February 16, 2025 • 50 mins
Unlock the secrets to vibrant and healthy hair as we navigate the intricate landscape of hair growth and restoration. What if you could reverse hair thinning with just a few lifestyle changes? We unravel the different phases of the hair growth cycle—anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen—and explore how hormonal shifts and health factors can influence hair vitality. Delve into the mysteries of telogen effluvium, a stress-induced condition that might be the key to understanding your hair shedding woes.
Join us as we dissect the profound connection between hormones and hair health, focusing on the impact of androgen levels, insulin resistance, and thyroid function on hair thinning and loss. Discover how stress and its accompanying hormone, cortisol, play a pivotal role in hair shedding, and learn the importance of melatonin and prolactin in maintaining hair cycles. We offer practical dietary changes and lifestyle tweaks to help balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and support hair vitality from within.
Explore a variety of cutting-edge hair restoration techniques available at Monarch Beauty and Spa, from essential oil treatments to advanced therapies like low-level light therapy and microneedling. We uncover the crucial role of maintaining a healthy scalp microbiome and the potential disruptions caused by harsh shampoos and poor diets. Learn about personalized restoration programs and supplements specifically designed to tackle hair thinning due to hormonal changes and stress. Join us on this insightful journey as we offer solutions to help you achieve luscious locks and a vibrant scalp.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Harmony Hub Health, where my mission is
to provide comprehensive,affordable, integrative care
that addresses the root cause ofhealth issues.
At the Hub, the focus is onindividual patient journeys.
I strive to optimize health,vitality and longevity,
fostering a community where eachperson can thrive in body, mind
and spirit.
(00:21):
Welcome back to another episode.
Today, I'm going to combthrough the tangled web of
health and wellness to bring youthe best tips and tricks.
(00:42):
I'm diving into a topic that'sclose to many hearts and scalps
hair restoration.
I'm so excited to bring you thebest tips and tricks.
I'm diving into a topic that'sclose to many hearts and scalps
hair restoration.
I'm so excited to bring somenew hair restoration programs to
Harmony Hub Health.
If you've ever felt like yourhair is staging a dramatic exit,
don't you worry.
I'm here to help you get to theroot of the problem.
Pun is fully intended.
Whether you're experiencing alittle thinning on top or just
(01:06):
want to add some volume to yourfabulous mane, I'll be shedding
light on the latest functionalmedicine approaches that can
help you regain that lusciouslook you've been dreaming of.
I'm going to unravel themysteries of hair health,
explore the science behind whyyour locks might be leaving you
high and dry and discuss somehair raising solutions that go
beyond just shampoo andconditioner.
(01:27):
We'll talk about nutrition,lifestyle changes and even some
surprising remedies that cantransform your tresses from
lackluster to luxurious.
So grab your hairbrush and getready to style your way to a
healthier scalp.
Let's get tangled up in a worldof hair restoration, because
life's too short to have badhair days.
So we'll start off by justgoing over the hair growth cycle
(01:51):
.
You know your hair has anatural rhythm and the first
phase is the growth phase.
This is the antigen phase.
It lasts about two to eightyears.
It is influenced by genetics,hormones and your overall health
.
This is when your hair growsactively as follicles produce
keratin that's the protein thatforms your hair strands, and
(02:12):
longer antigen phases meanfuller, thicker hair.
Hormonal changes related toestrogen, testosterone, cortisol
and thyroid impacts this phase,which was resulting in thinner
strands.
Then we have the transitionphase.
This is the catagen phase.
It lasts about two to threeweeks.
This is a brief period whenyour hair growth stops and the
(02:35):
follicles begin to shrink.
Even though it's brief, thisphase sets the stage for the
hair's natural rest and renewcycle.
Our resting phase is known asthe telogen phase.
This lasts about two to threemonths.
Your hair rests in place whilethe follicle prepares for new
growth.
Normally, about 9 to 14% ofyour hair is in this phase at
(02:57):
any given time.
Hair is more easily pulled outduring this phase, even with the
gentle traction of a hairbrushor a hair tie, for example.
The shedding phase is the exogenphase.
This is where old hairs arereleased, making room for new
growth to emerge from thefollicle.
Losing 50 to 100 hairs per dayduring this phase is common.
(03:19):
Excessive shedding of more than100 hairs per day, though, is
considered hair growthdisruption and may represent an
underlying medical condition,stress on the hair follicles or
maybe insight into variousnutritional and hormonal
imbalances.
So you want to think of yourhair like a garden.
The antigen phase is whenflowers bloom, the telogen phase
(03:42):
is the soil resting, and theexogen phase is like clearing
the soil to plant new seeds.
Next, I want to tell you abouttelogen effluvium, also known as
TE.
This is the stressed inducedshed.
This is a temporary conditionwhere hair follicles are
prematurely pushed into thetelogen or that resting phase of
the hair growth cycle.
(04:03):
This disruption results inexcessive hair shedding,
typically noticeable two tothree months after the
triggering event, and while thisdoes not cause permanent
follicle damage, it can bedistressing and significantly
impact a person's confidence.
Common triggers of TE aresurgery, illness, accidents,
(04:23):
even childbirth, can send thebody into a state of disruption,
triggering TE.
Emotional distress, like theloss of a loved one or a pet, or
a divorce, even chronic anxiety, can elevate cortisol levels
and disrupt the hair growthcycle.
You can have nutritionaldeficiencies.
Low ferritin, which is thestored form of iron in the body,
(04:44):
is a leading cause of TE, asiron is essential for hair
follicle energy production.
If you have insufficientprotein, this dietary protein
can impair keratin production,weakening the hair strands
that's one of the reasons why Ipush protein on all of my weight
loss patients and deficienciesin zinc and biotin can also
(05:06):
further weaken hair follicles.
Hormonal imbalances can causeTE.
There can be postpartum changesbecause after childbirth,
hormonal fluctuations oftencause TE and is referred to as
postpartum hair loss.
Both hypothyroidism, when youhave low thyroid levels, and
hyperthyroidism, when you havehigh thyroid levels, disrupt the
(05:28):
normal hair growth cycle andperimenopause and menopause they
just ruin your hair.
Right.
Estrogen and progesteronedeclines can exacerbate TE,
especially in women alreadypredisposed to hair loss.
Certain medications, like betablockers, that you might take
for your heart or your bloodpressure, if you take an
antidepressant or any type ofanticoagulant or blood thinner,
(05:52):
they can all interfere withfollicle cycling, leading to
shedding and, of course, acuteillness or infections.
We saw this so much whenCOVID-19 came around.
Severe infections, high feversor any type of systemic disease
are known to triggerpost-illness TE.
Different characteristics ofthis telogen effluvium are
(06:15):
diffuse shedding Hair falls outevenly across the scalp rather
than in a localized patch.
Shedding typically begins twoto three months after the
triggering event, as haircompletes its transition to the
telogen phase.
Some patients report increasedscalp tenderness, or I hear that
they have itching, and itresolves naturally, usually
(06:36):
around six to nine months, oncethe trigger is addressed,
although chronic TE may persistif the underlying factors are
not corrected.
Chronic TE may persist if theunderlying factors are not
corrected.
Next we have androgenic alopeciaA-G-A.
This is a genetic puzzle, soandrogenic alopecia is commonly
(06:59):
referred to as female patternhair loss.
It is a progressive conditioncaused by genetic and hormonal
factors.
By genetic and hormonal factors, it results in the gradual
miniaturization of hairfollicles due to increased
sensitivity to DHT ordihydrotestosterone that's a
byproduct of testosterone.
Unlike telogen effluvium, againvolves permanent follicular
changes, making earlyintervention essential for
(07:21):
preserving hair density.
Essential for preserving hairdensity.
Common triggers of androgenicalopecia the most common is a
genetic predisposition.
So a family history of AGAsignificantly increases the
likelihood of developing thiscondition.
Next is hormonal imbalances, soDHT sensitivity.
If you have elevated levels ofDHT, they bind to androgen
(07:45):
receptors in your hair folliclesand cause them to shrink over
time.
When you're in menopause, thedeclining estrogen levels reduce
the protective effects againstandrogens, which can worsen AGA.
And while AGA can begin asearly as in your 20s, it often
becomes more noticeable after 40, and that coincides with
(08:06):
perimenopausal hormonal changes.
Systemic health factors thatcan trigger it are insulin
resistance, pcos or metabolicsyndrome can also worsen
androgenic alopecia and thecharacteristics of this are a
little different.
Hair usually becomes thinnerand shorter over time,
particularly at the crown oralong the middle part line, and,
(08:30):
unlike the diffuse shedding ofTE, aga typically presents as
thinning at the temples or thecrown, with the frontal hairline
usually preserved.
And without intervention AGAcontinues to worsen as
miniaturized follicleseventually stop producing hair
altogether.
So the common root causes wehave of hair loss, as you can
(08:53):
see, are hormonal imbalances.
If you have elevatedtestosterone, if you have
hormone fluctuations duringpuberty, postpartum,
perimenopause or menopause.
If you have nutrientdeficiencies, so iron, vitamin D
, vitamin B12, magnesium, zincand protein, maybe you have a
lot of stress and inflammation,so related to systemic disease,
(09:15):
injury, illness, high fever,surgery or dermatological
conditions of the scalp,underlying medical conditions
like thyroid problems,autoimmune conditions, maybe
it's toxins of boric acid orarsenic or excess vitamin A.
Heavy metal exposure, thallium,mercury, selenium, colchicine,
(09:39):
copper, arsenic, mercury andlead are all common root causes
of hair loss.
This is one of the reasons whyI love the HTMA, because it can
show us if you have theseexposures to heavy metals, if
you've had chemotherapy or ifyou have any type of genetic and
hereditary factors.
These are all common rootcauses of hair loss.
(09:59):
So first we're going to talkabout the role of hormones in
hair health.
So first we'll talk aboutestrogen, which is our
protective hormone For women.
Estrogen supports the antigen,or the growth phase of the hair
cycle, ensuring that folliclesstay in their growth phase
longer.
It also has anti-inflammatoryeffects, shielding follicles
(10:19):
from damage caused by stress andenvironmental factors.
Remember, estrogen is ourhormone of attraction, so we
need beautiful hair so thatsomeone is attracted to us and
they want to mate with us, asestrogen does decline during
perimenopause and menopause.
That's when hair enters thetelogen or the resting phase
prematurely.
So reduced estrogen alsodiminishes its protective
(10:42):
effects against androgens likeDHT, leaving hair more
vulnerable to thinning.
Women often notice hairthinning during perimenopause or
postpartum, when estrogenlevels drop significantly.
Then we have testosterone, theDHT, the dihydrotestosterone.
That can be hard to saysometimes.
These are our androgenichormones.
(11:05):
Testosterone naturally convertsinto DHT.
That's a hormone that, when youhave an excess, can shrink your
hair follicles and shorten thegrowth phase.
Elevated testosterone in women,often associated with
conditions like PCOS,exacerbates that conversion,
leading to thinning at thetemples or the crown.
Increased DHT sensitivitycauses progressive
(11:27):
miniaturization of that hairfollicles and that causes
thinner, shorter hairs over time.
So women with PCOS or a geneticpredisposition to androgenic
alopecia are more likely toexperience DHT-driven hair loss.
Another hormone is insulin.
This is our metabolic hormone.
Insulin regulates blood sugarlevels by facilitating glucose
(11:49):
uptake into your cells.
However, chronically highinsulin levels, often seen in
insulin resistance, can disruptthis hormonal balance.
High insulin levels promoteandrogen production in the
ovaries, increasing testosteroneand its conversion to DHT.
This exacerbates hair thinningin women predisposed to
androgenic alopecia.
(12:10):
Insulin resistance alsocontributes to systemic
inflammation, which damages yourhair follicles and impairs its
ability to regenerate.
So the impact of insulinimbalance is hair thinning at
the temple and crown.
It's also associated withweight gain, sugar cravings and
scalp inflammation.
So insulin resistance oftencoexists with other conditions
(12:33):
like PCOS or metabolic syndrome,making it a key factor to
address for long-term hairhealth, and just not even for
hair, but metabolic health.
So that is why the hair programkind of does incorporate a lot
of my metabolic healthtechniques and strategies to
really help everything, not justyour hair.
(12:55):
Next we have thyroid health,which is your metabolic
regulator.
So thyroid hormones regulatecellular metabolism, which
directly impacts the hairfollicle energy and function.
A healthy thyroid supports theduration and efficiency of the
hair growth cycle.
Hypothyroidism slow thyroidalso slows your hair cycle,
leading to diffuse thinning andbrittle dry strands.
(13:17):
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, whichis an autoimmune condition, can
trigger inflammation thatdamages follicles and also
accelerates hair loss.
So any thyroid-related hairloss often appears as overall
thinning and just poor hairtexture.
Then our stress hormone, whichis cortisol.
It's produced by the adrenalglands during times of stress
(13:39):
and it plays a significant rolein the body's fight or flight
response.
Plays a significant role in thebody's fight or flight response
.
Chronic stress and elevatedcortisol disrupt the hair growth
cycle by prematurely pushingfollicles into that resting
telogen phase, leading toincreased shedding.
So high cortisol levels canalso impair the immune system,
(13:59):
increasing the likelihood ofinflammatory conditions that can
disrupt the hair growth cycle.
Telogen effluvium thatstress-induced hair shedding,
increasing the likelihood ofinflammatory conditions that can
disrupt the hair growth cycle.
Telogen effluvium thatstress-induced hair shedding is
often linked to cortisol spikesfollowing major life events,
illnesses or chronic emotionalstress.
Elevated cortisol contributesto systemic inflammation, which
damages follicles and inhibitsregrowth.
(14:21):
So the key insight there isthat chronic physical and
emotional stress can lead tocortisol elevation.
Practicing stress managementtechniques such as mindfulness,
meditation or yoga on aconsistent basis really helps
you lower those cortisol levels.
Next is melatonin, which has arole also in your hair health.
(14:42):
This is known as the sleep andgrowth hormone.
Most people know it becausethey might take it to sleep at
night, but it also hasantioxidant properties that
protects hair follicles fromoxidative stress and damage.
You'll see a lot of researchthey've been doing recently
about melatonin and anti-aging.
It does play a role inextending the antigen or the
(15:03):
growth phase of the hair cycle,particularly on the scalp.
So topical melatonin treatmentshave shown promise in improving
hair density by reducingfollicular miniaturization and
promoting healthy growth.
When you have disruptedmelatonin levels, often caused
by poor sleep or irregular lightexposure, this can shorten the
(15:24):
growth phase, or antigen phase,and lead to hair thinning or
shedding.
So maintaining regular sleeppatterns and limiting blue light
exposure before bed not onlyhelps you sleep, but it does
optimize your melatoninproduction.
The next hormone that can affectyour hair is prolactin.
This is your lactation andgrowth hormone.
It is elevated during pregnancyand lactation and can influence
(15:47):
the hair cycle by prolongingthat resting phase or the
telogen phase, and delays thereturn of the growth phase, the
antigen phase.
Chronically high prolactinlevels, which is seen in
conditions likehyperprolactinemia, may
contribute to hair thinning orshedding, as well as hirsutism,
which is abnormal hair growth onthe face, the chest, the
(16:10):
abdomen and the back in females.
So women that have highprolactin levels may experience
diffuse hair thinning, irregularperiods and reduced libido.
So if you do suspect elevatedprolactin levels, you should
come to me for a consultation sothat we can discuss hormonal
evaluation and get that straight.
(16:30):
Next, the hidden culprit of hairis inflammation because, while
inflammation is not a hormone,it is intrinsically linked to
certain hormonal imbalances.
Chronic inflammation disruptsfollicle activity.
It impairs the production ofstrong, healthy hair.
Triggers of inflammationinclude hormonal imbalances,
autoimmune disease, poor guthealth or a pro-inflammatory
(16:53):
diet.
Inflammation weakens your hairfollicles and contributes to
shedding and slows regrowth.
And reducing inflammation is acornerstone of hair restoration,
as it addresses both thesymptoms and the underlying
causes of hair thinning,improving estrogen metabolism,
since estrogen plays a criticalrole in maintaining that antigen
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or growth phase of the haircycle.
But imbalances, whether it'stoo much or too little estrogen,
can really disrupt folliclefunction.
Supporting your body's abilityto metabolize estrogen is very
essential.
So I always recommendcruciferous vegetables.
That could be broccoli,cauliflower, kale, brussel
sprouts and cabbage.
(17:38):
These vegetables do supportliver detoxification and help to
reduce excess estrogen.
You want at least one to twoservings a day to optimize
estrogen clearance.
Or you know, flax seeds rich inlignans.
Flax seeds act asphytoestrogens to gently balance
estrogen levels.
They also provide omega-3 fattyacids, which helps reduce
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inflammation.
Adding one to two tablespoonsof ground flaxseeds to smoothies
, oatmeal or yogurt is a goodidea.
But also fiber-rich foods likewhole grains, legumes and fruits
like berries, help supporthealthy digestion and assist the
body in excreting excessestrogen via the gut.
So 30 grams of fiber per dayminimum is the best, and I do
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include some recipes in my hairrestoration program.
And then we want to reduceandrogen excess, so androgens
like testosterone and DHT thatplay a significant role in hair
loss.
Dietary strategies can reduceandrogen levels and minimize
their impact on your hairfollicles.
So eating low glycemic foods tohelp stabilize blood sugar and
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preventing insulin spikes thatcan trigger excess androgen
production.
You want to focus onnon-starchy vegetables, whole
grains, legumes and healthy fats.
You want to replace white bread, pasta and sugary snacks with
quinoa, lentils or sweetpotatoes.
Saw palmetto is a botanicalextract derived from berries of
a small palm tree, and studieshave found that both oral and
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topical forms of saw palmettothat are in shampoos or serums
can improve hair density andreduce shedding in women with
androgenic alopecia.
Saw palmetto also hasanti-inflammatory effects, which
may help reduce scalpinflammation that's associated
with androgen-related hair loss.
(19:30):
Let's see what else here.
Also, spearmint tea that is onething that I've seen clinical
studies for.
It shows that spearmint tea canlower androgen levels and
reduce symptoms of hirsutism andhair thinning in women with
high testosterone.
So drinking one to two cups ofspearmint tea a day can help
regulate excess androgen levels.
Also, zinc-rich foods helpregulate androgens and support
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healthy follicles.
Good sources include pumpkinseeds, chickpeas, lean meats you
can always snack on a handfulof pumpkin seeds or add them to
your salad for an easy zincboost Omega-3 fatty acids that
are found in fatty fish likesalmon, walnuts and flax seeds
they all help support hormonalhealth and reduce inflammation.
(20:13):
So replace trans fats withmonounsaturated fats like
avocado and olive oil to improveyour insulin sensitivity.
You always also want to supportthyroid health, because your
thyroid gland regulatesmetabolism and energy production
, both of which are critical forhealthy hair growth.
Nutritional support for thyroidfunction includes minerals and
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foods that aid hormoneproduction and reduce
inflammation.
So selenium is essential forconverting inactive thyroid
hormone, t4, into that activeform, t3.
Brazil nuts are one of therichest natural sources of
selenium.
You can eat one to two Brazilnuts a day to meet your selenium
needs and iodine, which isessential for thyroid hormone
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production.
It's found in seaweed and eggsand dairy products, but you want
to avoid excessivesupplementation as it can
exacerbate thyroid dysfunction.
So you can add a small amountof iodine-rich seaweed, like
nori, to soups or salads, or useiodized salt in moderation as
an alternative source.
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And then iron Iron deficiencycan impair thyroid function and
reduce hair follicle activity.
You want to include iron-richfoods like spinach, lentils and
grass-fed beef in your diet.
So pair plant-based ironsources with vitamin C, like
citrus or bell peppers and youwill have better absorption.
You want to make sure you'redrinking enough water for
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detoxification 100 to 120 ouncesof water a day.
To support nutrient transportand detoxification, you can
always add lemon or cucumberslices.
That will add to the alkalizingbenefits, and iron deficiency
can impair thyroid function andreduce hair follicle activity.
(22:03):
You want to include iron-richfoods like spinach, lentils and
grass-fed beef in your diet.
So you always want to pairplant-based iron sources with
vitamin C to enhance thatabsorption.
That was a lot of dietaryfactors.
Now we can talk about lifestylefactors.
One is stress management,because chronic stress elevates
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cortisol, which can suppressestrogen levels and exacerbate
androgen dominance.
Practicing mindfulness, doingyoga or meditation helps.
Incorporating deep breathingexercises into your daily
routine.
I would dedicate at least 10 to15 minutes a day to stress
reducing activities.
I hope everybody can find 10minutes a day for that.
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You can also have regularexercise, because aerobic
exercise improves insulinsensitivity.
It reduces androgens andpromotes healthy estrogen levels
.
You want to aim for 150 minutesof moderate aerobic activity
per week.
That could be walking or ridinga bike and then strength
training.
(23:05):
This enhances muscle mass andinsulin regulation, which can
indirectly help balancetestosterone.
You should do resistancetraining two to three times a
week.
Another lifestyle factor isyour sleep hygiene, because poor
sleep disrupts hormonalregulation, including estrogen
and testosterone levels.
You want to maintain aconsistent sleep schedule.
(23:26):
You want to limit screen timebefore bed to support melatonin
production and try to get sevento nine hours of quality sleep
each night.
Okay, so those are more of thediet and lifestyles.
Now we could talk about othertechniques for hair loss, and a
lot of these are incorporatedinto my hair restoration
programs with Harmony Hub Health.
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And the first one is so easy todo it's just scalp massage.
Scalp massage boostscirculation.
Massaging the scalp increasesblood flow to your hair
follicles.
It delivers oxygen andessential nutrients to support
growth, but it also helps reducescalp tightness, which can
restrict blood supply and hinderfollicle function.
It facilitates deeperpenetration of topical
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treatments such as oils orserums, and studies do show that
the mechanical forces appliedto the scalp during massage
alters the expression of haircycle-related genes, which may
lead to increased hair thickness.
I do give some good techniquesfor scalp massage in my programs
.
There even are some tools thatcome with the program.
(24:34):
You know you can use a siliconebrush or a handheld scalp
massager.
Some of you have used, or hadme use, a scalp massager during
your facials at Monarch Beautyand Spa, but it maintains
consistent pressure and avoidshand fatigue.
When you use these tools youjust want to make sure that
they're sanitized before andafter each use, and at Monarch
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Beauty and Spa we do have theHead Spa which is part of some
of my hair restoration programs.
You can also combine scalpmassage with essential oils.
There's a few essential oilswith proven benefits.
One of the most popular isrosemary oil, because it
improves circulation andstimulates follicles and has
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been shown to be as effective asminoxidil, which is an FDA
approved medication for hairloss.
Peppermint oil can promoteblood flow and provides a
cooling effect.
Tea tree oil does reducedandruff and soothe scalp
irritation, and then pumpkinseed oil can reduce effects of
excess androgens.
You just want to mix two tothree drops of an essential oil
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with a carrier oil like coconutor argan oil, and then you want
to massage the mixture into thescalp.
You can leave it on for about30 minutes and then wash it out,
but consistency is key.
Regular scalp massage can yieldnoticeable improvements in
scalp health and hair densityover time.
Another therapy that is in thehair restoration program is
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low-level light therapy, alsoknown as LLLT.
It's a clinically proven, fdaapproved treatment for hair
thinning.
It's really effective forandrogenic alopecia.
It uses red and near infraredlight to rejuvenate hair
follicles and stimulate growth.
So the LLLT penetrates thescalp, increasing ATP production
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in the hair follicle cells,boosting energy for hair growth.
It prolongs that antigen orgrowth phase and delays follicle
miniaturization.
It also reduces follicularinflammation, which can impede
the hair growth.
They also do make laser capsand helmets that I've seen.
What I have at the office is alaser comb, so it's suitable for
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targeted areas, but it doesrequire manual use.
One of my hair restorationprograms does come with one to
use at home because typicallyyou want to use it for six to 20
minutes.
I think the one that I use hasan eight minute timer, but you
want to use it three to fivetimes a week.
So it's a great home treatmentand results typically appear
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after four to six months ofconsistent use.
Some people even use red lighttherapy because it uses specific
wavelengths, usually 630 to 660nanometers to penetrate the
scalp and stimulate thosefollicles and reduce
inflammation.
And while it's similar to LLLT,red light therapy often focuses
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on overall scalp health ratherthan solely hair regrowth.
So it improves energyproduction and follicle cells,
it supports their growth andtheir function, it minimizes
that oxidative stress which is akey contributor to follicle
damage, and it creates anenvironment conducive to hair
growth by reducing irritationand boosting circulation.
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Both therapies use light.
I do find the LLLT they'retypically more focused on
follicular stimulation, whilered light therapy is more of a
broader anti-inflammatorybenefit.
So that's why I put the LLTcomb in one of my hair
restoration programs.
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But the red light can help withreduced itching and flaking if
you have any type of dermatitisto the scalp, and it does
enhance the effectiveness ofother topical treatments by
preparing the scalp.
Next would be microneedling.
This is something that I dooffer in person at Monarch
Beauty and Spa.
It is minimally invasive.
(28:34):
It creates controlledmicroinjuries on the scalp and
the microinjuries trigger yourbody's natural healing processes
, stimulating collagenproduction and improving the
efficacy of topical treatments.
So it does boost collagen, itenhances scalp elasticity and it
strengthens that follicularenvironment.
You create little channels fordeeper penetration of treatments
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like minoxidil or PRP.
Microneedling stimulates bloodflow to those hair follicles and
the microinjuries that arecreated during microneedling
recruits some stem cells andgrowth factors to stimulate the
hair growth cycle.
Microneedling has been shown tobe effective treatment for AGA
and TE forms of hair loss andthinning.
(29:20):
They do have some at-homedevices.
The needle length is typicallyshorter than professional
treatments like I offer in theoffice.
My microneedle can go twomillimeters or deeper for a
significant follicle activation.
So you only need to do thattreatment every four to six
(29:41):
weeks, whereas the home devicesusually like the nano needles,
they go only 0.25.
I think the highest I've seenis 0.5.
So you can use that weekly.
So it's ideal for improvingproduct absorption and mild
stimulation to the scalp.
But you definitely don't wantto use a home tool more than
once a week and you want to makesure you really sanitize it
(30:02):
before and after to preventinfection and avoid overuse.
It can be something that youjust get so excited to use, but
if you irritate your scalp toomuch you can delay healing.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy Ioffer that at Monarch Beauty and
Spa as well.
It really harnesses theregenerative power of platelets
(30:22):
extracted from your own blood torejuvenate hair follicles, so
it's particularly effective forandrogenic alopecia and early
stage hair thinning.
So platelets are rich in growthfactors like vascular
endothelial growth factor,epidermal growth factor, insulin
related growth factor andfibroblast growth factors that
(30:43):
stimulate follicle activity,increase blood flow and improve
hair density density.
So what I do is I draw bloodfrom your arm and then I
separate the platelets using acentrifuge and the concentrated
platelet-rich plasma is theninjected with a small needle
into the scalp.
I can even combine this withthe microneedling or I can just
(31:04):
use a syringe with needle toinject this into your scalp.
The initial phase is onesession a month for three to
four months and then maintenanceis usually every four to six
months.
Other treatments that are beingoffered are minoxidil.
This is an FDA approvedtreatment that stimulates hair
regrowth and prevents furtherhair loss.
It works by improving bloodflow to your scalp, delivering
(31:27):
essential nutrients and oxygento hair follicles and prolonging
that growth phase of the haircycle, the antigen phase.
So you can take it as an oralmedication or I do use a
solution and a foam for at home.
You can either take the pill oryou can apply it to your scalp
(31:47):
once or twice a day, dependingon the concentration.
Usually you can seeimprovements after three to six
months of consistent use, withfull benefit seen after 12
months.
What people don't usually likeabout Minoxidil is there is an
initial shedding that can occurin the first four to eight weeks
because older hairs arereplaced with new growth and
(32:08):
some users can experience a mildscalp irritation.
Minoxidil does require ongoinguse to maintain results, so if
you stop it then it will resultin a return to the pre-treatment
state within a few months.
Another pharmaceutical isfinasteride.
This is FDA-approved oralmedication that targets hormonal
causes of hair loss by reducingthat production of DHT, that's
(32:32):
the hormone linked to hairfollicle miniaturization and
androgenic alopecia.
So this blocks the enzyme5-alpha reductase to lower DHT
levels and protect your hairfollicles.
You take it as a daily dosethat is prescribed, and it slows
hair loss and promotes regrowthand thinning areas, with
noticeable improvementstypically seen after three to
(32:54):
six months.
Some patients can experiencedecreased libido or breast
tenderness, which usuallyreverses when you discontinue it
.
This is not suitable forpregnant women or those who may
want to become pregnant, becauseit can cause birth defects, and
it usually is most effectivewhen combined with other
treatments like minoxidil orhaving PRP.
(33:15):
You can take saw palmetto.
Again, this also inhibits5-alpha reductase, the enzyme
that converts testosterone intoDHT.
It is the key hormoneresponsible for follicle
miniaturization and androgenicalopecia, but studies show that
it can reduce hair loss andimprove density, with effects
(33:37):
similar to finasteride, in somecases with fewer side effects.
So it's really effective forindividuals with DHT-related
hair loss, and I have a wholelist of different supplements
for hair restoration, like GotuKola or Indian Gooseberry or Red
Clover or Pumpkin Seed Oil.
(33:59):
Pan-x Ginseng is good for hairrestoration, even green tea,
which I'm not going to gothrough all of them in horsetail
, but these are ones that I talkabout in my hair restoration
assessments.
Other key nutrients that youneed for hair growth would be B7
, also known as biotin.
So this is vital for keratinproduction and strengthening
(34:21):
hair strands and reducingbrittleness.
You can take that as asupplement.
You can eat more eggs, nutsseeds you can take that as a
supplement.
You can eat more eggs, nutsseeds and sweet potatoes.
I also have it available as aninjection or as an IV infusion.
Zinc facilitates DNA synthesisand follicle repair, preventing
weak or brittle hair.
You can get that in pumpkinseeds, chickpeas, lentils and
(34:44):
oysters.
Iron is what delivers oxygen tohair follicles and it's
essential for maintaining yourgrowth cycles.
And then again, the omega-3fatty acids help to reduce scalp
inflammation and improvefollicle hydration and
elasticity.
And don't forget the othervitamins, like vitamin D, which
stimulates dormant hairfollicles and promotes active
(35:06):
hair cycling.
All of the B vitamins B1, 2, 6,and 12, all improve red blood
cell production and oxygendelivery to follicles.
Vitamin E protects hairfollicles from oxidative damage
and improves circulation to thescalp.
Selenium protects againstoxidative stress and follicles
(35:26):
and supports thyroid hormoneproduction, critical for hair
health.
There also are amino acids thatare the building blocks of hair
, like L-proline, l-leucine,l-lysine, l-cysteine and
methionine, which I talk aboutat my hair consultations, and
then just antioxidants.
(35:46):
So vitamin C helps protect hairfollicles from oxidative stress
by neutralizing free radicals.
Coq10 also promotes energyproduction at the cellular level
, vital for follicle health.
But I don't want you to go outand think you have to get all of
these different things.
This is why it's a good thingto have a hair restoration
consultation, so that you don'tjust take random things.
(36:09):
You take what is going to helpyou.
The best.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a verypotent antioxidant that combats
free radicals and reducesinflammation.
It also supports mitochondrialfunction, which is needed for
cellular energy and folliclecells.
Acetyl L-carnitine I can go onand on.
(36:29):
Resveratrol these are allthings that I talk about when we
go over your base nutrition andyour supplements.
Niacinamide or vitamin B3 isalso very good for improving
blood flow to hair follicles.
Nac is a precursor toglutathione, which is one of the
body's most powerfulantioxidants.
(36:50):
Nad, which is my number onefavorite injectable right now.
It does support cellular energy, essential for active hair
follicles, and it combatsfollicle aging by reducing
oxidative damage andinflammation.
And then glutathione, like Isaid, is the master antioxidant
(37:10):
that protects hair folliclesfrom oxidative stress and
environmental toxins.
It does detoxify the scalp andsupport overall scalp health.
You can get that from food likeasparagus, spinach, avocados
and walnuts.
It is produced naturally in thebody, but you need all of the
amino acids to form that thatmost people lack and you stop
(37:31):
making as you age.
It can also be supplemented.
I have liposomal glutathionespray at Monarch Beauty and Spa.
I do have injectable and I dohave infusion.
Other things that can affectyour hair health would be leaky
gut syndrome.
So the walls of your intestinesare lined with tight junctions
that act as a barrier,selectively allowing nutrients,
(37:54):
water and beneficial compoundsto pass into the bloodstream
while blocking harmfulsubstances like toxins,
pathogens and undigested food.
Particles Yuck.
When these tight junctionsbecome compromised, they leak,
allowing those harmfulsubstances to enter your
bloodstream and this sets off awhole chain reaction of immune
responses and inflammation.
So when toxins and pathogensenter your bloodstream, the
(38:17):
immune system launches thisinflammatory response.
Chronic inflammation damagesyour hair follicles and disrupts
their ability to grow strong,healthy hair, and it may push
your follicles into that telogenor resting phase prematurely,
which leads to hair shedding.
So when you have leaky gut, youdo have nutrient deficiencies,
(38:38):
because a compromised gut liningreduces the absorption of
essential nutrients like thatbiotin, zinc, iron and amino
acids, all vital for hair growthand follicle repair.
And gut inflammation alsodisrupts hormone balance by
increasing your cortisol levelsand impairing estrogen
metabolism, both whichnegatively impact your hair
(38:59):
growth.
You would know you have leakygut because you might have
digestive symptoms like bloatinggas, diarrhea, constipation or
abdominal discomfort.
Like bloating gas, diarrhea,constipation or abdominal
discomfort, you might have skinissues like eczema, acne,
rosacea or psoriasis.
You can have systemic symptomslike fatigue, brain fog, joint
(39:19):
pain and frequent infections.
Hair and scalp issues so that'sthe diffused hair thinning,
increased shedding and anunhealthy scalp, environment,
food sensitivities these areincreased sensitivity or
reactions to foods that werepreviously well tolerated.
Usually, gluten or dairy are thebig offenders, and other common
(39:41):
causes of leaky gut are dietaryfactors.
If you eat too much refinedsugars, too much processed foods
, too much gluten and dairy andthen don't have enough fiber,
fiber starves beneficial gutbacteria, reducing their
protective effects.
If you're insufficient withfiber, deficiencies in zinc,
(40:03):
vitamin D and omega-3 weakenyour gut lining and if you're
using long-term medications likeNSAIDs they damage your
intestinal lining.
Antibiotics kill off beneficialbacteria and steroids suppress
your immune function andincrease that leakiness of your
gut.
Common causes of leaky gut arechronic stress, overuse of
(40:26):
alcohol and just having gutdysbiosis.
That's the imbalance of gutbacteria often caused by poor
diet, stress or medications, andit leads to reduced production
of protective short-chain fattyacids like butyrate.
Um the impact of on hairfollicles from healthy gut
(40:48):
because you're wondering whyyou're going through all of this
stuff.
I know you have another podcaston that um, but hair follicles
are highly sensitive toinflammatory signals triggered
by leaky gut, which canaccelerate hair shedding and
slow regrowth.
And even if your diet is richin nutrients and you say, oh, I
eat, you know x, y and z.
(41:09):
A leaky gut prevents optimalabsorption and it starves hair
follicles of the building blocksthey need for growth.
And most people don't know it.
But your scalp has its ownmicrobiome and the scalp
microbiome is a unique anddiverse community of
microorganisms that live on thescalp surface.
So, just like your gutmicrobiome, it forms a
(41:30):
protective barrier and interactswith the body to maintain
healthy functioning.
So the functions of the scalpmicrobiome number one it's
protection against harmfulpathogens.
Beneficial microbes prevent theovergrowth of harmful bacteria
and fungi that can causeinfections and inflammation.
I have had to use, you know,ketoconazole for shampoos for
(41:52):
people that do have a little bitof fungal overgrowth on the
scalp that they had no idea.
That's why I do a thoroughscalp evaluation at your
consultation and maintenance ofpH balance and oil production.
So the microbiome does regulatesebum production and helps
maintain an acidic pH whichprevents pathogenic growth.
And a balanced microbiomenourishes hair follicles,
(42:15):
reducing inflammation andsupporting hair growth.
So a healthy microbiome isequal to optimal hair growth.
I wasn't going to.
I could keep going on and onabout inflammation, but signs of
an imbalanced scalp microbiomecould be dry, flaky scalp or
(42:36):
persistent dandruff.
White or yellow flakes mightindicate an overgrowth of yeast
or fungi, and that's when Iwould prescribe a medicated
shampoo for you.
If you have excessive oilinessor a scalp odor, that means you
could have an imbalance in sebumproduction, which can lead to
greasy hair that makes anunpleasant smell.
(42:57):
Inflammation from themicrobiome disruption also can
cause discomfort and visibleirritation and can give you
itchiness, redness or just a lotof irritation, and chronic
scalp inflammation does weakenyour hair follicles, leading to
accelerated shedding.
(43:17):
Other ways that you can causeyour scalp microbiome to be
imbalanced would be over-washingyour hair, because you're
stripping natural oils that canweaken the scalp's barrier and
disturb microbial balance.
Or using a very harsh shampoo.
There's a lot of shampoos outthere with a lot of harmful
chemicals.
Frequent use of hair products,so products that have silicone,
sulfates or parabens they canclog your pores and promote
(43:40):
microbial imbalance.
If you have a poor diet ornutrient deficiencies, like the
zinc, biotin and omega-3, thatcan weaken your scalp's natural
defenses.
If your environment is full ofpollution or hard water, or
there's toxins that alter yourscalp microbiome, and then again
elevated cortisol levels andhormonal shifts can increase
(44:03):
inflammation and disrupt thatmicrobial diversity.
Hair growth is dependent on awell-regulated cycle that
includes active growth antigenand the transition phase, the
catagen and the resting telogenphases.
Chronic inflammation interfereswith this cycle, causing hair
(44:23):
follicles to spend less time inthe antigen phase and more time
in the telogen phase, whereshedding occurs.
Over time, inflammation damagesthe follicle environment, it
weakens the hair shaft and itslows regrowth.
Inflammatory scalp conditionscan further exacerbate hair loss
(44:43):
, including folliculitis.
This is the inflammation ofhair follicles, including, you
know, folliculitis.
This is the inflammation ofhair follicles.
Psoriasis is an autoimmunecondition of the skin and scalp
resulting in thickened skinplaques and these conditions
that with you know, seborrheicdermatitis, which is that
redness and flaking.
They just create a viciouscycle where inflammation damages
(45:05):
the follicles, leading toshedding, which then perpetuates
inflammation.
And then there's non-celiacgluten sensitivity.
It's a condition characterizedby an immune reaction to gluten
that does not involve theintestinal damage seen in celiac
disease, but it can stilltrigger systemic inflammation
impacting various systems in thebody, including your scalp and
the hair, your scalp and thehair.
(45:35):
I'm just going to spare you guys, because I still had more notes
here about nutrients thatcombat inflammation and foods
that combat inflammation,lifestyle.
I could go on for days and Ifeel like I've already talked
your ear off.
Um, this goes more about stress.
I really made a list here ofthings to talk about, but at
(45:57):
this point um, I know I've saida lot of that toxins I go over
during the consultation, how toreplace toxins, and when you
sign up for a hair restorationprogram, you do get a 16-week
course and all of these thingsthat I'm saying is gonna come to
you weekly so that you canfollow along and kind of improve
(46:22):
your hair health while we dodifferent strategies that we
pick, customize just for you.
I do not have aone-size-fits-all hair
restoration program.
I do have multiple tiers, buteach tier can be customized
exactly to what your body needs.
One of the things I'm mostexcited about is the Nutrafol
Women's Balance that I havebrought to Monarch Beauty and
(46:44):
Spa.
Nutrafol Women's Balance is adietary supplement specifically
formulated to support hairgrowth in women experiencing
menopause or hormonal changes,and it addresses the underlying
causes of hair thinning and lossassociated with aging, hormonal
fluctuations and environmentalfactors.
It has botanical extracts.
It has ashwagandha, which is anadaptogen that helps combat
(47:07):
stress, which can negativelyimpact hair health.
It has curcumin, which isderived from turmeric.
It has anti-inflammatoryproperties that may improve
scalp health.
It does have that saw palmetto,which is known to inhibit the
production of DHT.
It has the biotin, the zinc,the vitamin E.
It has collagen, the zinc, thevitamin E, it has collagen.
(47:32):
This supplement for most peoplecan be their main nutritional
supplement, their vitamin forthe day.
And, you know, the supplementdoes target hormonal
fluctuations that can lead tohair thinning and it helps
create a favorable environmentfor hair growth.
And it helps with stressreduction, with the ashwagandha,
which may positively influencehair health.
(47:53):
Other treatments that are inthe programs I have many
different scalp treatments.
I have one that is a mixture ofazelaic acid, estradi,
progesterone, leothyronine.
I have one that's biotin,biotin, minoxidil, tretinoin,
vitamin E and fluacinolone.
(48:15):
I have a minoxidil, finasteride, tretinoin.
I mean I have so many differentcompounded, ready-to-go hair
treatments that can meet everyneed.
And this is where we change thegame.
You know, instead of that onesize fits all approach, my new
programs provide a comprehensiveanalysis and targeted treatment
plan.
So we'll start with advancedtesting to get a full picture of
(48:37):
what's going on in your bodyand from there we tailor a
solution that might include theNutrafol, the finasteride, the
minoxidil, maybe evenprogesterone treatments.
But we don't stop there.
We also focus on internalhealing, because your hair is a
reflection of what's happeninginside your body.
So we can optimize yournutrition, regulate your
(48:59):
hormones and detoxify yoursystem for lasting results.
So if you've been thinking aboutaddressing your hair loss, now
is the time to act.
Hair regrowth is a gradualprocess and starting early gives
you the best chance for success.
By investing in your hairhealth now, you can see fuller,
stronger hair in the months tocome.
And here's the best part theseprograms are tailored just for
(49:21):
you.
Whether you're dealing withpostpartum shedding, age-related
thinning, chronic hair loss,I'll create a plan that meets
your unique needs.
So if you're ready to takecontrol of your hair health,
let's ditch the frustration andget to the root cause of hair
loss together.
To learn more about my newholistic hair restoration
programs, book a consultationtoday.
(49:42):
You can visitwwwharmonyhubhealthcom or you
can visit my Facebook page,harmony Hub Health.
You can also come to MonarchBeauty and Spa and have an
in-person consultation.
Thank you for tuning intoHarmony Hub Health.
If you love this episode, besure to subscribe and share it
with your friends.
Until next time, take care ofyourself inside and out.
Welcome to Harmony Hub Health, where my mission is
to provide comprehensive,affordable, integrative care
that addresses the root cause ofhealth issues.
At the Hub, the focus is onindividual patient journeys.
I strive to optimize health,vitality and longevity,
fostering a community where eachperson can thrive in body, mind
and spirit.
(00:21):
Welcome back to another episode.
Today, I'm going to combthrough the tangled web of
health and wellness to bring youthe best tips and tricks.
(00:42):
I'm diving into a topic that'sclose to many hearts and scalps
hair restoration.
I'm so excited to bring you thebest tips and tricks.
I'm diving into a topic that'sclose to many hearts and scalps
hair restoration.
I'm so excited to bring somenew hair restoration programs to
Harmony Hub Health.
If you've ever felt like yourhair is staging a dramatic exit,
don't you worry.
I'm here to help you get to theroot of the problem.
Pun is fully intended.
Whether you're experiencing alittle thinning on top or just
(01:06):
want to add some volume to yourfabulous mane, I'll be shedding
light on the latest functionalmedicine approaches that can
help you regain that lusciouslook you've been dreaming of.
I'm going to unravel themysteries of hair health,
explore the science behind whyyour locks might be leaving you
high and dry and discuss somehair raising solutions that go
beyond just shampoo andconditioner.
(01:27):
We'll talk about nutrition,lifestyle changes and even some
surprising remedies that cantransform your tresses from
lackluster to luxurious.
So grab your hairbrush and getready to style your way to a
healthier scalp.
Let's get tangled up in a worldof hair restoration, because
life's too short to have badhair days.
So we'll start off by justgoing over the hair growth cycle
(01:51):
.
You know your hair has anatural rhythm and the first
phase is the growth phase.
This is the antigen phase.
It lasts about two to eightyears.
It is influenced by genetics,hormones and your overall health
.
This is when your hair growsactively as follicles produce
keratin that's the protein thatforms your hair strands, and
(02:12):
longer antigen phases meanfuller, thicker hair.
Hormonal changes related toestrogen, testosterone, cortisol
and thyroid impacts this phase,which was resulting in thinner
strands.
Then we have the transitionphase.
This is the catagen phase.
It lasts about two to threeweeks.
This is a brief period whenyour hair growth stops and the
(02:35):
follicles begin to shrink.
Even though it's brief, thisphase sets the stage for the
hair's natural rest and renewcycle.
Our resting phase is known asthe telogen phase.
This lasts about two to threemonths.
Your hair rests in place whilethe follicle prepares for new
growth.
Normally, about 9 to 14% ofyour hair is in this phase at
(02:57):
any given time.
Hair is more easily pulled outduring this phase, even with the
gentle traction of a hairbrushor a hair tie, for example.
The shedding phase is the exogenphase.
This is where old hairs arereleased, making room for new
growth to emerge from thefollicle.
Losing 50 to 100 hairs per dayduring this phase is common.
(03:19):
Excessive shedding of more than100 hairs per day, though, is
considered hair growthdisruption and may represent an
underlying medical condition,stress on the hair follicles or
maybe insight into variousnutritional and hormonal
imbalances.
So you want to think of yourhair like a garden.
The antigen phase is whenflowers bloom, the telogen phase
(03:42):
is the soil resting, and theexogen phase is like clearing
the soil to plant new seeds.
Next, I want to tell you abouttelogen effluvium, also known as
TE.
This is the stressed inducedshed.
This is a temporary conditionwhere hair follicles are
prematurely pushed into thetelogen or that resting phase of
the hair growth cycle.
(04:03):
This disruption results inexcessive hair shedding,
typically noticeable two tothree months after the
triggering event, and while thisdoes not cause permanent
follicle damage, it can bedistressing and significantly
impact a person's confidence.
Common triggers of TE aresurgery, illness, accidents,
(04:23):
even childbirth, can send thebody into a state of disruption,
triggering TE.
Emotional distress, like theloss of a loved one or a pet, or
a divorce, even chronic anxiety, can elevate cortisol levels
and disrupt the hair growthcycle.
You can have nutritionaldeficiencies.
Low ferritin, which is thestored form of iron in the body,
(04:44):
is a leading cause of TE, asiron is essential for hair
follicle energy production.
If you have insufficientprotein, this dietary protein
can impair keratin production,weakening the hair strands
that's one of the reasons why Ipush protein on all of my weight
loss patients and deficienciesin zinc and biotin can also
(05:06):
further weaken hair follicles.
Hormonal imbalances can causeTE.
There can be postpartum changesbecause after childbirth,
hormonal fluctuations oftencause TE and is referred to as
postpartum hair loss.
Both hypothyroidism, when youhave low thyroid levels, and
hyperthyroidism, when you havehigh thyroid levels, disrupt the
(05:28):
normal hair growth cycle andperimenopause and menopause they
just ruin your hair.
Right.
Estrogen and progesteronedeclines can exacerbate TE,
especially in women alreadypredisposed to hair loss.
Certain medications, like betablockers, that you might take
for your heart or your bloodpressure, if you take an
antidepressant or any type ofanticoagulant or blood thinner,
(05:52):
they can all interfere withfollicle cycling, leading to
shedding and, of course, acuteillness or infections.
We saw this so much whenCOVID-19 came around.
Severe infections, high feversor any type of systemic disease
are known to triggerpost-illness TE.
Different characteristics ofthis telogen effluvium are
(06:15):
diffuse shedding Hair falls outevenly across the scalp rather
than in a localized patch.
Shedding typically begins twoto three months after the
triggering event, as haircompletes its transition to the
telogen phase.
Some patients report increasedscalp tenderness, or I hear that
they have itching, and itresolves naturally, usually
(06:36):
around six to nine months, oncethe trigger is addressed,
although chronic TE may persistif the underlying factors are
not corrected.
Chronic TE may persist if theunderlying factors are not
corrected.
Next we have androgenic alopeciaA-G-A.
This is a genetic puzzle, soandrogenic alopecia is commonly
(06:59):
referred to as female patternhair loss.
It is a progressive conditioncaused by genetic and hormonal
factors.
By genetic and hormonal factors, it results in the gradual
miniaturization of hairfollicles due to increased
sensitivity to DHT ordihydrotestosterone that's a
byproduct of testosterone.
Unlike telogen effluvium, againvolves permanent follicular
changes, making earlyintervention essential for
(07:21):
preserving hair density.
Essential for preserving hairdensity.
Common triggers of androgenicalopecia the most common is a
genetic predisposition.
So a family history of AGAsignificantly increases the
likelihood of developing thiscondition.
Next is hormonal imbalances, soDHT sensitivity.
If you have elevated levels ofDHT, they bind to androgen
(07:45):
receptors in your hair folliclesand cause them to shrink over
time.
When you're in menopause, thedeclining estrogen levels reduce
the protective effects againstandrogens, which can worsen AGA.
And while AGA can begin asearly as in your 20s, it often
becomes more noticeable after 40, and that coincides with
(08:06):
perimenopausal hormonal changes.
Systemic health factors thatcan trigger it are insulin
resistance, pcos or metabolicsyndrome can also worsen
androgenic alopecia and thecharacteristics of this are a
little different.
Hair usually becomes thinnerand shorter over time,
particularly at the crown oralong the middle part line, and,
(08:30):
unlike the diffuse shedding ofTE, aga typically presents as
thinning at the temples or thecrown, with the frontal hairline
usually preserved.
And without intervention AGAcontinues to worsen as
miniaturized follicleseventually stop producing hair
altogether.
So the common root causes wehave of hair loss, as you can
(08:53):
see, are hormonal imbalances.
If you have elevatedtestosterone, if you have
hormone fluctuations duringpuberty, postpartum,
perimenopause or menopause.
If you have nutrientdeficiencies, so iron, vitamin D
, vitamin B12, magnesium, zincand protein, maybe you have a
lot of stress and inflammation,so related to systemic disease,
(09:15):
injury, illness, high fever,surgery or dermatological
conditions of the scalp,underlying medical conditions
like thyroid problems,autoimmune conditions, maybe
it's toxins of boric acid orarsenic or excess vitamin A.
Heavy metal exposure, thallium,mercury, selenium, colchicine,
(09:39):
copper, arsenic, mercury andlead are all common root causes
of hair loss.
This is one of the reasons whyI love the HTMA, because it can
show us if you have theseexposures to heavy metals, if
you've had chemotherapy or ifyou have any type of genetic and
hereditary factors.
These are all common rootcauses of hair loss.
(09:59):
So first we're going to talkabout the role of hormones in
hair health.
So first we'll talk aboutestrogen, which is our
protective hormone For women.
Estrogen supports the antigen,or the growth phase of the hair
cycle, ensuring that folliclesstay in their growth phase
longer.
It also has anti-inflammatoryeffects, shielding follicles
(10:19):
from damage caused by stress andenvironmental factors.
Remember, estrogen is ourhormone of attraction, so we
need beautiful hair so thatsomeone is attracted to us and
they want to mate with us, asestrogen does decline during
perimenopause and menopause.
That's when hair enters thetelogen or the resting phase
prematurely.
So reduced estrogen alsodiminishes its protective
(10:42):
effects against androgens likeDHT, leaving hair more
vulnerable to thinning.
Women often notice hairthinning during perimenopause or
postpartum, when estrogenlevels drop significantly.
Then we have testosterone, theDHT, the dihydrotestosterone.
That can be hard to saysometimes.
These are our androgenichormones.
(11:05):
Testosterone naturally convertsinto DHT.
That's a hormone that, when youhave an excess, can shrink your
hair follicles and shorten thegrowth phase.
Elevated testosterone in women,often associated with
conditions like PCOS,exacerbates that conversion,
leading to thinning at thetemples or the crown.
Increased DHT sensitivitycauses progressive
(11:27):
miniaturization of that hairfollicles and that causes
thinner, shorter hairs over time.
So women with PCOS or a geneticpredisposition to androgenic
alopecia are more likely toexperience DHT-driven hair loss.
Another hormone is insulin.
This is our metabolic hormone.
Insulin regulates blood sugarlevels by facilitating glucose
(11:49):
uptake into your cells.
However, chronically highinsulin levels, often seen in
insulin resistance, can disruptthis hormonal balance.
High insulin levels promoteandrogen production in the
ovaries, increasing testosteroneand its conversion to DHT.
This exacerbates hair thinningin women predisposed to
androgenic alopecia.
(12:10):
Insulin resistance alsocontributes to systemic
inflammation, which damages yourhair follicles and impairs its
ability to regenerate.
So the impact of insulinimbalance is hair thinning at
the temple and crown.
It's also associated withweight gain, sugar cravings and
scalp inflammation.
So insulin resistance oftencoexists with other conditions
(12:33):
like PCOS or metabolic syndrome,making it a key factor to
address for long-term hairhealth, and just not even for
hair, but metabolic health.
So that is why the hair programkind of does incorporate a lot
of my metabolic healthtechniques and strategies to
really help everything, not justyour hair.
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Next we have thyroid health,which is your metabolic
regulator.
So thyroid hormones regulatecellular metabolism, which
directly impacts the hairfollicle energy and function.
A healthy thyroid supports theduration and efficiency of the
hair growth cycle.
Hypothyroidism slow thyroidalso slows your hair cycle,
leading to diffuse thinning andbrittle dry strands.
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Hashimoto's thyroiditis, whichis an autoimmune condition, can
trigger inflammation thatdamages follicles and also
accelerates hair loss.
So any thyroid-related hairloss often appears as overall
thinning and just poor hairtexture.
Then our stress hormone, whichis cortisol.
It's produced by the adrenalglands during times of stress
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and it plays a significant rolein the body's fight or flight
response.
Plays a significant role in thebody's fight or flight response
.
Chronic stress and elevatedcortisol disrupt the hair growth
cycle by prematurely pushingfollicles into that resting
telogen phase, leading toincreased shedding.
So high cortisol levels canalso impair the immune system,
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increasing the likelihood ofinflammatory conditions that can
disrupt the hair growth cycle.
Telogen effluvium thatstress-induced hair shedding,
increasing the likelihood ofinflammatory conditions that can
disrupt the hair growth cycle.
Telogen effluvium thatstress-induced hair shedding is
often linked to cortisol spikesfollowing major life events,
illnesses or chronic emotionalstress.
Elevated cortisol contributesto systemic inflammation, which
damages follicles and inhibitsregrowth.
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So the key insight there isthat chronic physical and
emotional stress can lead tocortisol elevation.
Practicing stress managementtechniques such as mindfulness,
meditation or yoga on aconsistent basis really helps
you lower those cortisol levels.
Next is melatonin, which has arole also in your hair health.
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This is known as the sleep andgrowth hormone.
Most people know it becausethey might take it to sleep at
night, but it also hasantioxidant properties that
protects hair follicles fromoxidative stress and damage.
You'll see a lot of researchthey've been doing recently
about melatonin and anti-aging.
It does play a role inextending the antigen or the
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growth phase of the hair cycle,particularly on the scalp.
So topical melatonin treatmentshave shown promise in improving
hair density by reducingfollicular miniaturization and
promoting healthy growth.
When you have disruptedmelatonin levels, often caused
by poor sleep or irregular lightexposure, this can shorten the
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growth phase, or antigen phase,and lead to hair thinning or
shedding.
So maintaining regular sleeppatterns and limiting blue light
exposure before bed not onlyhelps you sleep, but it does
optimize your melatoninproduction.
The next hormone that can affectyour hair is prolactin.
This is your lactation andgrowth hormone.
It is elevated during pregnancyand lactation and can influence
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the hair cycle by prolongingthat resting phase or the
telogen phase, and delays thereturn of the growth phase, the
antigen phase.
Chronically high prolactinlevels, which is seen in
conditions likehyperprolactinemia, may
contribute to hair thinning orshedding, as well as hirsutism,
which is abnormal hair growth onthe face, the chest, the
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abdomen and the back in females.
So women that have highprolactin levels may experience
diffuse hair thinning, irregularperiods and reduced libido.
So if you do suspect elevatedprolactin levels, you should
come to me for a consultation sothat we can discuss hormonal
evaluation and get that straight.
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Next, the hidden culprit of hairis inflammation because, while
inflammation is not a hormone,it is intrinsically linked to
certain hormonal imbalances.
Chronic inflammation disruptsfollicle activity.
It impairs the production ofstrong, healthy hair.
Triggers of inflammationinclude hormonal imbalances,
autoimmune disease, poor guthealth or a pro-inflammatory
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diet.
Inflammation weakens your hairfollicles and contributes to
shedding and slows regrowth.
And reducing inflammation is acornerstone of hair restoration,
as it addresses both thesymptoms and the underlying
causes of hair thinning,improving estrogen metabolism,
since estrogen plays a criticalrole in maintaining that antigen
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or growth phase of the haircycle.
But imbalances, whether it'stoo much or too little estrogen,
can really disrupt folliclefunction.
Supporting your body's abilityto metabolize estrogen is very
essential.
So I always recommendcruciferous vegetables.
That could be broccoli,cauliflower, kale, brussel
sprouts and cabbage.
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These vegetables do supportliver detoxification and help to
reduce excess estrogen.
You want at least one to twoservings a day to optimize
estrogen clearance.
Or you know, flax seeds rich inlignans.
Flax seeds act asphytoestrogens to gently balance
estrogen levels.
They also provide omega-3 fattyacids, which helps reduce
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inflammation.
Adding one to two tablespoonsof ground flaxseeds to smoothies
, oatmeal or yogurt is a goodidea.
But also fiber-rich foods likewhole grains, legumes and fruits
like berries, help supporthealthy digestion and assist the
body in excreting excessestrogen via the gut.
So 30 grams of fiber per dayminimum is the best, and I do
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include some recipes in my hairrestoration program.
And then we want to reduceandrogen excess, so androgens
like testosterone and DHT thatplay a significant role in hair
loss.
Dietary strategies can reduceandrogen levels and minimize
their impact on your hairfollicles.
So eating low glycemic foods tohelp stabilize blood sugar and
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preventing insulin spikes thatcan trigger excess androgen
production.
You want to focus onnon-starchy vegetables, whole
grains, legumes and healthy fats.
You want to replace white bread, pasta and sugary snacks with
quinoa, lentils or sweetpotatoes.
Saw palmetto is a botanicalextract derived from berries of
a small palm tree, and studieshave found that both oral and
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topical forms of saw palmettothat are in shampoos or serums
can improve hair density andreduce shedding in women with
androgenic alopecia.
Saw palmetto also hasanti-inflammatory effects, which
may help reduce scalpinflammation that's associated
with androgen-related hair loss.
(19:30):
Let's see what else here.
Also, spearmint tea that is onething that I've seen clinical
studies for.
It shows that spearmint tea canlower androgen levels and
reduce symptoms of hirsutism andhair thinning in women with
high testosterone.
So drinking one to two cups ofspearmint tea a day can help
regulate excess androgen levels.
Also, zinc-rich foods helpregulate androgens and support
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healthy follicles.
Good sources include pumpkinseeds, chickpeas, lean meats you
can always snack on a handfulof pumpkin seeds or add them to
your salad for an easy zincboost Omega-3 fatty acids that
are found in fatty fish likesalmon, walnuts and flax seeds
they all help support hormonalhealth and reduce inflammation.
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So replace trans fats withmonounsaturated fats like
avocado and olive oil to improveyour insulin sensitivity.
You always also want to supportthyroid health, because your
thyroid gland regulatesmetabolism and energy production
, both of which are critical forhealthy hair growth.
Nutritional support for thyroidfunction includes minerals and
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foods that aid hormoneproduction and reduce
inflammation.
So selenium is essential forconverting inactive thyroid
hormone, t4, into that activeform, t3.
Brazil nuts are one of therichest natural sources of
selenium.
You can eat one to two Brazilnuts a day to meet your selenium
needs and iodine, which isessential for thyroid hormone
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production.
It's found in seaweed and eggsand dairy products, but you want
to avoid excessivesupplementation as it can
exacerbate thyroid dysfunction.
So you can add a small amountof iodine-rich seaweed, like
nori, to soups or salads, or useiodized salt in moderation as
an alternative source.
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And then iron Iron deficiencycan impair thyroid function and
reduce hair follicle activity.
You want to include iron-richfoods like spinach, lentils and
grass-fed beef in your diet.
So pair plant-based ironsources with vitamin C, like
citrus or bell peppers and youwill have better absorption.
You want to make sure you'redrinking enough water for
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detoxification 100 to 120 ouncesof water a day.
To support nutrient transportand detoxification, you can
always add lemon or cucumberslices.
That will add to the alkalizingbenefits, and iron deficiency
can impair thyroid function andreduce hair follicle activity.
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You want to include iron-richfoods like spinach, lentils and
grass-fed beef in your diet.
So you always want to pairplant-based iron sources with
vitamin C to enhance thatabsorption.
That was a lot of dietaryfactors.
Now we can talk about lifestylefactors.
One is stress management,because chronic stress elevates
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cortisol, which can suppressestrogen levels and exacerbate
androgen dominance.
Practicing mindfulness, doingyoga or meditation helps.
Incorporating deep breathingexercises into your daily
routine.
I would dedicate at least 10 to15 minutes a day to stress
reducing activities.
I hope everybody can find 10minutes a day for that.
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You can also have regularexercise, because aerobic
exercise improves insulinsensitivity.
It reduces androgens andpromotes healthy estrogen levels
.
You want to aim for 150 minutesof moderate aerobic activity
per week.
That could be walking or ridinga bike and then strength
training.
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This enhances muscle mass andinsulin regulation, which can
indirectly help balancetestosterone.
You should do resistancetraining two to three times a
week.
Another lifestyle factor isyour sleep hygiene, because poor
sleep disrupts hormonalregulation, including estrogen
and testosterone levels.
You want to maintain aconsistent sleep schedule.
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You want to limit screen timebefore bed to support melatonin
production and try to get sevento nine hours of quality sleep
each night.
Okay, so those are more of thediet and lifestyles.
Now we could talk about othertechniques for hair loss, and a
lot of these are incorporatedinto my hair restoration
programs with Harmony Hub Health.
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And the first one is so easy todo it's just scalp massage.
Scalp massage boostscirculation.
Massaging the scalp increasesblood flow to your hair
follicles.
It delivers oxygen andessential nutrients to support
growth, but it also helps reducescalp tightness, which can
restrict blood supply and hinderfollicle function.
It facilitates deeperpenetration of topical
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treatments such as oils orserums, and studies do show that
the mechanical forces appliedto the scalp during massage
alters the expression of haircycle-related genes, which may
lead to increased hair thickness.
I do give some good techniquesfor scalp massage in my programs
.
There even are some tools thatcome with the program.
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You know you can use a siliconebrush or a handheld scalp
massager.
Some of you have used, or hadme use, a scalp massager during
your facials at Monarch Beautyand Spa, but it maintains
consistent pressure and avoidshand fatigue.
When you use these tools youjust want to make sure that
they're sanitized before andafter each use, and at Monarch
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Beauty and Spa we do have theHead Spa which is part of some
of my hair restoration programs.
You can also combine scalpmassage with essential oils.
There's a few essential oilswith proven benefits.
One of the most popular isrosemary oil, because it
improves circulation andstimulates follicles and has
(25:18):
been shown to be as effective asminoxidil, which is an FDA
approved medication for hairloss.
Peppermint oil can promoteblood flow and provides a
cooling effect.
Tea tree oil does reducedandruff and soothe scalp
irritation, and then pumpkinseed oil can reduce effects of
excess androgens.
You just want to mix two tothree drops of an essential oil
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with a carrier oil like coconutor argan oil, and then you want
to massage the mixture into thescalp.
You can leave it on for about30 minutes and then wash it out,
but consistency is key.
Regular scalp massage can yieldnoticeable improvements in
scalp health and hair densityover time.
Another therapy that is in thehair restoration program is
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low-level light therapy, alsoknown as LLLT.
It's a clinically proven, fdaapproved treatment for hair
thinning.
It's really effective forandrogenic alopecia.
It uses red and near infraredlight to rejuvenate hair
follicles and stimulate growth.
So the LLLT penetrates thescalp, increasing ATP production
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in the hair follicle cells,boosting energy for hair growth.
It prolongs that antigen orgrowth phase and delays follicle
miniaturization.
It also reduces follicularinflammation, which can impede
the hair growth.
They also do make laser capsand helmets that I've seen.
What I have at the office is alaser comb, so it's suitable for
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targeted areas, but it doesrequire manual use.
One of my hair restorationprograms does come with one to
use at home because typicallyyou want to use it for six to 20
minutes.
I think the one that I use hasan eight minute timer, but you
want to use it three to fivetimes a week.
So it's a great home treatmentand results typically appear
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after four to six months ofconsistent use.
Some people even use red lighttherapy because it uses specific
wavelengths, usually 630 to 660nanometers to penetrate the
scalp and stimulate thosefollicles and reduce
inflammation.
And while it's similar to LLLT,red light therapy often focuses
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on overall scalp health ratherthan solely hair regrowth.
So it improves energyproduction and follicle cells,
it supports their growth andtheir function, it minimizes
that oxidative stress which is akey contributor to follicle
damage, and it creates anenvironment conducive to hair
growth by reducing irritationand boosting circulation.
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Both therapies use light.
I do find the LLLT they'retypically more focused on
follicular stimulation, whilered light therapy is more of a
broader anti-inflammatorybenefit.
So that's why I put the LLTcomb in one of my hair
restoration programs.
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But the red light can help withreduced itching and flaking if
you have any type of dermatitisto the scalp, and it does
enhance the effectiveness ofother topical treatments by
preparing the scalp.
Next would be microneedling.
This is something that I dooffer in person at Monarch
Beauty and Spa.
It is minimally invasive.
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It creates controlledmicroinjuries on the scalp and
the microinjuries trigger yourbody's natural healing processes
, stimulating collagenproduction and improving the
efficacy of topical treatments.
So it does boost collagen, itenhances scalp elasticity and it
strengthens that follicularenvironment.
You create little channels fordeeper penetration of treatments
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like minoxidil or PRP.
Microneedling stimulates bloodflow to those hair follicles and
the microinjuries that arecreated during microneedling
recruits some stem cells andgrowth factors to stimulate the
hair growth cycle.
Microneedling has been shown tobe effective treatment for AGA
and TE forms of hair loss andthinning.
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They do have some at-homedevices.
The needle length is typicallyshorter than professional
treatments like I offer in theoffice.
My microneedle can go twomillimeters or deeper for a
significant follicle activation.
So you only need to do thattreatment every four to six
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weeks, whereas the home devicesusually like the nano needles,
they go only 0.25.
I think the highest I've seenis 0.5.
So you can use that weekly.
So it's ideal for improvingproduct absorption and mild
stimulation to the scalp.
But you definitely don't wantto use a home tool more than
once a week and you want to makesure you really sanitize it
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before and after to preventinfection and avoid overuse.
It can be something that youjust get so excited to use, but
if you irritate your scalp toomuch you can delay healing.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy Ioffer that at Monarch Beauty and
Spa as well.
It really harnesses theregenerative power of platelets
(30:22):
extracted from your own blood torejuvenate hair follicles, so
it's particularly effective forandrogenic alopecia and early
stage hair thinning.
So platelets are rich in growthfactors like vascular
endothelial growth factor,epidermal growth factor, insulin
related growth factor andfibroblast growth factors that
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stimulate follicle activity,increase blood flow and improve
hair density density.
So what I do is I draw bloodfrom your arm and then I
separate the platelets using acentrifuge and the concentrated
platelet-rich plasma is theninjected with a small needle
into the scalp.
I can even combine this withthe microneedling or I can just
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use a syringe with needle toinject this into your scalp.
The initial phase is onesession a month for three to
four months and then maintenanceis usually every four to six
months.
Other treatments that are beingoffered are minoxidil.
This is an FDA approvedtreatment that stimulates hair
regrowth and prevents furtherhair loss.
It works by improving bloodflow to your scalp, delivering
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essential nutrients and oxygento hair follicles and prolonging
that growth phase of the haircycle, the antigen phase.
So you can take it as an oralmedication or I do use a
solution and a foam for at home.
You can either take the pill oryou can apply it to your scalp
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once or twice a day, dependingon the concentration.
Usually you can seeimprovements after three to six
months of consistent use, withfull benefit seen after 12
months.
What people don't usually likeabout Minoxidil is there is an
initial shedding that can occurin the first four to eight weeks
because older hairs arereplaced with new growth and
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some users can experience a mildscalp irritation.
Minoxidil does require ongoinguse to maintain results, so if
you stop it then it will resultin a return to the pre-treatment
state within a few months.
Another pharmaceutical isfinasteride.
This is FDA-approved oralmedication that targets hormonal
causes of hair loss by reducingthat production of DHT, that's
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the hormone linked to hairfollicle miniaturization and
androgenic alopecia.
So this blocks the enzyme5-alpha reductase to lower DHT
levels and protect your hairfollicles.
You take it as a daily dosethat is prescribed, and it slows
hair loss and promotes regrowthand thinning areas, with
noticeable improvementstypically seen after three to
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six months.
Some patients can experiencedecreased libido or breast
tenderness, which usuallyreverses when you discontinue it
.
This is not suitable forpregnant women or those who may
want to become pregnant, becauseit can cause birth defects, and
it usually is most effectivewhen combined with other
treatments like minoxidil orhaving PRP.
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You can take saw palmetto.
Again, this also inhibits5-alpha reductase, the enzyme
that converts testosterone intoDHT.
It is the key hormoneresponsible for follicle
miniaturization and androgenicalopecia, but studies show that
it can reduce hair loss andimprove density, with effects
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similar to finasteride, in somecases with fewer side effects.
So it's really effective forindividuals with DHT-related
hair loss, and I have a wholelist of different supplements
for hair restoration, like GotuKola or Indian Gooseberry or Red
Clover or Pumpkin Seed Oil.
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Pan-x Ginseng is good for hairrestoration, even green tea,
which I'm not going to gothrough all of them in horsetail
, but these are ones that I talkabout in my hair restoration
assessments.
Other key nutrients that youneed for hair growth would be B7
, also known as biotin.
So this is vital for keratinproduction and strengthening
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hair strands and reducingbrittleness.
You can take that as asupplement.
You can eat more eggs, nutsseeds you can take that as a
supplement.
You can eat more eggs, nutsseeds and sweet potatoes.
I also have it available as aninjection or as an IV infusion.
Zinc facilitates DNA synthesisand follicle repair, preventing
weak or brittle hair.
You can get that in pumpkinseeds, chickpeas, lentils and
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oysters.
Iron is what delivers oxygen tohair follicles and it's
essential for maintaining yourgrowth cycles.
And then again, the omega-3fatty acids help to reduce scalp
inflammation and improvefollicle hydration and
elasticity.
And don't forget the othervitamins, like vitamin D, which
stimulates dormant hairfollicles and promotes active
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hair cycling.
All of the B vitamins B1, 2, 6,and 12, all improve red blood
cell production and oxygendelivery to follicles.
Vitamin E protects hairfollicles from oxidative damage
and improves circulation to thescalp.
Selenium protects againstoxidative stress and follicles
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and supports thyroid hormoneproduction, critical for hair
health.
There also are amino acids thatare the building blocks of hair
, like L-proline, l-leucine,l-lysine, l-cysteine and
methionine, which I talk aboutat my hair consultations, and
then just antioxidants.
(35:46):
So vitamin C helps protect hairfollicles from oxidative stress
by neutralizing free radicals.
Coq10 also promotes energyproduction at the cellular level
, vital for follicle health.
But I don't want you to go outand think you have to get all of
these different things.
This is why it's a good thingto have a hair restoration
consultation, so that you don'tjust take random things.
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You take what is going to helpyou.
The best.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a verypotent antioxidant that combats
free radicals and reducesinflammation.
It also supports mitochondrialfunction, which is needed for
cellular energy and folliclecells.
Acetyl L-carnitine I can go onand on.
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Resveratrol these are allthings that I talk about when we
go over your base nutrition andyour supplements.
Niacinamide or vitamin B3 isalso very good for improving
blood flow to hair follicles.
Nac is a precursor toglutathione, which is one of the
body's most powerfulantioxidants.
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Nad, which is my number onefavorite injectable right now.
It does support cellular energy, essential for active hair
follicles, and it combatsfollicle aging by reducing
oxidative damage andinflammation.
And then glutathione, like Isaid, is the master antioxidant
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that protects hair folliclesfrom oxidative stress and
environmental toxins.
It does detoxify the scalp andsupport overall scalp health.
You can get that from food likeasparagus, spinach, avocados
and walnuts.
It is produced naturally in thebody, but you need all of the
amino acids to form that thatmost people lack and you stop
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making as you age.
It can also be supplemented.
I have liposomal glutathionespray at Monarch Beauty and Spa.
I do have injectable and I dohave infusion.
Other things that can affectyour hair health would be leaky
gut syndrome.
So the walls of your intestinesare lined with tight junctions
that act as a barrier,selectively allowing nutrients,
(37:54):
water and beneficial compoundsto pass into the bloodstream
while blocking harmfulsubstances like toxins,
pathogens and undigested food.
Particles Yuck.
When these tight junctionsbecome compromised, they leak,
allowing those harmfulsubstances to enter your
bloodstream and this sets off awhole chain reaction of immune
responses and inflammation.
So when toxins and pathogensenter your bloodstream, the
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immune system launches thisinflammatory response.
Chronic inflammation damagesyour hair follicles and disrupts
their ability to grow strong,healthy hair, and it may push
your follicles into that telogenor resting phase prematurely,
which leads to hair shedding.
So when you have leaky gut, youdo have nutrient deficiencies,
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because a compromised gut liningreduces the absorption of
essential nutrients like thatbiotin, zinc, iron and amino
acids, all vital for hair growthand follicle repair.
And gut inflammation alsodisrupts hormone balance by
increasing your cortisol levelsand impairing estrogen
metabolism, both whichnegatively impact your hair
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growth.
You would know you have leakygut because you might have
digestive symptoms like bloatinggas, diarrhea, constipation or
abdominal discomfort.
Like bloating gas, diarrhea,constipation or abdominal
discomfort, you might have skinissues like eczema, acne,
rosacea or psoriasis.
You can have systemic symptomslike fatigue, brain fog, joint
(39:19):
pain and frequent infections.
Hair and scalp issues so that'sthe diffused hair thinning,
increased shedding and anunhealthy scalp, environment,
food sensitivities these areincreased sensitivity or
reactions to foods that werepreviously well tolerated.
Usually, gluten or dairy are thebig offenders, and other common
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causes of leaky gut are dietaryfactors.
If you eat too much refinedsugars, too much processed foods
, too much gluten and dairy andthen don't have enough fiber,
fiber starves beneficial gutbacteria, reducing their
protective effects.
If you're insufficient withfiber, deficiencies in zinc,
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vitamin D and omega-3 weakenyour gut lining and if you're
using long-term medications likeNSAIDs they damage your
intestinal lining.
Antibiotics kill off beneficialbacteria and steroids suppress
your immune function andincrease that leakiness of your
gut.
Common causes of leaky gut arechronic stress, overuse of
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alcohol and just having gutdysbiosis.
That's the imbalance of gutbacteria often caused by poor
diet, stress or medications, andit leads to reduced production
of protective short-chain fattyacids like butyrate.
Um the impact of on hairfollicles from healthy gut
(40:48):
because you're wondering whyyou're going through all of this
stuff.
I know you have another podcaston that um, but hair follicles
are highly sensitive toinflammatory signals triggered
by leaky gut, which canaccelerate hair shedding and
slow regrowth.
And even if your diet is richin nutrients and you say, oh, I
eat, you know x, y and z.
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A leaky gut prevents optimalabsorption and it starves hair
follicles of the building blocksthey need for growth.
And most people don't know it.
But your scalp has its ownmicrobiome and the scalp
microbiome is a unique anddiverse community of
microorganisms that live on thescalp surface.
So, just like your gutmicrobiome, it forms a
(41:30):
protective barrier and interactswith the body to maintain
healthy functioning.
So the functions of the scalpmicrobiome number one it's
protection against harmfulpathogens.
Beneficial microbes prevent theovergrowth of harmful bacteria
and fungi that can causeinfections and inflammation.
I have had to use, you know,ketoconazole for shampoos for
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people that do have a little bitof fungal overgrowth on the
scalp that they had no idea.
That's why I do a thoroughscalp evaluation at your
consultation and maintenance ofpH balance and oil production.
So the microbiome does regulatesebum production and helps
maintain an acidic pH whichprevents pathogenic growth.
And a balanced microbiomenourishes hair follicles,
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reducing inflammation andsupporting hair growth.
So a healthy microbiome isequal to optimal hair growth.
I wasn't going to.
I could keep going on and onabout inflammation, but signs of
an imbalanced scalp microbiomecould be dry, flaky scalp or
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persistent dandruff.
White or yellow flakes mightindicate an overgrowth of yeast
or fungi, and that's when Iwould prescribe a medicated
shampoo for you.
If you have excessive oilinessor a scalp odor, that means you
could have an imbalance in sebumproduction, which can lead to
greasy hair that makes anunpleasant smell.
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Inflammation from themicrobiome disruption also can
cause discomfort and visibleirritation and can give you
itchiness, redness or just a lotof irritation, and chronic
scalp inflammation does weakenyour hair follicles, leading to
accelerated shedding.
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Other ways that you can causeyour scalp microbiome to be
imbalanced would be over-washingyour hair, because you're
stripping natural oils that canweaken the scalp's barrier and
disturb microbial balance.
Or using a very harsh shampoo.
There's a lot of shampoos outthere with a lot of harmful
chemicals.
Frequent use of hair products,so products that have silicone,
sulfates or parabens they canclog your pores and promote
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microbial imbalance.
If you have a poor diet ornutrient deficiencies, like the
zinc, biotin and omega-3, thatcan weaken your scalp's natural
defenses.
If your environment is full ofpollution or hard water, or
there's toxins that alter yourscalp microbiome, and then again
elevated cortisol levels andhormonal shifts can increase
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inflammation and disrupt thatmicrobial diversity.
Hair growth is dependent on awell-regulated cycle that
includes active growth antigenand the transition phase, the
catagen and the resting telogenphases.
Chronic inflammation interfereswith this cycle, causing hair
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follicles to spend less time inthe antigen phase and more time
in the telogen phase, whereshedding occurs.
Over time, inflammation damagesthe follicle environment, it
weakens the hair shaft and itslows regrowth.
Inflammatory scalp conditionscan further exacerbate hair loss
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, including folliculitis.
This is the inflammation ofhair follicles, including, you
know, folliculitis.
This is the inflammation ofhair follicles.
Psoriasis is an autoimmunecondition of the skin and scalp
resulting in thickened skinplaques and these conditions
that with you know, seborrheicdermatitis, which is that
redness and flaking.
They just create a viciouscycle where inflammation damages
(45:05):
the follicles, leading toshedding, which then perpetuates
inflammation.
And then there's non-celiacgluten sensitivity.
It's a condition characterizedby an immune reaction to gluten
that does not involve theintestinal damage seen in celiac
disease, but it can stilltrigger systemic inflammation
impacting various systems in thebody, including your scalp and
the hair, your scalp and thehair.
(45:35):
I'm just going to spare you guys, because I still had more notes
here about nutrients thatcombat inflammation and foods
that combat inflammation,lifestyle.
I could go on for days and Ifeel like I've already talked
your ear off.
Um, this goes more about stress.
I really made a list here ofthings to talk about, but at
(45:57):
this point um, I know I've saida lot of that toxins I go over
during the consultation, how toreplace toxins, and when you
sign up for a hair restorationprogram, you do get a 16-week
course and all of these thingsthat I'm saying is gonna come to
you weekly so that you canfollow along and kind of improve
(46:22):
your hair health while we dodifferent strategies that we
pick, customize just for you.
I do not have aone-size-fits-all hair
restoration program.
I do have multiple tiers, buteach tier can be customized
exactly to what your body needs.
One of the things I'm mostexcited about is the Nutrafol
Women's Balance that I havebrought to Monarch Beauty and
(46:44):
Spa.
Nutrafol Women's Balance is adietary supplement specifically
formulated to support hairgrowth in women experiencing
menopause or hormonal changes,and it addresses the underlying
causes of hair thinning and lossassociated with aging, hormonal
fluctuations and environmentalfactors.
It has botanical extracts.
It has ashwagandha, which is anadaptogen that helps combat
(47:07):
stress, which can negativelyimpact hair health.
It has curcumin, which isderived from turmeric.
It has anti-inflammatoryproperties that may improve
scalp health.
It does have that saw palmetto,which is known to inhibit the
production of DHT.
It has the biotin, the zinc,the vitamin E.
It has collagen, the zinc, thevitamin E, it has collagen.
(47:32):
This supplement for most peoplecan be their main nutritional
supplement, their vitamin forthe day.
And, you know, the supplementdoes target hormonal
fluctuations that can lead tohair thinning and it helps
create a favorable environmentfor hair growth.
And it helps with stressreduction, with the ashwagandha,
which may positively influencehair health.
(47:53):
Other treatments that are inthe programs I have many
different scalp treatments.
I have one that is a mixture ofazelaic acid, estradi,
progesterone, leothyronine.
I have one that's biotin,biotin, minoxidil, tretinoin,
vitamin E and fluacinolone.
(48:15):
I have a minoxidil, finasteride, tretinoin.
I mean I have so many differentcompounded, ready-to-go hair
treatments that can meet everyneed.
And this is where we change thegame.
You know, instead of that onesize fits all approach, my new
programs provide a comprehensiveanalysis and targeted treatment
plan.
So we'll start with advancedtesting to get a full picture of
(48:37):
what's going on in your bodyand from there we tailor a
solution that might include theNutrafol, the finasteride, the
minoxidil, maybe evenprogesterone treatments.
But we don't stop there.
We also focus on internalhealing, because your hair is a
reflection of what's happeninginside your body.
So we can optimize yournutrition, regulate your
(48:59):
hormones and detoxify yoursystem for lasting results.
So if you've been thinking aboutaddressing your hair loss, now
is the time to act.
Hair regrowth is a gradualprocess and starting early gives
you the best chance for success.
By investing in your hairhealth now, you can see fuller,
stronger hair in the months tocome.
And here's the best part theseprograms are tailored just for
(49:21):
you.
Whether you're dealing withpostpartum shedding, age-related
thinning, chronic hair loss,I'll create a plan that meets
your unique needs.
So if you're ready to takecontrol of your hair health,
let's ditch the frustration andget to the root cause of hair
loss together.
To learn more about my newholistic hair restoration
programs, book a consultationtoday.
(49:42):
You can visitwwwharmonyhubhealthcom or you
can visit my Facebook page,harmony Hub Health.
You can also come to MonarchBeauty and Spa and have an
in-person consultation.
Thank you for tuning intoHarmony Hub Health.
If you love this episode, besure to subscribe and share it
with your friends.
Until next time, take care ofyourself inside and out.
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