Menopause is a difficult time for many women due to a lot of taxing effects on the body. Did you know that it’s common for frizzy hair to occur during menopause? It’s another one of the unexpected side effects that many women aren’t prepared for.
Let’s explore why this happens and how you can minimize it.
Frizzy hair during menopause is very common because the scalp starts to produce fewer oils, which can lead to dryness and unruly frizz. A combination of diet, natural oils, and good hydration can help to lessen frizz.
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Why Does Hair Become Frizzy During Menopause
During the menopause, there are many changes in the body that can have an impact on the hair.
For instance, there will be a drop in oestrogen levels, which is a hormone that’s responsible for good hair health. It’s the same hormone that’s responsible for hair growth, as well.
It’s common for the hair follicles to become finer and more fragile during menopause, which can lead to hair thinning and hair loss over time.
As the hair thins out, it can lead to the hair becoming more dry and frizzy.
Other changes are also occurring in the body during this time such as hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, and weight gain.
These side effects can take a toll on the body and impact the hair.
The Effects Of Menopause On Hair
You may be surprised to know that during the menopause the scalp starts to produce less sebum, which in turn, can lead to hair becoming very dry as it loses some of its natural oils.
These are some of the main effects that the menopause has on the hair:
Thinning
As the levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the body decrease, this results in slower hair growth and general thinning of the hair as it becomes finer and weaker.
Although this is a common side effect of menopause alone, it can also be exacerbated by stress and nutritional deficiencies.
Dryness
As mentioned above, without the hair’s natural oils, it’s common for the hair to quickly become dry and frizzy.
At the start of the menopause, this is likely to be one of the first side effects, because along with the decrease of oestrogen there is hot flashes and night sweats which leads to dehydration.
Dehydration has an impact on the whole body, and it can definitely cause changes to the hair texture.
Also Read: Easy Guide To Washing Your Hair In Dandelion Tea
Dull Hair
Oestrogen is responsible for keeping hair looking shiny, bouncy, and healthy looking.
As the hormone drops and the hair thins out, it’s likely that the hair will lose its natural body and shine and begin to look dull and dried out.
Hair Loss
Stress along with the drop in oestrogen causes hair loss in many women going through the menopause.
While it can be distressing, it’s a very common response to the body’s hormonal changes.
Some women are more susceptible to hair loss than others. Genetics and diet can play a huge role in this.
How To Control Frizzy Hair During Menopause
During the menopause, the body is going through a lot of changes that can be difficult to adjust to.
The least of your worries should be about the condition of your hair, but unfortunately, it’s very common for women to experience unruly frizz during this time.
It can cause additional stress, but there are ways to fix it.
Here are a few ways that you can control frizzy hair during menopause:
Seal Cuticles With Oils
Sealing the hair cuticles is one way of protecting the hair against frizz that’s caused by humidity, hot flashes, and night sweats.
The use of natural oils will help to moisturize the hair and prevent damage.
Using a product like Cliganic USDA Organic Jojoba Oil will help to control frizzy hair as a result of the menopause by providing essential vitamins and minerals that are needed for a healthy and balanced scalp.
This nourishing oil will help to lock in hydration and prevent the hair from losing too much moisture.
Also Read: The Truth About Energy Drinks And Hair Loss
Use The Right Products
Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Sulfate shampoo isn’t suitable for those who are going through the menopause simply because sulfates are known to strip more oil from the scalp than necessary and leave it dry and flaky.
As you go through the menopause, you naturally lose the oils that keep the scalp balanced, healthy, and free of flakes, so in order to retain some of those natural oils it’s recommended to opt for a sulfate-free shampoo instead.
We recommend SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Shampoo to tame unruly frizz and leave hair feeling thoroughly hydrated.
The blend of natural ingredients ensures it doesn’t strip any of those natural oils that are needed for a healthy scalp!
Check out the 14 best shampoos and conditioners for menopausal hair!
Protein-Enriched Conditioners
Keratin is a great solution to frizzy, unruly hair because it can restore moisture to the hair and leave it more manageable.
It also strengthens weakened hair, which protects the strands against breakage.
The As I Am Olive & Tea Tree Oil Leave In Conditioner is enriched with natural oils to smooth the cuticles and add shine to dull-looking hair.
The combination of tea tree and olive oil helps to soothe and treat a dry, damaged scalp without weighing the hair down.
Also Read: How To Use Castor Oil For Protein Sensitive Hair
Focus On Nutrition
A balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids can help to alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause. Here are some of the foods you should start including in your diet:
Omega-3
- Salmon
- Anchovies
- Flaxseeds
- Walnuts
- Tofu
- Avocados
Fruits And Vegetables
- Green vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, spinach
- Berries
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Sweet potato
- Carrots
Whole Grains
- Brown rice
- Oats
- Buckwheat
- Quinoa
These are just a few examples, but we can’t stress enough just how important it is to maintain a balanced diet.
This does mean eating minimal processed foods and sugar, as these foods could trigger or worsen your existing symptoms. A good diet is essential for healthy, strong hair!
Hydrate
Hot flushes and night sweats are two of the most common symptoms of menopause, and unfortunately, it can lead to dehydration.
It’s very important that you don’t run the risk of getting ill, fatigued, and exhausted through loss of fluid.
Dehydration has been known to cause shedding and breakage as the hair shafts become weaker and fragile without sufficient fluid.
It’s for this reason that you should increase your intake of water to lessen some of your symptoms and to keep your body functioning.
Reduce Stress Levels
As we know, stress has a domino effect. It really does have an impact on the whole body, including the hair and skin.
The menopause can be a stressful time for many women because the changes can be very taxing on the body. However, it’s more important than ever that you reduce your stress levels as this will only exacerbate symptoms.
Some ways of reducing stress include taking a relaxing bath, reading a book before bed, and talking to a therapist or friend.
Avoid Heat Styling Tools
While taming frizz with heat styling tools may seem like a solution, it will only worsen the condition of the hair.
Naturally, the menopause can leave the hair in a very dry and vulnerable state, and the use of heat will only worsen things by drying out the hair further.
If you do occasionally use heat styling tools, always remember to use a heat protectant spray to avoid further damage.
Don’t Overwork Hair
Dry, weakened hair shouldn’t be overworked too frequently as this can cause breakage and increased frizz.
This includes pulling the hair back too tightly and frequently opting for high maintenance hairstyles.
Instead, choose low maintenance hairstyles such as wearing the hair down or in a low ponytail.
Protect Hair Against Harsh Weather Conditioner
We can’t control the weather but you can protect your hair against further damage by wearing a hat or putting hair in a low bun during harsh weather conditions.
It’s important that it’s not too exposed to harsh winds and torrential rain as this will increase frizz.
The As I Am Olive & Tea Tree Oil Leave-In Conditioner is a good product to use during these conditions because the nourishing oils keep the hair hydrated and protect it from the outside elements.
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