Embarking on a hair growth journey or experiencing changes in your hair density can be a challenging and emotional process. With so much information out there, it can be difficult to discern fact from fiction when seeking hair loss help and advice.
To help you through this challenge, MONPURE’s Lead Trichologist, Sofia Baig, is here to answer all of your hair loss and hair health questions, arming you with the information you need to maximise your hair growth journey, and in turn, restore your hair and confidence.
With over a decade of experience in the aesthetics industry, Sofia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, guided by her understanding of the emotional impact of hair loss and its connection to identity and confidence. She takes a holistic approach to hair-related issues, addressing not just its external symptoms, but also exploring diet, lifestyle factors, and hormonal changes that may be contributing to your hair loss.
Frequently Asked Hair Loss Questions
Q: How often should I wash my hair when exercising?
Sofia: “The frequency of washing your hair after a workout depends on many factors, including your hair type, scalp condition, and the intensity of your exercise routine. If you're doing heavy cardio daily, I recommend you wash your hair two to three times a week. It may be beneficial to rinse your scalp after each workout to remove sweat and prevent the buildup of oils and bacteria on your scalp. It’s all about finding a balance that works for you and the health of your scalp and hair.”
MONPURE Tip: Use the Clarifying Scalp Scrub as a weekly treatment to break down the oils and build-up that shampoo misses. This will allow you to extend your hair wash cycle while also ensuring your scalp remains balanced, moisturised and healthy.
Q: Why did I start losing more hair after giving birth?
Sofia: “Postpartum hair loss is a natural and temporary process. Many women experience hair loss after giving birth due to a natural but sudden decline in the hormone oestrogen. However, hair growth usually resumes within a few months and your hair density gradually returns to normal by your child's first birthday.”
MONPURE Tip: The Motherhood Hair Density & Restoration System has been designed by experts to restore hair thickness, help reduce hair shedding and thinning, and cultivate strong, healthy hair. This carefully curated haircare system helps mothers revive their luscious locks after delivery (postpartum), stimulate dormant hair follicles and revitalise a sense of wellness after the stresses of pregnancy.
Q: How do I know if I’m losing more hair than I should be?
Sofia: “It’s completely normal to lose 50-100 hairs per day. As this can be a difficult thing to count, it's important to pay attention to the amount of hair that is left in your hands after you shampoo, in your brush, or on the bottom of the bathroom floor. Hair loss can be caused by stress, hormonal changes, childbirth, thyroid issues, medications, vitamin deficiencies, excessive weight loss, and some autoimmune disorders.”
Get to the bottom of your hair loss with a trichologist and harness your hair growth cycle with MONPURE’s innovative active ingredients. Reach out to our experts via email at experts@monpure.com for confidential and reliable advice. Or visit us in person at The Monpure Clinic in London to assess your hair density, develop your bespoke MONPURE regimen and kickstart your hair growth journey.
Q: Is my hair fine or thinning?
Sofia: “Many people confuse hair thickness and hair density. Fine hair refers to the diameter or thickness of individual hair strands, whereas thinning hair refers to a reduction in hair density or the number of hair strands on the scalp.”
As you age, your hair density usually reduces. In women, gradual thinning usually begins at the parting and sides, followed by increasing diffuse hair loss (spread over a wide area) radiating down from the top of the head. On the other hand, fine hair is smaller in diameter or thickness than average hair. If you have fine hair, you may find that products with large molecules such as heavy oils and conditioners can coat the hair strands and weigh them down due to their lower mass.
MONPURE Tip: For women with fine hair, don’t shy away from conditioning the scalp with lightweight formulas. Strengthening Essence-Conditioner is inspired by K-beauty regimes and resembles a skincare essence with its lightweight texture. It hydrates the scalp and strands, locking in moisture without feeling greasy or weighing the hair down. Innovative vegan silk peptides fortify hair from the root, while Pro Vitamin B5, argan oil and coconut oil deliver hydration, boost elasticity and enhance shine.
The common misconception that conditioner is purely for hair lengths only further perpetuates the ongoing cycle of dehydrating our scalps, which can be responsible for the over-production of sebum that leads to weighed-down, oily, weak and malnourished hair. Fine-haired folk and those with thinning need to deliver moisture, nutrients and care to their scalps to ensure that they don’t fall into this trap.
Q: What can I use instead of Minoxidil? I would like a more natural treatment.
Sofia: “Pumpkin seed extract has been scientifically proven to block the 5-alpha reductase enzyme that produces DHT, a byproduct of testosterone that causes hair thinning. It’s an amazing natural alternative to Minoxidil, and it is also pregnancy and breastfeeding safe. Additionally, skincare-staple retinol has also been shown to maximise hair growth ingredients, improving absorption and cell turnover.”
MONPURE Tip: Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum is formulated with active ingredients pumpkin seed extract and retinol. This daily hair growth solution helps promote hair growth by targeting the catagen (transition) and telogen (resting) phases and boosting the growth of new follicles entering into a new cycle of the anagen phase. Hair strands independently cycle through one of three stages of growth: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Harnessing your hair growth cycle allows you to tackle disruptions such as hair loss, thinning and hair ageing.
Q: Can my diet cause hair loss?
Sofia: Several vitamin deficiencies can contribute to hair loss. A few key ones are vitamin D, B12, B7 and iron. Crash diets or extreme weight loss programs that severely restrict calorie intake can also cause hair loss.
It can be easy to overlook one of the most important aspects of keeping your hair and scalp healthy, that is, feeding them with sufficient nutrition from the inside out. Just like the rest of your body requires a healthy diet, eating well and delivering key nutrients through your routine ensures that your hair is getting what it needs to promote growth, prevent dryness and combat imbalance.
MONPURE Tip: Hair follicles require nourishment and fuel to grow. The choices you make in your diet and routine are key to promoting thicker, fuller and healthier hair. Incorporating proteins like lean meats and eggs, fatty acids like salmon and vitamins like citrus fruits into your diet will support hair health from within.
Q: As a woman undergoing menopause, how can I treat my thinning hair?
Sofia: “First of all, it’s completely normal to be experiencing hair thinning during menopause. However, thinning can be minimised and new growth can be cultivated by inhibiting the production of androgen hormones, boosting circulation to the scalp and delivering nutrients.
Alongside implementing healthy lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, sleep and stress-reduction, incorporate scalp and hair care products into your beauty routine that cultivate the best possible environment for a thriving scalp, even under fluctuating hormonal conditions.”
MONPURE Tip: Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum uses pumpkin seed extract to inhibit the 5-alpha reductase enzyme activity that converts testosterone to DHT, a known hair-loss culprit. While skincare acids retinol and lactic acid work together to exfoliate the scalp for improved absorption of other hair-boosting and nourishing ingredients, as well as decongesting follicles to ensure bouncier and healthier hair.
And remember, you don’t have to navigate your hair loss and growth journey alone. Whether you're looking for natural alternatives to traditional treatments, guidance on postpartum hair loss, or an understanding of the science behind menopause, we've got you covered. Visit the Selfridges London Oxford Street store by the 6th of August for a free scalp and hair health consultation with a Monpure expert, or reach out to our experts via email at experts@monpure.com for confidential and reliable advice. Let us help you maximise your hair growth journey, restore your hair, and boost your confidence.
