EP 336: Understanding Women’s Hair Loss: Causes, Care, and Real Results

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The ponytail tells the truth long before we’re ready to hear it. When it shrinks, so does our confidence. We’re digging into the real story behind women’s hair loss—what’s normal, what’s not, how to spot the difference, and how to build a plan that actually works. Drawing on years behind the chair and a personal run-in with bald spots, I walk through the science, the emotions, and the practical steps that turn panic into progress.

We break down the major types—female pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium from stress or illness, alopecia areata, and traction alopecia—so you can match symptoms to causes instead of guessing. You’ll hear why a dermatologist-led diagnosis is the smartest first move, what labs to expect, and how to think about timelines. Then we map the treatments with real evidence: topical minoxidil 5% and how to use it, low-dose oral options under medical care, and low-level laser therapy that actually helps when you commit to it. We also get into the daily levers you control—protein intake, iron and vitamin D status, targeted supplements like Nutrafol, anti-dandruff shampoos for scalp inflammation, and styling habits that lower tension and breakage.

I share what worked for me during a season of heavy shedding, from medical steps to small routine changes that added up, plus the mindset shifts that kept me steady while waiting for regrowth. If you’ve stared at a widening part or noticed more hair on the pillow, this is your roadmap to clarity and calm. Listen to learn how to spot your pattern, choose smarter treatments, and track progress without spiraling. If this helped, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs hope and a game plan.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (01:28):
One of the hardest conversations I have behind the
chair goes something like this.
A client sits down, looks in themirror, and says quietly, My
ponytail is half the size itused to be.
If you've been there brushingyour hair and seeing more
strands than usual, or suddenlynoticing a widening part, you

(01:49):
are not alone.
More than 50% of women willexperience noticeable hair loss
at some point.
Today we're talking about what'sreally going on, the science
behind women's hair loss, andthe treatments that truly help.
Welcome to All About Hair, wherewe talk shop, share stories, and

(02:10):
spill the secrets behind greathair and a great career.
I'm your host, Denise Keilitz, aformer salon owner, educator,
and a lifelong hair crusader.
Whether you're a new stylistbuilding your book, or just
someone who loves learning aboutall things hair, you're in the
right place.

(02:36):
Look, hair loss is emotional.
And I know we talk about hairloss a lot on this podcast
because it is one of the mainconcerns I hear every week
behind the chair.
And it's actually one of my mainconcerns.
So it's stressful, it'sconfusing, and to tell you the

(02:57):
truth, it's often lonely.
Social media makes it worse withmiracle serums and quick fixes
that don't work.
But you know, plus women oftenthink hair loss is just
something men deal with untilthey start seeing their scalp
peek through.
Look, hair loss in women justisn't one simple condition.

(03:18):
It's a mix of types and causes,which is why so many people
struggle to treat it.
There's female pattern hairloss, often a slow widening part
or a receding hairline caused bygenetics and hormonal changes,
especially around menopause.
Then there's telogen effum.

(03:41):
You guys know me and my words.
I cannot pronounce these words,but you know what I'm talking
about.
It is the sudden shedding afterstress, illness, surgery, or
even rapid weight loss,including on people that are on
those GLP1 medications likeOzimpic or Wagovi.
There's alopecia areata, whichis an autoimmune condition that

(04:04):
can cause smooth bald patches.
That is what I had.
And then there's tractionalopecia, and that's caused from
tight hairstyles, extensions, orconstant tension on your hair.
When you don't know what typeyou have, it's easy to waste
months and a lot of money on thewrong solutions.

(04:26):
I once had a client who triedevery supplement and oil she
could find on Instagram, but hershedding just got worse.
When she finally saw adermatologist, it turned out to
be something that was causedfrom extreme stress after a
family loss.
Within months of addressing thestress and starting gentle care,

(04:49):
her hair stabilized.
And you know, sometimes theright diagnosis just changes
everything.
It actually just gives yourelief, too.
Here's what dermatologists sayworks and what you can start
doing today.
First and foremost, if you areconcerned about your hair
thinning, see a dermatologistfirst.

(05:12):
They will do blood work, do ascalp exam, and medical history
to help identify the type ofhair loss.
Do not, do not skip this step.
Okay.
They will probably, more thanlikely, maybe not, I don't know,
prescribe you a topicalminoxidil.

(05:32):
This is still the gold standard.
It's available in 2% and 5%.
5% works better for most women,but you have to be patient.
It usually takes about three tosix months to see any results.
And you have to continue usingit to see results.
Remember that.
Your dermatologist might alsoprescribe oral medications.

(05:56):
This can be a low-dose oralmonoxidl, it could be
phenasteride off-label, whichcan help with hormonal hair
loss, and there's a few otherthings.
And you know me, I can'tpronounce them, so I'm not going
to try to.
Then there's laser therapydevices.
Those are those at-home redlight tools like the hair max or

(06:19):
the laser cap.
It can help stimulate follicles,especially when you combine with
this with the minoxidil.
And these laser lights, they doreally work.
We used to have a red lightlaser in our salon that was a
little bit more powerful, ofcourse, than the caps and the um
combs that you can get onAmazon.

(06:39):
Um, but the ones that you canuse at home, they do still work.
You just have to be consistentand you have to do it.
Follow those directions.
You also want to look at yoursupplements.
You want to start with a goodmultivitamin and a balanced
diet.
Neutrophil and the Ami peptideshave encouraging evidence, but

(07:00):
consistency and time are key.
If you're going to do this, yougotta be consistent.
Then there's also someanti-dandruff shampoos,
surprisingly, but true.
Ingredients like zinc,pyrothione helps calm
inflammation and yeast that canworsen shedding.
Even if you don't see flakes, itcan still help your scalp

(07:22):
health.
And then there's also lifestylesupport.
You have to manage stressbecause you know cortisol spikes
can push hair into shedding.
You have to eat enough protein,iron, and vitamin D, switch up
those tight hairstyles, avoidchemical overprocessing, and
wash regularly to keep your hairfollicles clear.

(07:43):
I've walked this path too, guys.
After a particularly stressfulseason of business ownership, my
own hair felt thinner.
I had spots of balding.
My daughter at the time, shestood behind me when I was
sitting on the couch and she waslike, Ooh, mom, what is this?
And I didn't even realize it.

(08:05):
And I looked in the mirror andit was a bald spot at the back
of my head.
Then I started looking and I hadlike three or four of them.
I uh talk about confidence kill.
I was scared to death.
I mean, I really was.
Um, I did start minoxidil, Istarted eating better proteins.
Um, I actually went to thedermatologist and got some

(08:27):
actually uh steroid shots in myscalp.
I don't know if that worked ornot, but I'm just telling you,
it's amazing you will go toextremes for your hair not to
fall out.
Um and I also made sure that Iwas just giving my scalp a
clean, healthy environment byusing the right shampoos.

(08:50):
And it made a huge difference.
And yes, my hair grew back.
It took a lot, it took time.
It took, it did take time.
But hair loss can feeloverwhelming.
But understanding the why it'shappening gives you power.
And with early medical help,calling your dermatologist,
proven treatments, and healthyhair habits, you can slow or

(09:12):
even reverse many kinds ofshedding.
And if one approach doesn'twork, there's always the next
steps.
You are not out of options.
There's always something you cando.
I'd love to answer your hairloss questions in future
episodes because you might bewondering, how do I know if my
shedding is just seasonal orsomething more serious?

(09:35):
Is it safe to combine minoxidilwith labor laser caps or
supplements?
Can stress really make your hairfall out?
And how do you calm it?
These are just some of thequestions you might be having.
And if you do have questions,send them to me by email or you
can direct message me onInstagram at Denise Kylitz.

(09:56):
Um you might hear your questionon a future show.
I might answer it on a futureshow.
I I really love hearing what youguys are going through.
Um, look though, hair loss iscomplicated, but you do not have
to face it alone.
Seek a professional diagnosis,be patient with treatments, and

(10:19):
take care of your overallhealth.
There are solutions and there ishelp.
And there's hope.
So, for more education, makesure you subscribe to All About
Hair with Denise on my YouTubechannel and also follow us
wherever you listen to podcasts.
Share this with anybody you knowwho might be having or
struggling with hair loss.

(10:41):
Don't forget to go over and grabmy free hair growth protocol
sheet.
You could just type it in uhwww.deniseilets.com forward
slash thinning hair.
No space.
I'll leave the link in the shownotes.
Remember, when you know better,you do better.

(11:02):
Thanks for tuning in to AllAbout Hair.
If you loved this episode, hitsubscribe, leave us a review,
and share it with a fellowstylist or hair loving friend.
You want more tips, tools, andbehind the scenes goodness?
Follow me on YouTube or head tomy website at deniseKeilitz.com.
Yes, I know it's hard to spell,so don't worry, the link is in

(11:23):
the show notes.
Until next time, keep learning,keep creating, and keep loving
what you do.