How does menopause affect hair?

Menopause is a physiological process of significant importance in a woman's life, defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation . During this period, significant changes occur in hormonal levels that impact the condition of the woman's skin and hair.

These changes generally begin gently between the ages of 45 and 55, a year before menopause officially arrives, a period known as climacteric or perimenopause.

At first, the changes are almost imperceptible and can be associated with a bad day, as occurs during the onset of menstruation (a period during which estrogen levels also drop, causing hair to appear thinner). But after a few months, a more pronounced deficit in the production of female hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone , makes the changes more evident by altering follicular metabolism, affecting both the quantity of hair and its appearance. This results in thinner, more fragile, and duller hair.

Although the primary function of estrogen is the regulation of the menstrual cycle, the wide variety of symptoms that occur during menopause demonstrates the varied and profound effects on the entire body.

In skin and hair, estrogens have a decisive influence on thickness, hydration, pigmentation, sebum content, and aging.

How does menopause affect the condition of the scalp and hair?

1. Alteration of the hair cycle

80% of hair follicle activity is controlled by hormones. The drop in estrogen makes the effect of androgens more noticeable.

During the hair cycle, the anagen or growth phase is reduced and the telogen or shedding phase is prolonged , resulting in miniaturization of the follicles. You begin to notice thinner hair, thinning areas, especially at the top and receding hairline, and increased fragility.

The changes that occur in women during this stage often cause stress. Although stress cannot cause androgenetic alopecia, it can further elevate androgen levels, potentially worsening hair loss. If stress-related hair loss occurs, it will last as long as the condition persists, but the hair will grow back afterward.

2. Water imbalance of the skin and changes in its mineral content

This imbalance affects the hair structure and scalp, making it more sensitive and less protected against environmental aggressors such as UV radiation and pollution. This is why women can also experience dryness and itching of the scalp . This fact should be taken into account when caring for, and applying coloring and styling treatments to, hair at this stage.

3. Decrease in lipid content

This decrease causes the cornicles to become loosely packed and their bonds to be poorly constructed. The result is a dry scalp, even flaking . The hair also appears drier, duller, even brittle, and more prone to breakage.

4. Collagen glycation

The collagen sac surrounding the hair follicle undergoes glycation, a reaction between blood glucose and collagen fibers. This spontaneous reaction, in addition to causing deterioration of the follicle's environment and a decrease in the hair's anchorage to its structure, leads to the loss of key scalp components that protect, hydrate, and replenish the nutrients necessary for hair growth. This glycation is not a rapid process; it occurs slowly with age.

5. Reduction of stem cells

At the bottom of the hair follicle are stem cells that are responsible for regenerating the hair follicle at the end of the telogen phase. This reduction is accompanied by aging and causes hair to become increasingly thinner, with a decrease in density .

Visible symptoms

• It's harder to wear long hair, it doesn't grow as long as it used to.
• The stripe becomes wider and thinner, with sparser areas and more visible entrances.
• The scalp becomes drier and more sensitive.
• The hair becomes thinner and changes in texture as more and more gray hair gradually appears.

6. Sweating and itching caused by hot flashes

The sudden hot flashes (hot flashes) that appear during menopause can cause intense, punctuated itching and are caused by the sweat produced during these times. Sweat is rich in urea, an alkali that raises the pH, and a change in the scalp's pH can lead to itching and even irritation.

To relieve this annoying itching, simply wash your hair. A quick wash with pH-balanced cosmetics like the ones we suggest will restore the pH and eliminate the discomfort.

If you suffer from irritation, it is important not to leave your scalp wet for too long; this can also cause itching by unbalancing the skin's microbiota.

7. Stress

Menopause is also a cause of stress, and the stress hormone cortisol affects the overall health of hair.

High cortisol levels are linked to the breakdown of important modulators of hair health, in addition to disrupting hormonal balance and altering other hormones such as progesterone.

The main hair symptoms associated with menopause are hair loss, thinning, dryness, and loss of color . Identifying these symptoms and knowing how to respond can help you cope with the changes with greater knowledge and control.

Shampoo is the preferred product for consumers to counteract these effects, followed by conditioner and leave-in scalp treatments. Since menopause is a very personal time in life and each woman must choose how to navigate it, any hair care solution should be tailored to her needs.

How to care for your hair during menopause?

By giving your hair what it needs at all times, the negative effects of estrogen deficiency during menopause will be less.

1. Cleaning

Wash your hair with cosmetics that are respectful of the scalp and the follicle environment , which strengthen and protect the hair to keep it healthy and strong.

We strongly emphasize in this health space that products should be gentle on the scalp, but even more so during perimenopause and menopause. The hormonal changes that occur, especially the decrease in progesterone, which has anti-inflammatory effects, cause scalp sensitivity.

We recommend shampoos with medium cleansing agents specially designed for the treatment of dry hair such as:

• H02 Repairing Shampoo. This shampoo is specially formulated for dehydrated, tight scalps and dry, weakened hair. It provides gentle cleansing with immediate nourishing and revitalizing action. This first step is essential : it prepares the scalp and hair fiber so that subsequent treatments , such as masks or conditioners , can work more effectively and achieve optimal results.
• H03 Shine and Vitality Shampoo. This shampoo is specially formulated for normal or oily scalps, which may experience increased sweating due to hot flashes during menopause. It provides effective and gentle cleansing , removing impurities without disrupting the scalp's natural balance.

It's an excellent shampoo for use with hair loss treatments, such as ampoules or lotions, which can dry out the hair fiber. This shampoo not only gently cleanses but also restores shine and vitality to the hair.

Another differentiating aspect of the H03 Shine and Vitality Shampoo is that it does not contain perfumes or essential oils , which makes it especially suitable for sensitive scalps or those prone to irritation.

Both form a creamy lather, which allows you to massage your scalp and make rinsing easier.

How you wash your hair is also important, so we recommend paying special attention to this step. It's important to emulsify the shampoo well before applying it to your roots and gently massaging it into your scalp. Keep an eye on the shower temperature, especially during the colder months; setting the temperature too high can disrupt the hair follicle's environment.

As we mentioned earlier, the drop in estrogen levels can make androgen levels more visible, and in some cases, can increase sebum production. Effectively and gently cleansing the scalp helps maintain a healthy microbiome and prevent flaking and irritation. H07 Sea Salt Shampoo is the perfect shampoo for this. It's a novel treatment that offers well-being to your scalp, while also adding shine and body to your hair.

2. Prevention: How to moisturize your hair during menopause?

At Modesta Cassinello, we always say that hair conditioning is non-negotiable . We recommend applying conditioner or a mask, the latter being more powerful, after applying your shampoo.

Conditions the mid-lengths and ends for softness without losing volume. You'll prevent further damage from sunlight and pollution, the main producers of free radicals that cause hair damage and scalp aging.

If you have very fine hair and avoid conditioner, or if you have thick, dry hair and want a little something extra, be sure to try H08 Leave-In Conditioning Mist after drying your hair. H08 Conditioning Mist 's active ingredients restore the integrity of the hair fiber, improving frizz and restoring hair's strength, softness, and shine.

All of our treatments, including conditioners and masks , provide hydrating and nourishing active ingredients with proven properties to soften fragile and brittle hair. They'll help you style your hair, preventing annoying tangles and calming frizz caused by dehydration. Our formulas are carefully designed to soften, protect, and enhance shine without losing volume or weighing your hair down.

3. Beauty

Find the best cut and style for your hair at this stage. As for coloring, remember that repeated processes like permanent coloring, which use oxidative agents, cause scalp aging due to cellular wear.

This wear is even more noticeable on sensitive scalps, and can also disrupt hair growth due to a change in its life cycle. Today, semi-permanent hair coloring with clays offers excellent results and is a great option for all women with sensitive scalps who want to maintain their color.

4. Lifestyle

We recommend following a Mediterranean diet as part of a healthy lifestyle. All the micronutrients your hair needs to grow strong and healthy are included in our acclaimed Mediterranean Diet.

A diet:

• Rich in minimally processed, fresh, and seasonal foods, with a predominance of vegetables, whole grain cereals, legumes, nuts, and fruits.
• Where dairy consumption is high, be careful! We're eliminating it, and it's a very good source of bioavailable calcium. If milk makes you feel unwell, you can turn to fermented products like yogurt and kefir, which are also packed with beneficial microorganisms for a healthy microbiota.
• Which includes fish, eggs, and meat, offering you adequate levels of iron, zinc, copper, and selenium.
• It promotes the use of virgin olive oil as the main source of cooking fat and water as the main beverage.

This diet will help us maintain optimal levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide stability and vitality to the hair follicle and hair , which are very important for coping with all the physiological changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause.

Can any supplements be beneficial during this stage?

Supplementation during this stage may be advisable at specific times . Deficiencies in certain vitamins, such as vitamin D, and minerals like iron are associated with hair loss. Also, if you exercise a lot and sweat a lot, you may lose minerals through sweat, which can lead to hair loss.

Soy isoflavone supplementation may also be advisable . These phytoestrogens, i.e., plant substances with estrogenic activity, bind to beta-estrogen receptors, improving symptoms during this process. If we minimize all symptoms during this stage, we'll feel better, so we'll eat better and move more.

If you notice hair loss that continues over time, don't hesitate to visit your dermatologist. They are the most highly trained professionals in hair care and will advise you on the best supplements or medication, if necessary.

I'm very proud to invest in women and contribute to the development of a health platform to address their needs. I hope this post has helped you understand and recognize the symptoms that appear during this stage in women and better manage them.

Dr. Modesta Cassinello Sola