over to incidecoder.com to search for products, find out what’s in them and discover whether those ingredients are harmful. You can even scan your current product labels to get a detailed outline of pretty much anything! Best news? Using this tool is entirely free.
4. Improve your hair through diet
Surprise! Yet another PCOS symptom that your diet can have an effect on. When your hormones are out of balance due to PCOS, it affects your menstrual ánd hair growth cycle. Making changes to your diet can help you on the whole, but also specifically when it comes to improve hair growth.
Research suggests that a low-glycemic diet, which includes plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, may help improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance can lead to high levels of androgens, which can cause hair loss and thinning. By improving your insulin sensitivity, in whichever way works best for you, you may be able to reduce androgens and promote hair growth.
Incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods, such as fatty fish, nuts, and leafy greens, into your diet may also help improve hair health. Some studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, can reduce inflammation and improve hair density. Additionally, consuming foods high in iron, such as spinach and lean red meat, can help prevent iron deficiency anemia, which can contribute to hair loss.
5. Exercise as part of your hair care routine
In addition to promoting better circulation and oxygen delivery to the scalp, exercise can also help regulate hormones that play a role in hair loss. For example, regular physical activity can help lower levels of androgens, such as testosterone, which can contribute to hair thinning and balding in individuals with PCOS.
You already know, exercise is beneficial for overall health and wellbeing, and can help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a variety of health issues, including hair loss. By reducing inflammation through regular exercise, you’ll solve multiple problems at once. One is to improve hair health and reduce the severity of hair loss.
6. Manage stress levels to prevent hair loss
Stress is a common issue for many people, and it can have a significant impact on hair loss. When the body is under stress, it produces more of the hormone cortisol, which can interfere with the normal hair growth cycle. High levels of cortisol can also disrupt the balance of other hormones in the body, including those that regulate hair growth. Stress affects everyone, but it can be particularly challenging for those of us with PCOS.
Pro Challenge: Don’t Stress About The Stress…
7. Prioritize sleep for hair restoration
Hitting all your markers, but feeling tired all the time? Resting is another essential part of your hair growth cycle. Poor sleep quality and insufficient rest can disrupt your body’s natural hormone balance, leading to hormonal imbalances that can affect hair growth.
During sleep, your body produces human growth hormone, which plays a crucial role in cell regeneration and hair growth. This hormone is released in greater amounts during deep sleep and is essential for repairing and rebuilding tissues, including hair follicles. To promote healthy hair growth, it’s important to aim for 7 – 9 hours of quality sleep every night. Easy, right?
WEIRD bonus tip: onion juice for PCOS hair loss
Onion juice may not be the most glamorous or appealing remedy for how to treat PCOS hair loss, but it has been found to be effective in promoting hair growth. Onion juice contains high levels of sulfur, which helps to improve blood circulation to the hair follicles, promote new hair growth, and strengthen existing hair strands.
To use onion juice for hair loss, simply blend one or two onions into a paste and apply it to your scalp. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water and shampoo. Repeat this treatment once or twice a week for best results. Just… maybe not too near the rest of us. 
This post is about how to treat PCOS hair loss.
sammy sandshoes
Hi, I’m Sammy, the founder of PCOS Mag. As a 33-year-old woman with PCOS, I’m passionate about empowering others on their journey. I created PCOS Mag as a positive space for the PCOS community.
With a hormonal condition that so broadly impacts our lives, and all the frustration that come with that, it’s our real life experiences that matter. There’s no one-size fits all when it comes to treating your symptoms. PCOS Mag aims to provide varied views, so that you can get inspired on how to move forward. Always be safe and consult a professional when making changes.
Thanks for stopping by, and I can’t wait to get to know you better!
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