We all know that menopause can have a dramatic effect on our hair, causing visible shedding and hair loss. However, the natural hormonal shifts of midlife can have a more subtle impact as well, which many women aren’t aware of.
These smaller signs commonly go unrecognised for what they really are, leading to frustration that our hair simply isn’t ‘behaving’.
To get to the bottom of what’s really going on with your strands, trichologist Kate Holden has broken down seven below-radar signs of menopausal hair changes.
Your ponytail feels thinner
Surprisingly, this isn’t necessarily down to shedding. ‘You may notice your ponytail feels smaller without obvious hair loss – this can happen because individual hairs become finer, due to a process known as miniaturisation,’ says Kate. ‘Overall hair density gradually decreases as oestrogen levels decline.’
Your usual products have stopped working
If your favourite shampoo or styling products suddenly don’t seem to give the same results, it may be because your hair and scalp are undergoing hormonal changes. ‘Menopausal hair often has different needs, so adapting your routine to focus on scalp health, hydration and strengthening can make a noticeable difference to how well your hair behaves,’ advises Kate.
One of her favourite products to lay the foundation for more manageable hair is Nanogen Shampoo For Women. ‘This cleanses the hair and gently exfoliates to refresh the scalp,’ she advises.
Nanogen Shampoo Luxe For Women
Your hair no longer holds its style
You’re not imagining those difficult hair days. ‘If your hair doesn’t hold a curl, goes flat quickly or feels limp by the end of the day, this may be because hormonal changes have altered the structure of the hair fibre,’ explains Kate.
'Over time, these hormonal shifts can cause new hairs to grow back finer and less robust, meaning they have less natural body and are less able to hold a style.’
Your scalp feels drier or more sensitive
We think about menopausal changes to our face, but the skin above the hairline is just as susceptible. ‘Hormonal changes can affect the scalp barrier and reduce natural oil production, leaving the scalp feeling dry, tight, itchy or more easily irritated,’ says Kate. ‘A healthy scalp environment is important for supporting healthy hair growth.’
She recommends Philip Kingsley Overnight Scalp Barrier Serum as an effective way to boost long-term scalp health. ‘It works in sync with your skin’s natural circadian rhythm, helping to strengthen the scalp barrier, regulate hydration and oil levels, and support long-term scalp health,’ she says.
Philip Kingsley Overnight Hydrating Hair Scalp Barrier Serum
Philip Kingsley Overnight Hydrating Hair Scalp Barrier Serum
Your hair has lost its shine
‘Hair often appears duller during menopause because the cuticle becomes rougher and the scalp produces less sebum to travel down the hair,’ Kate explains. ‘With less natural conditioning and smoother cuticles, light reflects less effectively, so hair loses some of its natural shine.’
Your hair looks different in photos
You often don’t see changes in the mirror, but the camera can be more candid. ‘One of the earliest signs of female pattern hair loss around menopause is a gradual widening of the central parting,’ says Kate. ‘Because this change is often very gradual, many people only notice it when comparing photographs taken months or years apart, or in bright lighting.’
As an instant fix, she recommends Nanogen Hair Fibres to create a thicker look. ‘They conceal any areas of hair thinning or scalp show-through in seconds,’ she says.
Your hair is breaking more easily
This is a separate issue to shedding, where hair comes away at the follicle. ‘Changes in hormone levels can leave the hair fibre drier and more fragile,' says Kate. 'Hair may snap more readily during brushing or styling, especially if it’s also exposed to heat or chemical treatments.’
A supplement she likes to support hair’s inner strength is WelleCo The Hair Elixir. ‘It nourishes right down to the follicles to reduce breakage and support keratin formation,’ she says.
Do any of these signs sound familiar? Find more expert advice on how to deal with thinning hair below.
