Can I Stop Hair Loss? And 5 Other Hair Questions You Need Answered

To help our readers better understand the triggers behind everyday hair loss, we talked to board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D., to answer some important hair-related questions. 

For instance, we know that oxidative stress has been linked to hair loss, and antioxidants are compounds that are able to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby helping us regain antioxidant vs. oxidant balance. Zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, C, E, and polyphenols are dietary antioxidants that play a key role in reinforcing our endogenous antioxidant system.* 

What's important to know is that the physical evidence of the shift isn't immediate. Someone may not see loss of hair until three to six months after a stressful event. For those individuals dealing with prolonged stress, however, this hair loss conundrum may last longer. The good news is that this thinning of hair is temporary if the underlying source of stress is addressed. A second manifestation of the impact of stress on hair is the impact that elevated stress hormones have on the production of other hormones required for healthy hair growth. 

While loss of 100 hairs is typical for most individuals, due to the robust estrogen levels and more hair follicles in anagen (the growth phase) during pregnancy, it is totally normal that with the sudden shift in estrogen levels, that hair follicles shift from anagen (growth) to telogen (resting/falling out) phase. 

Dr. Barr: Air pollution can impact your hair in a host of ways, including contributing to hair loss, accelerating hair aging, affecting hair color, and causing buildup. A 2019 study highlighted that exposure to common air pollutants created from burning fossil fuels can impact the proteins in our cells that are responsible for hair growth and hair retention, and significantly reduce them. One of the biggest ways air pollution affects hair health is oxidative stress. Free radical stress to hair can manifest as hair graying, loss of color1, or even hair loss.

In addition to learning mind-body skills, rebalancing your nervous system requires a strong foundation for health that includes a supportive diet and lifestyle that suits your individual needs. Reducing your overall stress load by improving sleep, optimizing your type of exercise, shifting your mindset, and sometimes targeted supplementation can help optimize not only your overall well-being but your hair health too.* 

Using adaptogenic ingredients and key vitamins and minerals, the ingestible supplement GROWTH PHASE helps to moderate the body's stress response,* while the topical aid SUPA_THICK works to gently cleanse and exfoliate the scalp, removing buildup and stimulating circulation to the hair follicles. So if you're experiencing unwanted changes in your hair, don't fret. With a whole-health approach including appropriate supplementation and a newfound awareness of the lifestyle changes that need to be made, you're already one step closer to healthier, thicker hair!*