A lot of people think of thinning hair as a male issue but about one third of all women will experience it in their life. Before you panic, it’s important to know that some hair loss is totally normal. Everyone loses hair as part of the hair’s natural growth cycle. It works like this:

• The Anagen Stage which is when a strand of hair is actively growing. This can last from two to eight years.

• The Catagen Stage is when a strand of hair has stopped growing and is preparing to shed.

• The Telogen Stage which is the part of the cycle when hair falls out. When that happens, the follicle it has fallen from usually stays dormant for about three months before a new cycle of growth.

The amount of hair everyone loses is completely unique to them. What seems excessive to you is normal to another person. But if you see a lot more hair loss than usual or it is coming out in clumps, it might be a sign something is wrong, and you should chat to your GP.

Of course, anyone who has had a baby will tell you that there are certain events that can trigger hair loss. Having a baby is one but so too are: hormonal fluctuations, surgery, a stressful life event, a thyroid problem and certain hairstyles that pull hair too tight.

Conditions that affect the scalp like eczema, and psoriasis can also cause hair loss.

And just like men it can be genetic too and is called female-pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia.

So what can you do if you notice your hair thinning?

1. Scalp Massage
This one is easy to do at home, cheap and a nice habit to get into. Just like at the hairdresser, when you have applied your conditioner use your fingertips to apply pressure around your scalp to increase blood flow to the area to stimulate growth.

2. Speak to Your Stylist
There are professional products that your hair stylist can recommend. Just like your skin, your scalp sometimes needs to be exfoliated and can suffer from a build up of the wrong products. Make sure you’re using the shampoo, conditioner and treatments that are right for your hair and scalp.

3. Cut Down on the Heated Tools You Use
If you’re experiencing thinning hair you need to keep it in the best possible condition. Cut down on how often you use straighteners and curling irons, use a hair dryer with a gentle heat setting and always use a heat protector spray.

4. Biotin
You’ll hear a lot about Biotin if you have thinning hair. It is a water-soluble nutrient that is naturally found in things like nuts, lentils and liver. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, and skin.

5. Supplement if Needed
One of the big symptoms of perimenopause is a change in skin and hair. If you’re in this category you should consider taking a supplement like Cleanmarine MenoMin. MenoMin is an Omega 3 and Multivitamin blend with a host of ingredients including Vitamin B6 which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, biotin which contributes to maintaining normal hair, skin and mucous membranes, and Vitamin D which contributes to maintaining healthy normal bones. 

6. Speak to Your Healthcare Professional
Your pharmacist may be able to recommend effective over the counter products. If not, your healthcare professional could advise you on prescription medications that you can try if the holistic approach hasn’t helped. Hair loss can be very upsetting, and your doctor is best placed to know what steps you should take. Remember you’re not alone.