The menopause is a monumental lifestyle change in many of our clients lives and often affects them more than we first realise. The menopause is defined as the time in a woman’s life where her oestrogen levels decline and she is unable to have children naturally.
However, at OPEN Hairdressing, questions regarding menopause and hair growth come up in frequent conversation. So we wanted to do something to help. While for many, it’s about accepting a new chapter, the menopause also provides the chance to uncover new possibilities with hair!
While symptoms vary from person to person, we’ve compiled some helpful pieces of information to ease your day-to-day life both in and outside the salon. It’s not dissimilar to the early stages of hair loss in men, and it’s a worthy talking point to bring up when you book a consultation at OPEN.
If you would like to book a consultation or appointment with OPEN Hairdressing, it’s very easy to arrange. We’ll do everything we can to book you in at a time when it’s convenient for you:
To arrange a visit to OPEN Hairdressing Berkhamsted, call us on 01442 862227 or drop us an email;
For OPEN Hairdressing Harpenden, please call 01582 762444 or email us instead;
To arrange a consultation at our award-winning Hemel Hempstead salon, please call 01442 262673 or send us an email.
If you would like further information on the menopause, seek a health professional or consult the NHS website for guidance.
Your Hair and Hormones
During this time, we’re here to reassure you that hormonal changes rarely result in women going bald. And while oestrogen ensures that your hair growing rate remains steady, it’s decline means that hair won’t grow as long or replace itself as quickly as you are familiar with.
And believe it or not, male hormones known as androgens can be found in men and women, but at a lower capacity. As the levels of oestrogen decrease, the number of androgens rise, causing a decline in the number of scalp hairs. The male hormone also has an effect on the diameter of the hair follicles, meaning menopause hair thinning can become noticable. As a result, many of our clients experience a lack of ‘body’ to their hair. But worry not as we have a range of expertly-crafted hair products from Bumble and bumble to Davines to refresh your look.
Your Hair and Hair Loss
Because your hair is growing at a much slower rate, the menopause can effect the condition and manageability of the hair. While long-term menopause hair loss won’t affect everyone, you may be surprised to know that it’s worth washing your hair more frequently to protect and replace the nourishment your hair needs. Just think of it as a shower-friendly version of HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
So what’s the plan?
Don’t suffer in silence. As your hair is growing at a slower rate, have you considered trying out a shorter hairstyle? For our clients going through the menopause, we encourage you to try something a little different, like the lob haircut. And a trip to your nearest OPEN salon is a stepping stone in the right direction.
Maybe you’ve been meaning to add some colour into your life? Or perhaps you’ve wanted to try some subtle highlights? We’ve encountered a number of clients who embrace their grey hair with style, but we understand this look isn’t for everyone. Our stylists and colourists will take the time to listen to your needs and incorporate them into a style that’s just for you.
In addition, it’s not just what’s happening on the outside that matters, it’s what going on inside you as well. The menopause can be a hugely stressful time with women experiencing a number of symptoms including hot flushes; mood swings and difficulty sleeping. Therefore, OPEN advises that their clients take every opportunity to minimise their stress levels. This will benefit your scalp and hair health and OPEN is always on hand to help anyone with hair issues to manage their lives during the menopause.