Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

by Julian Miranda | Mar 11, 2025 | Episode

Episode 55

Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

Women’s History of Hair Loss Treatments

Hair has always been tied to identity, beauty, and confidence, which is why hair loss in women hasn’t always been discussed openly. Ancient Egyptians used animal fats and oils in hopes of stimulating hair growth, while Roman women wore wigs often crafted from real human hair. Some of history’s so-called remedies were far from glamorous—Cleopatra’s hair loss treatment reportedly included bear grease and ground horse teeth. Even into the early 20th century, women had few options beyond hairpieces and home remedies. It wasn’t until more recent decades that medical advancements paved the way for effective treatments tailored to women’s hair loss.

Causes of Women’s Hair Loss

Hair loss in women often differs from men’s hair loss in a few key ways. Instead of receding hairlines around the forehead and temples or crown, women’s hair loss typically manifests as diffuse thinning, widening part lines, and decreased volume. The causes can vary—hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause, or PCOS can trigger noticeable shedding. Nutritional deficiencies, such as low iron or vitamin D, can weaken hair, while stress and autoimmune disorders may contribute to excessive hair loss. Genetic factors also play a role, as female pattern hair loss tends to develop gradually over time. The good news is that understanding the cause is the first step toward finding the right hair loss solution.

Science-Backed Hair Loss Solutions for Women

Today’s treatments offer real hope for women experiencing hair loss. Minoxidil remains the only FDA-approved topical treatment for female hair loss, helping extend the hair’s growth phase for thicker, healthier strands. Oral medications like spironolactone can help balance hormones for those whose hair loss is driven by excess androgens. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is another promising option, using light to stimulate hair follicles and improve scalp circulation. PRP therapy, which involves injecting platelet-rich plasma into the scalp, has gained popularity for its potential to encourage regrowth. For those seeking instant confidence, hair systems and toppers provide a natural-looking, long-term solution. Innovations like Xtrands from HairClub seamlessly integrate additional strands into existing hair, offering an immediate volume boost.

Finding the Right Solution for You

If you’re struggling with women’s hair loss, you’re not alone. Over 50% of women will experience some degree of hair thinning in their lifetime, but there are more options than ever before. Whether it’s a medical treatment, a cosmetic solution, or a combination of both, the best approach depends on the cause of your hair loss and what fits your lifestyle. To hear firsthand stories from women who have found success, check out our past episodes featuring Meg Weatherman and Carol Combs (links below). No matter where you are on your hair journey, solutions exist—and there’s hope.

Empowering Resources

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Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.55 Transcript

Kevin Rolston [00:00:02]
If you’re experiencing hair loss, the most important thing we want you to know is that you’re not alone and that there are answers out there. The first step is to understand what’s causing your hair loss, and the next is to look at the options that are going to be right for your lifestyle and budget. Whether it’s a topical solution, a professional treatment, or just the reassurance that you’re not the only one going through this, there’s hope.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:38]
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where we talk about all things hair loss. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and this week, we’re celebrating Women’s History Month by taking a look at the evolution of hair loss solutions for women and the most effective solutions that are on the market right now. Maybe you’ve been noticing a little bit more hair coming out in the shower or some whitening around your part.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:00]
Maybe your hair tie or scrunchie is starting to feel looser than it used to when you put your hair up at a ponytail, or maybe you’re not sure if you’re experiencing hair loss, but you want to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to keep your hair healthy and strong. Studies show that over 50% of women will experience some hair thinning over the course of their lives. So the first and most important thing to remember is that you’re not the only one going through this.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:25]
And I think the second most important thing is to know is that there are so many different ways to handle your hair loss that can make a big difference in how you look and feel. The rest of today’s episode is all about understanding the journey of women’s hair loss, how it’s been perceived throughout history, what causes it, and most importantly, how far our current hair loss solutions have come. For as long as humans have cared about their appearance, hair has been a symbol of beauty, health, and identity, especially for women.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:55]
And because of that, hair loss has historically been a sensitive subject often swept under the rug. Ancient Egyptian women used castor oil and animal fats to keep their hair thick and strong, believing that certain oils had special growth properties. In ancient Rome, women wore elaborate wigs made from real human hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:14]
According to the UK Institute of Trichologists, Cleopatra’s personal hair loss remedy was a pretty horrifying concoction that included ground-up horse teeth and bear grease, which besides being extremely gross, didn’t really work. It just goes to show that people have always been trying to solve the problem of hair loss and have been willing to do whatever it takes if they think it means getting their hair back. Fast forward to the early 20th century, and there still wasn’t much available in terms of medical solutions for women’s hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:47]
Hairpieces and home remedies dominated, but the idea of restoring hair loss wasn’t considered viable for women until fairly recently. Now, we’re in an era where medical science has caught up and women have access to real effective solutions. Hair loss in women doesn’t have to look the same as it does in men.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:10]
Instead of a receding hairline or bald spots, most women experience diffused thinning, where the hair gradually becomes finer, the part line widens, and overall volume decreases. This can happen for a lot of different reasons. Hormonal changes are a big one.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:27]
Pregnancy, menopause, and conditions like PCOS can all cause noticeable thinning. Nutritional deficiencies, like how iron or vitamin D can weaken the hair. Stress and autoimmune disorders can also trigger sudden or excessive shedding.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:41]
And then there’s genetics. Female pattern hair loss and androgenetic alopecia is hereditary and tends to progress gradually over time. But here’s the good news.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:52]
Hair loss is no longer a life sentence. There are real science-backed solutions for women who want to slow, stop, or even reverse thinning hair. One of the most well-known treatments is minoxidil.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:03]
It’s the only FDA-approved topical treatment for female hair loss. Every hair follicle on your head goes through a cycle where it grows hair, then rests, then sheds. Minoxidil works by extending the hair’s growth phase so that more hair follicles are staying active for longer.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:21]
It doesn’t give instant results, but with consistent use, many women see a noticeable difference over several months. Minoxidil is available over the counter in both liquid and foam forms, and it’s easy to integrate into your daily routine. For some women, oral medications that help balance hormones can make a difference.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:39]
Spironolactone is a prescription medication that blocks androgens, which are the male hormones that can contribute to hair thinning in women with hormonal imbalances. This medication isn’t for everyone. So if you’re concerned that you might fit into this category, it’s important to talk to your doctor and see if you’re a candidate.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:57]
Part of healthy hair growth is the gentle stimulation of hair follicles. Maybe you’ve heard of laser hair removal, but low-level laser therapy, or LLLT, can actually help improve your hair growth and health. This treatment uses low-intensity light to stimulate hair follicles and improve blood circulation to the scalp.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:16]
It’s noninvasive and completely painless, and there are laser caps and combs available for at-home use. The results aren’t instant, and it requires consistent use over time, but some studies suggest it can help slow hair thinning and encourage new growth. Another emerging treatment is platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:41]
This is a procedure where a doctor takes a small sample of your own blood, processes it to extract platelet-rich plasma, and then injects it into the scalp. The idea is that platelets contain growth factors that can stimulate hair follicles. PRP therapy has gained popularity in recent years and has shown promise for some women experiencing thinning hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:02]
However, it does require multiple sessions and results can vary. For women who want something to improve their confidence while they’re using these products, or just like the feeling of instant gratification, there are products like Xtrands from HairClub, which involve adding hundreds, if not thousands, of hairs to your existing hairs. Before threading these hairs in one by one, an expert stylist takes the time to match your hair color and texture so that the new hairs blend in seamlessly.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:32]
And then once they’re in, they truly become your hair. You can wash, shampoo, and style all of your hair just like you normally would. And of course, there are hair systems and toppers.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:43]
Today’s options are nothing like the heavy, unnatural-looking wigs of the past. High-quality hair systems are made with real human hair and breathable caps that allow for a realistic and comfortable fit. And the use of medical-grade adhesives will keep your hair system attached no matter what.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:01]
Many women who have advanced hair loss due to conditions like alopecia universalis or hair loss due to chemotherapy will embrace these options as permanent solutions. And if you wanna hear some stories about women who have found a way to navigate their hair loss and use the latest and greatest technology to look and feel like themselves again, check out our episode with Meg Weatherman and her experience dealing with trichotillomania, or Carol Combs, who found a hair loss solution after getting through chemo. You can find a link to these episodes in our show notes.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:32]
If you’re experiencing hair loss, the most important thing we want you to know is that you’re not alone and that there are answers out there. The first step is to understand what’s causing your hair loss. And the next is to look at the options that are going to be right for your lifestyle and budget, whether it’s a topical solution, a professional treatment, or just the reassurance that you’re not the only one going through this.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:55]
There’s hope. Thank you for tuning in to this special Women’s History Month episode of HairPod. Check us out at HairClub on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:10]
If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:23]
Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com. We’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review, and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

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In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

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How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

by Julian Miranda | Mar 4, 2025 | Episode

Episode 54

How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Hair loss is a deeply personal and often emotional experience, especially when it happens unexpectedly. For many women, hair thinning begins during perimenopause or menopause, yet the topic remains widely overlooked. In this special Women’s History Month episode of HairPod, we sit down with Angela Fields, founder of a curly hair product line, to discuss her personal journey with hair thinning, her eventual diagnosis of CCCA alopecia, and the solutions she discovered. Angela’s experience sheds light on the challenges of hormonal hair loss and the steps women can take to reclaim both their hair and confidence.

How Vitamin Deficiencies and Hormones Affect Hair Loss

Angela first noticed her hair thinning in 2017 when her part began to widen, revealing more scalp than before. This early sign of hair loss led her to her doctor, where lab tests revealed she had a significant vitamin D deficiency—something she hadn’t previously considered. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in hair follicle health, and a deficiency can contribute to both hair loss and fatigue. Supplementing with vitamin D helped restore some of her hair’s fullness, but as she entered menopause, new challenges emerged. Her hair loss became more pronounced, leading her to seek the expertise of a dermatologist, who diagnosed her with CCCA alopecia, a condition that causes scarring of the scalp and makes regrowth more difficult.

Effective Hair Regrowth Treatments and Lifestyle Changes

Finding a treatment plan that worked required time, patience, and a comprehensive approach. Angela began by incorporating key supplements such as Nutrafol, folic acid, vitamin C, and iron to support hair regrowth. But supplementation alone wasn’t enough—because of the scarring caused by CCCA alopecia, her dermatologist recommended a series of scalp injections to break down scar tissue and allow new hair to push through. This process took months, but the results were encouraging.

Daily Habits for Hair Regrowth

Beyond medical treatments, Angela also adjusted her daily habits. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean scalp by shampooing regularly, as product buildup and excess oil can contribute to hair thinning. She also warns against wearing tight or glued-in hairstyles, which can put stress on the hair follicles and lead to long-term damage. Managing stress is another key factor, as high cortisol levels can accelerate hair loss. Through exercise, proper sleep, and self-care, Angela found ways to support her overall well-being while working toward healthier hair.

Finding Support and Breaking the Stigma of Hair Loss

Hair loss can feel isolating, but Angela stresses that no one has to go through it alone. She encourages women to seek support through online communities, Facebook groups, and even local meetups dedicated to hair loss. Speaking with a knowledgeable dermatologist who understands different hair types and traditional styling methods is another crucial step in finding the right treatment.

Empowering Resources

Episode.54 Transcript

Angela Fields [00:00:02]:

Reach out and find the groups on Facebook, there could be private groups where everyone in the group is dealing with hair loss. Join those groups, introduce yourself, start talking to the individuals. If you want a meetup group, go to the various sites where there are meetup groups to see if there’s a hair loss group right there in your own city. If you need to make that call to your dermatologist, make sure you can find a dermatologist that understands how you traditionally wear your hair so that they can best come up with the routine to treat you.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:46]:

We’ve explored the science behind hair loss, the emotional impact it can have, and the solutions that help people feel like themselves again. We strive to tell stories that often go untold, and we hope that helps you feel a little bit less alone. Even though today’s topic impacts countless women, it isn’t talked about enough.

Our guest, Angela Fields, is the founder of a curly hair product line. Her passion for holistic hair health comes from a personal place, as she has experienced hair loss herself. Through her own journey with thinning hair during pre-menopause and menopause, Angela Fields learned firsthand the challenges that come with hair loss, and now she uses her platform to educate and support women on their own hair journeys.

Through her own journey with thinning hair during perimenopause and menopause, Angela Fields learned firsthand the challenges that come with hair loss, and now she uses her platform to educate and support women on their own hair journeys. Her experience with hair loss began as so many of ours do, looking into the mirror and seeing a little bit more scalp than she had before.

Angela Fields [00:02:33]:

A few years back in 2017, I was experiencing a widening part.

So, you’re just seeing more scalp in between the hair, if you will. And so, that was in the pre-menopause, the perimenopause stage that I was experiencing. But it was also affected by I was exceptionally low in vitamin D after doing some type of lab work and working with my doctor.

And so, supplementation really helped with bringing back the fullness of my hair at that time. How did you wind up getting diagnosed? How did you know that this might be a hair loss condition brought on by menopause? That is a very good question, because when I first noticed it, okay, I’m going to have to figure this out. But two weeks later, I was scheduled for my normal six-month evaluation with my primary care physician, and vitamin D is one of the standard things that she checked for in my labs every time I was coming in for a visit, at least at those six-month intervals.

And there was a huge drop-off in my vitamin D from the previous six-month visit when my labs were done and the vitamin D level was checked. I didn’t even really know that this was something she was doing all along, because my levels had been within range, so she hadn’t mentioned it to me. And when it showed up, she asked, and we started talking about fatigue.

We started talking about hair thinning and the widening of the part. And she said, absolutely. Both of those things could be hugely driven by vitamin D, even though at that point it was still pre-menopause.

And so vitamin D supplementation, and it takes a while to really build your vitamin D levels up. And it’s not so easy as just going and spending time in the sun. We cannot get enough vitamin D from just laying around in the sun all day, even if we’re not wearing a sunscreen.

So supplementation may definitely be needed. And so over time, that brought things back in line and the filling in of the hair again. And that was all you did, was just supplement with more vitamin D? Yes, with more vitamin D. Now, we also did some eye errand, but that was more because of the fatigue that I was experiencing as well.

But yes, at that point, it was something as simple as getting my levels of vitamin D back up. So simply because you’re losing hair, it doesn’t have to be some complicated process to bring things back in line. We just have to evaluate what you’re experiencing.

You know, what are your levels? It may involve some lab work. It may involve working with a doctor, but the solution could be very simple. And for me, that first time it was.

Now, further into menopause, I was filming and I had leaned over to pick something off the floor to hold it in front of the camera. So now later I am editing the footage. And as I leaned over, I noticed I could see about a golf ball size area where I could see straight through my hair to my scalp.

And so I’m seeing it on the video as I’m editing it. And it’s like, wow, OK, something’s wrong. So then visited the dermatologist and she started looking and was doing some things, checking some things, and she said, OK, so is you’re in menopause and that alone can cause hair thinning.

But I also had a diagnosis of alopecia on top of just being in menopause and having the impact of the hormones. So that added a more it was more complicated. It was a more in-depth solution that was needed.

And the type of alopecia that I had was known as CCCA. And this particular type of alopecia does cause scarring of the scalp, which can give you another hurdle that you have to cross over if you’re trying to address it or if you’re wanting to treat it to address it. And so that did involve some additional testing.

It did involve supplementation. So I started taking a variety of supplements, including Nutrafol as well as some additional vitamins, folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin C, as well was added into the routine and then specifically addressing the scarring. So this is the scar tissue is something that blocks the scalp.

And even if you are growing hair still, it can’t push through the scalp because of the scar tissue. So this particular treatment did involve working with scalp injections. And so it was a combination of a steroid and a pain reliever that was injected into my scalp in the areas of the thinning.

And so you do this once a month for six months, then you wait three months to see if you’re going to be able to regrow hair. Cause again, you don’t know what’s happening underneath the scar tissue. After I went back in at that three month interval after waiting, I was thrilled because I had hair pushing through my scalp.

So it meant that I could regrow hair. It just wasn’t getting through because of the scar tissue.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:40]:

Can you tell me what triggers the alopecia? Is it a genetic condition? Is it stresses? What, what makes that come out in somebody? Could it be dormant in a lot of people listening right now?

Angela Fields [00:07:49]:

You know, that’s a very good question.

And there are many kinds of alopecia. So there are many causes of alopecia. And so the treatments vary as well.

Sometimes it can be genetic. Sometimes it can be different hairstyles that you’re wearing. If you’re wearing styles that are too tight and it’s pulling on the hair.

So you’re literally pulling your hair out by its root by wearing the tight hairstyles. It could have been some type of trauma or injury. When I a teenager, I was falling back on a bed and overshot it and hit the corner of the nightstand and split my scalp open right in the crown and then had to go through stitches and everything.

Okay. It could have been trauma from that particular injury that long ago that I had quickly forgotten about. You know, it was later that I remembered that this had happened.

So it has a variety of causes. It can also be illnesses or treatments for illnesses that can cause different types of alopecia. Yeah.

So an alopecia itself is just an umbrella term to mean hair loss. Now you’ve got to figure out which type and then what’s the best course of treatment for you.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:00]:

Now you talked about a timetable. You start off talking about the vitamin D. You talked about other things you did. Can you walk me through that timeline? If somebody’s right there right now saying, okay, I’m getting ready to get started on my own treatments. How long did it take for you to start seeing the regrowth and getting to a point where you felt confident about your hair again?

Angela Fields [00:09:20]:

Absolutely.

So one of the immediate things that I did, my dermatologist wanted me to start taking the Nutrafol. And when I got to, one of the things that I do is whenever I go through my shampoo, however I’m going to style my hair, I accumulate all of the hair that may be in my detangling brush, detangling comb. I’m using a trap on the shower to keep the hair from going down the drain because I want to get a measure of how much hair I lost during the course of that wash day.

And so I take a quick picture of it with my phone. So I have a time and date stamp record of the hair that came out in my detangling comb, detangling brush. And just as I’m going through that process and what the intent is, is have something that can be compared over time.

And so you know that you can make adjustments to it. So after I hit three months, that was a huge interval. The amount of hair that I was losing just from going through that wash day was cut in half.

And so it’s not, by taking this picture, it’s factual. It’s non-emotional. You don’t have to think or wonder.

You can just line up the pictures. And my shampoo volume was cut in half when I got to three months just from the Nutrafol. And then after we started seeing that I could indeed regrow hair, that’s where we added in some additional vitamins and supplements to the mix.

So that was the first indication, that three months. And then with the injections that I was doing, after nine months after the start of those injections is where baby hairs were coming up through the scalp. And so I still see my dermatologist every three months.

And we always take pictures of my hair, of the scalp. And when I look at where I was in October of 2022, when that diagnosis of alopecia came to where I am today, it is a huge difference.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:16]:

Angela’s diligence and patience paid off.

Once she learned some of the underlying causes of her hair loss, her treatment plan helped her improve her hair health and her hair growth followed. But as Angela said, hair regrowth can take a while. Looking back on her experience, there are a few things that Angela wishes she had known from the beginning.

Angela Fields [00:11:41]:

What I would do differently is I would have already been on some type of supplement because it is rare that we can eat a diet that is perfect enough for us to get all that entire range of supplementation, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, all these things from what we are eating. And because I had a history of low vitamin D and I knew that I really should have been on supplements all along just to fill in that void. And so I have the Nutrafol with what’s there.

And then plus the additional supplements that I take, it’s just very important. And it does also help with the fatigue. So often women feel fatigue, but we keep going because we’ve got so many things to do.

We’ve got people we’re trying to take care of. When we just keep going, we’re not paying attention to it. And we really should.

Because again, fatigue itself is difficult to pinpoint, but you can start analyzing some things, checking some things. Because here I was, I could sleep on a dime at any minute when I was first going through the hair thinning and, you know, as far as my parts were concerned. And yet I wasn’t talking to the doctor saying, I am just exhausted all the time and I don’t know what’s wrong.

Right. For my six month eval. And see, maybe there are individuals that may not have access to that type of hair care, or maybe they’re not even realizing the value of running labs on a regular basis.

And my doctor was on top of it. So yes. So I encourage seeing your doctor at least once every six months, and there should be a standard group of labs of blood work that your doctor is doing for you.

And vitamin D should truly, should truly be one of those.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:23]:

Were there any other symptoms? You’ve mentioned the fatigue. You talk about the hair loss.Was there any other kind of tells that were happening that you weren’t observant to at this time?

I had a lot of scalp itching where, oh gosh, why am I scratching again? Why am I scratching again? And that in itself could also be an indication you’re experiencing some hair loss. It could be an allergy, but it could also be hair loss. So it’s just something you should be mindful of.

And especially if all these things are happening at the same time, that is also definitely a wake up call. You talked about some of the treatments you did, but there are also things you can do and just how you live your life. You’d mentioned diet, but getting the supplements along with it.

You talked just briefly about sleep, stress management, things like that. Are there specific lifestyle changes that you also did to accompany all this that you would recommend for somebody?

Angela Fields [00:14:14]:

Absolutely. So that’s where we’re coming back into exercise because we’re all trying to manage our stress.

Cortisol is a hormone and it’s distress hormone, but the stress hormone that can also cause hair loss. And there are other hormones that are a part of maturing. Some of them are increasing, some of them are decreasing as we’re aging, but maintaining a clean scalp so that you’re shampooing your hair on a regular basis and making sure you’re getting all the product residue, all of the dirt, sebum, all the different things that build up on our hair.

We need to clean our scalp and make sure we’re starting fresh and we should do that on a regular basis. And I’m talking that you’re at least getting that, you know, a shampoo at least every seven to 10 days. And you know, and black women may not shampoo their hair as frequently as others do, but trying to get it done at least every seven to 10 days, because letting that build up stay on your scalp could also be a cause of hair loss because of the presence of the hormone.

So you really want to make sure you’re doing that.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:20]:

Is there anything you’ve noticed that people are putting in their hair? You talk about what you’re leaving in your hair, but are there some things that people might be using on their hair, not realizing that day three, day four, it’s really causing a lot of damage.

Angela Fields [00:15:30]:

Yeah.

And that’s when you’re talking about those tight hairstyles and when you’re wearing the glued in hairstyles. So every time you’re putting the hair in, you’re putting the glue right here over time, you’re going to experience hair thinning and then hair loss in that area, just from the weight from the glue. And then from the removal of it coming out of your hair.

And so you want to minimize wearing those tight hairstyles, glued in hairstyles, anything that is traumatizing to the scalp into the hair. You really want to be on the minimal side and start trying to wear other types of styles rather than relying on the glued in styles in the tight hairstyles. But sleep, exercise, diet, you know, those things are all in there as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:15]:

For many people, lifestyle changes can make all the difference. But for others, the road may be less clear. While it’s always a good idea to reduce stress, get better sleep and choose hairstyles that have a positive impact on long term hair health.

There are many women out there who experience advanced hair loss and need to take a more targeted approach to their hair regrowth and overall health. But without the proper support, it can be hard to know where to begin.

Angela Fields [00:16:45]:

They should start at the same point.

Is it the tight hairstyles? Doing an evaluation of what could be the root causes. Are you experiencing some type of illness? OK, then maybe one doctor has been treating that illness like lupus, for example. But maybe you need to add in a dermatologist to treat the hair loss.

But also, is it style related? Maybe you need to start wearing some different types of hairstyles or different products. Should you be using a growth serum on your hair? Absolutely. You know, that can indeed help with the thinning.

But sometimes it can just be the fear of I don’t even know what this could possibly be. So I’m kind of scared to talk about it. And you feel isolated and alone and you shouldn’t.

There are options on social media for groups that are dealing with hair loss and just feeling that you’re not alone, that you’re not in isolation. There are some individuals you can talk to. There are also meetup groups that you can find across the country.

And perhaps you can find one in your area where all of the women in the group are experiencing hair loss. And so maybe once or twice a month they get together. They talk about what’s going on, what’s happening.

And so just lifting that feeling of isolation off that I’m not alone. And it hit me hard when I heard the words alopecia. It’s like, oh, no, not.

All right. And so that’s why I talk about it so that individuals don’t feel like they’re all alone. And when I am able to talk to someone or help someone through it, it’s just like a success.

And when they follow up, because I always want to hear back, how’s it going? Have things changed? Are they improving? And it is huge. It’s a victory. I mean, I’m feeling a victory too.

When someone says, yes, it’s working, it’s working. So even though you’re feeling that fear of stepping out there and wondering what it could be, go ahead and do that. Reach out to various groups, reach out to individuals.

If you see someone in social media telling their story, I mean, reach out to them because they will respond to you. I assure you they will respond. And even the meetup groups can be something that can be helpful as well.

But you have opportunities to connect, to reach out. Don’t feel like it’s just you. I don’t want you to stay in isolation either.

Where would you start with that connection process? What’s step one? Step one is search for hair loss on social media and whatever is your chosen platform. Is it YouTube? Is it TikTok? Is it Instagram? Is it Facebook? Reach out and find the groups. On Facebook, there could be private groups where everyone in the group is dealing with hair loss.

Join those groups, introduce yourself, start talking to the individuals. If you want a meetup group, go to the various sites where there are meetup groups to see if there’s a hair loss group right there in your own city and that you can join the group and at the next meeting. Generally, these groups are meeting a times a month and you may not be able to make every session, but step out and go there and talk to individuals.

If you need to make that call to your dermatologist, make sure you can find a dermatologist that understands how you traditionally wear your hair so that they can best come up with a routine to treat you. But you know, don’t stay in fear and don’t be stuck in that fear.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:20]:

Hair loss can feel like a lonely journey, but as Angela’s story shows, there is hope.

With the right treatments, a supportive community, and a willingness to seek answers, it’s possible to regain both your hair and your confidence. Whether you’re just starting to notice changes or you’ve been searching for solutions for years, you’re already on the path to success just by being here. We want to thank Angela for coming on the show to share both her experience with hair loss and her expertise in hair health so that more people can get on the path to feeling and looking their best.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month and HairPod’s first anniversary, we also want to thank you for being here with us. Together, we’re breaking down the stigma surrounding hair loss, one story at a time. For more inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who have been through hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app.

Thanks for listening to another episode of HairPod. Check us out at HairClub on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you’d share it with them.

If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com. We’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone.

And when you share, review, and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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Best Haircuts for Hair Loss: Expert Advice

by Julian Miranda | Feb 25, 2025 | Episode

Episode 53

Best Haircuts for Hair Loss: Expert Advice

When you start losing your hair, your barber or hair stylist is the first line of defense to help you look sharp and feel your best. In this episode, I sit down with master barber Craig Whitely – better known as Craig the Barber – to talk about all things grooming from the barber’s perspective. He’s got all the tips, from the best hair loss styles to the tools that really work (and the ones that don’t).

Hair Loss Styles: The Right Cut Matters

Hair loss happens to so many of us, and many barbers have tricks for making it less noticeable. To achieve the appearance of a full head of hair, Craig recommends subtle fades, softer hairlines, and strategic styling. What works best for you will depend on where your hair loss is most obvious, your hair texture, and your face shape, so make sure you’re working with a barber who can take all of those things into account. Of course, a fresh haircut will mask the symptoms of mild or early hair loss, but stopping (or, in some cases, reversing) hair loss takes more advanced tools.

Products for Hair Loss

Popular hair loss solutions come in many shapes and sizes, and Craig discusses some of the ones that people seek out, including fibers that attach to the existing hairs, which can give a fuller appearance (as long as they don’t get wet). Many quick fixes come with their caveats, so it’s important to do your research or talk to a hair loss specialist to see what’s going to work best for you. Craig has seen some good results for his clients who use minoxidil – in the majority of cases, it helps clients maintain their current hair length and thickness.

Hair Health: Creating Good Daily Habits

Stopping hair loss starts with healthy daily habits. Craig suggests starting with a daily routine that includes keeping the scalp stimulated and moisturized. Grooming creams can help keep the scalp hydrated, which supports hair follicle health. Regular exfoliation also helps remove product and skin buildup, which can stifle hair follicles. Craig also recommends choosing a hairstyle that supports long-term hair health, which means avoiding heavier hairstyles or managing the weight of heavy hair carefully so the follicle isn’t experiencing consistent tension.

Hair Loss and Confidence: Find an Ally

Hair loss happens in stages. No matter where you are in your hair journey, there are actions you can take today to care for your hair and boost your confidence. Working with someone who understands hair loss can help you figure out what that action might be for you. Professionals like Craig remind us that no one has to face hair loss alone, and there’s always something you can do to feel your best.

Empowering Resources

Episode.53 Transcript

Craig Whitely [00:00:02]:

I mean, I feel like they match my perfectionist personality. You know, they’re just as intense about how they look as I am, just as intense about how I want them to look. So we match. You know, it works out really well. They’re just as intense as I am, and so that’s my goal, to make you look good. That’s important.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:30]:

Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. If you’ve ever caught yourself in the mirror and thought that maybe you’re seeing your hairline start to recede or there’s a spot in the back that just isn’t as thick as it used to be, you’re in the right place. That moment can hit hard, and it leaves so many people wondering what the next step is. Wouldn’t it be great to have someone in your corner who’s going to give you real, honest advice and keep you looking and feeling your best? Today’s guest is here to do just that. He’s a master barber with two decades of experience in the industry, and he cares so much about teaching people the art of self care. He created the popular men’s grooming blog, the Men’s Room.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:29]:

In this episode, Craig Whitely, AKA Craig the Barber, is here to talk hair loss from a barber’s perspective. He knows firsthand what it’s like to help someone navigate that moment when they first accept their hair loss and how to guide them towards whatever is going to help them feel most confident.

Craig Whitely [00:01:52]:

I think the first part is just really addressing the elephant in the room. You know, a lot of times guys are sometimes in denial, right? And so we both have to get on the same page when it comes to the person sitting in the chair and their advocate, their partner say, hey, listen, this is what’s going on. I foresee this becoming worse down the line. Let’s see how we can now manage it and do some preemptive strategies and proactive strategies to make sure that we can do this. So a lot of times when you’re receding from the front of your hairline, if it’s subtle, then you can definitely, depending on the hair type, you can definitely blend the rest of the hair to match the front.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:28]:

Right.

Craig Whitely [00:02:28]:

And not make hard lines in the front when you create hard lines in the front of the hairline, it brings greater attention to these areas that are being lost. Right. So then you create subtle hairlines, you know, depending on the hair type. For example, if you have straighter hair, then you can create some strategies where you’re cutting the hair in an angled formations to the front, where then you can texture here a little bit with certain types of products with the way you point cut into the hair. And then you can style it where the hair goes a little bit forward without looking like a cover up.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:56]:

Right.

Craig Whitely [00:02:56]:

And we manage it, we manage it in that way and that’s how you start.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:01]:

Now, are there some things that you would do that you wouldn’t recommend? I know, you know, once upon a time people were doing the comb over and they were doing that kind of stuff. And you know, people have kind of called that out. Do you have people that still want that and get that request?

Kevin Rolston [00:03:13]:

And how do you kind of.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:15]:

Because I imagine because for you it’s your reputation too. So if you got a client, you’re sending them out there and they come to you with a bad request that you know is not going to look good, how does that consultation go down? And how do you try to work with one of your clients to say, hey, you got to trust me. You came to me and if you ever put your foot down and said, I’m sorry, but that’s going to look terrible and I’m not cutting it that way.

Craig Whitely [00:03:37]:

I, not 100% of my clients, thankfully, trust me. But it took a lot of time for me for them to gain that trust. Right. One of the advantages for me is that I’m extremely honest and I do it from a position of love. You know, I really appreciate them and I want them to look their best. And so being an advocate for them is very helpful in that way. And so when they come in with certain strategies of trying to hide what is being lost, I have to be straight up with them and say, hey, listen, this is not going to work. Everyone can see it.

Craig Whitely [00:04:08]:

Comb overs just aren’t a thing anymore. We just can’t do that. It’s very obvious. Let’s see how we can strategize and make you look good. You know, it’s funny, I say this to so many guys that are losing their hair. I have yet, and hey, it might just be the man that have sat in my chair, but I have yet to see a gentleman that is losing their hair have the, have a funny shape head. And so I feel like that is Kind of like some grace that they are getting. So if they end up losing their hair, I said, hey, you know, we could work with this, we could work with this bald look, for example.

Craig Whitely [00:04:40]:

And I feel like I give them the confidence to say, hey, the way this is going, we can make it work, or we can figure out ways to strategize on, you know, speaking to a few doctors, have some recommendations, you know, what you really want to do. And so we go through the whole gamut on strategies. I’m making that work for them.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:57]:

Can you size up somebody’s face and immediately tell from their face what is going to be the right hairstyle to match?

Craig Whitely [00:05:03]:

That is one of my skill sets. I, I specialize in cutting hair according to their face shape and strategize haircuts that complement the face shape and enhance their face shape. A lot of times, especially, you know, very popular, a very good looking approach to styling someone’s hair is finding a way to enhance their jawline. And the jawline is very attractive feature for the male. And so you want to create a symmetrical face shape and a strong jawline. And so I try my best to work with what I have to build that look for them.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:34]:

Okay, and do you think that there is one hairstyle that you would recommend for somebody? Because the comb over is gone. If somebody is losing their hair, what is something that somebody could walk into their own barber if they can’t get, you know, Craig the barber coming out to their house, what could they walk into their own barber and say, hey, can you try this because I’m losing my hair. Maybe they’re losing it, you know, on the crown where a lot of people lose it. And would it be different from someone losing in the crown as opposed to somebody losing in the front? Are there hairstyles or techniques that they could do to, you know, create that illusion that they’re not losing as bad as they are? What would you recommend for either one of those people?

Craig Whitely [00:06:10]:

Sure. I feel like, you know, when you’re dealing with the front, that’s a really difficult one. And it really is going to depend on their hair line and the hair type primarily because there’s, that’s your focal point, right? When someone looks at you, the first thing they see is the front of your face. The back is really easy to hide. There’s a lot of ways you could do different sprays, just different types of sprays that you could put in the back, fillers that will kind of fill out that particular area so no one really sees it. But the front is really a very obvious situation. So it really is going to depend on how much is being lost. And for example, if they have hair type like mine, African American hair, and as a hairline there, we’re going to go with something that’s not going to be very hard lines in the front and we’re going to try to fade out those areas where they are losing to give it an illusion that there’s nothing really happening in that space.

Craig Whitely [00:06:55]:

Right.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:56]:

So it’s more. It’s more blended. You’re going to go a little bit of a softer, not. Yeah, not a hard line.

Craig Whitely [00:07:01]:

Exactly. Absolutely.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:03]:

Okay, okay. Illusions, illusions.

Craig Whitely [00:07:06]:

You got to create delusions. The magic. We’re working on magic at this point when it comes to got to get creative.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:15]:

A great haircut is a solid starting point when you’re in those early stages of hair loss. And Craig’s honest approach lays that foundation. But sometimes a haircut alone isn’t enough. Maybe you need a little more to feel confident when you look in the mirror. That’s when it helps to lean on your barber for advice. The right tools and products can make.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:36]:

A big difference, but that right look.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:39]:

Isn’T the same for everyone. Being open with your barber about what you’re hoping to achieve gives them the chance to guide you. Recommend what works, works and help keep your expectations realistic.

Craig Whitely [00:07:56]:

I use a very easy product. You can find them at stores so many times. This product called Topic, that’s the one I like to use. And it’s basically it looks like how you would describe. Like you see those old movies where women are spraying perfume and they have this little pump looking product that sprays perfume. It functions as similarly and you just basically sprays fillers which are essentially. It’s not necessarily hair, it’s like fibers that essentially attach to the hair. And then to keep it in place, typically you spray a little hairspray on it and hold it in place.

Craig Whitely [00:08:26]:

What’s great about that is it really matches the hair color and hair type and it doesn’t stick necessarily to the scalp where it looks where say for example, if light hits it, you can see it very easily. It’s a very disguisable product which I enjoy using often. And then they have other products that are more semi permanent. For example, they call a product called Vision, which is more of a liquid form, almost like a hair color type of product that people then kind of like subtly paint and spray on and things of that nature. But I typically like the fibers because they look more realistic, in my opinion.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:59]:

Now Are there any downsides to this product? Let’s say you get caught in a rainstorm, are you in trouble?

Craig Whitely [00:09:05]:

Yes.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:07]:

Okay.

Craig Whitely [00:09:09]:

Yes you are. I mean, the only way you’re going to prevent that is you’re going to have to use something that is more semi permanent. It’s going to last a few days or so, but if you’re using that product topic, it’s definitely going to wash off.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:21]:

So even on a sunny day, you take an umbrella with you just in case.

Craig Whitely [00:09:24]:

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just in case. Just in case. You gotta, you gotta be, you know, no one needs to know. Just, just walk around with your umbrella and it’s okay. They won’t know why you just, there’s being percussed.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:35]:

Have you ever seen one of your clients trying the minoxidils or some of those topical?

Craig Whitely [00:09:39]:

Oh, yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:40]:

And what do you think about those? Have you seen great success with clients that use that?

Craig Whitely [00:09:44]:

Yeah, it’s an off and on situation. You know, I feel like the secret and the, the solution is still out there.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:50]:

Right.

Craig Whitely [00:09:50]:

They have not found the perfect scenario for everyone. But I have seen success for some men and no success for others. It’s some, sometimes, maybe, I would say maybe a 60, 40 scenario at this point I see more guys moving in that direction trying to use these types of products and seeing great, great success, you know. And then surprisingly, I’ve actually had clients that were taking it for years and then disclosed to me years later that they have been taking it for three or four years, for example, and I never knew. And so then I could say, oh wow, so it has been working because I’ve been cutting your hair. I haven’t seen any hair loss. And so I think it really depends on the person. I think sometimes diet is a plays a factor sometimes and stress on how these products are going to support.

Craig Whitely [00:10:34]:

But I’ve seen success surprisingly.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:37]:

Okay, now tell me, doing what you do, how are you staying up on the new hairstyles? Where do you go, where do you look? How do you make sure that are you learning from your clients? Are you watching pop culture stuff like how do you know what is and what are some of the biggest trends right now in the hairstyles that you’re seeing?

Craig Whitely [00:10:54]:

Yeah, so the popular, I typically, you know, you’re always seeing. Social media has such a wide array of these opportunities to be able to see what’s there. I always like to also go to and watch videos and footage of fashion shows because a lot of times they typically are going to be showing me what’s Coming down the bike. You know, a lot of times it’s not. Hasn’t reached the United States yet, but a lot of times you can go to Europe and you see a little trance. You see a lot of hairstyles that are coming out that are sometimes very radical or sometimes going back into 70s, 80s, and then we typically tie. The United States typically likes to follow that maybe four or five years after the fact. And so that’s where I see a lot.

Craig Whitely [00:11:36]:

The trends. And, you know, I think what I see is a lot of big hair right now. You know, I say a lot of African American men, all races, are typically liking the full hair effect, surprisingly, the big looks. And so I feel like that is kind of an advantage when it comes to hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:52]:

Right.

Craig Whitely [00:11:52]:

Where you can cover up a lot of that. The more hair you have on the top of your head, the more you can disguise where the hair loss is.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:59]:

Now, my question, because sometimes I see younger guys with hair like what you’re talking about.

Craig Whitely [00:12:04]:

Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:05]:

And like, for instance, there’s a football player named Cam Newton. And I don’t know if you know who Cam is, but he has got some law. He’s got some long hair and everything twisted. It’s tied. And the one thing I think, you know, he’s. He’s a younger guy right now, but I’m thinking in 10 to 20 years, whenever I see Cam Newton’s hair and he’s always wearing the hats and everything like that, is he doing damage to his scalp and to his hair that in 20 years he might regret? Are those kind of hairstyles harder on somebody who might be prone to male pattern baldness later on?

Craig Whitely [00:12:35]:

That’s a great question. So I think one of the biggest challenges with hair when it comes to, like, Cam Newton’s hairstyle and things of that nature, is the weight.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:42]:

Right.

Craig Whitely [00:12:43]:

The heavier the hair, it looks heavy.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:45]:

His hair looks heavy.

Craig Whitely [00:12:46]:

Yes, it is, and it will be. Right? So the thing with him is that as long as he’s able to manage the weight, if he doesn’t have male pattern baldness in his line, then he’ll be safe. But a lot of times it’s really just a root area. You know, if you’re careful with how much weight is being stressed on the root, and then you’re also carefully taking care of those areas. You naturally exfoliating the scalp, you’re moisturizing your scalp, and you’re doing all the necessary precautionary measures. He may or may not struggle with that. It really is going to depend But I know that when your hair is long and there’s a lot of stretching and pulling, that is going to speed up the process of any form of hair loss. Sometimes it takes quite some time for that hair to grow back because you’re damaging the root.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:31]:

A great barber will point out all the hair don’t like avoiding heavy hairstyles that constrain your roots or skipping proper scalp care. But the best barbers go one step further. They’ll steer you towards the routines and products that can actually strengthen your hair and keep it looking its best. Hair loss might feel overwhelming, but with the right advice and daily habits, you can protect the hair you have and give it the care it deserves.

Craig Whitely [00:14:02]:

I think what is important is a lot of folks, especially men, they’re are extremely unaware of the fact that when you apply products to your hair, there comes buildup. Especially when you’re styling your hair on a day to day, right. So it’s important for you to be able to make sure you’re shampooing and conditioning your hair. A lot of guys, the two day their hair gets a little bit dirtier, for example, straighter hair and it, it looks better and it feels fuller, right. But at the end of the day you can accomplish that with product and good healthy product. And so you have to. I like to always recommend for customers to exfoliate their scalp at least once a week, get a hair exfoliating product or you could just literally just go to the store and buy an exfoliating product that you exfoliate your skin with and apply to your scalp. And that really loosens all of the dead skin cells that are on your hair.

Craig Whitely [00:14:50]:

A lot of the product that is just stuck and deposited on your scalp because sometimes a lot of guys don’t realize their hair is not breathing right. And so it’s important for all of these types of gels and creams and putties for those to be washed out of the scalp from time to time. And then you also, I always recommend, whenever someone goes to bed, always recommend some aspect of a moisturizing product on your scalp. You’re not styling your hair before you go to bed, right. But you’re shampooing, you, conditioning your hair. I always recommend say a grooming cream that keeps the scalp moist and it keeps the scalp healthy. And preparing your scalp for tomorrow when you’re getting ready to style your hair, those are key things.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:30]:

Any products that you would stay away from anything that you think is out there that either is not worth the money, kind of a scam or maybe it’s actually something that winds up damaging your hair.

Craig Whitely [00:15:39]:

I’m not a fan of gels.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:40]:

Okay.

Craig Whitely [00:15:41]:

I don’t think hair gels are supportive in any way for a gentleman’s hair. A lot of times it clumps up the hair. It does not have any form of moisturizing component to the product. It actually dries the hair in the scalp. That is not going to help any way, shape or form. If you’re trying to prevent hair loss when your scalp is dry. When your hair is dry and you don’t have and you’re drying out the scalp, you do not have any support that is allowing hair to naturally. Allow in hair to naturally grow and you will get a lot of breakage with those types of products.

Craig Whitely [00:16:12]:

I’m not a fan of gels at all. I feel like you can achieve any look you want without having to use a gel.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:17]:

Okay, what would you use? If somebody’s listening this right now, being dang, I use gel. What should they try instead of the gel?

Craig Whitely [00:16:24]:

So a lot of times, a lot of guys like gel because they like it to not move. They like the hair to not move.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:28]:

Right.

Craig Whitely [00:16:28]:

And so I personally like to use products that are going to be, say, a matted putty like a Sumo Tech, for example, from Bumble and Bumble. You can style the hair and get. Get a hairspray. Get a hairspray, not too heavy, medium whole hairspray and spray your hair. You want to get the same effect, but you’re going to get the moisturizing components that comes from the Sumo tech as well as the grooming cream earlier. And you’re not having any deposit or even any flaking that comes from these gels from time to time as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:52]:

Right?

Craig Whitely [00:16:53]:

Nice.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:53]:

Awesome.

Craig Whitely [00:16:54]:

And so that’s, that’s a really quick option. And then a lot of folks like to use mousses. Mousse does a similar process. And then you can. And again, you could just add a little hairspray and your hair set and it doesn’t have that hard, crunchy right look.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:08]:

Okay.

Craig Whitely [00:17:09]:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:10]:

So what is the furthest you’ve ever traveled to give somebody a haircut cut? Is it all local or if you had to get on a plane, you had to drive a crazy distance to get there.

Craig Whitely [00:17:20]:

I went to the Bahamas one time for the Michael Jordan golf tournament and I was the barber there for a week. Met a whole lot of cool guys, man. Met a whole lot of athletes. A whole lot of. That was awesome. That was awesome. That’s about as far as I’ve gone. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:35]:

That’s crazy.

Craig Whitely [00:17:36]:

That was a fun time. Yeah, that was really cool. Beat all those athletes.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:40]:

Yeah, that’s awesome. Okay, that’s cool. He’s down in my area. I’m in South Florida, so you need to come down here and.

Craig Whitely [00:17:45]:

Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:46]:

Make some house calls in South Florida. And what’s the craziest environment you’ve ever cut somebody’s hair in? Because when you’re at a golf course. Yeah. Where. Where are you, if you had to? Somebody’s like, hey, man, you got to take care of me right now. I got something I got to do. And you’re, like, right here. And.

Craig Whitely [00:18:00]:

Well, in that particular center, I was in their locker room. I was set up in their. The locker room. And, you know, I’m in locker room, man. I’m in the male’s locker room. So, you know, people are changing, and so that’s. That’s a little odd, but, you know, I made it work.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:15]:

Yeah, that’s.

Craig Whitely [00:18:17]:

And, you know, they don’t care. They just.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:19]:

Nah.

Craig Whitely [00:18:20]:

It’s like, they’re, you know, they’re like, hey, what’s up, man? I’m like, hey, I’ll just keep cutting over here, man.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:26]:

Right. Oh, man.

Craig Whitely [00:18:29]:

It’s interesting. Very interesting guy.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:31]:

They’re.

Craig Whitely [00:18:31]:

They’re cool guys, though. Yeah. That’s crazy.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:34]:

That is.

Craig Whitely [00:18:35]:

I would say that. And maybe a fashion show. A couple fashion shows where. Yeah. Very, very hectic in the background. You know, they’re running in and out. They change your clothes fast, and, you know, you have to style them out really quick. And sometimes you’re using the gels.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:48]:

Right.

Craig Whitely [00:18:48]:

Because you have. You don’t have time to really finesse a style. You have to just do something very quick. Right. It can be quite chaotic. I would say that was quite an interesting experience as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:58]:

Yeah, I can imagine there’s some challenges with that. I imagine you probably have a few customers or have had a few customers that could be challenging and, you know, wanted a certain way and very particular.

Craig Whitely [00:19:08]:

Absolutely. I mean, I feel like it. They match my perfectionist personality. You know, they’re just as intense about how they look as I am. Just as intense about how I want them to look. So we match. You know, it works out really well. They’re just as intense as I am, and so that’s my goal, to make you look good.

Craig Whitely [00:19:24]:

That’s important. It’s very important.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:31]:

Thanks for joining us for this episode of Hairpod. If there’s one big takeaway from today’s conversation with Craig, the barber, it’s that hair loss doesn’t mean giving up, it means adapting. With the right team, the right tools, and the right care, you can still feel confident every time you look in the mirror. Remember, your hair journey isn’t over just because you’ve hit a rough patch. You’ve got options, and you got people like Craig and me in your corner to help you find what works for you. For more information about all things hair and hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpod on Facebook to continue the conversation.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:13]:

If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:39]:

It helps us do just that.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:41]:

So thank you until next time.

DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT

Featured Guests

Heather Brooke
Nick Wilkins

New Episodes Weekly

Available Every Tuesday @ 9am

Want to Be a Guest?

Come on the Show!

Related Episodes

How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Mar 4, 2025

Discover Angela Fields’ journey with hair thinning, CCCA alopecia, and the solutions that helped her regain confidence in this special Women’s History Month episode.

Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

Mar 11, 2025

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

Listen & Subscribe

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Available now at:

Exploring Hair Systems with Influencer Rachel Rivera

by Julian Miranda | Feb 18, 2025 | Episode

Episode 52

Exploring Hair Systems With Influencer Rachel Rivera

This week, I sat down with Rachel Rivera to unravel the mystery surrounding hair systems. We took an in-depth look at how modern hair systems work and whether they look and feel as natural as they claim to. Rachel shares the secrets behind how professional hair loss stylists achieve the seamless, natural looks that high-quality hair systems are so famous for.

Hair Systems: Not Your Grandpa’s Hair Loss Solution

Hair loss is nothing new, and hair replacement solutions have been around for generations. However, as hair restoration technology continues to improve, so does the overall look, feel, and experience of using a modern hair system to achieve the look you desire.

While traditional hairpieces and toupees were often bulky and unnatural, today’s non-surgical hair systems are engineered to blend seamlessly with your natural hair and scalp. Cutting-edge advancements in both base materials and adhesives have revolutionized the hair system industry. The result? Modern hair systems are now more comfortable, breathable, and durable than ever—delivering a realistic hair restoration solution that gives wearers confidence in their appearance.

Hair Loss Stylists to the Rescue

One of the primary advantages of choosing a custom hair system is the ability to personalize it to your exact needs. Professional hair loss stylists work closely with clients to ensure the hair system matches their natural hair color, texture, and style preferences. This initial consultation is key, as it also considers important lifestyle factors that can influence the type of system and adhesive best suited for each individual.

Customization doesn’t stop at appearance. Modern hair systems can be tailored for maximum comfort and longevity, with stylists selecting the appropriate materials and adhesives based on your skin sensitivity, daily routine, and desired level of maintenance.

Learn to Use a Hair System with Expert Support

Maintaining your hair system at home is easier than ever with guidance from a professional hair loss stylist. Experts like Rachel Rivera educate clients on best practices to ensure their hair system looks flawless between salon visits. This includes teaching proper hair care techniques, such as using sulfate-free shampoos designed for hair systems, and demonstrating how to handle minor adjustments, like reapplying adhesive if lifting occurs.

Working with a trusted provider like HairClub offers an added benefit—access to hair loss salons across the country. Whether you need a routine maintenance visit or an emergency touch-up while traveling, HairClub’s network ensures you’re supported every step of the way.

Whether you’re ready to explore a hair system as your next hair loss solution or simply curious about the options available, the best first step is to schedule a consultation with a hair loss professional. Getting expert advice tailored to your unique needs can help you achieve the natural, full head of hair you’ve been seeking.

Empowering Resources

Episode.52 Transcript

Rachel Rivera [00:00:00]:

As you start getting a little bit more gray and as we start noticing and we start talking about it, it’s like, okay, Kevin, let’s add 10% more gray into your hair. I think it’s going to look really nice. I think it’s going to look natural. It is always me observing and us having this conversation so that future forward we can always change and customize orders to how you want it and how you would look your.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:31]:

Welcome to hairpod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Raulston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week on HairPod, I’m excited to be talking with hair club stylist Rachel Rivera. She has an incredible depth of knowledge about hair loss and hair restoration solutions with years of experience applying hair systems to countless clients, including me. This week we’re going to be uncovering the mysteries behind a topic that few people fully understand. Hair systems. If you don’t have one, it can be surprisingly hard to find detailed, reliable information on what they are and and how they work.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:24]:

Part of the challenge is that modern hair systems are designed to be undetectable. You could have a friend, coworker, or even a family member using one, and you would never know it. Many people choose them because they’re being discreet, so they’re not real quick to open up about it. And that’s exactly why conversations like this are so important. If you ever wondered what a hair system is exactly, listen in. Especially if you hear the words hair system and think toupee. If that’s you, you’re definitely not alone. I think a lot of us who have hair systems now, we’re in the same boat that you were not too long ago.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:01]:

And Rachel’s here to be our guide into how far the technology on hair systems has come and the amazing things that stylists like her can accomplish with a hair system.

Rachel Rivera [00:02:16]:

I hate the word ‘toupee’. It reminds me of, like, your grandfather or your great, great grandfather that had one of those. The difference is when it comes to a hair system, typically with the hair, you are able to get them in different one. You’re able to get them in different textures, different colors, you’re able to get them in different densities, which really create that difference in really, really natural and, you know, your heavier, thicker versions there’s two different kinds.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:48]:

Now, the one thing that to me, and tell me if I’m right on this, what is amazing about a hair system and what is different? I never wore a toupee, but from what I had seen when I was a kid, if I’d ever seen one, it seemed like what they were putting the hair in was something that was thicker, it wasn’t breathable, and the way that they would use the adhesive or the way that they would tack it onto the scalp, to me, that’s maybe where the biggest changes might come in. Not being an expert on it, but I’m just asking, am I right on that, that what they’re using to put the hair in and the measures that they use to keep the hair on are radically different between a hair system and a toupee?

Rachel Rivera [00:03:29]:

Oh, absolutely. When you think about a toupee or any kind of heavier density type of system, typically back in, you know, in the days you have people that wore them on tape, it was easy for them to kind of just apply the tape, put the hair on. When they go home, they take it off. Something that they simply use when they were going out or if they were going to work. The difference is with these systems now is that they’re made so that you can wear them for a long amount of time, which is amazing. You are wearing the hair, you’re washing the hair, you’re styling the hair as if it were your own. So with that we are using medical grade adhesives and we do use some strips as well. And then what we do is it creates that longer lasting version of hair where it literally is mimicking hair like your own.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:19]:

And when you talked about the hair that they had in a toupee, was that real human hair or was it something synthetic?

Rachel Rivera [00:04:26]:

A lot of them were synthetic. You did have a few that were human hair. Those obviously, I think assuming back in the time costed a lot more money. But now those heads of hair typically were synthetic. They were very, very heavy usually often because they weren’t matched to a client’s hair or their own growing hair. A lot of the times they were often color. So that’s the big difference with what we have now and old school toupees.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:52]:

And with the toupee, it wasn’t something like, for people that don’t know, with a hair system now, when I sit in your chair, you put on the hair system when it’s fresh and it’s brand new, and then you start cutting it to fit the style that I want and what looks good. And if I had to assume the toupee itself probably came pre cut, and how you got it is just what you had, and that’s just what you’re going to wear. As far as your style.

Rachel Rivera [00:05:17]:

Oh, yeah. What you had was what you had. If you wanted the curly, it was whatever you wanted the texture to be. It just wasn’t cut and customized to your own, your own hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:28]:

Now, the one thing I would say with a hair system is you talk about what they put the hair in. The hair system now it’s some kind of mesh where it’s very breathable. And to me, I think that’s what’s radically different to the point where you don’t feel it when it’s on. You sweat through it, water goes through it. And I imagine the old school toupees, it wasn’t like that.

Rachel Rivera [00:05:50]:

No, you were talking about heavier densities back in the day, usually something very, very thick, almost to the point where it was suffocating the scalp. The hair systems that we have now are extremely breathable. The majority of them come in a lace style, which is great because it allows for the breathability, not only just for that factor, but also in washing your own hair and just kind of feeling that water run through the hair. Hair will get knotted into the lace systems, and it creates that natural look and breathability with what you’re getting.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:26]:

Hearing Rachel break down how hair systems differ from toupees really shows you just how far the technology has come. But it’s not just the advanced materials or the comfort they provide that sets them apart. It’s the level of personalization. High quality hair systems like the one I wear are completely customized to each individual. Every detail, from hair color and texture to style, is tailored to create a natural, seamless look that’s as unique as the person who’s wearing it.

Rachel Rivera [00:07:00]:

From the beginning. If you remember when you initially started with us, we sit you down, we have these one on one consultations. We meet with you, we look over your hair, the color of your hair, the texture of your hair, the great percentage in your hair. With that, we customize a head of hair that is literally just for you, just for all of our clients. So when we are seeing our clients for the first time and we’re cutting in their hair, not only does that hair blend and match what we’ve created for for them, but we are also cutting it according to style. So it is meeting with me and saying, hey, Rachel, I really like this style. I want to do this. And then me Customizing the look that you want.

Rachel Rivera [00:07:44]:

So that makes the biggest difference in the world. You’re blending it in, it looks natural. You can’t even tell where the hair that we’ve applied on where it starts and where your own hair begins. And that’s what we want.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:58]:

Now, a lot of people that come to Hair Club, they have some level of gray, likely in their natural hair. So how do you do that so that that matches up because the toupees didn’t used to do that. So at Hair Club, how are you doing it so that you match in grays or just the subtle textures too? And even in the summer, some people’s hair gets lighter and things change like that. So what are you doing there to make sure that you it’s seamless from the real natural hair that the person still has into what is the hair from their hair system?

Rachel Rivera [00:08:28]:

It’s nice because Hair Club created these customized swatches where we are able to kind of blend in anywhere between the 10% gray to the 90% gray. So it gives us those variations. So when we’re comparing your hair to any of the great percentage swatches that we have, we’re able to customize your hair as we go. Now granted, as again, like how you mentioned with the summertime, we do a lot of in house customization as well. So everything is very unique to you. So that’s always a good thing with gray percentage as well as you start getting a little bit more gray and as we start noticing and we start talking about, it’s like, okay, Kevin, let’s add 10% more gray into your hair. I think it’s going to look really nice. I think it’s going to look natural.

Rachel Rivera [00:09:15]:

It is always me observing and us having this conversation so that future forward we can always change and customize orders to how you want it and how you would look your best.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:25]:

Now somebody were coming in, they said, well, you know, I’m particular to the hairstyle that I have or the hair that I want. You know, what are the parameters when it comes to styles that people can get? Do you have? Well, we can do these kind of four hairstyles, but we can’t do something like that. Where are your limitations when it comes to putting the exact style that the customer wants?

Rachel Rivera [00:09:44]:

Our styles, hands down, are always. I feel like I can always give somebody exactly what they’re looking for and what they want. There are no limitations to what we can do. There’s not just four, like cookie cutter haircuts. We have tons of haircuts. I Am a super visual person. So if you give me something that you like, I’m going to follow that. There’s no limitations to hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:10]:

One of the biggest challenges for any stylist working with hair systems is helping each person feel like themselves again. It’s not just about creating something that looks good. It’s about creating a system that blends so naturally into someone’s lifestyle that it truly just becomes their hair. Achieving that level of personalization takes skill, patience, and incredible attention to detail, especially when matching color, texture, and style to reflect somebody’s unique personality. It’s a far cry from hair solutions of the past. Most toupees were made from synthetic materials, which is why they didn’t really look or feel natural. This is another thing that sets a high quality hair system apart from, from a toupee or even a lower quality system. The materials make all the difference.

Rachel Rivera [00:11:01]:

Our hair is human. So the good thing about it is that your hair is gonna feel just like your own hair. Granted, you’re always gonna have, you know, different variances in textures here and there, but being the fact that the hair is human, the hair is always gonna feel like your own. So as you’re running your hands through your hair, you’re gonna feel that natural feeling of hair. And at some point, I believe people just, you know, it’s. It’s all one. They forget that they have hair, and then all of a sudden they’re running their hands through their hair. And that’s a great feeling.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:30]:

And the thing that I would say too, with the hair system is that layer, what they put the hair in with the hair system, that mesh layer, it’s so thin. To me, it’s like a layer of skin. And so as you’re going from what would be your natural hair into what is the hair in the hair system, it’s not like you hit a line or you feel a bump, or you could then trace your hand all the way around, be like, okay, wait a minute. Clearly that part is not the real hair. That’s the experience that I have had with it.

Rachel Rivera [00:11:58]:

Oh, yeah. It’s almost a zero transition from the hair that we are putting on to your own hair. And that’s really what you want, that most natural feel in the hair. Just that ability to run through the hand and not feel those seams that most people would think would be there.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:15]:

Tell me a bit about the adhesive that you use, because I’m sure there are some concerns out there that I’m an active person, I’m on the boat. I Like going swimming. I’m in Taekwondo, whatever it might be. How good is the adhesive? And is there only one way that you put on a hair system, or does it vary from person to person as to how you make sure that it’s going to stay on? And just how sturdy is a hair system to stay on?

Rachel Rivera [00:12:41]:

Oh, no. We have several types of adhesives, and really it’s all based on one. Your skin, your active, whether your lifestyle is active or not. So we kind of, as we’re going along and I’m getting to know you, we utilize a certain type of adhesive, and then we work from there, going back and forth. We have several different kinds, from our nice and sturdy to our clients that are a little bit more sensitive. And we have those hypoallergenic types of adhesive. So we have adhesives for all, which is really good. As we start getting to know our clients a little bit more and what their needs are, that is also one thing that we customize as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:22]:

Yeah, and I will tell you, it’s very sturdy. And one thing I did when I first got my hair system was try all these different things, like riding in a Jeep with my head sticking out of the window and going into a hurricane simulator with category three winds. And so it’s, you know, withstood all of those. So anybody who is going to be skiing, being on a boat, anything that might be fast, even if you’re riding a motorcycle and you decide to unfortunately not use element, which you should, it’s going to be something. It’s going to stay on with the adhesives that they have. So the security there is. It’s always 100%. It’s never anything that I think of losing as I’m doing something active.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:59]:

So to let people know that, the one thing that I will talk about which I think is unique, is that sometimes you do have to understand that the way your skin is, because sometimes you have oily scalps, and sometimes you have very dry scalps. And so, you know, just having dealt with me when we were going through different adhesives and whatever, my skin, all of it’s so sensitive. I have eczema on my face, and I’m always using creams and things like that. And then sometimes, yeah, my scalp would be dried out, and it’s almost like we had to tweak it a little bit, try to figure out how to make that happen. Can you explain with the different skin types? And yeah, some people do have oily, and some people do have dry so how does that vary? Being a hairdresser at Hair club? What do you have to consider when you’re using a hair system?

Rachel Rivera [00:14:43]:

Well, what we do is, again, when we are initially meeting you for the first time, as we get to know you a little bit more and more, what we do is it’s just like with you, when you came to me initially, we started you out on one type of adhesive. And then as your skin changes, we also customize that as well. Same things go for even our technologies for hair. So hair systems come in what we call different technologies. Sometimes if you are a little bit on the oilier side, you tend to work out, the hair is getting a little bit looser. Those are things that we also have to change and customize with you as we go as well. Sometimes you do need something just a little bit sturdier. And then some of my clients kind of stay within that middle range, and their hair looks beautiful.

Rachel Rivera [00:15:28]:

And all we’re doing is we’re just changing either adhesive strips or adhesive in general. And then those are the little changes that we make as long as well with the home care that they’re giving it at home.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:42]:

Right. And you don’t necessarily have to use the adhesive strips, because I used to, especially when I had a more active lifestyle, and I’ve decided that wasn’t necessary for me. And so tell everybody, what kind of adhesive am I using, and where does that rank on the level of adhesives that you use for a hair system?

Rachel Rivera [00:15:59]:

Your adhesive is what we call ghost bond. And what the good thing about it is that it’s made for, one, durability, and two, any kind of active lifestyle. So it goes with the system type that you have as well. So everything coincides together to give you that nice blended, seamless look, but it’s giving you the hold that you need for as long as you need it for.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:22]:

Okay. And talk a little bit about the lifting, because I want full disclosure here so that you know somebody who’s looking at a hair system, they know everything that might be going. Going on. So especially for people that might frequently wash their hair, maybe once, sometimes twice a day or whatever, again, you can treat it like human hair that, you know, after a while, the adhesive, it. It may give a little bit, and you have what is called lifting, where there might be a little portion of it after the shower, typically is when I. I notice it. So to me, what I’ve done is I’ve budgeted in maybe an extra five minutes than I used to do before what I would do with my regular hair. And that would just be something to be like if I had that five minute cushion, if I have a bit of lifting, I take home the adhesive that you have and it’s just a little dot, you put it right there, you give it a second to kind of dry and to clear up and then you put the hair right back on it.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:10]:

Within five minutes, you’re completely good to go. It’s, it’s like anybody else would add something maybe to a styling regimen that would be what you would do with every shower is just to make sure that, okay, I don’t have any kind of lifting going on.

Rachel Rivera [00:17:23]:

Absolutely. It’s great because we never promise that it’s ever going to be foolproof. I never tell you, Kevin, your, your hair is going to go on and you’re never going to have any lifting and you’re never going to have any issues. And then you’re going to come to me and it’s going to look just as beautiful as it did when you left me. It does require your hair requires at home care, I always say, because that front hairline right here is always that first point of contact with any kind of outdoors. Also with your fingers, you are going to have the tendency, and again, it depends on activity level and what you’re doing at home. It’s going to require care. So when you come to Hair Club and we’re going over all of these instructions with you, we always give you the instructions on how to touch up the front hairline if you do have lifting.

Rachel Rivera [00:18:10]:

Sometimes you’ll get out of the shower, sometimes the little corners will lift up a little bit and all you need is that little bit of adhesive, a little touch up five minutes added to your hair care routine. That is all that you need. And you touch it up, you let it cure a little bit, set your hair back down and you are good to go. And on some occasions you don’t even need to do that. Sometimes you just need to take a little bit of a blow dryer and kind of just heat up that area and dry it up. Because sometimes it’s the water that kind of makes it lift a little bit.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:40]:

Right.

Rachel Rivera [00:18:41]:

Push everything back down and you’re good to go.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:43]:

Yeah, so true. No, that’s absolutely it. And you know, the longer you have, and I’ve had my hair system now for years that I know exactly how to do all the maintenance on my own. Earlier on, I was on a trip one time and I was in A different city. And the cool thing about Hair Club is when I was at that novice level and didn’t know what to do, and I should have, you know, thought to do more of the training and learn more of it is there are Hair Club locations all over the country. And so if you ever do find yourself in a pinch or something absolutely insane, happens to be able to pop off and have that ability to go in and get with a hair professional that can help you out, I found always be very comforting.

Rachel Rivera [00:19:20]:

Absolutely. And we have over 120 locations nationwide, so there really isn’t anywhere that you can go. You can also, at any point in time, call the center if you have any kind of emergencies, anything that we can talk you through. So we’re always there for you if you do have any concerns. But that’s our biggest thing is majorly is to give you that education that you need so that when those moments do come up, you’re not having those panic moments. And like, oh my goodness, what do I have to do? You know what you’re doing.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:51]:

A big thank you to Rachel Rivera for sharing her expertise and helping us break down the world of hair systems and hopefully clarifying what you can expect if you go in for a consultation with Hair Club and decide that a hair system is right for you. They are an amazing option if you’re looking for a personalized solution that looks and feels completely natural. Of course, as we always say on this podcast, there’s no one size fits all when it comes to hair loss. So working with a professional like Rachel can help you start your journey to feeling like yourself again with whatever tools suit your situation and lifestyle best. For more information about all things hair and hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your first favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Harepod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:52]:

If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to Podcast Hair Club. We’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you until next time.

DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT

Featured Guests

Heather Brooke
Nick Wilkins

New Episodes Weekly

Available Every Tuesday @ 9am

Want to Be a Guest?

Come on the Show!

Related Episodes

How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Mar 4, 2025

Discover Angela Fields’ journey with hair thinning, CCCA alopecia, and the solutions that helped her regain confidence in this special Women’s History Month episode.

Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

Mar 11, 2025

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

Listen & Subscribe

Listen to HairPod™ on various streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Subscribe and be the first to listen to new episodes.

Available now at:

Eat Your Way to Healthy Hair: Hair Loss Tips

by Julian Miranda | Feb 11, 2025 | Episode

Episode 51

Eat Your Way to Healthy Hair: Hair Loss Tips

In this episode, we sit down with triple-board certified nutritionist Julie Olson to discuss how we can optimize our nutrition for stronger, healthier hair. If you’re curious about the building blocks of hair growth and want expert-backed tips to improve the strength and fullness of your hair, this episode is for you!

Nutrition and Healthy Hair

Julie’s personal experience with hair loss began with a stressful experience and a fast-paced lifestyle. When she left her corporate job, she saw a massive improvement in her overall health. This was the catalyst for beginning her journey as a nutritionist, focusing on making targeted dietary changes to restore her hair naturally. Her story serves as a reminder that proper nutrition is key in any hair loss prevention strategy.

Essential Nutrients for Hair Growth

Protein is critical for healthy hair. Hair is primarily made up of keratin, a type of protein, and without adequate protein intake, hair growth can slow down. Other vital nutrients for hair health include:

Iron – Supports oxygen flow to hair follicles, essential for hair growth.
Zinc – Aids in tissue repair and boosts follicle function.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Help reduce inflammation and improve scalp health.

Julie cautions against believing everything we hear online. In her experience, **biotin isn’t always necessary**, despite the hype. Most people get enough biotin through their diet, so supplementation should only be considered if a deficiency is diagnosed. Instead, she stresses the importance of focusing on a balanced diet and using supplements strategically.

Foods to Avoid for Better Hair Health

Some foods can actually contribute to hair loss. Julie explains how highly processed foods, especially processed meats like hot dogs, can trigger inflammation and nutrient imbalances that may worsen hair thinning. Other culprits include:

Processed Meats & Fried Foods – Contain unhealthy fats that increase inflammation.
Refined Carbs & Sugary Snacks – Can spike blood sugar, leading to hormonal imbalances that impact hair growth.
Caffeinated & Alcoholic Beverages – Can lead to dehydration, negatively impacting scalp health.

Julie recommends making mindful food choices to support hair health naturally, reducing inflammation, and improving overall wellness.

Hair Loss Prevention – Holistically

Hair loss isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about how well your body absorbs nutrients and maintains balance. Stress, gut health, and hydration all play a role in whether your body can effectively use the nutrients you consume. Julie emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach to hair health:

Manage Stress – High cortisol levels can trigger excessive shedding.
Support Gut Health – A healthy gut microbiome improves nutrient absorption.
Stay Hydrated – Dehydration weakens hair strands and affects scalp circulation.

Rather than relying on quick-fix supplements, Julie encourages listeners to focus on a balanced diet, stress management, and overall wellness. Creating the right conditions internally will promote healthy, thriving hair.

Empowering Resources

Book a Complimentary HairClub Consultation Today!

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.51 Transcript

Julie Olson [00:00:02]:

Every day we need to detoxify things, and we can’t do that if we’re not getting enough good, healthy water on our system. Our hair needs to be hydrated too. And again, that hydration, if we’re dehydrated, we’re gonna eat more food. Because if you’re dehydrated, you get hungry when you’re just really dehydrated. But it’s gonna first go to your vital organ and your hair lasts, and then your hair is not going to be healthy. It needs that hydration for detoxification.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:44]:

Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. We’ve all heard the phrase, you are what you eat. And it’s no secret that your diet can impact everything from your energy levels to your skin health. That’s why this week on HairPod, we brought nutritionist Julie Olson on the show to talk about how to maximize your hair growth and minimize your hair loss. Starting with the food that you eat, we’re going to be talking about the things that you absolutely must have in your diet for healthy hair growth and what foods might be contributing to your hair thinning, especially if you’re eating them regularly. Julie speaks on this topic as a triple board certified nutritionist, but she’s also somebody who’s experienced hair loss herself.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:46]:

It was her own hair thinning that tipped her off that she needed to make some changes in her lifestyle. And when she did, she noticed a big difference in her health and in her hair.

Julie Olson [00:02:01]:

The whole journey into nutrition and functional medicine started really with a phone call. I was working as a senior media research analyst at Warner Brothers, and I got the call that my mother had stage three breast cancer. So that was the caveat or the whole thing that started my journey. I came back to Denver to support her and got more interested why she got so sick and then realized that I was neglecting my own health. And when my hair started falling out in clumps, I really made that pivot and quit my media career. And I haven’t looked back since. I’m now I have like four certifications and been doing it, what, 14 years now? Yeah, I love it.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:47]:

Okay, very cool. That’s great. Now tell me, how did you make that connection? Because you’re losing your hair in clumps. But when did it finally click that? Maybe it’s the nutrition. And how did you find the source of what was causing your hair loss?

Julie Olson [00:03:00]:

Well, it took a while but was discouraged because want to, you know, do anything unnatural. And I was also stressed and, you know, living a really fast lifestyle. So I not only for myself, but for my mother, that medicine can be food, the right medicine, and it also could be poison.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:27]:

Well, one of the things that’s going on today that people are talking about is the increasing cancer rates in younger people. How is that affected by our diet? How much of it is environmental could have to do with some of the pharmaceuticals that we’re taking today. And what can we do to correct these numbers? You know, just as we’re looking at the cancer rates in younger people, I would imagine that your hair is really no different. So if our medicines, our diet and the environment can affect our cancer rates, I imagine they’re doing the same thing with our hair. So what could be some of these environmental things or maybe some of the foods that could be triggering our hair loss? I think a good place to start would be to talk about the building blocks of nutrition that make up healthy hair. So Julie, can you take us down this path a little bit and tell us what we’re going to be looking for here?

Julie Olson [00:04:17]:

The number one building block is protein. Protein is made of keratin, and that’s the adequate protein that’s essential for the structure and growth of hair. Okay, so, but amino. Yeah, that’s number one. Really take a minute though, to break down protein because there’s different types of protein and proteins are made up of amino acids. And the, the body uses about 20 different amino acids to build protein. And we can make amino acids ourselves, but we only get nine of them. And those are known as essential amino acids.

Julie Olson [00:04:55]:

And generally animal proteins are known as complete proteins, meaning they’re made up of all nine essential amino acids. Wherever you’re getting protein now, protein is poultry, eggs, fish, seafood, beans. Those are main ones.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:15]:

But could you say those for me one more time? That’s a very important thing to hear. What, what are those again? What foods?

Julie Olson [00:05:20]:

Okay. Think of even wild game. But you know, if you’re gonna eat red meat, try to eat grass fed meat. But poultry, eggs, fish, fish and shellfish, beans, also known as legumes. And then, you know, there’s plant proteins as well. But those are the, the main per se animal proteins that have a complete amino acid profile.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:45]:

Okay.

Julie Olson [00:05:46]:

But you know, it’s count when you are eating, like, ulta. Processed animal foods such as hot dogs or chicken nuggets that have those unhealthy fats and a bunch of sodium. I mean, overall, for health. But the general rule is to get 20 grams of protein at every meal, and that’s size of your palm of your hand. Okay, yeah, you know, think chicken, but. And the minimum of 60 grams a day. But ultimately, especially if you’re struggling with hair loss, getting 100 grams a day would be even better. And at that point, you know, whether it’s animal or our plant protein, just get it in.

Julie Olson [00:06:25]:

You know that it’s very important because that’s what our hair is made of.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:28]:

Now, is there a really big difference? Let’s say we’re talking to a vegan or a vegetarian right now. Is the beef and the animal proteins, is that superior to hair health than the proteins that you can get from your vegetables?

Julie Olson [00:06:41]:

Yes, it is. It’s also much higher profile levels. And again, it goes back to those amino acids. You don’t get all the essential amino acids from plant proteins.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:51]:

Okay. And is there a ranking when it comes to your meats? Because I’ve heard people talk about regulating how much red meat you’re eating. And your chickens and your fish seem to be a little bit healthier. Would you rank it that way as well, for hair health?

Julie Olson [00:07:05]:

Yeah, I mean, I would say that. I mean, I can rank them for you, but just eating whole foods that aren’t processed, I mean, you can even get processed meats. And the process, I, Man, I have a whole conversation on this because even the lunch meats, yeah, they’re a lot of them are packaged in gluten to make them look plump, even like the butter, the, you know, turkeys, most of them, that, that liquid they’re encased in, it’s gluten, and it, it plumps them up. But I’m. That’s a whole different realm.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:38]:

But it is. But, you know, I think here I, I just like to qualify the quality of the proteins you’re getting and starting with the quality of the meats that you have. And you’re right. You talk about your hot dogs. I’ve heard demonization on the bacon that, you know, that has some ill effects on the body. And some of those processed meats, even the kind of stuff that you might get on a charcuterie board, may not best thing for you.

Julie Olson [00:07:58]:

Right, right. And you want to think just as close to nature as possible. That’s why game meats are just great. I mean, Livers. It’s a perfect liver. Organ meats are the perfect food for hair because they have. Yeah, they.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:14]:

Okay.

Julie Olson [00:08:14]:

They’ve got every nutrient possible, you know, including vitamin A and a lot of vitamins, other vitamins and minerals. So.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:23]:

Okay.

Julie Olson [00:08:23]:

Yeah, yeah. I mean, what type of eggs you eat? I mean, you want to get chicken organic. I mean, it’s.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:30]:

Does that really make a big difference? Because sometimes I hear there’s free range and there’s organic and things like that. And. Yeah, you know, sometimes when it comes to the food industry, they put a label on something that sounds great and then they charge you a lot more money for it. But truly, organic is a word that is organic.

Julie Olson [00:08:48]:

Yeah, it is. And. But that is a really good question because for eggs you want organic and free range. Because organic could be. Meaning organic could be the. Well, they’re eating organic soy. Right. But free range means they’re eating grass and insects like they’re supposed to be eating.

Julie Olson [00:09:07]:

And they are more expensive. For sure.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:10]:

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. Yeah, Go figure.

Julie Olson [00:09:13]:

Yeah, yeah. And then, I mean, you can take it down from there. Let’s use an example of keto diet. Right. People think, oh, well, that would be great because I could get all that protein. Keto is basically protein and fat, but you also need a lot of antioxidants and vitamins and minerals for hair growth. And I can go into those.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:36]:

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, you know, we talked a little bit about the proteins and let’s speak to somebody who might be vegan or vegetarian and they said, well, you know what, I’m not going to change my ways. I know that the meat might be superior to give me the vitamins and nutrients that I want, want, but I’m sticking to my legumes. So if you were going to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet and stick to that, what are the best foods you can eat that would fit into those diets? For hair health, there’s.

Julie Olson [00:10:04]:

As far as.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:05]:

Are you talking beans, nuts, things like that.

Julie Olson [00:10:09]:

Pea protein is pretty good, I would say. Let’s see. I’m not reverse on that because I really just don’t encourage it. I would encourage more for them to eat or to supplement with branch chain amino acids.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:25]:

Okay, what, what exactly is that? And how would you get branched chain amino acids into your body?

Julie Olson [00:10:31]:

Well, as a vegan or vegetarian, it would be as a supplement.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:35]:

Okay.

Julie Olson [00:10:36]:

You’re a capsule or a powder.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:38]:

Okay. So you could. Yeah. So maybe you could get the nutrients then through a different means and not violate your dietary restrictions.

Julie Olson [00:10:47]:

Okay.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:47]:

All Right, that’s really good to know. So the hair is literally built from protein, keratin, the main structural component of hair. And basically the building blocks are these amino acids which come from the proteins that we’re eating. So if you’re not getting enough high quality protein, the body has to prioritize where it sends its limited supply. And unfortunately, hair is not the top of the list. So that’s why getting the right amount and the right kind of protein is really essential for strong, healthy hair. But as important as protein is, it’s only just one piece of the puzzle. There are also key vitamins and minerals that play just as big of a role in your hair health.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:29]:

And if your body isn’t getting enough of them or isn’t absorbing them properly, you could start noticing hair thinning, shedding, or even changes in texture.

Julie Olson [00:11:43]:

I actually see a lot of people that are eating great, but the problem is they’re not absorbing. And it’s because of this fast paced lifestyle and stress, this chronic stress that people are experiencing nowadays. And they’re not getting downtime, they’re not sleeping, sleeping well. And when you’re stressed, your body is going to give those nutrients to your vital organs to keep you alive, not to your hair. And our hair in our they. I heard of the microbiome, the duck microbiome.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:14]:

Yes, I have, I’ve heard that it has so much to do with the body, but what are some of the big functions? And I’ve seen drinks that you can have like a kombucha to maybe try to deal with, you know, your gut biomes and your good bacteria in there. But what would you recommend and why is it so important to worry about your gut bacteria when it comes to your hair?

Julie Olson [00:12:35]:

Well, because that’s how 80% of our immune system is in our gut.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:41]:

80% of our immune systems in our gut you say?

Julie Olson [00:12:44]:

Right, right. And we have more bacteria in our gut than cells on our bodies, a 10 to 1 ratio. And the problem is if we’re living this, this fast paced lifestyle, which is, you know, and not slowing down and chewing our food and absorbing it, then our bad bacteria overcomes our good bacteria, just pushes it out again. We have to keep that bacteria happy and healthy. And the way we can do that is not only with nutrients, but like we started to talk about different probiotics and, you know, supplementing and fermented foods, prebiotics that feed the probiotics.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:23]:

I mean, what are some foods that would promote good gut health that you like the best?

Julie Olson [00:13:29]:

I mean, fermented foods. So you think of, like kimchi, you think of, you know, not sauerkraut, you get at the ball game, but the sauerkraut and that. By the way, any sauerkraut or any of those fermented foods that are sold on the shelf, the fermentation is already dead. So you always want to buy it refrigerated. But like yogurt and then fermented drinks, kefirs and so forth. But then there’s prebiotics that feed the probiotics. So those are sulfur containing foods, the onions, the, you know, various vegetables. But at the end of the day, there are top hair nutrients.

Julie Olson [00:14:09]:

You want me to go into that in the top 25 foods for hair?

Kevin Rolston [00:14:12]:

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. We’re on a great roll right now. Let’s keep it going.

Julie Olson [00:14:17]:

Yeah. So I’m just gonna rattle off the top 25 foods for hair. And some of them are like prebiotic foods. So leafy greens, salmon, olive oil, avocados, onions, pumpkin, Brazil nuts, sardines, gava, eggs, lentils, oysters, organ meats, carrots, grass fed beef, almonds, broccoli, sunflower seeds, bell pepper, cinnamon, bok choy, sweet potatoes, poultry, you know, including duck, you know, like chicken, turkey, duck, mushrooms and kefir. So I rattle off a lot of foods that are not just protein. And I rattled off a lot of, you know, foods that vegetarians can eat. And then so some other top nutrients for hair are vitamin A, which helps moisturize the scalp and maintain healthy hair, and then omega 3 fatty acids. So that’s what you can get from, like, salmon.

Julie Olson [00:15:16]:

We need those to help nourish the hair as well. And actually it’s linked to the hair growth due to the proliferation of hair follicle cells. And deficiencies can cause not only hair loss, but lightning of hair color.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:31]:

Oh, really? Oh, wow. So that might be a sign that you’re not getting enough nutrients if your hair gets lighter.

Julie Olson [00:15:36]:

Yep. And also a sign of stress. You know, people say I turn gray overnight because of this event that happened.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:43]:

Wow. How about that?

Julie Olson [00:15:45]:

Yeah. And then zinc is involved in tissue growth repair, including hair. That’s very important. Vitamin D plays a role in stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there’s not enough vitamin D in the system, that hair growth can be stunted.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:02]:

Okay. All right.

Julie Olson [00:16:03]:

Yeah. Selenium aids in the formation of hair follicles or protection against damage. Manganese deficiencies could lead to hair, slow hair growth. Vitamin E helps reduce breakdown of follicles and helps provide the moisture and Soothing of the oil glands. And then, of course, iron. Iron. We talked about the different types of iron at the beginning. But a deficiency or even too much iron negatively affects the normal cycle of hair growth and could lead to excessive shedding.

Julie Olson [00:16:34]:

So it’s really important to get your iron levels checked. Okay. And then biotin. Now that’s. Biotin is. Sure, it’s important. Deficiencies can lead to brittle hair that’s more prone to thinning. But really, this whole biotin thing, I’m working on a.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:53]:

Isn’t that something that I’ve heard that they include in a lot of shampoos?

Julie Olson [00:16:57]:

Yeah, and that’s. It’s really a myth. It’s kind of a marketing thing. Like, you can even get too much biotin.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:04]:

Oh, really? So when you get your shampoo, I mean, is that you’re saying it doesn’t do anything really? No, nothing. Okay, how about that? You know, and my question to you, because you’re talking about these nutrients and you were talking about the diet. You can buy a ton of supplements. But tell me about the absorption rate between food and supplements, because I think ideally you want to try to get it through the food. Right. And not the supplement.

Julie Olson [00:17:29]:

Absolutely. 100%. We’re made to eat food, not supplement. That’s why they call them supplements. And you can take too many supplements, too.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:38]:

Right? Right. Yeah. I wonder, because, you know, it is a complex game. I was talking to somebody even just today about vitamin D, and they were asking me, well, are you taking vitamin K? I was like, no. And they said, well, you need to take your vitamin K to unlock the vitamin D. I’m like, oh, my goodness. So I got to take a supplement to unlock my supplement. So, yeah, you can really get down a rabbit hole.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:58]:

And that’s why I was just curious, because before you know it, you’re trying to get good hair health, and you’ve got 25 bottles, and it takes you half an hour to take your pills in the morning to try to have good hair health. So if you had to say, if I was taking anything in a bottle, what do you think are the best things I should take for hair health that I’ve seen nutrients that come in a bottle just for hair health. Now, would that be a marketing gag like the biotin is, or is there actual value in that?

Julie Olson [00:18:23]:

There’s some value in it.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:25]:

Okay.

Julie Olson [00:18:26]:

There’s a lot of hair nutrients, but the ones I mentioned, I. So I’ll just rattle them off again.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:32]:

Okay.

Julie Olson [00:18:32]:

You know, protein, which you can also supplement with, like we talked about. Vitamin D, vitamin A. Oh no, I didn’t mention niacin. B vitamins, but especially niacin, the flushing type that really helps dilate the capillaries and helps the buildup of calcium and DHT that can otherwise inhibit hair follicle growth.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:51]:

Right, okay. Yeah.

Julie Olson [00:18:53]:

Iron again, I, you have to be careful about it because you can get too much. You can get, you can get too much with. I’ll talk about that later. But essential fatty acids, especially the Omega 3s selenium, you know, some biotin, don’t go nuts. Zinc, vitamin E and manganese. And then there’s others that like nettle root and saw pimento really help if your hair loss is because of elevated dht. But back to getting too much, yes, you can get too much, even too much biotin and especially the fat soluble vitamins. And think of as a deck, A D, E and K.

Julie Olson [00:19:31]:

Okay. And you can. Fat soluble vitamins, that’s what they are. They, you don’t urinate out the excess.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:38]:

Okay.

Julie Olson [00:19:38]:

And they hold in your body. You have to be very careful. But even there’s some other fat soluble vitamins that people don’t even know they’re fat soluble and that’s curcumin, turmeric. This becomes so popular, right. Alpha lipoic acid, CoQ10. But you’re right. At the end of the day, our body knows what to do with nutrients from food, not from a bunch of supplements. And it’s also, it’s also a matter of, you know, slowing down and chewing your food and enjoying it and having a meal and not being on the run.

Julie Olson [00:20:11]:

And you know, there’s, there’s a lot to also avoid toxins in your environment and you know, get your gut optimized. And I mean it’s just, it’s not as simple as taking a supplement. It’s not. If, if it was that simple, people wouldn’t be losing their hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:31]:

It’s totally normal to wish that there was one perfect supplement that you can take to make sure that you’re getting all, all the minerals and vitamins you need for your healthy hair. And you may have even seen something like that advertised on social media and consider giving it a try. But it’s important to remember that supplements are good for balancing out deficiencies. But it is possible to get too much of a good thing. If you’re curious about starting a supplement regimen, a great first step is to get blood work done and work with your healthcare provider to determine what’s going to be right for you and make that A part of a balanced, healthy diet. After all, our bodies are designed to process and utilize the nutrients we get from the food we eat. We talked about what foods we should be eating for healthy strong hair. But it’s just as important to think about what we shouldn’t be eating.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:19]:

Some foods can actually work against you, creating inflammation, disrupting nutrient absorption, or even accelerating your hair thinning. Now, you talked a little bit about some of the most damaging foods. You talked about the processed foods, your hot dogs, maybe your bacon, things like that. Are there a grouping of maybe three to five foods that you would say please, if you want good hair health, these foods are very damaging for that?

Julie Olson [00:21:47]:

Yeah. Processed seed oils, so canola oil, sunflower, all those, all those, those oils. The only good oils are avocado is a good oil. Coconut oil is a great oil. Of course, olive oil, those are all great oils. But the processed seed oils, I mean really, the way they process them, it’s really alarming. It’s basically one step away from plastic and you’re putting that in your body. I mean they, they trans fats live in outlawed a lot of places and that has to be on every process food.

Julie Olson [00:22:20]:

How much trans fat is on the, in the package. So yeah, and that just gives it longer shelf life. But those fats are really toxic to our, our body. I mean that it’s, you can’t process them. And then, so those, and gluten is. Because it’s such a large protein and difficult to digest. And if someone’s losing their hair, there’s definitely some other imbalances in their body. And gluten glues down the microvilli.

Julie Olson [00:22:52]:

The microvilli are finger like projections in the small intestine that absorb our nutrients and it basically just glues it down so you don’t absorb your nutrients. And then you can become anemic and then, you know, I mean, yeah, that’s, that was one of my problems. So. Yeah, those are some of the main, the main ones. I know I’m missing something. I mean a lot of people can’t digest dairy. And a lot of that’s because the dairy is from cows that are eating soy and just horrible foods in confinement. Whereas raw milk, organic raw milk, grass fed cows, that could be beneficial, you know.

Julie Olson [00:23:30]:

Yeah, so those are some of the main ones. You know, any processed food, I mean, if you can’t even pronounce the ingredients on the package, you should be eating whole foods as close to nature as possible.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:41]:

Right, But I’ve heard that too, that when you look at A food package, you really shouldn’t have more than four to five items on the back of it. And if there’s anything you can’t pronounce that is in that food, then don’t buy that food. That’s not something you should put in your body.

Julie Olson [00:23:54]:

Right. Right.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:56]:

Now tell me a little bit, because I’m a big believer in hydration and drinking water. I think it’s good for digestion, good for your skin. So I would assume is hydration good for your hair. And I know you can over hydrate as well, but what is water’s role in making sure you have healthy hair?

Julie Olson [00:24:12]:

Oh, 100% important for hair as well, because we have to detoxify as we. Every day, we need to detoxify things, and we can’t do that if we’re not getting enough good, healthy water on our system. Our hair needs to be hydrated too. And again, that hydration, if we’re dehydrated, are we going to eat more food? Because if you’re dehydrated, you get hungry when you’re just really dehydrated. But it’s going to first go to your vital organs and your hair lasts, and then your hair is not going to be healthy. It needs that hydration for detoxification and also cellular turnover and for the whole nutrient processing. And let me also mention that they’ve discovered a new microbiome in our scalp, the scalp hair microbiome. And it also requires a lot of hydration and ATP requires not only nutrients to absorb, but energy from.

Julie Olson [00:25:15]:

You know, you’ve heard the Krebs cycle and ATP and water’s needed for that, that cycle.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:21]:

Okay. And how much water is needed? They used to have the whole thing, have eight glasses a day or something like that.

Julie Olson [00:25:27]:

But.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:27]:

But what is a good amount of true hydration?

Julie Olson [00:25:30]:

Half your body weight in ounces of water a day.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:33]:

Okay. All right, there you go. That’s. That’s cut and dry. I love that. Now, if you had to say one thing just to go into your own hair loss that you had, you talked about it coming out in clumps. You talked about stress, busy lifestyle and things like that. But what do you think was the biggest problem that you had for your own personal hair loss? And what was the biggest cure? What do you think was the most attributable thing that you did to correct it?

Julie Olson [00:26:00]:

I think I finally slowed down and decided to pay attention to my own health instead of putting black dress on it. But I discovered that I had really high Upstein Barr Virus, which is also called chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kevin Rolston [00:26:15]:

Okay, Right.

Julie Olson [00:26:16]:

And so any virus, you know, the COVID virus, they called it the COVID shed, that caused a lot of hair loss, like three to six months after. So I had that. I had H. Pylori, elevated H. Pylori. I had autoimmune celiac problems with gluten. So I wasn’t absorbing my nutrients. I didn’t know why, because my microvilli was glued down.

Julie Olson [00:26:41]:

Okay. My gut was really unhealthy. I got dysbiosis. That means an unbalanced gut. I had too much bad bacteria compared to the good bacteria. It was unbalanced.

Kevin Rolston [00:26:52]:

How did you correct that specifically? What did you do that was effective in that?

Julie Olson [00:26:56]:

A lot of things. I, you know, I got rid of my systemic chronic inflammation. I avoided the gluten. I ate the foods that were right for my body. Yeah, I got the right hydration. That’s important. I, you know, I just prioritize my health. I mean, there’s just a lot more to it than, than that, you know, getting out the toxins.

Julie Olson [00:27:21]:

First, you have to identify what toxins are in your body and in your environment and can anything from mold to even like a stressful job or relationship that plays a role on your parent health.

Kevin Rolston [00:27:37]:

We have covered a lot of information today. Everything from the best foods for hair growth to the nutritional deficiencies that consume lead to hair loss and even the foods that might be working against your hair health. But if there’s one thing I took away from this conversation with Julie, it’s that your hair health is a direct reflection of your overall health. It’s easy to think of hair loss is something that just happens on its own. And it’s true that some people have genetic predispositions towards losing their hair. But it’s also important to keep in mind that your hair could be an indicator of what might be going on internally for you. If you’re missing key nutrients, if your gut isn’t absorbing what you’re eating, or if you’re under a lot of stress, it’s going to show up in your hair. That’s why taking a holistic approach to hair thinning and hair loss is so important.

Kevin Rolston [00:28:26]:

It’s not just about using the right shampoo or taking a supplement. It’s about feeding your body what it truly needs, managing stress, staying hydrated, and making sure your whole system is in balance. Because when you support your overall health, your hair benefits too. So before you reach for a quick fix, take a step back and look at the bigger picture, there might be a small change you can make today that’s going to have a big impact on your hair in the long run. Whether it’s counting your macros, focusing on whole foods, or just cutting back on processed junk, taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle can totally change your hair journey. Like it did for Julie we want to thank Julie for coming on the show to share her wisdom with us for inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who have been through hair loss. Make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod.

Kevin Rolston [00:29:19]:

Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time, Sa.

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Ways to Cope: Trichotillomania and Anxiety

by Julian Miranda | Feb 3, 2025 | Episode

Episode 50

Ways to Cope: Trichotillomania and Anxiety

This week on HairPod, I spoke with Meg Weatherman about living with trichotillomania, a mental health disorder that caused her to start pulling out her own hair in the second grade. Listen in to hear how she manages this condition and how she has found hope through support and self-care.

Understanding Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania (TTM) is a mental health condition classified under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. For Meg, it started as what seemed like a harmless habit—tugging at her eyelashes. However, as the behavior escalated, she began pulling her hair more frequently. Neither Meg nor her parents initially understood the condition, making it difficult to find effective interventions. Many people with trichotillomania struggle with self-blame, but research indicates that TTM is rooted in mental health, often linked to underlying conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder.

The Emotional Toll of Hair Loss

Hair loss, regardless of the cause, can be an emotionally challenging experience. It often leads to feelings of isolation and confusion, particularly for individuals who develop trichotillomania at a young age. Meg began experiencing noticeable hair loss at just eight years old, leading to additional struggles at school. The lack of awareness about trichotillomania contributed to bullying and name-calling from classmates, further increasing her anxiety and worsening her symptoms. This cycle continued until she sought help from mental health professionals. Meg encourages parents and educators to foster empathy among children, as people struggling with hair loss—especially due to mental health disorders—often face silent battles.

Solutions for Hair Loss: Trichotillomania

Finding the right hair loss solution for trichotillomania is a highly personal process, requiring trial and error. Meg experimented with various solutions before discovering what made her feel most confident. She prefers **hair toppers**, which provide the coverage she desires while allowing her to remove them as needed to care for her scalp. Beyond external solutions, self-care plays a crucial role in her journey. Prioritizing wellness, mental health support, and self-confidence-building activities have helped her manage her condition more effectively. While no single solution works for everyone, a combination of personalized hair restoration options and mental health treatment can make a significant difference.

Meg’s story sheds light on the challenges of living with trichotillomania and highlights the importance of awareness, support, and self-acceptance. With the right approach, individuals struggling with TTM can regain confidence and take meaningful steps toward healing.

Empowering Resources

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Episode.50 Transcript

Meg Weatherman [00:00:02]:

You are beautifully made. God has a plan for your life. I know it’s tough. I know what you’re going through is so hard. But you are going to come out on the other side. You are going to be used for a purpose, and you are going to be okay because he has a plan and you are going to be great. And whether you’re a Christian or not, I think encouraging, you are going to be okay. You are going to get through this.

Meg Weatherman [00:00:25]:

You, you are building character. We are going to help. We are here for you. All those things as well. That’s more of what I would have filled myself with.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:47]:

Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week on HairPod, we’re going to be hearing from Meg Weatherman. Meg has lived with trichotillomania, or TTM, since the second grade. For those who may not know, trichotillomania is a mental health condition characterized by a compulsive urge to pull out one’s own hair. This can sometimes lead to bald patches on the scalp, eyelashes, or eyebrows, which can have a big impact on a person’s confidence and self esteem. Trichotillomania is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed due to the social stigma that surrounds both the mental health and hair loss aspects of the condition.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:45]:

In today’s conversation, Meg will share her own personal journey, her challenges growing up with TTM, and advice she has for people going through this experience and those who love them.

Meg Weatherman [00:02:00]:

Trichotillomania is an OCD generalized anxiety disorder that results in you pulling your hair out. It is a form of release. And at the time, you know, second grade, I started on my eyelashes and I just figured, oh, it’s just a habit. And I used to tell my mom, it feels good. I don’t know why, but it feels good. And over the years, it moved to my eyebrows. And then it moved. Eventually, as life got more chaotic, it moved to my hair on my head.

Meg Weatherman [00:02:32]:

And, yeah, and being so young, you don’t know what it is. And I think at that time, a lot of people didn’t know what it was either. It was very, you know, even now, I think only 14% of people have it. It’s very rare. It’s not a well Known, well studied disorder. So being so young and having professionals not even really know what it is or how to treat it, it was very challenging at that time.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:01]:

Now, my question, you don’t have to get. I’m not asking you about exactly what was going on, but I am trying to find, did you have a childhood trauma? Did you have something else that was triggering this, or was it just that? Do you know what was causing the OCD and why it got to the point where you were pulling your own hair out?

Meg Weatherman [00:03:16]:

Well, in the second grade, no, you know, I think second to about fifth grade, I think. I don’t know how other kids would deal with just stress of school and maybe, you know, making friends and all that, but I think maybe that’s how my personal way of dealing with just stress of nervousness was 6th grade, my parents did get a divorce. That was kind of nasty. So all that kind of amped it all up and that’s when it kind of moved to my head and all that and the hair on my head and everything. So I can see that progression. But as from second grade to about fifth grade, I think it was just. I got nervous. I was just a nervous child with certain situations, and I think that’s how it came about.

Meg Weatherman [00:04:00]:

If you will tell me a little.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:02]:

Bit about how your parents handled it when they saw that something was going on. Because here you are, you’re doing this in an era where it’s. It’s not really heard of. And you’re probably wondering, why is. Why is my daughter doing this? Why is she. Did you start to get noticeable signs of it? Were you getting little bald spots? And sometimes what happens with trichotillomania.

Meg Weatherman [00:04:19]:

So from second to fifth grade, when we didn’t know what it was, I would pull my eyelashes. So I was having like, I had one eye and I focused on this one. I don’t know why, but that has zero eyelashes. And at the time, my mom was like. And my dad, they were like, why are you doing this? And I would say, well, it feels good. I don’t know why I’m doing it. And they’re like, well, we don’t do it. You know, we’re not going to do that.

Meg Weatherman [00:04:40]:

And them thinking it was just a nervous habit, you know, it was more of a, okay, well if you do this, we’re going to have to punish you or we’re going to take something away. And like, and I’m not blaming them for that. I think they were doing the best they could, was trying to help me. You Know, get to stop. Because they didn’t know how to handle it. They didn’t understand that it’s an actual chemical imbalance in the brain. You know, no one did.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:02]:

Yeah.

Meg Weatherman [00:05:02]:

So up until that point of the divorce, when they saw, okay, this is progressing into something bigger, like, she’s going to need to get some help, therapy, counseling. And they started hearing from professionals. She’s not doing this for attention. She’s not doing this just to do it. Like, she actually has a chemical imbalance in her brain. And it became more of a. Okay, well, how can I help relieve some of this stress? Why don’t we, you know, do something? Let’s try. Let’s go out, let’s talk, let’s see a therapist.

Meg Weatherman [00:05:31]:

Let’s do. Let’s try to train your brain in another way so you don’t do this as much. Let’s try to find, identify triggers, that kind of thing. So it was a growing process and a learning process for both of us. Right.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:44]:

So how long did this take to get to that point? Because I imagine you had to go through trial and error. You had to talk to a lot of specialists, and you had to get to the point where you got a diagnosis so you could try to pinpoint, to come up with a remedy for it. What was that journey like, and how long did it take?

Meg Weatherman [00:05:59]:

Oh, it took years. I’m still on the journey, honestly. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:02]:

Really? Wow.

Meg Weatherman [00:06:03]:

I mean, I’m still. I still have tendencies to want to pull my hair out and I’ll still catch myself. Oh, yeah. And it’s. I think it’s just as I’ve gotten older, I’ve identified, you know, the triggers and things like that. And sometimes it is habitual. You really. You’ve done it for so long at this point.

Meg Weatherman [00:06:21]:

But back then I would say, oh, gosh, it took years because, like I said, even the professionals weren’t really sure about what it was. Or they would say, okay, well, she’s going through family’s going through divorce. Let’s focus on that in turn. Maybe that’ll help heal some of this that she’s dealing with as well. So it was definitely trial and error. And I actually didn’t get a real sense of help until I went to a doctor. She was just a family doctor. And she said, this is your anxiety.

Meg Weatherman [00:06:53]:

And I had never heard, you know, this is anxiety. This is your anxiety, and it is manifesting physically. That was something because you couldn’t see it. It was very foreign. Right. And I got on antidepressants, small dose and we began to see a really big help. And I’m not one that’s, you know, you should or shouldn’t. I think whatever works for you, you should do so.

Meg Weatherman [00:07:16]:

Over the years, it’s been, okay, you know, I’m in a really stressful section of, like, portion of my life. I’m going to be on these antidepressants, or I’m going to up my dose or, okay, you know what, things are kind of mellowing out. I’m going to, under doctor supervision, go down in my dosage. And that has helped me, along with, you know, physical activity, working out, eating right, those kind of things. But it has been over the course of 10, 15 years, trial and error and learning, as everybody else learns as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:49]:

Listening to Meg’s journey is a powerful reminder that dealing with a condition you don’t completely understand and that the people around you don’t understand can feel really isolating. It’s one thing to grapple with your own confusion and emotions, but it’s an entirely different challenge when others around you don’t understand it either. For many kids with trichotillomania, school becomes a tough environment, not just because of the condition itself, but because of how peers react to it. Unfortunately, Meg wasn’t immune to the cruelty of childhood bullies. In this next clip, she shares what it was like to deal with that and how it shaped her early experiences.

Meg Weatherman [00:08:33]:

Kids are so not all kids, but a lot of kids are mean, you know, and you see something that’s different. And I think as parents, we really have to. We like, I’m a kid, a parent. I’m not a parent. I have dogs, okay? I have dogs. Those are my kids.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:48]:

Wise choice.

Meg Weatherman [00:08:50]:

But, you know, I think for my past experience, I remember I would have bald spots and people would call me Patches. I would try to cover things up with makeup. And I did not know what I was doing. You know, I’m like 10 years old, and I’m like, okay, let’s draw on eyebrows today. Oh, they look like lines, right? And then I started wearing wigs and hair toppers and all these things. And I didn’t. But I didn’t have high quality things. But kids were very mean.

Meg Weatherman [00:09:19]:

And in turn, I was anxious about being out in public. So then that anxiety manifests and I do it more. So it was a lose, lose situation. But I definitely, for me, I feel like, in a way, I’m thankful for it because it’s given me. You don’t like a view. You don’t know what everybody’s going through. So no matter what someone looks like or what they are, how they are acting, it gives you the opportunity to show grace to them and to maybe be there for them in a way that nobody else is. But, you know, as parents, I think they have a responsibility to.

Meg Weatherman [00:09:51]:

If they see their kids maybe talking about somebody who at school is going through something similar or anything different at all to say, hey, you know, like, we don’t know what they’re going through. Why don’t you try being kind to them? Maybe you should try talking to them. And, you know, easier said than done, but it can make a really big impact, 100%.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:09]:

So you had noticeable signs of trichotillomania when you were second, fifth, sixth grade? How long did that manifest itself? How long did you have those? And then what was it like afterwards? Because, you know, we’re. We’re kind of doing this like we’re talking about. Adults are nice, too, but there are adult bullies, you know, and you’ll have somebody that’s a. That should be all grown and should know a lot better that still is going to make a very unchoiced comment about your appearance that can still cut just like it did when you were a kid. So what was that journey like? And how did you start getting on top of your symptoms and the way you looked with the trichotillomania? And what was it like as you got older?

Meg Weatherman [00:10:46]:

I think because it hurt so bad, you know, As I was younger, I would carry those insecurities into my relationships as I got older. When I started dating, I was so nervous because I was like, oh, he’s not gonna like the way I look. He’s not gonna like me if, you know, he knows about this. I even had one guy look at me one time, literally look at my head and say, what is this? And your heart sinks because you’re like, oh, my. You know, and it’s like, it breaks your heart because you’re like. It’s actually my biggest insecurity. But thank you for pointing that out.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:19]:

Do you remember about what age you were when that happened?

Meg Weatherman [00:11:22]:

I was 20 when that happened.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:24]:

Oh, no.

Meg Weatherman [00:11:25]:

Yeah. And I also didn’t have the best choice in men back then, so.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:30]:

Well, that’s what you do at 20, right?

Meg Weatherman [00:11:32]:

You know, it’s okay. Thank God for Kyle.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:36]:

That’s right.

Meg Weatherman [00:11:37]:

But, you know, very much. Gosh, it carried over so much. And even still, you know, I’ll think, man, I wish I could look like this. I wish I could wear my hair like this. But I Feel like I’ve gotten to a place, and a lot of the. And I don’t mean to be preachy, but my faith plays a big part of this. I’m a Christian, so a lot of it plays into, God, please help me. Please fix this.

Meg Weatherman [00:11:57]:

You know, when I was little, I would pray, God, please let me wake up and have all my eyelashes. Right, Right. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten to where I’m like, okay, well, if we’re not gonna take it away, help me use it for good. And I’ve gotten to a place where I accept it, and I’ve realized we all have stuff. We all have things we wish we could change, and we all have things that we struggle with.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:18]:

Right.

Meg Weatherman [00:12:19]:

Just because mine looks different than yours, it’s all relative. Right? So I found a lot of strength. I found a lot of strength in being open and honest with it and talking about it openly, because I’m like, if this can help people, why would I not? Right?

Kevin Rolston [00:12:34]:

Right.

Meg Weatherman [00:12:35]:

So that’s the way I’ve learned to view it.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:42]:

Bullying is an experience no child should have to face. But for those dealing with visible conditions like trichotillomania or other forms of hair loss, it’s an unfortunate reality. What’s truly inspiring, though, is how Meg has found strength in her story and the courage to open up about her struggles. It’s a reminder that speaking out, even when it’s hard, can create space for understanding and change. It’s a reminder that speaking out, even when it’s hard, can create space for understanding and change. Her journey also sheds light on an important topic. The important role parents play in supporting kids dealing with hair loss. Whether it’s due to trichotillomania, alopecia, medical treatments, or other causes, the emotional toll of hair loss can be difficult for anyone to handle.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:30]:

And especially for children trying to navigate school, friendships and self confidence, it’s normal for parents watching their kids struggle with this to find, feel helpless or unsure of what to do.

Meg Weatherman [00:13:46]:

I would say, as a parent, I would be reassuring and comforting, as in, it is, okay, you can try again. We’re gonna try again tomorrow. Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself. Those kind of things, that kind of encouragement, being encouraging, that is so simple, so big, because your child is already frustrated and disappointed in themselves for their own reasons. They don’t need to feel like, my parent is now disappointed and frustrated with me as well, because nine times out of 10, your child is already disappointed in themselves and they’re beating themselves up because of it. So I would say encouraging your child, taking them to get help, talking to their primary care physician about it, about the different things that they believe, doing your own research, being your child’s advocate, but never being angry at your child over something they physically cannot control. You know, I feel like those things combined really, really make for a lot of hope. And honestly, I say I’ll be there for your kid, but really be there for your kid.

Meg Weatherman [00:14:54]:

Talk to them, see what’s going on. Say, do you get, you know, ask the questions. Don’t just say, what’s wrong? Really think about the questions that you’re asking. Like, are you nervous about going to school today? Are you nervous people are going to make fun of you? Make detailed questions, not just a generalized question. Because a lot of times, at least for me, I could not pinpoint specifically what I was nervous about or what I was anxious about until somebody said, do you get nervous about this? Do you get anxious about this? How do you feel when you walk into a room and people start looking at you? Things like that?

Kevin Rolston [00:15:28]:

Right.

Meg Weatherman [00:15:29]:

It really is helpful. And then in turn, when they respond, you encourage them. And I feel like, for me personally, that’s what helped me.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:36]:

So that’s a little bit of the mental side of it. Now tell me a little bit about the physical side, because you had mentioned some things that you had done.

Meg Weatherman [00:15:43]:

Yes.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:43]:

So if we’re talking about the physical, what are some of the best ways to cover some of the signs of someone who has trichotillomania?

Meg Weatherman [00:15:50]:

So it was trial and error, let me tell you, so bad. I have some photos that I think we need to lock away forever. But I pull them out and I’m like, oh, my word. I left the house looking like that. Lord have mercy. But, you know, they have specialists now, like hair club, that can custom make pieces for your hair. I did wigs. I did.

Meg Weatherman [00:16:17]:

I had a comb over at one point because I had a lot of bending right here. I was like, right, rocking it. And I was like, those are the photos we don’t need to pull out after a kid.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:28]:

Right.

Meg Weatherman [00:16:29]:

But a wig. I used a wig. I wouldn’t recommend a wig unless you absolutely had to. I did get to a point where I was fed up and I just shaved my head and threw on a wig and was like, okay, we’re starting over. I was over it. I was about 18 when that happened, because I was just fed up. I was like, I look crazy. Let’s just.

Meg Weatherman [00:16:50]:

Blank canvas. Let’s start over. And I did.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:52]:

And how long did you do that for. Did that get you where you.

Meg Weatherman [00:16:55]:

It actually helped.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:56]:

Were you confident in your look?

Meg Weatherman [00:16:57]:

It helped a lot because, I mean, I didn’t like the wigs. The wigs were for me, it was not my preference, but it got me to where I could really get a hold of the pulling and my mental state. And your hair is shaved down. You can’t really pull it out. So it was really. I had to learn how to cope in a different way. So that helped me. But I don’t know that I would recommend that for everybody.

Meg Weatherman [00:17:21]:

But definitely a hair topper has been my go to. I’ve got this one from Hair Club. It’s great. You just snap it on. They custom match everything. You can take it off at night. And I would also invest in a lot of self care. I love doing things that I know are going to encourage hair growth.

Meg Weatherman [00:17:39]:

Scalp treatments, oils, all those kind of things. Because I feel like I’m being proactive with trying to help and encourage hair growth. So all those things have helped me over the course of this whole journey.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:52]:

How tied in is the physical to the mental? Because it sounds like as physically you started to feel more confident that mentally your trichotillomania subsided a bit.

Meg Weatherman [00:18:03]:

Oh, 100%.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:05]:

So there’s a definite connection between those two things.

Meg Weatherman [00:18:07]:

Oh yeah. Because you feel like, and I don’t, I don’t mean this in like a vain way, but you feel like, I don’t want to mess up. You know, I feel so good. I feel like I look decent now. I don’t, you know, people aren’t pointing, people aren’t looking and you know, saying things, it makes you feel like, okay, you know, I, I have, I want to have more self control. I think when you’re in a place where you’re just so not where you want to be physically, you feel like what’s the point? At some right points and you’re.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:35]:

And building your confidence is a big part of this whole process.

Meg Weatherman [00:18:38]:

Oh yeah, 100%. 100%.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:41]:

And then having the hair toppers or whatever you used is one of the ways that you got there.

Meg Weatherman [00:18:46]:

Oh yeah, 100%. My hair topper has been my saving grace because it’s great. It’s not like you have to wear it all the time. You can take it off, you’re able to see your hair growth, you’re able to cover if you mess up. But it’s not something that’s smothering your head like a wig might be, which I’m not against wigs, but at the same time, you don’t need one or you don’t really want one, you have another option which is really great.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:12]:

No matter what type of hair loss you’re experiencing, finding the right solution is usually a journey of trial and error, just like it was for Meg. It can be frustrating and it takes patience and resilience to keep searching until you find what works for you. Like any learning experience, it can be really challenging. And sometimes the greatest healing comes when you find ways to help others with the knowledge you’ve gained.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:43]:

So if you had to go back and talk to yourself when you were a third or a fourth grader and you have the signs of the trichotillomania and you’re confused and you’re being bullied and you don’t know how to get yourself looking good and maybe your parents don’t even understand you, somebody’s been through it. What do you say to them?

Meg Weatherman [00:20:00]:

Oh, my gosh, you’re gonna make me cry. Oh, my word. I would just. Well, first I would say, and again, I, this is me. So I’m, I’m a Christian. This is just what I would say. I would, you know, you are beautifully made. God has a plan for your life.

Meg Weatherman [00:20:18]:

I know it’s tough. I know what you’re going through is so hard. But you are going to come out on the other side. You are going to be used for a purpose and you are going to be okay because he has a plan and you are going to be great. And whether you’re a Christian or not, I think encouraging, you are going to be okay. You are going to get through this. You are building character. We are going to help.

Meg Weatherman [00:20:41]:

We are here for you. All those things as well. That’s more of what I would have filled myself with.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:49]:

Yeah.

Meg Weatherman [00:20:49]:

Back that age.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:50]:

And I think, you know, faith based or not, I think that people need to realize that sometimes you go through valleys. You don’t understand why you’re there, but sometimes when you come out on the other side, you don’t realize who is waiting in line that needs to hear from you and they need to understand your struggle. And you don’t have that same kind of impact if you haven’t been through it. I’m not going to listen to somebody that doesn’t relate to my own problems and how I feel. And now you’ve got girls out there that are going through Chicktown mania that it would be confusing. I mean, why am I pulling in my hair? Why am I having these issues? Why am I getting bullied worse than I was. And, you know, I think it’s amazing and I appreciate you coming on to talk to those people out there. And I’m hoping that we can connect with some, you know, little girls or boys that are going through this.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:35]:

They can realize that, hey, there’s a, there’s hope.

Meg Weatherman [00:21:37]:

And I, I even, you know, I lost my mom this past year to breast cancer. But this whole, her whole fight has been like a six year thing. And when she was first diagnosed, she looked at me and like, one of the first things she said because she’s, you know, fashionista, big blonde hair, all this stuff was, you gotta help me find a wig. So being able to go and do that and have fun while doing it, and the knowledge that I feel like I’ve acquired over time with hair pieces and lace fronts and toppers and all this stuff, I can see how that too was used for good during that season of our life as well. So it’s definitely, definitely been used for good.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:16]:

You were able to bond and what a great way to spend the time that you had left with your mom.

Meg Weatherman [00:22:21]:

100%.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:22]:

One thing I do want to touch on, Meg, is your relationship with your husband Kyle. And what I think would be interesting is dating and having these insecurities and vulnerabilities that you both, in a sense, you know, you had hair needs. And this is interesting that you have a couple that both has their own hair issues. How did you reveal that to one another? And then, because that’s one thing that you’re probably like, you want to put your best foot forward. At what point in your relationship did that come up? And what were those discussions like? And are you helping each other through your hair journeys now?

Meg Weatherman [00:22:58]:

I’m so excited to talk about this because I was so nervous about it, but as we dated and dated some more, I did think, I’m like, how am I going to tell this guy, you know, oh, snap, I really like him. How am I going to say, hey, by the way, your girl here is struggling with some things. And one day we were talking and he was like, I think he was looking in the mirror or something. And he was, you know, huffing and puffing. And I’m like, what? He said, my hair is thinning. And I just look at this. Like, I just hate this. And I was like, this is my moment, you know, oh, that’s great.

Meg Weatherman [00:23:29]:

I got one even better. I said, well, you don’t say. And then I told him and he was like, what? You know, And I’m like, yeah, yeah, you know, he was a guy, so I guess he. He is a guy. Not was a guy. He is a guy. And he just wasn’t paying that much attention. He’s like, I never would have known.

Meg Weatherman [00:23:49]:

And I’m like, yeah, so maybe we are meant to be.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:53]:

That’s so cool.

Meg Weatherman [00:23:54]:

That is so now he, like, we laughed about it, and we, you know, we would go. We’d go to. We went to Disney World, and he would say. I’d say, make sure my hair doesn’t blow off, you know, and make jokes about it.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:05]:

Right? Yeah.

Meg Weatherman [00:24:06]:

But at the same time, he would look at me and say, before he invested in a hairpiece from Hair Club, he would look at me and say, okay, if my. Like, we’d be on a boat or something. And he’d say, if my hair looks bad, like, fix it. Or after he would race, before he got his hairpiece, he would say, make sure you’re at my car with my hat, like always. Like, hey, but it was so nice to feel like you have somebody who has your back.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:29]:

Right.

Meg Weatherman [00:24:30]:

And is looking out for you. Because he would tell me, he’s like, please make sure my hair looks decent. I don’t want to be interviewed with it looking crazy or something.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:38]:

Yeah.

Meg Weatherman [00:24:38]:

And I’m thinking the same thing about me. Like, I don’t want to be out in public with it looking crazy. And it was just really great to have that person also.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:46]:

That’s so cool. That’s so cool. And I think it speaks to people. Don’t realize how many people are suffering from some form of hair loss or another. Whether it’s male pattern baldness or trichotillomania. This is just something that is out there for a lot of people. And you always feel like you’re alone in these journeys, and it’s so not the case. And that’s why it’s so great to talk to you, because you got a journey.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:08]:

It’s different than your husband, but together, you guys have this power and synergy together that is fantastic. You both have a great story.

Meg Weatherman [00:25:15]:

Yeah. And I feel like it might be different scenarios, but it’s the same insecurities, Right?

Kevin Rolston [00:25:20]:

It is. It is.

Meg Weatherman [00:25:21]:

So being able to encourage each other, but also be like, I’m making sure you don’t look how you don’t want to look, and you’re helping me out, and it’s just. It’s really, really great.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:31]:

That’s how you know it’s meant to be. I love it.

Meg Weatherman [00:25:32]:

I know. I’m like, we both don’t have hair. This is a match made in heaven.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:38]:

Well, you both look fantastic. I’ve talked to your husband. I love his hair journey as well. It’s radically different than yours. But what you said today, Meg, it’s just going to be so powerful. I’m excited to get all the comments that we get from people when they have a response to this show. And thank you for taking the time to come, come on and tell your story and be so vulnerable today.

Meg Weatherman [00:25:57]:

Yeah, thank you so much too, for speaking out about it. It means a lot.

Kevin Rolston [00:26:06]:

We want to thank Meg again for coming on the show and talking to us about her experience with trichotillomania. And we want to thank you for listening today. Meg’s courage, honesty and resilience remind us that no matter what challenges we face, whether it’s trichotillomania or other forms of hair loss or any personal struggles, the most important thing we can do is to support and learn from each other. For more inspirational stories and words of wisdom about hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:26:59]:

We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcasts.hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you until next time.

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The Truth About Topical Hair Loss Treatments

by Julian Miranda | Jan 27, 2025 | Episode

Episode 49

The Truth About Topical Hair Loss Treatments

Topical hair loss treatments are one of the first options many people turn to, but it’s not easy to separate effective solutions from marketing hype. Hair restoration surgeon Dr. Ross Kopelman joined me on HairPod to discuss the effectiveness of topical solutions and how to determine if they’re the right fit for you.

Do Topical Hair Loss Treatments Work for Everyone?

Topical hair loss solutions, including serums and leave-in treatments, can benefit both men and women experiencing mild hair thinning or loss. These treatments, however, require consistency and long-term commitment due to the natural hair growth cycle. Dr. Ross Kopelman often recommends topical minoxidil as an effective option for many clients. Still, he cautions that individuals with aggressive or advanced hair loss may need a combination of treatments, as topical solutions alone might not deliver the desired results.

The Role of Natural Topical Solutions for Hair Loss

Natural remedies for hair loss are gaining popularity, with rosemary oil being a standout option. Dr. Kopelman highlighted research comparing rosemary oil to 2% minoxidil, showing promising outcomes, particularly for those unable to use stronger medications, such as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals. While natural solutions can support hair health, they do not directly combat dihydrotestosterone (DHT), one of the primary causes of hair loss. A balanced approach combining natural remedies and proven treatments may offer better results for many.

Treating Hair Loss Holistically

While topical treatments and natural solutions can help manage hair loss, addressing the underlying cause is critical for long-term success. Dr. Kopelman discussed advanced options like oral finasteride and dutasteride, which block DHT, and oral minoxidil, which extends the hair growth phase. Although finasteride and minoxidil are currently the only FDA-approved hair loss treatments, they may carry side effects. Dr. Kopelman emphasized the importance of working with a hair restoration professional to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that minimizes risks and maximizes results.

Can Hair Loss Be Cured?

The idea of a permanent hair loss cure is highly appealing, but Dr. Kopelman clarified that no definitive cure exists at this time. Future advances in genetic modification and cloning could revolutionize the field, but current options like minoxidil and finasteride remain the most effective tools. Success requires patience, professional guidance, and a customized approach tailored to individual needs.

Dr. Kopelman’s insights highlight that while hair loss treatments have evolved significantly, finding the right solution involves understanding the cause, committing to a regimen, and seeking expert support. This holistic approach ensures the best possible outcomes for managing and minimizing hair loss.

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Episode.49 Transcript

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:00:02]:

Look, at the end of the day, this is about eating a balanced diet, you know, having all the right nutrients, protein, minerals in your diet. And I think if you’re eating a balanced diet, you don’t necessarily need to seek out an intake of other multivitamins. One of the things that I stress to all of my patients is that having a blood test is essential because we want to make sure your levels are sufficient. If your levels are abnormal, then that’s when we want to do replacement.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:41]:

Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week on HairPod, we’re going to be talking about a topic that you’ve almost certainly crossed paths with if you’re looking for a way to remedy your own hair loss. If you’re searching for solutions that are non invasive or even natural, you’re not alone. There are so many options out there, it’s tough to know where to start. We brought in hair restoration expert Dr. Ross Kopelman to break down this topic and give us some insights into what works, what doesn’t, and why.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:01:33]:

I think one of the challenges with hair loss in general is that you really have to have a commitment to using anything that you’re, you’re using on your hair for a long period of time because, you know, our hair goes through hair cycles. Okay. Expect immediate results. So when I read an article and it says patient applied X shampoo to their hair and the next week they stopped shedding or they started to have new hair growth, I’m very skeptical because we have to wait four to six months to really see the results with whatever you’re applying to your scalp.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:07]:

Oh, wow. Okay. And what should it look like? If you have something that is effective, what are the things that you start to notice to say, okay, I’m heading in the right direction.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:02:16]:

So, you know, there’s an objective way to look at this and there’s a subjective way. The objective way is that if you were seeing a dermatologist or a hair surgeon, we would do a trichoscopy test. We’d be able to look at with like a fine microscope at the scalp and we would see new hairs popping up. We would see those little baby vellus hairs turning to thicker hair follicles okay. But if you don’t have that flexibility to see a dermatologist or a hair surgeon, it’s really subjective. You might feel that there’s more density to your scalp, there’s less see through. And the other way that you could do it in a more kind of, I guess, objective way is you could take photos. So you take photos when you start and every couple of weeks.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:02:56]:

I want to do it every single day, but I would do it every couple of weeks. I would take progressive photos. And then that’s another way to kind of measure the success that you’re having.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:03]:

And just how much can it correct. Now, what kind of hair loss would you have to have? Because there’s so many different, you know, scales of how much you’ve lost. And so who would be a good candidate for somebody who wanted to go with something that might be topical? Because I would imagine that your hair loss wouldn’t be severe for this to be the right option for you. Am I correct in that?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:03:26]:

So topical hair loss solutions can really be used for most any patients. The question is, how effective are they going to be? That’s really what this boils down to. If you have mild hair loss, I would say that they’re probably going to have a bigger role to play. But if your hair loss is pretty significant, it’s going to be minuscule in relation to taking an oral medication to address your hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:49]:

So we already are talking to a limited number of people that are suffering from hair loss and the people who really don’t have a massive case of hair loss in the first place, correct?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:03:58]:

Correct, that’s true.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:00]:

So tell me about the different varieties for the people that are out there. When you talk about a topical serum, I assume that’s something that you just kind of put on your scalp, but you know, you have leave in conditioners, you have things like hair masks and other things that are out there. What is your thoughts on the topical serums? Are they effective and if so, which ones?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:04:19]:

Okay, so at the top of the list would be using 5% Rogaine foam. Foam specifically because the liquid form is more irritating to the scalp and because you have to use Rogaine on a daily basis. Now, on the bottle, it’s interesting. I wish I had the bottle in front of me, but on the bottle it says apply twice a day, which you don’t need to do because the half life of this medication is 18 hours. So once a day is more than adequate. Second thing that’s interesting is that we recommend that both men and women use 5% as a concentration when you’re using foam, because the 2% we don’t think is as effective. And even though the bottle says men’s Rogaine, and actually in the back of the bottle of the men’s Rogaine, it says not for women, it’s absolutely safe for women. Okay, so that’s where I would say to start your hair loss journey.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:09]:

Why would they do that? Any reason why the company would do that? If it is okay for women, why would they put that?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:05:14]:

Absolutely. That’s a great question. So it’s likely because the Rogaine was originally approved for treating male androgenetic alopecia. They didn’t go through an FDA trial specifically to address female balding. And I also think there’s a marketing play. Yeah. Because they have created a female 2% bottle and now they have a female 5% bottle. But it’s a pink tax.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:05:38]:

It’s the exact same ingredients are in the men’s Rogaine as. As the female Rogaine 5%. So I would say to any female patients, buy the male bottle because it’s cheaper and it’s exactly the same bottle.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:50]:

You are hitting really on what I think the nerve of this conversation is, Dr. Kopelman and I feel like a lot of things are marketing hype out there when it comes to hair loss. And even looking at the effective serums, you see right away that these are the kind of things that if you don’t have a full understanding of what you’re getting yourself into, you can really find a pitfall of spending more money than you need or finding something that is not going to be effective at all in the first place.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:06:17]:

Absolutely. Look, this is a huge market. Hair loss impacts millions of men and women, you know, just in the United States alone. And everyone wants to provide some sort of band aid solution. But not everything works.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:34]:

Dr. Kopelman’s insight into minoxidil, the generic form of Rogaine, underscores why it’s one of the most well known treatments for hair loss. With millions of users globally, it’s clear that the market for hair loss solutions is massive, driven by a strong demand for effective and accessible options. But minoxidil is just one piece of the puzzle. While it’s backed by years of research, not everyone is ready to commit to products with active chemicals or medications. And that’s where natural solutions enter the conversation, offering an alternative approach for those looking to promote healthier hair without synthetic ingredients.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:07:16]:

So one of the challenges with all these natural hair loss solutions is there haven’t been really an adequate number of studies really looking at these natural solutions to derive really, truly determine how effective they are. With that said, there are some studies that have looked at, for instance, rosemary oil. And what they did was they looked at rosemary oil with a concentration of. What they did was they. They compared rosemary oil topically to 2% minoxidil, okay. And they found that rosemary oil was as effective as applying a 2% solution of minoxidil, which is promising for a lot of people who don’t want to use any medical solutions to address their hair loss. But one of the things that I’m very hesitant about, which I alluded to earlier, is that we really find that 5% minoxidil, and that’s Rogaine is the commercial name. Minoxidil is, is the medicinal name.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:08:09]:

We find that 5% is really what female patients and male patients need to be on. And the 2% is not going to be as effective. It’s not going to give you the bang for the buck that you want in terms of the effectiveness for your hair. But I am in the camp that 2% rosemary oil is as effective as. Not 2% rosemary oil is as Effective as a 2% solution of minoxidil. And I do recommend it to patients who, for instance, like, let’s say you’re breastfeeding or you’re pregnant or you’re thinking about getting pregnant. You know, there’s a lot of medications you can’t be on. So natural solutions like rosemary oil are absolutely something that I’m supportive of.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:08:47]:

And you can do this in conjunction with using other hair loss medications as well. So that’s rosemary oil. Then we have saw palmetto, which is a pill that you can take. And what’s nice about saw palmetto, and I would actually put saw palmetto up at the top of the list as, as a kind of a natural solution. And the reason is that there’s some evidence that, that saw palmetto acts as a DHT blocker. Okay, now, dht. I’m sorry, Kevin, if I’m going too quickly, but interrupt me at any point.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:16]:

I love all this stuff. This is great. You’re on fire right now. Keep it going, baby.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:09:20]:

So DHT is dihydrotestosterone. It’s the major, major contributor for androgenetic alopecia. And so there’s evidence to show that it decreases this floating DHT in our bloodstream, which could have a positive impact on preventing hair loss. Because at the end of the Day. That’s, that’s really what we want to do with the rosemary oil. Rosemary oil is not blocking dht. Okay. And either is minoxidil.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:09:47]:

Both of those work in very similar ways, which is improving blood circulation to the scalp. Okay. And prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicle.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:57]:

Very different.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:58]:

If I had to categorize DHT and just what it does, in a sense that chokes off the hair follicle. Is that correct? Is that really what DHT kind of does when it gets in there?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:10:07]:

Yeah, I would say that’s the number one killer in terms of miniaturizing the hair follicle and eventually leading to complete hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:14]:

Okay.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:10:15]:

But there’s other components. Remember, hair loss is multifactorial. There’s, there’s hormonal issues going on.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:20]:

Yeah.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:10:21]:

There’s, there’s sometimes underlying medical issues that need to be addressed.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:24]:

Yeah.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:10:25]:

And yeah. So we, we have to look at hair loss from multiple lenses.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:29]:

Okay. So one will be good at kind of minimizing the DHT and then the other is more just about blood flow and kind of creating a healthy scalp in a sense having a good garden with great dirt to grow hair in.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:10:40]:

Absolutely.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:42]:

One real quick sidebar, as we were just talking about the hormonal part of it, kind of the double edged sword here is I know a lot of middle aged men who are dealing with, or women too, or dealing with hair loss. They sometimes look into their hormones. And what’s very popular now is these clinics where you can balance your hormones and you can get testosterone and things like that that, you know, give you a little bit more vigor and umph. And are supposed to balance you out. So my question is, if you were doing something like that and you were doing synthetic testosterone, is that going to in any way increase DHT or be a negative effect on you losing your hair?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:11:21]:

Yeah. So if you’re a female, you’re postmenopausal and you’re looking for hormonal replacement. Well, one of the things I first want to emphasize is that before you went into menopause, your estrogen was very high. And estrogen is protective to prevent hair loss. When you’re in menopause, your estrogen goes for a nose dive and your androgens actually increase. And as they increase, that has an impact on hair loss. And one of the components is, yes, you get an uptick in dht. So if you’re going and you’re getting exogenous testosterone or any increase in those androgens.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:11:56]:

Yeah. That can definitely be a contributing factor for why a female would have progressive hair loss. So it’s something to be cautious about. But at the end of the day, you got to weigh the reasons why you’re getting hormonal replacement. And at the end of the day, our hair is our hair. But there’s probably a different reason why you need those that hormonal replacement.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:16]:

Okay. I just want to know if there’s any kind of cause and effect that was going on there. Now, we’ve talked about some of the natural stuff. One thing that I’m hearing is being hailed as some miracle ingredient for hair growth is biotin. Can you tell me exactly what that is, and is it living up to the hype that I’m hearing?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:12:34]:

So biotin is an important component that helps build the keratin structure of our hair follicle. Okay. So don’t think it’s not important. But one of the things that I spent a lot of time talking about is that we normally have sufficient levels of biotin. It is very, very rare to have a biotin deficiency.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:56]:

Okay.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:12:56]:

One of the problems is that if you are. If you’re taking in too much biotin into your body, one of the risks is that you can have a misleading lab test. Your thyroid levels could be off, your cardiac levels could be off. Doesn’t mean you have a cardiac problem. It just means that, okay, if you were to have blood tests, the blood test might signal that there’s something going on in your body that’s actually not happening. So I always urge patients, don’t seek out exogenous biotin pills. Avoid vitamins that have biotin in them. I think a small amount is okay to ingest, but don’t go for a biotin specific vitamin.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:13:38]:

And then if your shampoos have biotin incorporated into the shampoo, that’s okay. But again, it’s not something you absolutely need because everyone, for the most part, has sufficient levels of biotin in their bloodstream.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:57]:

Dr. Kupelman’s perspective on biotin is a good reminder that more isn’t always better when it comes to supplements. While it’s a popular ingredient in hair health products, he makes it clear that taking high doses isn’t necessary and could even be counterproductive. Instead, he highlights the importance of balance and moderation, especially when it comes to what we put in our bodies. This naturally leads to the bigger picture, how our overall nutrition plays a key role in hair health. Let’s dive into Dr. Koppelman’s insights on how what we eat can Impact the strength and vitality of our hair.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:14:39]:

Look, at the end of the day, this is about eating a balanced diet. Okay? So, you know, having all the right nutrients, protein, minerals in your diet. And I think if you’re eating a balanced diet, you don’t necessarily need to seek out an intake of other multivitamins. One of the things that I stress to all of my patients is that having a blood test is essential because we want to make sure your levels are sufficient. If your levels are abnormal, then that’s when we want to do replacement.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:07]:

Okay.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:15:08]:

If you don’t have abnormal levels, there’s no reason to add additional supplements, vitamins, minerals into your diet because those can cause more harm than good and you can get complications from overdosing on certain vitamins and minerals.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:22]:

Oh, wow. Okay. Well then what kind of foods would you recommend? If I want better hair health, are there a couple things you can lay it on the table that are going to help me out?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:15:30]:

Again, it comes back to eating protein, eating your vegetables, eating your fruits. All right, as long as you’re eating a balanced diet, I think you’re in good hands. But I really think at the end of the day, what’s important is for everyone to seek out a blood test and just make sure those levels are normal.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:50]:

Dr. Koppelman’s advice about getting a blood test before starting any treatment is a crucial step that often gets overlooked. Understanding your body’s unique needs and potential deficiencies can help guide you toward the most efficient and safe solutions. Once that foundation is set, the next step is exploring proven treatments. When it comes to hair loss, There are only two FDA approved options on the market. Finasteride and Minoxidil. Here’s Dr. Kopelman explaining why these treatments have stood the test of rigorous clinical trials and what makes them the gold standard in hair restoration.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:16:31]:

There are only two medications that are approved by the FDA for hair loss, and that’s finasteride and minoxidil. Off label, we use dutasteride. Now, dutasteride and finasteride are DHT blockers. As we discussed earlier, DHT is a major contributor for hair loss for both men and for women. Finasteride blocks the ability for the DHT to to build up by about 65%. And Dutasteride does it by about 90%. Now it’s off label. There’s not a lot of doctors in the United States that feel comfortable prescribing dutasteride because it’s not FDA approved.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:17:11]:

But as a physician, we can prescribe medications that are off label. And in fact, I put most of my patients on dutasteride and I find it to be most effective. Now with, when we talk about DHT blockers, we can only prescribe these medications to certain populations of patients because you can’t give a DHT blocker to a premenopausal woman who has not been pregnant before because of the teratogenic risk to a fetus. So there’s a limit in terms of what we can prescribe to women. For men, we can prescribe DHT blockers at any age when they’re in their 20s, their 30s and whatnot. The only time we encourage a male to stop finasteride or dutasteride is before they’re trying to get pregnant, because there is some evidence that sperm count decreases. And the last thing that you want to do as a physician is have any contributing factor. You don’t want to contribute at all to why they might not be able to have children.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:18:11]:

But at the same time, there’s no evidence in the literature that that’s ever been the case. But if you want to take the highest level of precaution, I advise patients, to male patients, to stop these DHT blockers. Now, females can take finasteride and dutasteride. When they’re absolutely done having kids, it’s safe for them to do that, and it’s very effective. The next medication we have is oral minoxidil. Now, we talked about Rogaine and we talked about that as a topical solution. Oral minoxidil is also a great medication to do, join in combination with one of these DHT blockers, it’s safe to give oral minoxidil to premenopausal women. And again, when you take an oral pill, it’s very effective at helping prolong the growth phase, thicken the hair follicle.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:18:55]:

So very effective. Now, the third drug I’ll talk about, because we prescribe this commonly to women, is spironolactone. Spironolactone is a drug that’s been used by millions of people to treat acne. But what we find is if we use a small dose for men, it’s very effective for preventing. Now, the finasteride and dutasteride block the ability for more DHT to be made. Spironolactone blocks the ability for the DHT to bind to the androgen receptor. So when we combine a small dose of spironolactone, we can prevent the DHC from binding to the receptor. And so for Women, we give a higher dose.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:19:40]:

For men, we give a smaller dose. And those are really the three main. The four main drugs that are at. Are in our arsenal. And then underneath that, then we go to topical solutions, and we talk about Rogaine, we talk about rosemary oil, we talk about saw palmetto. And there’s. Then, obviously, we keep going down and down and down on the list, and there’s more and more treatments, but the most effective treatments are always going to be oral solutions.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:06]:

Really. Okay, over the topical?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:20:08]:

Over the topical, yes.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:10]:

So to hedge your bets, if you are concerned about losing your hair, should you get on everything that you just talked about?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:20:18]:

So it really depends upon how severe your hair loss is and what age you’re at.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:23]:

Okay.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:20:24]:

You really want to throw the kitchen sink at your hair. Now, at the same time, we want to be very cautious because we don’t want complications, we don’t want side effects. So sometimes with some of my patients, we go incrementally. We start where they feel comfortable. But, yes, I’m in the camp that the more aggressive we are at addressing your hair loss, the better. But sometimes it’s better to go slow because you put in one drug, you see how effective it is. You put in another drug, you see how much. What that incremental increase is, and then you can moderate based upon what you think is what’s working and what’s not working.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:59]:

Okay. Now, we talk about a lot of oral medications here that you say are very effective, and they’re getting you there, but it’s still not the ultimate cure for baldness. And my question, in your expert opinion. I’ve seen studies that are even done. There’s one about a sugar gel that was made from sugars that occur naturally in the human body. They tested on mice, and it seemed to help them grow new hair follicles. Almost like a miracle cure for balding that you take a pill and guess what? You got. Hair again.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:29]:

Are we close to the absolute cure for hair loss in humans?

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:21:35]:

Well, I don’t. I don’t think that’s an. That’s not targeting the root cause of why we have hair loss. I think that study looked at dexoribose sugars in a similar way. They discovered that when you rub this sugar in the area where you’re experiencing hair loss, what it’s doing is it’s stimulating blood circulation and blood flow to the hair follicle, which is important for bringing nutrients and oxygen. Very similar to what we would do if you used a topical minoxidil, a rosemary oil, anything that you’re applying to your scalp to improve circulation. So they’re suggesting that maybe it’s in that camp in terms of being effective to stimulate the growth phase. But what it’s not doing is it’s not targeting that DHT which is contributing to hair loss.

Dr. Ross Kopelman [00:22:18]:

And at the end of the day we’re really, Kevin, at the, I think the, the early stages of really being able to target why we have hair loss and genetically do modifications. But that’s, I believe that’s not going to be for a while and a lot of that’s going to come down to CRISPR technology, genetic modifications. I think we have a long time until that happens. I will still be doing hair transplants for a while.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:47]:

While the technology and treatments we have today can’t completely cure hair loss, the scientific community is making progress in understanding and targeting its root causes. From the science behind FDA approved treatments to the role of nutrition and natural solutions, Dr. Koppelman provided many valuable insights to help demystify the options that are out there. We want to thank Dr. Koppelman for sharing his expertise and shedding light on the thoughtful on the science backed approach we can take toward better hair health. His practical advice is a great reminder that while the journey may not be easy, the tools to take the first step are within reach.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:26]:

If you want to take the first.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:28]:

Step, check out our show Notes for a link to a free consultation to determine the extent of your hair loss and to start the process of getting yourself back to a healthy, full head of hair. For more inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who have been through hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you’d share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:21]:

And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you until next time.

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Hair Loss & Hashimoto’s Disease

by Julian Miranda | Jan 21, 2025 | Episode

Episode 48

Hair Loss & Hashimoto’s Disease

Is thyroid dysfunction causing your hair loss? In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Emily Kiberd, an expert in thyroid health. She talked about this little organ’s role in all the processes in our bodies, symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, and practical steps you can take today to improve your thyroid’s health.

Thyroid Function and Hair Health

The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ, plays a critical role in regulating every metabolic process in the body by secreting essential hormones. Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction can include fatigue, difficulty losing weight, brain fog, feeling cold, and hair loss. According to Dr. Kiberd, many women experience these symptoms for up to ten years before receiving proper treatment. The connection between thyroid health and hair loss is often overlooked, making early detection and management essential.

Is a Thyroid Disorder Causing Your Hair Loss?

Diagnosing thyroid-related hair loss begins with simple blood tests to detect hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. However, recognizing the symptoms as thyroid-related may require a specialist. Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune thyroid disorder, is responsible for 90% of hypothyroidism cases. Stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental factors can trigger thyroid issues in genetically predisposed individuals. Reducing stressors on the body is key to alleviating symptoms like hair thinning and restoring hormonal balance.

Improve Your Thyroid and Hair Health

Dr. Kiberd emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to thyroid health. Start with dietary adjustments that include nutrient-dense foods like lean proteins and vegetables, ensure adequate sleep, manage stress effectively, and avoid overtraining. Identifying environmental stressors and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly improve thyroid function. While self-care is a great starting point, working with a healthcare professional is essential for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans. This approach not only supports thyroid health but can also promote faster hair regrowth if thyroid dysfunction is the underlying cause of your hair loss.

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Episode.48 Transcript

Emily Kiberd [00:00:02]:

Well, I would say that the majority of women who have Hashimoto’s have had symptoms 10 years before they actually got diagnosed. Some of the symptoms would be fatigue, difficulty losing weight, brain fog, feeling cold all the time. So feeling like maybe they need to wrap themselves up in a scarf, but it’s not that cold outside, constipation, feeling like food kind of sits in your stomach, moving slow through your stomach. And so most women, it takes about 10 years before they get to their

Emily Kiberd [00:00:28]:

diagnosis, even though they had symptoms early,

Emily Kiberd [00:00:31]:

and maybe their symptoms were brushed off.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:46]:

Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week, we’re going to be talking about one small organ in the human body and its profound impact on every metabolic process, including digestion, brain function, and, yes, even hair growth. When this system gets out of whack, for some reason or another, both men and women can experience hair thinning. If you haven’t guessed already, we’re going to get educated on the thyroid, how it works, symptoms of thyroid disorders, and most importantly, what you can do right now to start taking care of your thyroid. And there’s nobody better to help us out with this than Dr. Emily Kiberd.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:42]:

After being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, he she modified her lifestyle to support her physical health, and now she helps others do the exact same. So whether you’re already concerned about your thyroid health or you’re not even sure what the thyroid does, you are in the right place.

Emily Kiberd [00:02:01]:

So the thyroid gland is a little butterfly shaped gland in the front of our neck, and it secretes hormones that are responsible for every single metabolic process in our body. Every single cell needs thyroid hormones.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:16]:

Every single cell, everything that your body.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:19]:

Is regulated by the thyroid?

Emily Kiberd [00:02:22]:

Yeah. So every metabolic process, your heart beating, digestion, hair growth, the nutrition of your skin, brain function, every single thing, every.

Emily Kiberd [00:02:33]:

Metabolic process in the body needs thyroid hormones.

Emily Kiberd [00:02:36]:

So when there is dysfunction of our.

Emily Kiberd [00:02:38]:

Thyroid, it shows up in every single organ system of the body.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:43]:

So I’ve heard of people that have a thyroid condition. I assume it starts with symptoms, but then how do you get to the point where you can actually diagnose and say you have a thyroid condition? What points the finger exactly to the thyroid?

Emily Kiberd [00:02:58]:

Yeah.

Emily Kiberd [00:02:58]:

So typically it’s a blood draw where we’re looking at different thyroid markers. Not only how much thyroid hormone is your thyroid secreting, but also the signal from the brain to the thyroid to say, hey, squirt some thyroid hormones. And then also your ability to convert the thyroid hormone from the inactive to.

Emily Kiberd [00:03:22]:

The active form so that it can get pushed into the cell and actually used.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:27]:

Okay.

Emily Kiberd [00:03:28]:

And then there’s also tests to see.

Emily Kiberd [00:03:30]:

If you have antibodies attacking your thyroid.

Emily Kiberd [00:03:33]:

Hormones, not only from the thyroid gland, but but also thyroid hormones circulating in the blood. So it’s a blood test.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:40]:

Okay.

Emily Kiberd [00:03:40]:

And you usually put symptoms and match.

Emily Kiberd [00:03:44]:

It with the blood test.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:45]:

When you have a problem with your.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:46]:

Thyroid, what typically triggers that problem? What makes it an issue?

Emily Kiberd [00:03:50]:

Yeah, so typically there is some stressor. Sometimes it’s transition through hormonal phases of life, so pregnancy or postpartum moving into perimenopause or menopause. It can also be stressors from nutrition or some sort of exposure to something. Food sensitivities, environmental load.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:12]:

Can even be emotional stressors affecting the thyroid gland.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:15]:

Like going through a divorce or, you.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:18]:

Know, losing a loved one. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:20]:

So it sounds to me like when you have a thyroid condition, you may be able to diagnose that you have a thyroid condition, but then figuring out what has triggered the issues with the thyroid, that could be more complicated.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:32]:

Yeah.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:33]:

So typically, people are starting to feel tired, and not just tired after they.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:39]:

Exert themselves, but they wake up tired, and they’re tired all day. Typically, they have trouble losing weight.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:44]:

So what used to work, like move more, eat less isn’t working anymore, and.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:49]:

They’Re putting on weight, and they’re holding.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:51]:

Onto it, and they don’t know why.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:53]:

Their brain starts to get foggy.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:55]:

They’re like, oh, I.

Emily Kiberd [00:04:56]:

Where’s my keys?

Emily Kiberd [00:04:57]:

How it. Like, they try to end their sentence and they forgot what they were saying or where they were going, and digestion slows. This is specifically for hypothyroidism.

Emily Kiberd [00:05:06]:

So an underactive thyroid.

Emily Kiberd [00:05:08]:

You can also have hyperthyroidism, where you.

Emily Kiberd [00:05:10]:

Have an overactive thyroid.

Emily Kiberd [00:05:11]:

And the symptoms would be the opposite of what I’m saying. But right now, specifically, I’m talking about hypothyroidism.

Emily Kiberd [00:05:17]:

So your digestion slows constipation. And then one of the other things that shows up is hair loss.

Emily Kiberd [00:05:22]:

So people showering and, like, clumps, chunks of hair coming out or the outer third of your eyebrow starting to disappear. You know, women having to be like, oh, I got to. Got to pencil that in.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:38]:

If you’re experiencing Hair thinning, along with other symptoms like fatigue and weight changes. Learning about hypothyroidism is a great first step, but for many people, it’s not the whole story. Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, happens when the body isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone. But that can have an underlying cause, an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism, yet is often overlooked or even misunderstood. Unlike hypothyroidism that may develop for other reasons. Hashimoto’s involves your immune system attacking your thyroid, creating a cycle of inflammation and hormonal imbalance that can wreak havoc on your body and, yes, your hair.

Emily Kiberd [00:06:29]:

So Hashimoto’s is. It’s an autoimmune condition. So basically your body is attacking itself. And the components of Hashimoto’s are an underactive thyroid. So a thyroid that is slowing down.

Emily Kiberd [00:06:41]:

So all those symptoms I just shared.

Emily Kiberd [00:06:43]:

Hair loss, weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, feeling cold all the time, like you can’t regulate your metabolism or your heat generation. And 90% of people who are hypothyroid.

Emily Kiberd [00:06:55]:

So have an underactive thyroid, have the autoimmune piece. So 90% of people who have an.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:01]:

Underactive thyroid, the cause of it is from an autoimmune reaction.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:06]:

Right.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:06]:

And that’s where we start to look at stress, underlying root causes, gut health, environmental load. Usually there’s inflammation involved because the antibodies are getting driven up.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:18]:

So the difference between Hashimoto’s is that.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:21]:

There’S the presence of thyroid antibodies versus.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:25]:

Hypothyroidism is just your thyroid hormones are.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:28]:

Looking sluggish, but there’s not a presence of antibodies.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:32]:

So that’s the difference.

Emily Kiberd [00:07:33]:

But if you have a slow thyroid, the chance of having the autoimmune piece, 90%.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:40]:

Okay. So you see things like hair loss, you talk about some of the symptoms that happen with this. And when you start looking at somebody and they, they seem to have these kind of things, how do you start to reverse the processes of Hashimoto’s and how difficult is it?

Emily Kiberd [00:07:58]:

Yeah, so we take a look at.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:00]:

Things that are foundational.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:02]:

So how are you eating? There’s a lot of research showing that gluten sensitivity can drive up your thyroid antibodies. So maybe one of the recommendations would be going gluten free, seeing if that changes your labs and your symptoms. Another piece would be, you know, working out sometimes over training can be a stressor and can Drive up antibodies. Right.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:26]:

Another piece would be sleep, and then.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:28]:

Another piece that I always look at.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:30]:

Is just nervous system regulation and stress.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:33]:

So I had a client who, after her second kid, she was really tired.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:38]:

And she kept going to the doctor.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:40]:

And the doctor’s like, mm, I think it’s just your postpartum, your new mom.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:43]:

And then she went to her hairdresser, and her hairdresser’s like, you have chunks of hair, like you have bald spots in the back of your head.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:49]:

And she’s like, it was actually the hairdresser that said, I think you need.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:54]:

To go to an endocrinologist and get your thyroid checked.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:57]:

It was the hairdresser.

Emily Kiberd [00:08:59]:

That’s crazy. And only then did she then go to the endocrinologist, like, really push for it because it is a specialist. And get a full breadth of labs, because sometimes doctors who maybe aren’t trained.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:15]:

In endocrinology or thyroid hormones only look.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:18]:

At, like, you know, a certain number of labs versus there actually are more labs to look at to really see this conversion happening.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:25]:

Are there presence of antibodies?

Emily Kiberd [00:09:27]:

And so, you know, then she got on thyroid medication, and she started to.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:31]:

Clean up her diet because she did have antibodies.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:33]:

She started to change how she was working out.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:35]:

Okay.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:35]:

And her hair grew back. She worked on some gut health H.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:39]:

Pylori and Sibo that came up some.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:41]:

Gut infections that were just adding stress.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:44]:

And load to her system.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:45]:

You know, people often talk about think of your body as like a cup.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:48]:

So all the little stressors.

Emily Kiberd [00:09:50]:

Right. So if you have, like, an underlying gut infection, you have some food sensitivities, you know, you’re having a hard time at work, like, all of this fills your cup until it overflows.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:00]:

Typically, there’s a genetic component to having.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:03]:

An autoimmune condition, and these stressors are just adding to the genetics of it that then kind of trip your genetic.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:11]:

Predisposition to turn on the gene of.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:13]:

Having an autoimmune condition.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:15]:

How do you know if you have that predisposition? Is it because you always see it in your parents or your relatives or how would you know?

Emily Kiberd [00:10:23]:

Yeah, I mean, sometimes it’s parents, sisters.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:27]:

You know, siblings, sometimes it’s grandparents. So.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:31]:

Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:31]:

And what do you look for? How would you know that they have had a thyroid condition?

Emily Kiberd [00:10:35]:

Probably very similar symptoms.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:38]:

So difficulty losing weight, always tired. Hair loss, for example. Like, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s after.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:45]:

The birth of my first kiddo back.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:46]:

In 2016, and my mother has thyroid issues. I always kind of like, brushed it Off.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:51]:

And then my sister has thyroid issues. So definitely a genetic piece.

Emily Kiberd [00:10:56]:

My mother had ablation, basically, you know, radiation over thyroid, and now is on thyroid meds.

Emily Kiberd [00:11:03]:

I chose to go more of a.

Emily Kiberd [00:11:05]:

Holistic approach of like, okay, I’m gonna.

Emily Kiberd [00:11:07]:

Change how I eat and how I.

Emily Kiberd [00:11:08]:

Work out, and I’m gonna look at gut and look at environmental load like mold and parasite exposure. And I put mine into remission.

Emily Kiberd [00:11:16]:

So I don’t have the symptoms.

Emily Kiberd [00:11:17]:

My labs look good, but I still, I know I still have the genetics. So two very different ways of kind of approaching it and addressing it with two very different outco foreign.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:31]:

So we have unpacked Hashimoto’s and its impact on your thyroid and your hair. But here’s the thing. Hair loss has many possible causes, from stress and genetics to nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances. It can be tough to pinpoint the exact reason your hair might be thinning. So how do you know if your thyroid is the root cause?

Kevin Rolston [00:11:51]:

Well, this is where it gets tricky.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:53]:

Thyroid related hair loss typically overlaps with other symptoms, but they can be subtle, especially if the changes have been happening slowly over time. It’s important to listen to your body and if you have significant concerns, to seek a professional diagnosis from a physician.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:13]:

Well, I would say that the majority of women who have Hashimoto’s have had symptoms 10 years before they actually got diagnosed.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:21]:

Okay, what would they be looking for? What would some of the symptoms be?

Emily Kiberd [00:12:24]:

Some of the symptoms would be fatigue, difficulty. Some of the symptoms mentioned before.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:28]:

Difficulty losing weight. Brain fog.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:31]:

Yeah.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:31]:

Feeling cold all the time.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:33]:

Okay.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:33]:

So feeling like maybe they need to like wrap themselves up in a scarf. But it’s not that cold outside. Constipation, feeling like food kind of sits.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:41]:

In your stomach, moving slow through your stomach.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:44]:

Okay.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:45]:

And so most women, it takes about.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:47]:

10 years before they get to their.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:48]:

Diagnosis, even though they had symptoms early.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:50]:

And maybe their symptoms were brushed off. To get diagnosed is actually not that.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:55]:

Hard and it’s not that expensive, you.

Emily Kiberd [00:12:57]:

Know, but it’s just that I think many potentially trained professionals aren’t always looking for it. So, like, when someone comes to me anytime they have fatigue, I’m thinking, okay, just rule, like, let’s test, not guess. Let’s rule out any sort of, any sort of thyroid symptoms or thyroid as a root cause.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:18]:

So as we talk about Hashimoto’s, we talk about the thyroid and how it affects hair loss. How do you start to zero in on the diagnosis that your hair loss is being caused by either one of these things. Is there a way to figure that that is the cause of your hair loss?

Emily Kiberd [00:13:36]:

Yeah, I think it would go back to if someone was losing hair as part of. If you were going to make a list.

Emily Kiberd [00:13:44]:

So in the medical world, we call this a differential diagnosis. All the potential difference, like potential causes.

Emily Kiberd [00:13:50]:

Of hair loss, and then testing to see if those are coming up positive. So, you know, as it relates to.

Emily Kiberd [00:13:58]:

Hair, the thyroid hormones are very crucial for the growth and the maintenance of your hair follicles. So when you’re hypothyroid, you have an underactive thyroid. You don’t have enough of these optimal levels of hormones. It now disrupts the normal hair growth cycle.

Emily Kiberd [00:14:15]:

And hair follicles, when you’re hypothyroid can sit in this, like, kind of resting phase, which can lead to hair loss, can lead to hair thinning. So it’s like your body is showing you the sign, and then you just.

Emily Kiberd [00:14:30]:

Need someone to be like, hey, let’s just see if your thyroid is causing.

Emily Kiberd [00:14:34]:

That, or is there something else causing it? Right.

Emily Kiberd [00:14:37]:

So a really good practitioner would make.

Emily Kiberd [00:14:39]:

A differential diagnosis test.

Emily Kiberd [00:14:41]:

Okay, is it your thyroid? Is it this? Is it this? Get to the root cause and then.

Emily Kiberd [00:14:45]:

Address it so that ideally, hair growth could happen again.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:49]:

Right now, if somebody’s listening to this.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:52]:

And it’s speaking to them and they’re thinking that you might be talking to them about what they might have when they go to their doctor, what do they need to ask? Do they ask specifically for a thyroid test? Or what is the request that you make to your doctor?

Emily Kiberd [00:15:05]:

Yeah, I mean, you could ask, like, hey, can you check my thyroid?

Emily Kiberd [00:15:08]:

Could you do a full thyroid panel.

Emily Kiberd [00:15:10]:

And make sure you check thyroid antibodies? I think a really good practitioner, it’s not the client coming asking the questions.

Emily Kiberd [00:15:18]:

It’s the practitioner guiding the way and.

Emily Kiberd [00:15:20]:

Asking the right questions to get to the root cause, which doesn’t always happen. Right. But I think as an empowered individual, and I’m very much that way, too. Like, I want to go to the.

Emily Kiberd [00:15:28]:

Doctor and be empowered with the right questions.

Emily Kiberd [00:15:30]:

So if I was losing hair, I would want a thyroid test. I would want to check a full iron panel, because iron can affect hair growth. I would want to check vitamin D, because vitamin D helps regulate the cycle of the hair follicles and probably B vitamins. Right. So folate, B12, biotin, methylmalonic acid. I’d want them to check for zinc from a mineral perspective. Not like most primary cares might.

Emily Kiberd [00:15:58]:

Probably won’t do that.

Emily Kiberd [00:15:59]:

They’re like, we’ll check your thyroid, vitamin D and iron, but definitely because certain.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:03]:

Nutrient deficiencies can lead to hair loss.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:07]:

So I would want those checked as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:09]:

Even if you don’t get the diagnosis, you’ve talked a bit about what nutrition and out exterior factors play in thyroid health.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:18]:

Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:19]:

If I just want to change the game today, what are the foods I need to avoid? What are the things I should be putting in my body if I feel like I have some of these symptoms that immediately would start giving me the good gut health. That would help possibly with the thyroid issue. What do I eat? How do I sleep? What do I do? So I can start correcting it even before I get to the doctor.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:40]:

Yeah. So I think eating protein and veg, I think hitting your optimal protein amount per day, 30 grams minimum per meal.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:49]:

You could shoot for one gram per.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:51]:

Pound of ideal body weight.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:53]:

Okay, that’s a good factor.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:54]:

Yeah.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:55]:

Nutrient dense foods, protein, veg, which for.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:58]:

A lot of people might be like.

Emily Kiberd [00:16:59]:

Whoa, that feels really extreme.

Emily Kiberd [00:17:01]:

But you know, I think if you want the most bang for your buck, protein is very nutrient dense, so you’re going to get the most nutrients out of it for not a lot of calories, for example. So in terms of sleep, you want, I would say eight hours of sleep, but not only that, you want one.

Emily Kiberd [00:17:20]:

And a half to two hours of deep sleep. So if anyone actually tracks their sleep.

Emily Kiberd [00:17:24]:

And you know, a device like an.

Emily Kiberd [00:17:25]:

Aura or whoop, you want to see 1 1/2 to 2 hours of deep sleep. If you’re not getting that deep sleep.

Emily Kiberd [00:17:30]:

That restorative, restful sleep, you’re going to have brain fog and fatigue and probably have a hard time losing weight and that, you know, your body needs to clear out old dead cells and restore itself. So that would be a piece of sleep.

Emily Kiberd [00:17:46]:

I think a lot of us probably.

Emily Kiberd [00:17:48]:

Get unnecessary blue light at night if we are have the TV on before.

Emily Kiberd [00:17:53]:

We go to bed or if we’re looking at our screens. So how can we minimize that blue light? Because that’s going to disrupt your melatonin.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:00]:

That hormone that puts you to bed. So you could either not get on your phone three hours before bed, which.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:05]:

I would say majority of people have.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:07]:

A hard time doing. Or not that I’ve lost faith in humanity whatsoever.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:12]:

I have not.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:13]:

But like, you know, just to get honest here.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:15]:

Yeah.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:16]:

Or you could wear blue blocker glasses.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:19]:

Which are filtering out the blue light. Right.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:20]:

And I tell you, when I put on my blue blocker glasses, I immediately am like, whoo. Like really go to Bed early. Like, I feel like, hey, like my melatonin is kicking in, right? Go to bed earlier, get better quality sleep. So in terms of sleep, that would be something, I think, in terms of exposure. So when we think about an autoimmune condition, there’s three factors. There’s genetics, there’s stress, and then there’s gut health. Stress could be in the form of.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:47]:

Emotional stress, environmental stress.

Emily Kiberd [00:18:49]:

And so it’s not if we get exposed to things like pesticides, herbicides, mold exposure, it’s when it’s kind of inevitable. Right. A lot of that stuff is in our food, in our air.

Emily Kiberd [00:19:01]:

So how can we just minimize exposure?

Emily Kiberd [00:19:04]:

Getting a high quality water filter, an air filter. You know, I take supplements to help just support detox pathways to whatever I.

Emily Kiberd [00:19:13]:

Do get exposed to, to move it.

Emily Kiberd [00:19:14]:

Through the body and, you know, like, what was it two summers ago, maybe even last summer?

Emily Kiberd [00:19:21]:

Like tons of forest fire, right.

Emily Kiberd [00:19:23]:

Like New York City turned brow for two days straight. Like there are environmental factors that can.

Emily Kiberd [00:19:29]:

Affect inflammation in the body, can affect environmental load in the body.

Emily Kiberd [00:19:34]:

And so it’s kind of inevitable.

Emily Kiberd [00:19:36]:

So what can we do to really.

Emily Kiberd [00:19:37]:

Minimize and mitigate the exposure that we’re getting?

Emily Kiberd [00:19:40]:

Some of those things I mentioned.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:42]:

Now, my question, you talked about a.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:44]:

Lot of things that even aside from Hashimoto’s or a thyroid issue, you’re just talking about good general wellness, the things that you’re giving me dietarily and what you need to do with sleep and trying to avoid stress and those kind of factors. So let’s say that I am experiencing hair loss or some of the symptoms you’re talking about. Is this something I just can correct on my own and maybe I give this a trial run of listening to your advice and I don’t need to go get a diagnosis for thyroid or Hashimoto’s and I’ll be okay. Or do I need to get under a doctor’s career to properly deal with the thyroid issue or Hashimoto’s?

Emily Kiberd [00:20:23]:

Yeah. I would say that if you want quicker results and you want to feel better quicker, I think working with someone will speed that process.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:39]:

We’ve explored how the thyroid, particularly in conditions like Hashimoto’s disease, can have a profound impact on your health and your hair. If there’s one takeaway from today, it’s this. Hair loss can be complex. And the sooner you consult a professional about potential underlying causes like thyroid function, the sooner you can take meaningful steps towards solutions that work for you. A big thank you to Dr. Kaiburn for sharing her insights and expertise on thyroid health. This was an enlightening look at how your hair loss, thyroid, hormones and general wellness all are linked together. We’re definitely going to be having her back on the show to tell us a little bit more, so be sure to subscribe if you’d like to hear more on the thyroid and hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:21]:

Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:56]:

Until next time.

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How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Mar 4, 2025

Discover Angela Fields’ journey with hair thinning, CCCA alopecia, and the solutions that helped her regain confidence in this special Women’s History Month episode.

Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

Mar 11, 2025

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

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Miracle Hair Loss Cures Debunked

by Julian Miranda | Jan 13, 2025 | Episode

Episode 47

Miracle Hair Loss Cures Debunked

Hair Loss Miracle Cures Debunked Dr. Phipps

Hair loss “miracle cures” dominate social media, with before-and-after photos that often seem too good to be true. This week on HairPod, I discuss what works, what doesn’t, and the science behind hair loss treatments with expert Dr. Phipps.

Hair Loss Cures: Hope or Hype?

Hair loss can be an emotional challenge, and the market is flooded with “miracle” cures that promise unrealistic results. With so many options, it’s difficult to differentiate between scientifically proven solutions and mere fads. Working with a professional who understands your specific type of hair loss can save you time, money, and disappointment. Personalized guidance is crucial for navigating treatments effectively and avoiding products that overpromise and underdeliver. (See our resources section for a link to a complimentary consultation!)

Stem Cell Therapy for Hair Loss

Stem cell therapy has been touted as a revolutionary treatment for hair loss. However, Dr. Phipps emphasizes that this method is not FDA-approved for hair restoration. While stem cells have demonstrated regenerative properties in other medical fields, their efficacy and safety for hair loss remain unproven. Dr. Phipps urges individuals considering this treatment to consult medical professionals who adhere to regulatory practices. Without FDA clearance, stem cell therapy is still an experimental approach with no guaranteed results.

Are Essential Oils Effective for Treating Hair Loss?

Natural treatments, such as essential oils, have gained traction on social media as potential solutions for hair loss. According to Dr. Phipps, botanicals like pumpkin seed oil and rosemary oil may stimulate hair follicles, encouraging growth in areas of thinning. However, they are unlikely to regrow hair on completely bald areas. Additionally, cheaper essential oils often lack the potency needed for significant results due to the high cost of proper distillation. While these treatments may have some effect, they are not a standalone solution for severe hair loss.

Supplements for Hair Health and Growth

Supplements and vitamins play an important role in overall hair health but are not standalone solutions for regrowing hair or halting hair loss. Their effectiveness depends on the type of hair loss and the quality of the supplements themselves. Partnering with a qualified hair growth expert ensures that the supplements you use have been rigorously tested. When incorporated into a comprehensive regimen, supplements can strengthen hair shafts and support overall hair health, enhancing the effects of other treatments.

The Best Treatments for Hair Loss

The most effective hair loss treatment plans are tailored to the individual’s specific condition and adopt a holistic approach. Medications like finasteride remain among the safest and most proven options for hair regrowth and retention. When integrated into a broader regimen, they deliver significant results for many people. Dr. Phipps advises skepticism toward treatments that seem “too good to be true” and encourages those experiencing hair loss to consult professionals to explore proven solutions. While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure, many effective options are available to restore confidence and hair health.

By understanding the science behind these treatments, you can make informed decisions and achieve better outcomes.

Empowering Resources

Book a Complimentary HairClub Consultation Today!

Episode.47 Transcript

Kevin Rolston [00:00:02]:

I think that I would rather spend my money on something that I know is going to give me hair. And so if you’ve got a bald spot, the essential oil is not going to cure that or fill that back in. Essential oil therapy is good for prevention, and it’s good for women, and it can be good for men, too. But women don’t typically have a bald spot. They have diffuse thinning. But. But if you’ve developed a spot that you just can’t even cover with the way you style your hair, don’t spend $400 on an essential oil. Put the $400 toward a hair transplant that’s going to give you hair, because nothing’s going to fill in a bald spot.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:53]:

Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests experienced hair loss themselves, and they found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. When it comes to hair loss, the Internet is both a blessing and a curse. You search for one thing or you just think about hair loss and suddenly your feed is bombarded with ads for miracle cures, from lotions and shampoos to supplements and expensive treatments. The before and after pictures seem to speak for themselves. But how do you know what works and what’s just flashy marketing if you don’t have somebody you trust with the scientific knowledge to help you break this stuff down? It’s easy to feel like giving up entirely. Like, if some of the solutions seem fake, maybe they all are.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:51]:

It’s not just the frustration that can get you. It’s the cost, too. People can end up spending hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on things that were never going to work. And that’s why we bring experts like Dr. Angie Phipps onto the show. She is here to help us cut through the noise, bust some myths, and give you the real, honest truth about what works, what doesn’t, and why. Whether you’re dealing with hair loss yourself or you’re just curious about all these claims you see online, you’re in the right place.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:02:24]:

Hello. It’s good to be back. I can’t wait to get onto this topic because I have patients coming in all the time asking me crazy things that they’ve heard on the Internet or their grandma’s told them that will help with hair loss, and they want to know if it’s true or not.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:36]:

It’s all over social media. And if you’ve ever probably said hair or loss or hair loss anywhere near your phone, it heard you. And now it’s just feeding you these ads like crazy with all kinds of.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:02:48]:

Lotions and potions and snake oils and all kinds of stuff.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:52]:

It’s unbelievable. So I really have just kind of saved some of the really intriguing ads that I’ve seen because it’s miraculous, all these videos, these are guys that have no hair, and all of a sudden it’s just, it’s long, it’s glorious, and all their problems are solved. And I want to find out if it’s tick tock or trick tok here today. So some of the ones that I have seen that are out there that I wanted to ask you about was one that really jumped out to me was one person was talking about stem cells for hair regrowth. And it’s a scientific topic. You are a doctor, and I was wondering if you’d ever heard anything of this. And is this the new revolutionary way to treat hair loss like what they said on the ad I saw on Instagram?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:03:42]:

Yes, stem cell therapy is the newest revolution in medical therapy for hair loss. But, you know, to prove efficacy, they need to go through double blind placebo clinical trials. And that hasn’t been completely completed yet for the FDA to approve it as a proven treatment for hair loss. Now, just because it hasn’t been FDA approved doesn’t mean that it can’t be effective or used off label. But you just want to be careful and make sure that your treatments are coming from a physician at a medical office and not the back garage or basement of somebody’s house who. You don’t know where these molecules or peptides or whatever they’re claiming to be stem cells. You know, maybe they, you know, didn’t. Hopefully they didn’t, you know, kill a deer or, you know, something out in their backyard and then, you know, siphon the deer placenta and take the stem cells or whatever, you know, you hear all kinds of crazy stories on the Internet.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:04:42]:

And so if you get it done at a medical facility under the supervision of a physician, making sure you’re asking them the safety profile, where are you getting your, you know, your products? It’s the newest thing.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:54]:

So what kind of improvement can I see? And who would be a candidate for this stem cell treatment?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:04:59]:

Anybody who has visible thinning. You know, the sooner you get to a physician and get started on therapy, regardless of what it is, the better off you’re gon be because the longer you wait, the more hair loss you have. And if the cells have died, you can’t recover those exact cells. So hopefully the stem cells are going to be able to somehow ignite in the body the ability to reawaken potentially those hair follicle cells. But I don’t know that it’s actually going to grow a new hair follicle.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:34]:

How do they apply the stem cells? How often do you have to apply it? And what kind of cost are we talking about over the long term?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:05:41]:

Yeah, we aren’t currently providing that therapy at our, at my office. And so I would be amiss to give that information because we’re not doing it because it’s not FDA approved. And so, you know, at my office we really only do things that have been proven through clinical trials and not allow patients to spend money on something that may or may not be proven to work.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:03]:

How important is it to have something FDA approved? Because I’ve heard it both ways where sometimes people say, oh, it’s just a political thing and it’s the fda, they’re only going to approve things that they’re going to get kickbacks for and stuff like that. So you hear all these conspiracy theories, but you know, you want to hope that there is a governing body that really is doing it for the right reason. So what is your feeling on FDA approval?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:06:25]:

I think I don’t necessarily need FDA approval, but I do need FDA clearance. So I need some governing body to have looked over and said, yes, this is cleared. We haven’t necessarily approved it because it didn’t go through the type of clinical trials that is necessary to show proven results to get approval, but it’s been cleared to be safe through the fda. So I do want all treatments, therapies, medications to have been FDA cleared or approved. Now sometimes we use things off label. So a medication has been FDA approved to treat one condition, but then they’re treating that condition and then they find out it helps to treat something else as well. Well, they don’t make that drug or device or treatment go back through the clinical trials. You can use that for a different reason and it’s considered off label.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:07:15]:

But you know that it, it happened because it was being seen, those results were being seen as the medication or device or treatment was being used for something else.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:25]:

Right.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:07:25]:

So I’m, I’m completely okay with off label uses as long as the treatment, drug or therapy has been cleared or approved for a different medical condition.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:34]:

Foreign.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:40]:

Stem cells seem like the latest and greatest thing. Testing still needs to be done to ensure that treating hair loss with stem cells is not just effective, it’s also safe. And while you’re waiting on the final word on this treatment, it can be tempting to turn to more natural remedies. You’ve probably seen people on social media talking about how essential oils can regrow your hair, and the results tend to look pretty good. So I had to know if these ingredients really were the liquid gold that so many people claim that they are.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:08:18]:

There are botanical ingredients that do have hair stimulating properties. Pumpkin seed oil is especially rosemary oil. So God is good and God has given us, you know, plants that treat, you know, everything before the big pharma was invented. But it’s the process of how you create these oils as to whether or not they’re going to be effective and what I have found that in order for it to be medicinally effective, the process that it has to go through is very expensive to get the quality of oil from the resin that’s going to make it not affordable for most people. So because the, the plants are number one, usually they’re not homegrown in the United States. They’re usually plants that are, you know, grown in different countries. So you have import, export, you know, fees and stuff for trying to get the plants into the United States. And then sometimes it’s just muddied down or watered down with alcohol and other fillers to create a bottle full of something that they can sell.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:09:24]:

And while the ingredient is in that product, it’s usually the concentration of the medicine, or I mean, concentration of the herb that is not enough to have a significant clinical aesthetic improvement. So I’m a believer in essential oil therapy and natural therapies as long as they’re being processed in a way that usually has what’s called one pass distillation, where you’re getting the majority of the oil instead of several passes and you’re getting watered down product.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:00]:

Do you like. You’ll pay more than what it’s worth because you talk about the cost. And to really get something that’s good, you’re saying it’s going to be expensive.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:10:08]:

I think that I would rather spend my money on something that I know is going to give me hair. And so if you’ve got a bald spot, the essential oil is not going to cure that or fill that back in. Essential oil therapy is good for prevention and is good for women, and it can be good for men too. But women don’t typically have a bald spot. They have diffuse thinning. So I tend to like those More natural remedies for patients who have just, you know, mild diffuse thinning to help stimulate the follicles, you know, that are currently there. But if you’ve developed a spot that you just can’t even cover with the way you style your hair or it’s a bald spot, don’t spend $400 on an essential oil. Put the $400 toward a hair transplant that’s going to give you hair because nothing’s going to fill in a bald spot.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:00]:

I’ve seen advertisements for different vitamins or supplements that are supposed to help with hair loss. Are these good and how effective would they be?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:11:09]:

Again, I consider vitamins or supplements an add on therapy to hormone therapy and cellular therapy. So they’re number three or four on my list of things that I recommend to my patients for hair loss because they’re just not medicinally as strong as the other therapies. But I do recommend them because you want to have a healthy scalp, you want to have a healthy hair shaft that’s being produced that you can give good nutrition to the scalp, skin and cells through these supplements. So a big one is Nutrafol and it’s a very good product. It’s a little pricey and you have to take four pills a day. And so sometimes that can be a deterrent for people. But Bosley is a company that’s made their own vitamins and supplements that are very effective as well as HairClub has supplements that are very effective. So if you’re getting your supplements from a reputable hair loss company doctor, then you know that those products have been tested on some level of consumer research to make sure that they’re going to be clinically effective or the strongest possible that you can buy over the, you know, without a, without a prescription.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:12:23]:

And vitamins that you’re buying at Walmart is not going to be that effective, in my opinion.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:31]:

I love the nuance Dr. Phipps provides. She’s not saying essential oils and botanical extracts don’t work. She’s just bringing in some extra clarity about how they work and in what amounts. Essential oils and natural remedies definitely have their place, especially for prevention or mild hair thinning. But while they can help stimulate follicles and support scalp health, they’re not a magical bullet. If you’re dealing with significant hair loss or bald spots, you’re probably looking for something with proven results. I want to know how these remedies compare to the prescription medications most people with hair loss turn to.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:13:14]:

Yeah, you’re in a completely different hair loss realm because the prescription medication has proven medical benefit to the strength it’s necessary that’s going to cause a cosmetic improvement. That cosmetic improvement may be just stabilizing your hair loss so that it doesn’t get worse. It may be visual improvement by thickening up the hair shafts that are being produced so that you see less scalp. The supplement realm of treatments or therapies, in my opinion are supportive but not a individual sole treatment option that I would recommend that be done without anything else.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:53]:

So what would you say are the most effective prescription or over the counter hair loss remedies that you can get and medications?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:14:02]:

Yeah, so the most effective is finasteride or propecia for men, women who are not of childbearing age and, or who have had, they’re in menopause or have had surgical sterilization or whatever so that they can’t get pregnant. We also put them on sometimes the finasteride or dutasteride medications to block the DHT hormone. The medical grade minoxidil, either in pill form or topical form. The topical form you can buy over the counter. Now the pill form is a prescription medication that you have to get from a physician, but those are actually working internally or topically with a strength that is able to cause a medicinal effect that translates to aesthetic improvement. Whereas the over the counter medications typically don’t do that other than the topical minoxidil. It does have significant medicinal benefit and it is over the counter. I think the oral is probably a little more effective, but you know, when, when you get more efficacy, it usually requires a prescription.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:15:10]:

And the minoxidil oral form does have to be a prescription.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:14]:

You mentioned finasteride and propecia. What is the difference between those two products?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:15:19]:

One’s the chemical name and one’s the brand name. It’s the same thing as Tylenol or acetaminophen. Tylenol is the brand. Acetaminophen, the chemical name. Propecia is the brand name. Finasteride is the chemical name.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:30]:

And so you could save a good bit of money if you went finasteride instead of propecia. Okay, and you also said finasteride and dutasteride. What’s the difference between those two?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:15:40]:

So they’re in the same family of drugs as being a medication that blocks the 5 alpha reductase enzyme. That is what converts testosterone to DHT. And that’s the DHT hormone is the one that has the deleterious effects on the hair follicle. Now there’s two different enzymes. There’s 5 alpha reductase type 1 and there’s 5 alpha reductase type 2. And what we see is that the majority of conversion from test into DHT comes from the type 2 enzyme. So finasteride blocks the type 2 enzyme, but some individuals still have consistent conversion of test to DHT from the type 1 enzyme. So dutasteride actually blocks both of those enzymes.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:20]:

So.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:16:20]:

So you can start out on dutasteride, but I usually reserve dutasteride for patients who are on finasteride and after a year still feel like they’re having some degree of thinning. Not as much as they were before. Then I’ll maybe switch them to dutasteride or I’ll put women on dutasteride. It’s because the half life of that medication is significantly longer. And if you experience a side effect, it’s going to take a lot longer for that side effect to go away than it would than with the finasteride.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:47]:

Is it a lot more expensive to do one over the other?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:16:50]:

The dutasteride is a little bit more expensive than the finasteride, yes. Just because it hasn’t been around as long.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:56]:

So as you see these ads on social media platforms and people miraculously regrowing hair and they now look fantastic, how do you wind up discerning between what is credible and what is going to be bunk? Are there certain things that you’ve seen in any of these ads that immediately say, because you have the trained eye, you’re a doctor, you know, for somebody that’s just getting into it, look all these things when you’re desperate for a cure, it just looks absolutely amazing. And you believe in the person for whatever reason is on this social media platform you’ve never seen before. So how do you not be a sucker and not get tricked?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:17:30]:

If somebody has a bald spot and then their actor picture shows no bald spot, it’s trickery. Now, what they may have had done is they may have had a hair transplant and use those products that they’re trying to sell you, oils, vitamins, devices, anything, and then they got that result. But they’re attributing the result to what they’re trying to sell you, when really the result came from the hair transplant. Wow. So they’re not disclosing full information as to what they’ve had done or whether they’ve used some sort of scalp makeup or fibers to help conceal in combination with the product that they’re trying to sell. So if it looks too good to be true, it’s usually too good to be true. There’s no one therapy out there that takes somebody from being bald to giving you a full head of hair. It’s just not going to happen.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:18:18]:

And people prey on women and men’s insecurities and hopes that this is going to be the one thing that’s going to do it. It’s not going to do it. Go see a hair loss specialist. It’s going to usually need multimodal treatment with different devices, different medications, and maybe even sometimes a surgical procedure to get the results that most people are looking for.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:44]:

Hair loss and navigating the world of hair loss solutions can leave you feeling a little bit helpless. But conversations like the ones we have with Dr. Phipps always leave me feeling hopeful because there are real solutions formulated by experts and regulations in place to help protect us from unsafe or ineffective products. I think the most important thing to remember is if you’re considering doing something about your hair loss, work with a trusted professional to determine what solutions will work for your type of hair loss and to get you the results that you want. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpot. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpot on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:37]:

We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you until next time.

DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT

Featured Guests

Heather Brooke
Nick Wilkins

New Episodes Weekly

Available Every Tuesday @ 9am

Want to Be a Guest?

Come on the Show!

Related Episodes

How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Mar 4, 2025

Discover Angela Fields’ journey with hair thinning, CCCA alopecia, and the solutions that helped her regain confidence in this special Women’s History Month episode.

Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

Mar 11, 2025

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

Listen & Subscribe

Listen to HairPod™ on various streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Subscribe and be the first to listen to new episodes.

Available now at:

Top Hair Replacement Trends for 2025

by Julian Miranda | Jan 6, 2025 | Episode

Episode 46

Top Hair Replacement Trends for 2025

2025 Hair Replacement Trends with Dr. Mary Alice Mina

This week on HairPod, I spoke with expert dermatologist and host of The Skin Real Podcast, Dr. Mary Alice Mina. We covered some of the latest news on hair loss and her forecasts for the near future of hair loss treatment.

Dermatology and Hair Health

A dermatologist can be a great resource when it comes to hair health. According to Dr. Mary Alice Mina, dermatologists are experts in skin, hair, and nails and can help those who seek diagnoses or treatments for their hair loss. Supporting the physical processes that give us healthy skin will also have a positive impact on our hair and nails. Dr. Mina reminds us that part of having a healthy scalp isn’t just about caring for your hair itself but also for the skin on the scalp that houses your hair follicles.

Nutrition and Hair Health

Intermittent fasting and hair loss are in the news, as a new study shows a link between this restrictive diet and reduced hair growth in mice. Dr. Mina and I discussed the importance of eating wisely during your meal times to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients. While the scientific community is still learning the links between certain trending diets and hair loss, it’s well-known among hair loss experts that a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is important for overall body processes, including hair health. For more on how diet affects your hair health, check out
Episode 024: “Ask a Trichologist: What is Causing My Hair Loss?” with trichologist Eva Proudman

2025 Hair Restoration Trends

The latest developments in hair loss treatments are always a topic of conversation when we talk to experts like Dr. Mina. It can be hard to separate fact from fiction, but a dermatologist or trichologist can help decode which new technologies are grounded in science. Dr. Mina shares her curiosity and concerns with treatments like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma). While they can be effective for many people, there is significant variability in platelet levels between individuals. Many emerging treatments have yet to hit the market, but Dr. Mina remains optimistic about the bright future of hair restoration.

Hair Loss Solution or Scam?

Natural remedies for hair loss often reach us via social media and promise amazing results. However, Dr. Mary Alice Mina advises using good judgment and consulting with professionals before investing in unverified treatments. Without solid scientific studies to set proper expectations, natural remedies can lead to expensive, ineffective outcomes, leaving individuals suffering from hair loss feeling hopeless. There are effective treatments and options that cater to a variety of needs, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Working with a knowledgeable professional can help you diagnose the cause of your hair loss and select treatments that are right for you. Remember, you aren’t in this alone!

Empowering Resources

Episode.46 Transcript

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:00:02]:
I would say if you are struggling with hair loss, I would say see your dermatologist before investing in a lot of sort of experimental things or other things, because not all hair loss is created equal. Lots of different causes of hair loss, some is completely reversible and some scars, and that is not reversible. And if we can hit it first and early and sort of stop the inflammation that can lead to the scarring, then we can minimize that foreign.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:43]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:49]:
I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:51]:
Week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week we are ringing in the new year with the very latest in cutting edge hair loss technology and trends with Dr. Mary Alice Mina. Dr. Mary Alice is a Harvard-educated dermatologist and dermatological surgeon with a passion for educating people about caring for their skin. She hosts The Skin Real podcast and today she joined us for an episode of HairPod to talk about all the latest in hair restoration, from the most recent studies to the latest hair trends. The first thing I had to know was how dermatology fits into the world of hair loss and hair restoration.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:01:45]:
This is such a popular topic and something that I’ve been thinking about more and more as I’m hitting middle age. But, yeah, people maybe don’t realize this, but dermatologists are the skin, hair and nail experts. So our nails and hair are appendages of our skin. And so we also take care of hair. So. And I also think people forget that our hair, also our scalp is made up not just of hair, but skin. And so it’s important to take care of our scalp skin as well. That that is also part of hair care.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:02:19]:
So, yeah, as dermatologists, this is definitely right up our alley.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:23]:
Now, the one thing that I want to talk to you a little bit about is, you know, it seems like.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:27]:
Things that are probably good for your.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:29]:
Nails and for your skin are probably also good for your hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:32]:
Why?

Kevin Rolston [00:02:33]:
That has to do with dietary stuff. Right?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:02:35]:
Well, is there something in particular you’re thinking about?

Kevin Rolston [00:02:38]:
Yes, I am. In fact, I saw a study this week and it talks about how intermittent fasting and a study that was done is not giving the body enough energy to reproduce the hair cells that is needed. And they’re discovering, at least in studies with mice, that when they’re doing intermittent fasting diet that the mice are not replenishing the energy to regrow the hair. And they said that it could be the same way in humans. So is that something that you’ve seen where caloric intake or the nutrients that you put in your body can also affect skin, hair and nails?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:03:15]:
Oh, yeah, absolutely. So if you have a very calorie restrictive diet, then your skin is going to be very dry. You can get this stuff called lanuga, where you have these small little, what we call vellus hairs on your body that can develop. You can significantly lose hair on your head and it can be very brittle. So, yes, very restrictive diets for sure can do this. And also so can rapid weight loss. So we’re seeing, I would say probably even more common is people who go on these crash diets lose a lot of weight very quickly, or the GLP1 agonists, which are remarkable at helping people lose weight. But one of the side effects is that with this rapid weight loss can also come rapid hair loss.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:04:06]:
Now, usually that’s reversible. Same thing with, with diet that, you know, when you have a healthy diet, a balanced diet, then that will improve. And then the other thing I’ll say I’ll see sometimes in vegans or people who are vegetarians or very only eat certain foods and not sort of a more balanced diet like a Mediterranean diet, a plant for a diet. We can also see some issues with hair loss. So, yeah, hair loss is so much more than just what are you shampooing with or what products are you using. I always say skincare and hair care comes from, you know, within. And so taking care of our body first and foremost is a great way to make sure your hair is healthy.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:49]:
Totally.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:49]:
Now, you mentioned the GLP1s and so many people are doing that. And there was a good news that came out this last week about there’s finally, for the first time in a long time, been a little drop in obesity rates in America. But the one thing that I’m hearing about the GLP1s is that some people are losing weight, but they’re increasing their body fat and that there may be losing connective tissue, they’re losing muscle, and it could also be affecting other things happening in the body. Do you notice anyone doing GLP1s that is affecting their hair growth? Could that be something that actually takes away from it?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:05:26]:
So definitely see hair loss with it for sure.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:29]:
Okay.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:05:30]:
And I can’t really speak to whether they’re losing muscle or what they’re losing exactly I’m not familiar with that study, but certainly if you are not, you know, again, these medications can help you lose weight, but in order to be healthy, you still need to eat a balanced diet. You need to make sure you get enough protein, enough fiber, minimizing sugar. Right? So it’s not, I think we all want, right, the magic pill where you can still do all the bad habits and not worry about what you actually eat, but you really have to also take care of your body and think about your nutritional status. So. But yeah, we certainly do see the hair loss with it. We also see a lot of, like, skin laxity, which is where when you lose weight so quickly, the skin doesn’t have time to slowly absorb that. And so you can get some loose hanging skin as well. So that’s definitely something.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:06:20]:
We see patients coming in now that they’ve lost the weight. Now they need to get rid of the skin that’s just kind of hanging there.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:27]:
The thing that seems to be tough for me is that a lot of people, we want to achieve beauty. And that’s why we’re doing intermittent fasting. That’s why we’re doing the GLP1s. So how do we offset that? Because if you’re listening to us right now, I’m a person that does intermittent fasting. So what would you say to the person that, for instance, I will do 14, as much as 18 hours off, how can I offset what I’m doing with my intermittent fasting so that I’m not affecting my hair growth?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:06:56]:
Well, so I would say, first of all, have you noticed problem with hair loss with your intermittent fasting?

Kevin Rolston [00:07:03]:
I have not personally, no, thankfully.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:07:06]:
Sometimes, you know, if there isn’t a problem, you haven’t noticed hair loss, then it really isn’t something you have to worry about. But I would say if you. And I’ve dabbled with intermittent fasting, and it’s not something I’m doing right now, I didn’t notice any hair issues. But I would say if you are doing intermittent fasting, then you need to be very cognizant that you’re getting good nutrition on those eating windows that you have and making sure that you’re eating a balanced diet, you’re eating lean proteins, that you’re getting enough, you know, vegetables, antioxidants, all of that. Because I think, again, it’s fine to intermittent fast and they’re show that there are lots of benefits to that. But just make sure when you are eating that you are getting enough calories and enough macros and all that.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:53]:
Is there a perfect hair diet?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:07:55]:
I don’t think so. I don’t think there’s a perfect diet period for anyone. But again, just making. I would say, you know, a good diet in general for your skin would be. We tend to recommend the Mediterranean diet where there’s, you know, protein forward with lean protein. Fish is a great fatty acids. You have omega 3 fatty acids and things like salmon eating a lot of fiber, green leafy vegetables, fruits and berries for antioxidants, minimizing processed sugar. I would say that that’s just key for our overall health.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:08:32]:
So is there the perfect hair diet? I think would just be the. A good balanced diet for your overall health and making sure you’re not being too restrictive on your calories or too restrictive that, oh, I never eat this fruit or this food or this or that, because I think that’s where people can get into trouble or if they just eat same thing all the time. Again, you need that variety, really.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:55]:
Okay, now that. That’s kind of interesting. So even if I had the perfect diet, I still need to switch it up a bit because my body will get used to it and it could be somewhat damaging to hair, nails, skin.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:09:05]:
Well, not so much that. I’m just thinking of if you’re someone who I always eat a piece of chicken and mashed potatoes and carrots. Right. And you only eat that day in and day out. Throw in a salad one night, throw in broccoli one night, throw in some different vegetables, because each fruit and vegetable, they all have different benefits. So again, I know sometimes it’s easy just to eat the same thing every lunch, every dinner. But again, just making sure you’re eating. You know, think about also eating seasonal foods.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:09:36]:
Right. Trying to eat things that are in season is a great way to make sure that you’re getting that variability and nutrition. And it’s better for the environment, right, to eat things when they’re in season.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:50]:
I always appreciate hearing a doctor’s perspective on the importance of nutrition because I know it’s something we can all work on right now to improve our hair, skin and overall health. But it’s especially important early in the year when many people are searching for the fad diet that’s going to help them lose weight and get on a healthier path. It’s important to know the consequences of the different options that are out there so you can keep track of things like hair loss, because that could indicate issues with overall health. I asked Dr. Mina if there was anything else we should focus on when we’re looking at the major causes of hair loss.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:10:30]:
Genetics is big and we don’t fully understand it. It’s not quite so simple as if your mom’s dad didn’t have hair, you’re not going to have hair. Right. So genetics, and it’s not really something, at least at this point, that we can really fix. So genetics. There are some people who are predisposed to having more hair thinning than others. There’s some people who are more prone to early hair grain versus, versus, not. So genetics would be number one, and then number two, I would say, is hormones.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:10:58]:
And again, this isn’t really something we can always change. Now there are things we can do to enhance, but hormones play a big role. And so that, that’s something like for men with testosterone, that’s why men struggle with hair thinning. And even women, as we go through menopause or perimenopause, we lose estrogen. We’re learning that estrogen is also important for hair. So we can work around those things in some ways. But also it is just natural hormone fluctuations as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:31]:
So tell me, for a guy like myself, and you get hit with this a lot when you hit middle age for men, and I’m sure for women as well, it’s balancing your hormones. And so in South Florida, where I am, they have so many clinics that are all about giving you testosterone, balancing your hormones, what does that then do to contributing to my hair loss? Because if I add more testosterone, am I then going to start losing more hair as a result?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:11:56]:
You can, yeah. So you know, everything has trade offs, right. Every there, there are pluses and minuses with things. So. So certainly taking testosterone can also cause acne and more sebum or oil production. Right. So I would say for someone like your age who’s maybe noticing some thinning maybe at the temples or the back of your head, probably the simplest thing to do would be to use a topical product, whether that’s pure minoxidil or. Now there are a lot of compounded products that have different things like propecia and finasteride, dutasteride, things like that.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:12:33]:
And it’s topical and you put it on and women can use these as well. So that would be probably the simplest thing to do, but you have to stick with it and it doesn’t happen overnight. And then other options would be, then you could do systemic things as well. So if it’s. And it kind of depends on the kind of hair loss. But for men taking an oral medication like minoxidil finasteride. Some of these medications that can help suppress the androgen receptors around the hair follicles is a good option.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:07]:
Yeah. And, you know, I know sometimes, and I’ve done the testosterone before, and they do give you something to try to balance that to make sure it’s right in your system. I’ve done the finasteride, and I found out that I needed dutasteride, which I guess is what 10% of the male population needs, because the finasteride will not cover everybody, as I’ve come to find out by hosting this podcast.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:31]:
To me, it’s just such a slippery.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:33]:
Slope when you’re trying to maintain beauty, because it seems like when you do one thing that you think is a benefit, whether it be testosterone for your body, then it affects your hair or your skin or your nails.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:44]:
Do we have any kind of perfect.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:45]:
Recipe on how to navigate beauty as we start to get to middle age, on what we should do, how much we do of it, and then how we counterbalance the other effects of beauty on other parts of our body?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:13:56]:
Gosh. I mean, that’s the million dollar question, right?

Kevin Rolston [00:13:59]:
Okay.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:14:00]:
It’s so personal, too. Right? Everyone has a different threshold. My mother has never done. I can’t even get her to use a retinoid. Like, she just uses her moisturizer and sunscreen and that’s it. And she’ll never do any cosmetic procedure whatsoever. And then there are other people who are like, I am all for, give me everything. I want to do everything, try everything.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:14:21]:
So it’s really personal, but I would just encourage people to do what feels right for them. And it’s hard not to feel pressure. As we get older, we want to kind of cling on to what we looked like 10 years ago, 20 years ago, and we see changes and aging is normal. But, yes. Are there things we can do to help mitigate some of the less desirable side effects? And there are. With hair loss, I feel like there’s no, like, take this pill and you’ll grow hair. Right. Sometimes it’s a lot of trial and error.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:14:52]:
Sometimes it’s making sure you’re supplementing vitamin D. A lot of people are deficient in that. And there have been people promoting vitamin D as a way to help with hair loss. But again, I wouldn’t just do any one thing. A lot of times it’s doing them all in combination that can help as well. And I do think in the next five years to 10 years, we’re going to really see an explosion in what we can offer people for hair loss and even maybe hair grain. So I think this is an exciting time. But again, I’ve even, I mean, it kind of makes me laugh when I go to these conferences and I’ll hear someone speaking about hair loss and they, they’re a big hair loss expert and they’re bald or they have, they have recession and it’s, it’s not that uncommon.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:15:38]:
And I’m thinking here is some one of the like world experts in this. They know everything. But yet sometimes it’s just with our genetics and the knowledge that we have now, not everything is going to work for everyone. Now we can definitely improve. For most people we can help out a lot, but we can’t cure it. Right. And that can be frustrating and people can spend a ton of money on these things. So I would also say, you know, sometimes hair loss can make us feel so desperate for a cure that we can fall prey to people who really don’t have the answer but make you feel like they do.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:22]:
Dr. Mina gets at something of key importance here. Hair loss can be such an emotional experience for anyone. And depending upon what is causing the hair loss, there may be a way to reverse it or there may not. The unknowns can leave a lot of people feeling desperate to try anything, which can lead down a very hopeless and costly road. Thankfully, professionals like Dr. Mina are knowledgeable about the treatment options that are available today and also what’s on the horizon for hair loss solutions.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:16:58]:
I do think there’s a lot of cool things coming out. Really the whole field of regenerative medicine is really taking off. And I would say, you know, what we already have in our toolbox right now are things like prp. So platelet rich plasma, that’s where you draw your blood and then you inject it, they spin it down. So we just are taking the plasma that’s rich in platelets, which have a lot of growth factors, and then we inject it into the scalp. The problem, it does work for a lot of people. The problem is that our platelet levels vary a good bit. And also your platelets at 20 are not the same as your platelets at 80.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:17:38]:
And so there is variability with that. So it works, it can be helpful. But I think we can take it even the next step. And so there are companies now that have taken the component of platelets and now, you know, amplified that so that we have more concentrated versions that we don’t have to rely on our own that you can inject. And there are also exosomes coming down the pike, there are topical exosomes that are formulated just for hair regrowth and have been shown to actually help with hair grain. So I think that’s another area that I’m personally more interested in that, to be honest. So, you know, right now it’s topical. Some doctors at Mayo Clinic have come up with a product that’s pretty amazing, at least seeing their results.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:18:24]:
And I’m, you know, testing it out with some of my patients and friends and family. And I think the next step would be, can we inject these exosomes? You know, how do we switch the hair follicle that is its own little stem cell? How do we switch that hair follicle back on? Why did it get turned off in the first place? You know, why did it stop producing melanin or pigment in the first place? How do we kick those cells back into gear and make them work again? And tons of research on that. And I do think we’re going to have some really cool things in the near future.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:00]:
You talk about some of these things that people might be seeing when they scroll through whatever social media feed that they use, and they look encouraging. But are there some that you know of that are out there that you would put a warning flag up on? Because people jump on stuff really quick, and the stuff’s typically not cheap, but it looks like it’s very effective. But have you seen something that you would say you might want to look more into that before you jump into it?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:19:26]:
Yeah, so definitely. People seem to really want to do more homeopathic treatments, natural treatments. I feel like I hear castor oil a lot for hair growth.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:38]:
Yes.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:19:38]:
There was even a study that, you know, dermatologists were saying, oh, rosemary oil can help with hair growth. But that study has really been found to have a lot of holes in it. I just think that this is something that’s so universal for men and women wanting to grow hair that we can fall prey to scams. And so I would just say anyone who is. I would make sure see what their credentials are. Right. Like, is this a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon or someone really experienced in hair loss or hair transplantation? Are they just selling you their own products and supplements? Right, right. Supplement world.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:20:15]:
I do believe in supplements, but I believe that they are supplemental. So check your vitamin D levels. If it’s low, then supplementing with that, making sure you have a balanced diet. Biotin, that was something. It’s not expensive, but that’s something that, you know, people would be taking tens of thousands of micrograms of biotin because they were told it worked. It helped. And really we found that unless you are truly biotin deficient, which is very rare, you don’t need to be supplementing with biotin. And in fact, it can mess up your lab work.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:49]:
Oh, wow.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:20:50]:
Yeah. So. So not really helpful in that realm. But yeah, I would just, I would look at who’s selling you. You know, who’s selling you. What are they selling you? What’s their angle and what are their credentials? Right. Is this someone who truly has experience in hair loss?

Kevin Rolston [00:21:06]:
Dr. Mina, I think a lot of people probably overlook scalp health. How important really is that to your hair health and your hair loss? And what can you do to make sure that you have got the best? To me, I look at it farming. You know, if you’ve got good soil, a lot of times you get a good crop out of it. Is your hair growth almost the same way when it comes to your scalp?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:21:29]:
Yeah, I think that’s a great analogy. Right. It’s the soil. So if we’re not taking care of our scalp, if we are putting tons of products on that are irritating it or causing a rash, then our scalp is going to be itchy and uncomfortable and flaky. Sometimes we can get overgrowth of yeast on our scalp, which is essentially dandruff. So making sure you’re calming down that inflammation as well, People can get like little acne lesions on the scalp that can cause the hair to kind of scar up. I would say hairstyles can be a big one for women. So if you are always pulling your hair back in a tight ponytail or tight bun every single day, you can get what’s called traction alopecia, where the pulling on the hair can cause hair loss in that area.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:22:19]:
Or if you do really tight braids on your, your hair. So be careful. Now, I just watched Cirque du Soleil and there was a woman, I mean, truly doing flips and, and crazy things, hanging by her hair. So I do, I do worry about her, her, her hair loss in the future, potentially. But, you know, being careful how you style your hair, what are you putting. If you are constantly bleaching your hair using really harsh chemicals on it, heating or styling it with really hot products, hot heat without a heat protectant, that’s going to damage the hair as well. So just. Yeah, thinking about your scalp is important as well.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:22:59]:
And not everyone’s scalp. Some people have oily scalp, some people have dry or sensitive. So just like with skin, you need to make sure you’re using the right product for your scalp.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:08]:
So imagine a lot of people hearing a lot of great information coming out of this and they’re trying to figure out, okay, where do I go? Because I need to learn a little bit more. And there are different places you can go to get information about this. What role does a dermatologist wind up playing when it comes to your hair health? And when do you know that the dermatologist is the first person you should turn to?

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:23:29]:
Yeah, well, I would say for a lot of people it’s probably your hair stylist or barber that most people talk to. I know for women like we, we tend to have these long standing relationships with our hairstylist. So you can talk with them about it. And I find that they are great advocates. Along with dermatologists, they can help point out if something looks funny on the scalp that they see. And they can also tell you, like, oh, gosh, when I wash your hair, I’m noticing a ton of clumps coming out, or, oh, I’m noticing that there’s some thinning. So, you know, I think for most people, they’re going to the first discussion is probably with their hairstylist or barber about what they’re seeing. And I would say if you are struggling with hair loss, I would say see your dermatologist before investing in a lot of sort of experimental things or other things.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:24:16]:
Because not all hair loss is created equal. Lots of different causes of hair loss, some is completely reversible and some scars and that is not reversible. And if we can hit it first and early and sort of stop the inflammation and that can lead to the scarring, then we can minimize that. So I find too often people come see the dermatologist like as the last resort. They’ve already tried all these things, they spent all this money. But really, I feel like that can save you a lot of time and frustration is if you’re struggling with hair loss, see your dermatologist or find a dermatologist who has familiarity with hair loss who can help you.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:52]:
Okay, so go to the professional before you go to TikTok and Instagram.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina [00:24:57]:
Yes, exactly. Although I know, I mean, there are a lot of doctors. That’s why I have a podcast. Podcast, right. Because I, I know that’s where people get their information. But instead of, you know, before you drop down a couple hundred dollars on some supplements or something that’s a, maybe less well, well studied or developed, I would see a dermatologist, make sure you know what kind of hair loss you have and get the right treatment to really try to save as much of your hair as possible. It’s so much easier to treat hair loss before it’s really severe. If you come to us and you’re totally bald, it’s really going to be hard to bring that hair back.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:39]:
A huge thank you to Dr. Alice Mina for joining us and sharing her wealth of knowledge on hair health, dermatology and the exciting advances in hair loss treatments. If you’ve ever wondered about how your diet, hormones or even your hair care routine impacts your hair’s health, I hope today’s conversation gave you some answers and maybe even sparked a few new questions. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out on Hair Club on Instagram or search Harepod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast podcast app. We also have a website.

Kevin Rolston [00:26:24]:
Check it out by going to podcast hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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Happy New Year from the HairPod Team!

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The Science Behind Laser Hair Therapy with Dr. Angela Phipps

In Episode 42, we had the pleasure of diving into the fascinating world of laser hair therapy with Dr. Angela Phipps, a renowned expert in the field of hair restoration. Laser hair therapy has become increasingly popular as a non-invasive treatment option for those experiencing hair loss, and in this episode, Dr. Phipps provided a comprehensive explanation of how it works, its benefits, and what kind of results you can realistically expect.

Laser hair therapy uses low-level light therapy (LLLT) to stimulate hair follicles, improve blood flow to the scalp, and ultimately promote hair regrowth. This method works by using light at specific wavelengths that penetrate the scalp and reach the hair follicles. The light energy is absorbed by the cells, which encourages improved cellular function, reduces inflammation, and supports the growth phase of the hair cycle.

While Dr. Phipps was quick to clarify that laser therapy isn’t a miracle cure, she emphasized its potential for significant improvement when used consistently. For many individuals, especially those in the early stages of hair thinning, it can be a game-changer. The therapy can help reverse the miniaturization of hair follicles caused by male or female pattern baldness and even enhance the thickness and density of existing hair.

Dr. Phipps also provided important context on when laser hair therapy might not be effective. She explained that it’s crucial to match the treatment to the specific type of hair loss you’re experiencing. For example, those with advanced or scarring alopecia may not see the same level of success with laser therapy compared to individuals experiencing androgenetic alopecia (common male and female pattern hair loss). This distinction helps set realistic expectations for listeners, ensuring they have a clear understanding of what this treatment can do for them.

By the end of the episode, listeners gained a well-rounded understanding of laser hair therapy, its benefits, limitations, and ideal candidates. Dr. Phipps’ insights are invaluable for anyone considering laser therapy as part of their hair restoration plan and for those seeking a non-invasive solution to hair thinning.

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Episode.45 Transcript

Steve Barth [00:00:02]:
Losing hair has a very powerful emotional effect on our personality because we can’t control it, right? But yet we’re left with this real discontent or this real feeling of not looking our best, which means that we’re not always feeling our best. And it’s so important in today’s world that’s so competitive to have that level of confidence.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:37]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week, we are saying goodbye to 2024 by looking back at my five favorite hairpod moments from the past year. I came into hosting the Hairpod as somebody who themselves have been searching for hair solutions for the last 25 years. But what I’ve learned in the last year completely eclipsed all the last 25 years combined. I’m hoping you’ve learned something as well, and I look forward to a whole new year with a lot of other great discussions. Now, these clips aren’t in any particular order.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:30]:
The first clip, and I think maybe the most important, the first clip is from my interview with Steve Barth. He’s one of the founding fathers of HairClub. Steve invented HairClub’s patented hair and scalp analysis technology called TrichoView. And I got to ask him all about it on episode 23, “The Creation of TrichoView”. It was definitely one of my favorite episodes. Not only did I learn about the evolution of HairClub, but I learned a lot about hair loss itself.

Steve Barth [00:02:01]:
You know, HairClub, really, to me, one of the big distinctions is we try to take a very individualized, personalized, and customized approach. So, you know, it’s very possible that a non surgical solution would be terrific for you or for me, but it may not be right for the next guy. And the purpose of tricovue was for us to be able to, again, you know, measure certain properties and characteristics of the hair and scalp and make a determination whether we were at a phase of hair loss that could benefit from hair and scalp therapy. And before you go ahead and take that step or you decide to take the option of a non surgical solution. So we became overnight a multiple solution provider and the only multiple solution provider at that time in the country. And I think that it just changed us completely. And I don’t think a lot of people that Think of Hair Club in the early days with Ze Sperling. They don’t really know what HairClub is about today and where it’s going and what the vision of the future is.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:09]:
Right. How many years are you in on Hair Club before Trico View comes into fruition?

Steve Barth [00:03:14]:
Me personally?

Kevin Rolston [00:03:15]:
Yeah. How long did it take for you guys to get to that level of business?

Steve Barth [00:03:19]:
I’d say about 25 years.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:20]:
Okay.

Steve Barth [00:03:21]:
Yeah. And maybe even a little longer. I had conceived of this from another experience I had in business where we were designing a personalized, individualized fitness program. It was way ahead of its time. It was ahead of AI. I was actually, you know, I became an investor in this software development, which was meant to take in information about your fitness health, about your habits, about your fitness goals and objectives. And then it was able to sort of generate from that a completely personalized, individualized and customized fitness and nutritional program and wellness program.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:04]:
Right. It was maybe seeing the physical and how that’s affected by your diet, your exercise, your sleep. Are you starting to see correlations and patterns where it’s affecting hair loss and the levels of that as well?

Steve Barth [00:04:15]:
Well, I think what that sort of brought to light for me is that HairClub, again, could distinguish itself by not only looking at the physiology of hair loss and the physical effects of hair loss, but also paying equal attention to the psychodynamic and the psychology of hair loss. So that’s really. I got a lot of that thinking from an investment I made years ago into this what we call fitness expert program, which was designed, actually, believe it or not, by my now cfo. I met him originally. He’s an MIT computer engineer, and he designed this. He was very entrepreneurial, and he designed this program, but it was way ahead of its time. This is before E-commerce. This is before a lot of things.

Steve Barth [00:05:06]:
And I became an investor. And I was also really intrigued by that because I was obviously very heavily involved with Hair Club at the time. And I said to myself, wouldn’t this be cool if we could take this concept and use it as a way of gaining deeper insight into the needs of a Hair Club buyer and being able to also pay as much attention to the psychology and philosophy of a buyer as is the physiology of the buyer? And that’s what Trico View attempted to do. That’s what it was conceived to do.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:42]:
It’s putting it all together.

Steve Barth [00:05:43]:
Putting it all together so that we’d be able to generate a really highly personalized, individualized and customized treatment plan.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:48]:
So when a person goes into HairClub, they’re going to have a different experience than anybody because they’re going to have their own unique set of circumstances on every different category that you have.

Steve Barth [00:05:58]:
Yeah, I’d certainly like to think so. And TrichoView is that sort of gateway into that because TrichoView gives that consultant the ability to gain a lot of information that he or she wouldn’t have if they didn’t have the use of that Tricle View diagnostic system. And it’s, it’s. So we set up a record. Once that’s done in consultation, I mean there’s no charge for that. It’s all part of the interview intake so that we could be, you know, better understand your needs. We then continue to keep these Trichoview records. So we continue to expose people particularly that are gravitating towards the whole hair and scalp therapy program to, we continue to load up those records with progress reports and profile photographs and things like that.

Steve Barth [00:06:48]:
Record keeping that is able to show tangibly the progress that somebody can make. But this also had its application, TrichoView, to even our non-surgical solution. Because by being able to gain deeper insight into the hair, we gain a deeper ability to be able to go out and get the hair that we need so that we’re able to make the non-surgical option so successful. So it has multiple ramifications.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:21]:
It’s not only one of my favorite clips, it’s one of my favorite guests. And if you haven’t, I recommend you listen to the entire conversation we had. This second clip I would say is probably the most mind blowing thing that I learned this entire year hosting the HairPod.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:41]:
Now, I was on a pill called finasteride.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:07:43]:
That’s the pill for me.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:44]:
Okay.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:45]:
That’s what I was curious.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:46]:
Now what is the success rate on that? Because I was on it for probably 10 years and it significantly slowed my hair loss. But I just felt even after a decade that I still was losing hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:58]:
So for me, I don’t feel like.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:59]:
It was 100% effective. What seems to be the success rate on using something like finasteride?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:08:04]:
So in my patient population I see 90% success rate with finasteride.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:09]:
Cool.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:10]:
So I’m the 10% that it does.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:08:11]:
You are the 10%?

Kevin Rolston [00:08:12]:
Yes.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:08:13]:
What can sometimes happen because of that is, is that there’s two different enzymes that convert testosterone to dht. And so the finasteride only blocks one of those enzymes. But for the majority of people, having that one enzyme is it blocked is enough to stop their hair loss. For some individuals we have to Go in and give you another medication called dutasteride, which can block both of the enzymes, and that can sometimes then take care of that extra 10% that you might be, you know, hair loss that you might be having.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:44]:
I’ve never heard of that. So if you are taking both of those, would that without a doubt shut down 100% or.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:08:50]:
Well, you don’t need to take both because the finasteride blocks one, but the dutasteride blocks both at the same time. So you just need to be on the dutasteride. But the half life of that medication is a little bit longer and potentially side effects could be a little bit more severe if you got any with that medication. So I always start all my male patients out on the finasteride, how effective that is, and then if they still feel like they’re having continued loss or weakening effect of the medication over years, I’ll switch them to the dutasteride and see how that works.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:20]:
Okay, so talking to somebody like me, the damage is done and there’s no turning back the clock, Is that correct?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:09:26]:
Correct. But we can help to prevent it from continuing to get, you know, worse. So did you stop your finasteride?

Kevin Rolston [00:09:33]:
I did.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:09:34]:
Wrong answer. Because now even though you thought you were having some loss, you were still blocking. In my opinion, 70% of you know of it. So you’re still having maybe 30% loss, but 30% is a whole lot better than a hundred percent. So I would recommend at least going back on the finasteride or switching and going on the dutasteride because you will continue to have more hair loss if you’re not on a DHT blocker.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:00]:
Where were you 10 years ago, doctor?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:10:03]:
That’s what all my patients say is, I wish I would have known this sooner.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:11]:
Now, I was no stranger to finasteride because I’d done it for about 15 to 20 years, and it did work. It really slowed down my hair loss. And I was hoping it was going to be my permanent solution. But I started to notice 10 plus years in, I was still losing hair at a that I eventually was going to have to do something else. But what I didn’t know that I learned right here on the hairpod, was that I really needed something called dutasteride. And this is where it all happened. A conversation I had with Dr. Phipps on episode 34, male and female pattern hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:45]:
Let me tell you, that clip is a complete game changer because like I said, finasteride really did slow down my hair loss. But I’M in that portion where I needed something else. Dutasteride. If I knew then what I know now, my whole hair loss experience would be radically different. So, look, if you’re like me and you are where I was 15 to 20 years ago, this could be a complete game changer for you. Another big revelation I had this last year hosting the Hairpod was just how much you can control your own hair loss by your diet. I never knew that it could play such a big role in how much hair you’re losing and how fast. And I had this revelation back in episode 24 with UK based trichologist Eva Proudman.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:30]:
It’s called Ask A Trichologist what is Causing My Hair Loss.

Eva Proudman [00:11:40]:
The first thing the hair looks for is protein and every day it says to the body, can I have a quarter of whatever you having? Now, the problem is, if you don’t have enough protein, it manages every single essential cell. And our very clever bodies will take all of that for the essential cells and your hair can end up with nothing from its nutrition. And not all proteins are equal. So let me give you some examples. So if you were having an egg for breakfast, you’d get about 8 grams of protein out of that egg. And it’s what we call a complete protein. It’s got everything in it that you could possibly want. If you decided that you would have just toast.

Eva Proudman [00:12:23]:
You won’t really get any protein because there isn’t any in there. And it won’t give you the things that build protein, the amino acids. And it’s those amino acids we need. So the sort of best foods to eat are your awful red meat, eggs, chicken, fish, turkey. All of those things are fantastic. Most of them are complete. And when I say complete, it’s about the amino acids. So our bodies use 23 every day and we can make all of them except for eight.

Eva Proudman [00:12:54]:
They’re called the eight essential. And you can only get them from complete proteins and diet. Again, the hair needs all eight. It would do. It’s complicated. So those sort of foods, I’ve just said, great, get those in your diet every day. Try to have protein at each meal. Try to have it in the morning, at lunchtime, in the evening.

Eva Proudman [00:13:15]:
The hair likes that consistency. Keep it well fed. Dairy is good to include. And then you come down to more sort of plant based. Your nuts, your beans, your leaves, they do have proteins in there, but it’s volume. So 100 grams of chicken, about 25 grams of protein, 100 grams of chickpeas, 8 grams of protein. So you can see when you’re advising somebody, you need to give them some ideas and some guidance on what to choose. Seeds shouldn’t be overlooked.

Eva Proudman [00:13:47]:
Things like sesame seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds. On average, a teaspoon of those added to a salad or into a yogurt or onto a cereal. 5 grams of protein. So you can sort of really work to choose the foods you like, but to make sure you get enough of them in the right proportions, that’s the best thing I can suggest for your hair. And then you plate, so make protein your biggest portion. Then you brightly colored fruit, vegetables, little bit of carbs, little bit of good fats. That generally is a balanced diet. And the hair will be happy with that.

Eva Proudman [00:14:24]:
So will your body.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:26]:
Would a trichologist sit down and give.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:28]:
You a diet that is good for hair health?

Eva Proudman [00:14:31]:
We do, we advise on, on what to try and include, what the best foods are, what they’ve got in them. We do study nutrition as part of our qualification. So we’re not nutritionist, as in, you come to us because your gut doesn’t work at all. But we know what foods are good for you, what they’ve got in them, how the gut works with it, how you absorb what they give. And so, yes, in my clinic, I have a reference sheet for proteins. There’s lots of things on there and they’ve all counted to make it easy for my patients to be able to go and say, I’m going to have an egg. I know an average egg’s about 8 grams of protein, so I know I’ve got another 42 to get in that day.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:14]:
What are we consuming that would be.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:16]:
Bad for our hair health?

Kevin Rolston [00:15:17]:
Whether it be foods or other substances.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:20]:
We choose to put in our body.

Eva Proudman [00:15:21]:
Yeah. So bad things are sort of processed foods. So when foods are processed and fast foods, we tend to use oils in there that are not potentially friendly. They can affect cholesterol and those sorts of things. We tend to put a lot more salt and sugar in. And if you have too much salt, it can build up around the follicle, it can cause the hair to shed. You can get a sodium build up. Too much sugar can imbalance what the body’s trying to do.

Eva Proudman [00:15:50]:
So you want to try and be as much as you can a cook from scratch, use fresh ingredients, type of person, the odd takeaway, the odd hamburger, the odd kebab, no big deal. But if that’s what your diet consists of, a, your body’s not going to be great, but your hair certainly isn’t, because Those foods just don’t give you what you need to get all of those processes working most effectively.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:22]:
So I think what you’re starting to see, just as we get our first three clips down, is that you are learning some revolutionary things that if you listen to no other HairPod this entire year, this might be able to solve so many people’s problems. This might be all you need. Now in clip number four, I love getting to talk with Joey Logano, not only because he is a legend behind the wheel in NASCAR, but also because he has what I have, a hair system. And look, when I got my hair system, one of my biggest worries was, will this thing stay on? So I did a whole series where I rode around at a convertible. I even stepped into a hurricane simulation machine and stepped into a Category 2 hurricane. My hair system, it stayed on. But I gotta tell you, I’ve never driven in a hot stock car. And that’s why I want to talk to Joey Logano about his own concerns and just how solid his hair system is at staying on.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:13]:
And this is all the way back in episode one. Alopecia doesn’t slow me down.

Joey Logano [00:17:22]:
Only in the beginning, I was nervous. Now I’m not. I’m not now because I feel very confident in everything now. But at first, when things are new, you’re like, I don’t know. Like, I don’t know about this Jet Ski. You know what I mean? I don’t know where I’m at with stuff. But you honestly kind of figure out your way your things go and everything, and you get confident and comfortable in what you got and it’s fine. But I’m telling you, and I asked a lot of questions before to a lot of people, I’m like, so that’s fine.

Joey Logano [00:17:53]:
So that you can. And they look at you like you’re an idiot. Like, yeah, you can live your normal life. What are you talking about? And I’m like, okay, well, I just wanted to ask, like, I don’t know. And it took. I mean, I’m being honest, it took a month or so before you, like, you get used to, for one, seeing yourself with hair, right? You look in the mirror and you’re like, oh, who’s that guy? Right? Like, it takes a second to get used to it, for one. And then also how to live with it. Just the way you live your life, right? Like all that stuff, like you’re concerned it’s going to change and do also, but it really just.

Joey Logano [00:18:24]:
It’s not a big deal.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:25]:
What is the temperature like for You. And how does the hair feel?

Kevin Rolston [00:18:28]:
Because you got a helmet on, you’re in a car. I mean, I know I’m in south Florida. So when you come to a Miami homestead, the temperatures in that car have got to be absolutely insane. So how breathable is your hair and what does it feel like when you’re in those extreme temperatures?

Joey Logano [00:18:44]:
I wouldn’t even know. Yeah, wouldn’t even know.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:46]:
Okay.

Joey Logano [00:18:47]:
Just wouldn’t like, honestly, like from you think, the conditions that, that I am in inside a race car, it’s 30 degrees warmer than the outside air temp. So when you have a 90 degree day, it’s 120 degrees in the car and we just. Shoot. We just raced in Texas. It was a hundred degrees outside, it was over 130 in the car.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:05]:
Wow. Nothing.

Joey Logano [00:19:06]:
I get right out and walk away. I don’t think twice about. I got other things to worry about when I’m in the race car. If hair is one of them, I don’t want that distraction. I wouldn’t want the distraction. It’s not worth it to me as a competitor. This is like, I wouldn’t even know. You know, I get out, I walk out.

Joey Logano [00:19:23]:
Right. Like, all I do now is I fix my hair a little bit before I get out of the car because I actually have.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:27]:
Yeah.

Joey Logano [00:19:27]:
You know what I mean? Like, that’s the only. That’s different.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:36]:
So if you can put on a helmet and sit in a car that is well over 100 degrees, sweating like they sweat, take that helmet off on national TV and I have any concerns, then I would say a hair system is going to be rock solid and stay on for about anybody out there. It really is just a part of you. And I chose clip number five here because I think this is going to benefit the largest amount of people out there listening to the hairpod right now. Now, I tried laser therapy. It was effective, but it wasn’t the only solution that was going to work for me. But for a lot of people, this is it. This is all you need. And its effectiveness is wide ranging.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:15]:
That’s what I learned when I talked to Dr. Phipps in episode 42. Laser hair therapy benefits. What exactly is laser therapy and how does it work at a scientific level?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:20:32]:
So it’s actually what I like to call low level light therapy. So light wavelengths can penetrate different depths of tissues. And so they use blue light for certain skin conditions. There’s green light, there’s purple lights, and the red light that we use in the either LED or in what they call laser therapy. Is a particular wavelength that will penetrate the skin to reach the level of where the hair follicle root or cells are located. And what it does is that photo biochemically stimulates those hair follicle cells to function at a higher energy capacity. And if your hair follicle cells are functioning at a higher energy capacity, number one, they live longer. Which we want to fight the effects of aging.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:21:21]:
So I highly recommend it for anybody over the age of 40, really, just to help prevent the hair follicle width or diameter from shrinking at the current aging rate that it is. And then number two, it helps to allow the cells to produce a hair shaft that can be as thick as possible. And a thicker hair shaft covers more scalp surface area than a skinny hair shaft. Now, this light therapy is not magic. It’s not going to regrow a new hair follicle that you don’t have. So a lot of times on these social media websites or on the Internet or on tv, they make people think or consumers think that they’re going to buy this magic helmet hat comb device and it’s going to grow back all their hair. And that’s misleading because what it does is it can only stimulate the hair follicle cells that are currently in your head. Now, where they can get away with saying it can stimulate or generate regrowth is sometimes you have hair follicle cells that are in follicles that are alive.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:22:21]:
They’re just so weak that they can’t make a hair that is actually strong enough to exit the skin of the scalp. So with this photobiomodulation with the light therapy, it can maybe strengthen those cells so that the hair that it is still capable of producing can actually exit the scalp so that you can now see it.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:22:36]:
So you do see regrowth of hair.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:22:38]:
Shafts, but it’s not growing a brand new hair follicle. And if that hair follicle is dead and gone and the cells are dead, you can’t read alive it with light therapy or with any therapy actually.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:50]:
So when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:22:51]:
When it’s gone, it’s gone. And a lot of people think light therapy is hocus pocus because when you apply these devices to your scalp, it’s not hot, it’s not cold, it doesn’t jiggle, it doesn’t wiggle, it’s not doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t feel good. And you just think, I’m just sitting here with this light on my head and it’s not doing anything. But that’s not true. It is doing something if it’s at the right wavelength that is penetrating the skin and stimulating the cells. And I explain it to my patients like this. If you go out into the sun, the wavelength of the UV rays of the sun will penetrate your skin and stimulate melanocytes or pigment producing cells in the skin and you’ll get a tan or it produce color. Did you feel it? No.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:23:28]:
Did it happen? Yes. And then if you want to keep that stimulation to continue to produce the pigment, you go back out into the sun every day to restimulate those pigment producing cells with the UV rays of the sun and you keep your tan. If you stop going back out into the sun, the pigment producing cells stop producing the pigment and the tan goes away. So the same thing with a low level light therapy. This needs to be used on a daily basis to keep the hair follicle cells stimulated, to keep them at the energy capacity that allows them to have their longest life and produce the thickest hairs possible. So it is a daily therapy and it does do what it’s supposed to do, but it’s not going to be something that’s going to grow a full head of hair, but it is going to be part of a maintenance therapy that will, in the long run, help your hair follicle cells immensely.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:18]:
Look, you just got clips of five of my favorite moments from the last year on the Hairpod. But each one of these episodes is worth listening to the whole thing all by itself. And that’s why we provided links to all the above episodes in our show notes. Just click on the link and listen to each and every single one up. I hope you’ve enjoyed being on this hair journey as much as I have over the year 2024. And I hope you’re going to stay with us. And I can’t wait to find out what we learned in 2025. We have so many great guests lined up and so many important conversations that we need to have.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:49]:
But we don’t have these conversations if you’re not here. So if you took any time at all in the last year or whenever to listen to the Hairpod, thank you so much. We’re nothing without you guys. Have a happy new year and we’ll see you back here in 2025. Thanks again for listening to another episode of Hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:22]:
We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you until next time.

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Dealing With Hair Loss During The Holidays

by Julian Miranda | Dec 23, 2024 | Episode

Episode 44

Dealing With Hair Loss During The Holidays

In this episode of HairPod, we brought Dr. Phipps back in to share her knowledge with us once again! She came on the podcast to tell us how the holiday season can impact our hair, and what we can start doing now to improve our hair and scalp health.

Reducing Stress-Related Hair Loss

Hair loss during the holidays has a few culprits, but one of the main ones is stress. Sure, the holidays bring us a lot of joy, but the impacts of travel, hosting friends or family, attending social events, and gift-giving all add up. Dr. Phipps emphasizes that it is the prolonged stress we experience during the winter season that causes hair loss and not the typical day-to-day stress we all experience. Stress may not cause hair loss in everyone, but people who are prone to male- or female-pattern hair loss may see an increase in their hair loss during stressful periods.

Other Causes of Hair Loss in Winter

Winter-related health concerns can have an impact on our overall hair health. Many people experience more dryness during the winter (this, of course, will depend on your climate), and this can lead to dry and flaky scalps. If dead skin builds up on the scalp, it can become difficult for hair follicles to work in a healthy, normal way, so cleansing the scalp and even moisturizing it can help with scalp and hair health. Dr. Phipps also touches on how diet affects hair health – she says they don’t see many negative impacts from people eating a more rich or sugary diet during the holidays, but diet drugs after the holidays can increase hair loss in some people.

What to Do About Winter Hair Loss

If you want to make sure your hair looks healthy and full in all of your holiday pictures this year, but you’re concerned about hair loss, Dr. Phipps said it’s good to start treating your hair loss issues early. Of course, it can take a few months with certain treatments to start seeing results. To get you through the holiday season, Dr. Phipps recommends HairClub’s Xtrands, a process that weaves fibers into your existing hair to increase density and volume. The consultation to assess if Xtrands will work for your unique situation is free.

Episode.44 Transcript

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:00:02]:

Kevin Rolston [00:00:46]:

Welcome to hairpod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Ralston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week, we’re excited to welcome Dr. Angie Phipps back to the Hair Pod. Her episode about male and female pattern hair loss was so mind blowing, we had to get her back on the hair pod to talk about how the holidays can impact our hair loss and what we can do about it. As the holiday season approaches, we can look forward to spending quality time with our loved ones and maybe even partaking in the festivities with our families and friends. Whether you love extravagant holiday parties or prefer quiet gatherings at home, this is a time to create memories and cherish the people you hold dear.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:44]:

Let’s be honest, as much fun as the holidays can be, they can come.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:48]:

With their share of stress.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:50]:

From long days of travel and juggling family commitments to the pressures of gift giving and hosting events, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. And while we often think about how stress affects our mood or levels, there are those of us who deal with hair loss and we think about how it impacts our hair.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:02:12]:

So when you’re under stress, your body produces a certain hormone called cortisol. And when that cortisol level rises, because your stress level is rising, your hair follicles are very smart little organs, and they recognize that change in that hormone level, and they’re afraid that that cortisol is going to attack them. And so to protect themselves, they will shut down. The cells will shut down and transition into the dormant phase of their life cycle and cause sometimes mass exit of shedding of the hair shafts because all the roots are shutting down trying to protect themselves from that rise in the cortisol level. So that’s bad news, but there’s good news in that that doesn’t cause permanent hair loss. Once the stress levels go down, the cortisol levels lower. Your body recognizes that the hormone levels are back in equilibrium. And then they have to finish out that dormant phase, though that which can last for three to five months.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:03:04]:

Before that, they will, you know, resume back into the growth phase and start to make the new hair shaft again. So the stress during the holidays or stress during any time will come back, but it’s delayed. So you want to kind of minimize the stress as much as you can because you’re going to have to wait for that new hair follicle to grow the hair shaft after it’s had to stay in that dormant phase that it got kicked in. And so it can take three to five months post holidays before the hair starts to grow back.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:29]:

Oh, that’s brutal. For five, five months you can set your hair health back just from the holidays?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:03:35]:

Just from the holidays.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:36]:

It may not be the most wonderful time of year for your hair then. That is rough. Now tell me about what you see. Do you notice this in clients that come in in the new year and.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:03:48]:

Absolutely. January is one of my busiest months. Really, They’ve already, you know, people start stressing. I mean, I’m in my stores right now, it’s only October 1st, and for two weeks I’ve seen Christmas decorations. I’m like, yeah. Now it’s not only are we not celebrating Thanksgiving anymore and jumping to Christmas, now, they’re almost bypassing Halloween.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:06]:

It’s crazy.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:04:07]:

So the stress levels are starting even faster.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:10]:

Yeah.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:04:10]:

So by the time the holidays roll around in the new year, I mean, everybody’s just mentally and physically exhausted and so are your hair follicles. And so January is one of my busiest months for people coming in who just been exhausted and have noticed the decline in their hair health, as well as sometimes their physical and emotional health.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:27]:

Something else is stressful. Not only the holidays, but you have birthdays and things like that. Is this something that you see a pattern throughout the course of the year? Where do you see seasonal hair loss because of the events that, you know, we all seem to be going through?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:04:42]:

Usually not birthdays. That’s not a big stressor. It’s usually Christmas time is the major one because people start preparing for it months in advance. And that stress level starts months in advance. And so it’s prolonged stress, typically, that will cause that reaction. Not just a little bit of daily stress. Because if little bits of daily stress, you know, made your Hair fall out, I’d be bald.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:04]:

Right.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:05]:

I hear you.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:07]:

So we know that stress can cause the hair loss. What about other factors happen during the holidays? For instance, a lot of times our diets go out of whack. Is that something that could affect hair loss?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:05:16]:

Yeah. Okay, so, okay, October, people were thinking, okay, I got two to three months to get these last ten pounds off before the Christmas pictures. And you’ll go on crash diets or start using new medications and trying anything and everything to lose that weight. And it puts your body into a state of catabolism or breaking down. And your body recognizes the change in the homeostasis. And their hair follicles do not like to be in disequilibrium and they think that these changes are going to affect them, so they shut down and you can have shedding. So yeah, your hair follicles are very in tune to everything that’s going on in your body emotionally, physically, hormonally, weight wise, nutrition wise. And so you really got to, you know, keep yourself in check.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:05:59]:

Or you can have hair issues. And then if you’ve got the genetics for male or female pattern hair loss in your system and you compound that with stress, the hair loss can be exponentially even worse because you’re, you’re hitting it by two different mechanisms.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:17]:

Stress impacts all of our physical processes. This is a great reminder of how important it is to stop amidst all the chaos and enjoy the moment. It’s okay to recharge. Your battery, however, feels right for you, whether that’s your daily self care. Doing a favorite activity like journaling or reading, or even keeping up with your fitness routine. After all, self care isn’t just about managing stress. It also includes nourishing our bodies properly with festive meals and delicious treats all around. Some people choose to indulge, while others may become even more mindful of their diets and might even consider weight loss options.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:56]:

This led me to my next question. How do weight loss drugs and our dietary choices affect hair health?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:07:08]:

There is a correlation between the GLP1 medications in certain people. Just like some women undergo hair loss during after childbirth and have a lot of shedding and some women don’t. Some people’s bodies will respond to these weight loss medications in a negative way and it will affect their hair. Now, does it happen to everybody? No, but it definitely can to some people. And you won’t know it till you try it. But just be aware that what you’re doing is. You could be sacrificing some hair health while you’re losing the weight.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:39]:

Wow. Okay, so lose weight.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:07:41]:

Lose hair and weight. So I don’t know what kind of trade off that is for a lot of people, right?

Kevin Rolston [00:07:45]:

I don’t know either.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:46]:

Now tell me about people who might.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:47]:

Be going the other direction. Maybe there’s some people that they’re like, hey, during the holidays, I don’t think about it. I pack on the weight, I don’t take it off. But you might be talking about foods that are sugary, are fatty, you might be having more alcohol. Is that going to have any kind of effect on hair loss?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:08:03]:

Not typically, no. You know, unless you have other metabolic issues that are going on, like if you’re diabetic and your blood sugar is being randomly, you know, raising and raising and raising with these bad foods that you’re eating and not exercising, then that’s making your internal metabolism change and deteriorate. And your hair follicles then will respond to those changes with a stress reaction.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:25]:

Now, have you noticed any kind of correlation when it comes to climate and what might happen? Because as it starts getting cooler in most places of America, does that have any kind of effect on hair loss?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:08:36]:

Climate change does not. Whether you live in the north or south, you know, especially if you’re talking about the genetic component, you either have the genetic sensitivity to the hair in the hair follicle cells for the hormonal changes or you don’t. Because if that were the case, no one would live up north because they’d be bald and everyone would be living in Florida and Texas. We’d only have two states in the country.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:56]:

Yeah, true.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:57]:

Yeah. For me, in the winter where I am, it just means it gets drier and.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:09:03]:

Yes.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:03]:

So my skin dries out.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:09:05]:

Yes. The people in the north do have to be aware of your scalp health because if the scalp gets drier, it can start to form a buildup of skin cells that can then kind of suffocate or smother the hair shafts and the ability for it to produce oil that your hair and scalp needs. And then that could. The same is true if you live in a really, really hot climate where you’re excessively sweating and you have a lot of oil production. So it’s all about maintaining balance, just as everything else is in life as well, with your hair and your scalp, keeping it at the, at a neutral zone so that it’s not too oily, it’s not too dry, just maintaining a neutral balance of scalp and hair health.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:47]:

There you have it, straight from the doctor’s mouth. Balance is the key to our scalp and hair health and balancing out our stress and our hair care regimen can help us hang on to the hair that we have throughout the holidays. But there are some of us who understand what it feels like to go into these family gatherings or holiday party situations and not feel confident because we don’t feel like we look our best. And for some of us, hair loss is that big looming insecurity. So I asked Dr. Phipps what people in that situation can do if they’re looking for a quick fix to help them get through the holiday pictures. Looking and feeling great.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:10:31]:

I got the perfect solution. And it’s hair clubs X strands. So they’re little micro hair extensions that are done almost follicle by follicle and they bond that to the base of the existing hair follicle with non weighted or damaging adhesive. And you can add hundreds of hair follicles to your existing hair to give you that instant volume, instant density, instant color that will make your holiday pictures incredible.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:03]:

Okay, there you go. The secrets to beauty right here and there. A simple quick fix for you. Now let’s talk to people that might be planning a little bit more ahead. Let’s say we’re talking about the new year. And I think it’s probably what you said to start things off was kind of an o yikes moment, hearing about how stress can help you lose your hair and how you see more clients in January. So what could somebody start looking towards right now? Because you got to be thinking about a couple things. What can I be doing on my own for hair health? And then when I try to repair? Because a lot of people look about their body, look about their looks and everything else, it’s a new year, it’s a new you kind of thing.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:42]:

What should they be preparing for for January if they’re not going to have the time or the money to focus on their hair now, how can they start thinking ahead? How would they save money, get themselves financially ready? Or what should they be doing with their diet or routines to make themselves at a better place when it comes January?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:11:59]:

Yeah. So you want to definitely start taking care of your body in a slow but steady pace. None of the crash dieting, none of them, you know, and the medications, while they do work to lose weight, you lose it so rapidly that you sometimes lose muscle mass with that. And it just puts your body into a state of disequilibrium really, really quickly, which does cause a lot of fat dissolving and weight loss rapidly. But that’s not the Most healthy way long term to lose weight because of the negative impact that it can have on your other body systems. So you want to be prepared and try to think about just eating a well balanced diet, trying to get some cardiovascular exercise in two or three times a week and try and get in some weight training two or three times a week to try and increase your, you know, your lean muscle mass so that your hair follicles aren’t being affected by anything that you’re doing to your body by eating poorly or not working out. And then you want to make sure that you’re paying attention to what your weather is and giving yourself the time to do self care and make sure that you’re using a good shampoo, a conditioner, if you’re in dry climates, a leave in conditioner. Because you want your hair shafts and your scalp health to be as good as possible.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:13:13]:

And it takes time for those products to actually have an effect on the scalp and the hair. It’s not a magic wand. So you, you want to start several months in advance and just slowly do it and not expect immediate results. The key to anything being successful is having the right expectations and making sure that you’re giving yourself the time to see the results and not just wanting a, an immediate result. And then when you don’t get it, you jump to something else and you could be doing something more harm than it is good.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:40]:

Now let’s say you have somebody in your life, they are open about their hair loss, they understand it, they want a solution. And let’s say you’re a loving partner of somebody who is going through hair loss or just even hair care. What would be the top products that you would recommend to give as a holiday gift? Anything from a stocking stuffer to this is a little bit more of a big ticket item. What would be some things across the range of prices and sizes that you would recommend when it comes to hair care that you would give for gifts during the holiday season?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:14:11]:

Yeah. So my number one gift from Santa Claus is a low level light therapy device. It’s a hat, it’s like a baseball hat and it has laser lights in it that you wear for as little as eight minutes a day. And that light will penetrate your scalp skin and photobiochemically stimulate the hair follicle cells to be as strong as possible. So that makes them live longer, it makes them produce thicker hair shafts, and it also helps the health of the scalp because it increases blood flow to the area. So that is a wonderful, wonderful Christmas gift to people who have either thinning hair from genetics or even just naturally have fine thin hair that you don’t might not necessarily have hair loss, but you want to just try and make it more voluminous and the best hair health possible. Now, it has a little bit of a price tag to it, but it’s well worth your money because it does what it’s supposed to do and it’s very, it’s not invasive and it doesn’t take very long to do. It takes eight minutes a day.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:15:10]:

You’re going to do something for eight minutes a day. You know, you’re going to watch a TV show, you’re going to scroll on TikTok, you’re going to do something and just put that hat on. And it’s a wonderful way to increase the health of your scalp and strengthen the hair shafts. And then if you’re having male and female pattern hair loss, a really great stocking stuffer would be Minoxidil. It’s a very inexpensive medical treatment that you can get from hair club that you could put into someone’s stocking to say, hey, I know you’re concerned about your hair health and you know, I want to help you. If you don’t know where how to get started. This is something that’s very inexpensive that you can do at home that doesn’t cost very much.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:50]:

Now, if you’ve been puzzling over gift ideas for that family member who has everything and you know that they’ve been looking for a hair loss solution to try, it’s worth researching these options and seeing if they’re right for you or your loved ones. This made me curious to know if there are any gifts Dr. Phipps would not recommend for people struggling with their hair health.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:16:15]:

Well, if you’re struggling with hair health, you need to limit the amount of heat and chemicals that you put on your hair. And a lot of those Dyson hair dryers, they’re very high in heat and their wattage, especially the flat irons and the crimpers and the all of the new barreling wands and stuff. So, you know, women aren’t not going to fix their hair. So to tell them not to use those tools is an act of futility because we’re going to fix our hair, right? So what you want to do is you want to make sure that you’re nourishing and conditioning your hair, leaving a leave in conditioner, possibly doing a hair mask, and then to put on a heat protectant before you use those heat tools to give some protection to the hair Shafts. If you are going to use those.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:57]:

Is there an alternative instead of giving something that might be damaging to hair that would do about the same thing that you have seen on the market or are you just danged if you do danged if you don’t kind of thing when it comes to Dyson and some of those big brand names that are big for the holidays.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:17:12]:

Yeah. I mean in order to curl hair you have to add heat to it. In order to straighten hair, you have to add heat to it. So there’s no tool out there that’s better than the other one. Other than here’s one tip you could do is a lot of those tools come with different heat settings.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:28]:

Okay.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:17:28]:

You can crank it all the way up to like 420 degrees. That’s just murder on your hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:34]:

Wow.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:17:35]:

You’re the layers of your hair shaft, but the hotter it is, the quicker it curls. So you can dial down that heat temperature to the lowest possible and then just take a longer amount of time to curl the hair or straighten the hair so that you it takes a longer time but you’re using less heat, it’s going to be less damaging to the hair. So just allow yourself more time to get ready so that you’re not damaging the hair as much with as much with the tools that you are using.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:01]:

Well, there you go. Everything you need to know about the holidays, the stress that causes the hair loss, how to look good in photos and the gifts to give. I think we’ve touched on basically everything you need to know about hair on the holidays. Always great Talking to you, Dr. Phipps.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:18:15]:

You too. Thanks for having me back. Can’t wait to talk to you again.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:22]:

I hope our conversation with Dr. Angie Phipps has given you valuable insights into the impacts of diet and stress on our hair health and what you can do starting right now to improve your hair health. I personally am going to try to remember to breathe and slow down this holiday season so I don’t let the stress get to me. And I hope you can find some time to do the exact same thing. And if you know someone who can benefit from what Dr. Phipps share with us in this episode, please go ahead and share with them. You never know how much it could help. For more inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who have been through hair loss or professionals like Dr.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:01]:

Phipps.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:02]:

Make sure to subscribe to the show.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:04]:

On your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search hairpod on Facebook. To continue the conversation. If you know somebody who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcasts hairclub.com we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:39]:

And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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Holiday Hair Hacks

by Julian Miranda | Dec 17, 2024 | Episode

Episode 43

Holiday Hair Hacks

Ready or not, we are now officially entering the holiday season! In this episode, you’re going to hear some hair hacks to help you get through the holiday season. Attend holiday parties, work events, and all of those evenings with the in-laws with your head held high, even if you’re going through hair loss!

Hair Health – Cleanse and Moisturize

Hair care routines should be adjusted seasonally, so if you haven’t started your winter routine, let this be your sign. Many people struggle with maintaining enough moisture in their skin and hair during the winter, so adding a moisturizing shampoo to your regimen might be the answer for you. Keeping your scalp clean is an essential part of hair health and hair growth, so if you’re worried about thinning hair, find a shampoo that sets your hair follicles up for success. And don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Add Volume and Texture to Your Hair

Thinning hair can be disguised in the short term by boosting the volume of the hair you do have – to an extent! Of course, it’s best to figure out why your hair is thinning and address the root cause of the issue, but if you have a party to get to tonight, calling your dermatologist or trichologist is probably off the table. In the meantime, using a texturizing spray or powder at the root of your hair can help create lift and give your hair a full appearance, even if it’s not as thick as it used to be.

Styling Your Hair for Hair Loss

Your hairstyle can significantly impact how thick or full your hair appears to be. If you haven’t seen a professional stylist who works with clients with hair loss, it’s worth reaching out and at least having a consultation with them. They can help you choose a style that makes the most of the hair you have, and they can teach you what to do at home to achieve the look you want. Just remember, even if they teach you methods that use heat tools, always use them on a low setting and use heat protectant, as heat is the enemy of hydrated hair!

Minimize Continued Hair Loss

Hair loss generally doesn’t just stop all on its own, so you may have to take steps to hold on to the hair you do have. In Episode 034, we talked about using treatments to stop losing hair loss caused by male pattern baldness, so if you haven’t heard that episode, check it out!

If you’re still in the process of figuring out what’s causing your hair loss and you want to minimize it in the meantime, many people have had success with using silk and satin pillowcases or hair bonnets (for longer hair) overnight to reduce friction, which ultimately reduces breakage and can help you keep your hair looking full.

Choose a Hair Loss Solution that Suits Your Needs

Hair loss solutions are not a one-size-fits-all thing. First, you need to understand why you are losing your hair. Then you can do your research and consult with professionals that can help you determine what solution is right for you. No matter what the cause, there are options for you that can help you look and feel amazing. If you’d like to talk to someone about what hair loss options are right for you, book a consultation free of charge.

Episode.43 Transcript

Kevin Rolston [00:00:02]:
Make a plan for a more permanent solution. Now, there are options like powder concealers and hair fibers, which can actually help tide you over during the holiday season. But ultimately, winter is a great time to research regrowth options so that once the holiday craziness is over, you know what you want. So many people spend January and February trying to get their bodies in shape. Maybe for you, it's getting your hair in shape. Welcome to hairpod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I'm your host, Kevin Ralston, and each week we talk about all things hair loss. And this week it's just you and me, baby.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:53]:
And I'm going to take you through five hair hacks that are going to help you get through the holiday season. If you're a person that is experiencing hair loss, the holidays really can be traumatizing, challenging, stressful. Think about the parties you have, the new people you might meet, all those photos. And if you're sensitive about your hair, they always seem to capture the worst part of it. That bald spot just is so pronounced or somebody looking, laughing, pointing. You just feel so self conscious. Going to events sometimes means that you can't wear a hat, which is what a lot of us do to try to cover it up. So what I got for you is how you can go hat free during the holidays and not sweat.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:32]:
They're just quick tips all about getting you through the worst of the holidays and helping you look and feel your best in all those family photos and those awkward encounters with the in laws that you probably don't like too much. Hack number one, hair health cleansing and moisturizing your hair. Now for me, my whole hair scalp, it changes because during the winter everything gets all dry and I already have dry and sensitive skin. So typically this is a time where if you're experiencing less humidity like I am, depending upon where you are, you probably find your scalp getting dehydrated. It gets flaky, it's very sensitive. The easy hack on this is trying a moisturizing shampoo probably every other day. You don't have to over wash your hair. That's not good for it either because you can strip out all the natural oils and then your hair is going to be thin or flat.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:24]:
But that moisturizing shampoo will do a world of wonders for your scalp. Now, if you do have an oily scalp and you're worried about adding moisture, shampoos containing only like aloe vera may help you get the moisture that you need without causing more oil to Build up on your scalp. You can also clean and moisturize your scalp. Doing that is very important for the health of your hair follicles and hair growth in general. So you do want to make sure that you are regularly cleaning and moisturizing your scalp. Hack number two, styling and adding volume and texture. Now, we want to make sure that the hair that you have looks beautiful, healthy and full. There are good ways to do it and not such good ways to do it.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:11]:
You want to avoid heavy gels. That's going to weigh your hair down. And it doesn't look good often either. What you want to look into is some of the texturizing powders or sprays that they have today. Very effective. It gives you the volume and the lift that you want without making your hair feel all kinds of heavy. You can actually hold your head up high and look fantastic. Hack number three, switch it up with a new look.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:36]:
You know, there are certain styles that can actually make your hair appear more voluminous. If you part your hair, for instance, maybe just try parting it on the other side can actually make a world of difference. And also too, it kind of gives your hair a little bit of a break and a breather trying something new. You can also even try blow drying your hair with a round brush or maybe even going upside down. Just don't do that too long. Just remember though that you got to keep the heat as low as possible and use a heat protectant on your hair if you do, because heat can make your hair more brittle. Heat is the enemy to healthy hair. You also might want to consider going to a hairstylist and getting a haircut from a professional who specializes in working with clients who have hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:20]:
You always hear about smoke and mirrors. Well, the same is true when it comes to your hair. You can use smoke and mirrors and there's so many different tactics where you can hide your balding and look absolutely fantastic. And if you don't have time right now for a long term treatment and the holidays are right here, this is the best way to do it. So going to a Tru Hair professional, they can give you the right products and they can show you how to style it the right way. Wet. I go to hair club and they're experienced in all this kind of stuff. So if you have one near you, that's where I would tell you to go.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:56]:
Hack number four, you want to hold on to the hair that you have. So many people are worried about replenishing the hair, but still you're going to continue losing It So half the battle is making sure you keep the hair that you have. Now. Maybe you've heard of some of these end sear medical products like Finasteride or Minoxidil. Now, their products aimed at stopping hair loss in men. In fact, if you go to episode 34 of the Hair Pod, it's an episode with Dr. Phipps and she dropped a bomb on me because I was a finasteride client for 10 years and it really did slow down my hair loss. But then eventually it just caught up and I got to the point where I needed another move.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:40]:
But I didn't realize that I was part of the 10% of people that actually need the extra power of Dutasteride, which is another product that you can get. It's kind of a step up from the finasteride. 90% of you fine with finasteride. People like me, you need the Dutasteride. And if I would have gotten to Dr. Phipps years ago, I wouldn't have had to go down the path I did and it would have saved me. Unfortunately for me, it might be a little too late. That's why I love for you to find out about it right now.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:09]:
Get more information on episode 34 with Dr. Phipps and really pay attention to Dutasteride. If the finasteride is not working for you. Another name for Finasteride, by the way, is Propecia. That is more the name brand. I started with Propecia and went to Finasteride when I found out it was the generic version and it was about half the price for me. Now, other little ways to hold onto the hair that you have, you can actually use satin or silk. Believe it or not, this material is better for your hair because it helps reduce friction.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:42]:
Now, a couple of ways you might do it, you might want to get a satin or a silk pillowcase. Everybody sleeps with a pillow, I assume. And for ladies, this might work for you. Or if you have longer hair, they actually have satin or silk bonnets that can keep your hair from getting all tangled. And if you find yourself always working through tangles and brushing hard, typically what you're doing is you are ripping that hair out and the hair is going to come back probably not as thick. And so that's going to be a thing that's damaging your hair. The silk and the satin products can really help out. And doing both of these methods will help limit breakage.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:18]:
They're not like the cure for hair loss, but when it comes to a short term solution, they can definitely help and hack number five, make a plan for a more permanent solution. Now, there are options like powder concealers and hair fibers, which can actually help tide you over during the holiday season. But ultimately, winter is a great time to research regrowth options so that once the holiday craziness is over, you know what you want. So many people spend January and February trying to get their bodies in shape. Maybe for you, it's getting your hair in shape. And if you end up using a regrowth option like laser therapy or finasteride, the results only show up as quickly as your hair grows. So start early and you're going to be ready for next year's holiday pictures. Imagine that.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:12]:
No hats needed. Now, if regrowth isn't an option for you, or you prefer a little bit more instant gratification, you might want to try a hair system, which is what I have. You can walk into your salon that does a hair system, and you will walk out with the full head of gorgeous hair that you've always wanted. It is transformational, and for me, it knocked easily 15 to 20 years off of my look. Now, if you want to really pop, that's amazing. But you may be saying, okay, well, I can't just walk into the family for the holidays and I've got brand new hair. Everyone's going to know. But, you know, there are things that you can do if you go to a place like Hair Club, because the stylists there are used to dealing with these kind of situations, and they may find ways for you disguise the new hair that you have.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:02]:
Things like growing facial hair. If you're a man, you're a woman, I guess you could do that, too. They'll definitely pay attention to that more than they will the hair on your head. You can actually even try glasses, things like that. That just lets people know that there's something different about you. But they may not pinpoint that it's brand new hair. But I love the hair system and would recommend it for anybody that is to that level. But the important thing to know is that there are options for everybody that is out there.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:27]:
No matter what stage you're at, they have an option. No matter what your budget is, they can work for you. So those are five easy hair hacks. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpot on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know somebody who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share with them. If you're enjoying the show. Consider leaving us a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:01]:
We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com we're here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you until next time.

Featured Guests

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Related Episodes

How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Mar 4, 2025

Discover Angela Fields’ journey with hair thinning, CCCA alopecia, and the solutions that helped her regain confidence in this special Women’s History Month episode.

Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

Mar 11, 2025

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

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Laser Hair Therapy Benefits

by Julian Miranda | Dec 9, 2024 | Episode

Episode 42

Laser Hair Therapy Benefits

Laser therapy for hair loss isn’t new. In this episode, I meet with Dr. Phipps to talk about the science behind laser or low-level light therapy (LLLT) and what makes a great candidate for it. We also discussed whether there have been any adverse health effects noticed in people who have used laser therapy for years.

Low-Level Light Therapy for Hair Loss

What is laser therapy for hair loss, and how does it work? Laser therapy, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), uses a specific wavelength of light to stimulate the cells of hair follicles. Different delivery methods are available, including caps, helmets, and combs. The light therapy doesn’t cause any discomfort or sensation, which causes some users to think the light isn’t working. Dr. Phipps gives the example of the sun; the sun’s UV rays are able to penetrate the skin and stimulate cells to cause a tan because of the wavelength of those rays. Similarly, a laser device must use specific wavelengths of light to stimulate the skin cells. Typically, cheaper versions of these devices are sold online, so finding a reputable supplier is critical.

How to Use Laser Therapy for Hair Loss

Is laser therapy right for you? Laser therapy works by gently stimulating hair follicle cells, so in situations of relatively recent hair loss or thinning, laser therapy can keep the follicles healthy to produce strong, healthy strands. Each treatment is approximately 8 minutes per day, and much like the sun in the example above, it must be done every day, or the effects will wane (just as your tan will wane if you stop going out in the sun). Stopping laser therapy will cause hair loss to resume at the rate it was happening before LLLT was started.

Are You a Candidate for Laser Therapy?

Hair follicles can die, and once they have died, laser therapy will not bring them back or create new follicles. That’s why it’s important to consult with a hair loss professional to determine if laser therapy will be effective for your type of hair loss or thinning. As mentioned before, it also requires consistent use, so take that into consideration as you weigh your options. Laser therapy devices can be purchased for home use, as they are safe, durable, and easy to apply. Quality laser therapy devices can last a long time – Dr. Phipps shares that her father has been using the same laser cap for ten years.

Empowering Resources
As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance.
Book a free consultation with HairClub Today! Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.42 Transcript

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:00:02]:

I would recommend if you have a family history of hair loss, and you know this may be coming down the pike, go ahead and get on it. Anybody over the age of 40 is gonna have age-related hair shaft diameter thinning that I would recommend stimulating those cells with the light, but it’s gonna be most beneficial from a cosmetic standpoint for individuals who are in the early phases of hair loss who have generalized diffuse thinning, because if you’ve already developed a bald spot, the bald spot is not gonna go away with light therapy.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:45]: Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back.

Today we’re gonna be diving into a topic that may have come across while scrolling social media or maybe you’ve just seen it when searching for effective ways of getting your hair back. This week we’re gonna be talking about laser hair therapy for hair loss, also known as low-level light therapy. It’s been making waves in the hair restoration world for years, and today we’re gonna get into the science behind it to learn whether it works, why it works, and who it works best on.

Picture this, a device that looks like a high-tech cap or a sleek handheld comb, emitting gentle red light that penetrates your scalp. There’s no pain, no heat, just light. This cutting-edge technology uses safe, low-intensity lasers to stimulate hair follicles, which can improve your hair health and growth.

You may be wondering, does it really work? Or is this just another flashy trend? And who better to help us answer those questions than hair transplant surgeon and star of TLC’s Bad Hair Day, Dr. Angie Phipps. She’s back on HairPod today to help us break all of this down.

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:02:17]: I’m glad to be talking about this topic because it’s in the forefront of all things TikTok, Instagram, and all that. So we need to educate people about it.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:28]:

I see so many posts on social media about these things, and of course they make them look absolutely amazing. And having been through it myself, when I don’t share the same experiences that you see on Instagram and TikTok, it really makes me skeptical. Now my question for people that don’t know and maybe haven’t seen the ads that are on Instagram and TikTok and the social media sites, what exactly is a laser therapy and how does it work at a scientific level?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:02:56]: So it’s actually what I like to call low-level light therapy. So light wavelengths can penetrate different depths of tissues. And so they use blue light for certain skin conditions, there’s green light, there’s purple lights, and the red light that we use in the either LED or in what they call laser therapy is a particular wavelength that will penetrate the skin to reach the level of where the hair follicle root or cells are located.

And what it does is that photobiochemically stimulates those hair follicle cells to function at a higher energy capacity. And if your hair follicle cells are functioning at a higher energy capacity, number one, they live longer, which we want to fight the effects of aging. So I highly recommend it for anybody over the age of 40 really just to help prevent the hair follicle width or diameter from shrinking at the current aging rate that it is.

And then number two, it helps to allow the cells to produce a hair shaft that can be as thick as possible. And a thicker hair shaft covers more scalp surface area than a skinny hair shaft. Now this light therapy is not magic.

It’s not going to regrow a new hair follicle that you don’t have. So a lot of times on these social media websites or on the internet or on TV, they make people think or consumers think that they’re going to buy this magic helmet, hat, comb device, and it’s going to grow back all their hair. And that’s misleading because what it does is it can only stimulate the hair follicle cells that are currently in your head.

Now, where they can get away with saying it can stimulate or generate regrowth is sometimes you have hair follicle cells that are in follicles that are alive. They’re just so weak that they can’t make a hair that is actually strong enough to exit the skin of the scalp. So with this photo biomodulation with the light therapy, it can maybe strengthen those cells so that the hair that is still capable of producing can actually exit the scalp so that you can now see it.

So you do see regrowth of hair shafts, but it’s not growing a brand new hair follicle. And if that hair follicle is dead and gone and the cells are dead, you can’t re-alive it with light therapy or with any therapy actually.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:14]: So when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:05:16]:

When it’s gone, it’s gone. And a lot of people think light therapy is hocus pocus because when you apply these devices to your scalp, it’s not hot, it’s not cold, it doesn’t jiggle, it doesn’t wiggle, it’s not, doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t feel good. And you just think I’m just sitting here with this light on my head and it’s not doing anything.

But that’s not true. It is doing something. If it’s at the right wavelength, it is penetrating the skin and stimulating the cells.

And I explain it to my patients like this. If you go out into the sun, the wavelength of the UV rays of the sun will penetrate your skin and stimulate melanocytes or pigment producing cells in the skin and you’ll get a tan or it produce color. Did you feel it?

No. Did it happen? Yes.

And then if you want to keep that stimulation to continue to produce the pigment, you go back out into the sun every day to re-stimulate those pigment producing cells with the UV rays of the sun and you keep your tan. If you stop going back out into the sun, the pigment producing cells stop producing the pigment and the tan goes away. So the same thing with a low level light therapy.

This needs to be used on a daily basis to keep the hair follicle cells stimulated, to keep them at the energy capacity that allows them to have their longest life and produce the thickest hairs possible. So it is a daily therapy and it does do what it’s supposed to do, but it’s not going to be something that’s going to grow a full head of hair, but it is going to be part of a maintenance therapy that will in the long run help your hair follicle cells immensely.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:38]:

How long would you need to do this every single day?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:06:40]: Usually eight minutes a day. And you’re going to do something for eight minutes a day. My family members, you know, before we go to bed, we watch a TV show.

So, you know, when ESPN comes on, the hat goes on. Or when Real Housewives from Beverly Hills comes on, my hat goes on. Or if you’re going to scroll through TikTok or Instagram or Facebook or whatever, just put your hat on and be done with it.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:06] Dr. Phipps shared some great insights into the science behind laser therapy and the importance of consistency. Doing it every day really does make a difference. The steady commitment is the key to achieving visible results over time.

When you know how it works, it can help you set the right kinds of expectations if this is a treatment that you’re interested in pursuing. Yes, laser therapy can help regrow your hair. But if you’re hoping for dramatic results after one or two treatments, you’re probably going to feel disappointed.

The key to laser therapy is consistency. It’s got me wondering what kinds of tools are out there for laser therapy and whether they’re all created equal.

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:07:50]:

There’s different devices that use different forms of it. So it can be a baseball helmet hat, you know, that you wear. It’s real comfortable.

It’s just like a baseball hat. There are some combs that you can use to comb your hair with the light. There are some bands that you can wear.

There are some massage devices that have rotating heads on them and you can actually massage the scalp while the light’s there to stimulate blood flow and just feels good on your scalp. So there’s different vehicles to emit the light. But as long as it’s the right wavelength.

Now, that’s the key, because if you don’t get the device that has the right wavelength, it’s no more beneficial than you sitting underneath your, you know, your the lamp that’s on your bedside table, because that’s not the right wavelength of light that has the capacity to penetrate the skin and reach the hair follicle cells. So it needs to be in the wavelength, you know, pretty much between six and 700 nanometers of wavelength or six to 900 nanometers. So when you’re buying these things off of, you know, if you’re getting them off of Timu or some of those Aliexpress or Alibaba or some of those cheap discount websites, you have to make sure that in the description of the device, it actually tells you what the nanometer wavelength of light is, because if you’re not getting it in the right wavelength, it’s not going to do anything.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:08]:

Oh, wow.

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:09:09] And so usually when you buy your devices from a reputable medical company that specializes in hair loss, they’re going to make sure that the devices that they’re selling are the right nanometer wavelength that it’s going to actually do what it’s supposed to do.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:21]:

Are there a lot of places that are not legitimate that are trying to sell these that you’ve heard of?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:09:26]: Devices, not places. So if you’re going to a place, a med spa, a doctor’s office, a hair loss clinic, usually those are reputable places that have the right wavelengths. Now, it’s the ones that you get on Amazon or TikTok shop or Facebook or, you know, marketplace or someplace that, you know, they may not disclose what the nanometer wavelength of light is.

And if that’s the case, then don’t buy it because you can’t guarantee that it’s going to have any effectiveness.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:53]: I don’t know if you’ve seen some of the ads. Some of the ones I’ve seen, the hair improvement is quite dramatic. Is that accurate?

Or have you seen some of these ads and you yourself can see and kind of spot the B.S. meter going off saying there’s no way about it?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:10:07]: It’s the big B.S. meter. Those results, if you go from having no hair or extremely thin hair to having no scalp visibility, that is magic. And that’s not what the device can do.

Anything that looks too good to be true is usually too good to be true. And so as long as you know and have appropriate expectations for what this device can do, it can help stimulate the cells, make them as strong as possible, allowing them to make the thickest hair shaft that you can genetically make, which is going to be different from one person to the next and help your hair follicle cells live longer and maybe stimulate follicles that aren’t producing hairs that are exiting the skin of the scalp to now be able to produce hair strong enough to do that. You do get visual improvement, but not the wow, dramatic things that you see on the computer or internet.

Those are either internet generated, what do they call it? Photos?

Kevin Rolston [00:10:57]:

Yeah, or AI.

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:10:59]: Or they’ve used hair makeup or other things to help conceal the scalp in combination with the light therapy.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:10]:

Thank goodness for Dr. Phipps helping to deliver some nuance back into the conversation. So yes, low level light therapy does work in that it helps improve the health of your hair follicles. And if you’ve listened to the show before, you know how important scalp health is for hair growth.

So if your goal is to support your natural hair growth and see improvement, laser therapy might be a great option for you. But as with any hair loss solution, there are people who it works for and others who should pursue different options. So I asked Dr. Phipps who the best candidates for laser therapy are.

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:11:51]:

Ideally, I would start light therapy before you notice you’re losing your hair, because by the time you physically notice that you’re losing your hair and you see thinning, 50% of your hair density is already gone and there ain’t no getting it back. So I would recommend if you have a family history of hair loss and you know, this may be coming down the pike, go ahead and get on it. Anybody over the age of 40 is going to have age related hair shaft diameter thinning that I would recommend stimulating those cells with the light, but it’s going to be most beneficial from a cosmetic standpoint for individuals who are in the early phases of hair loss, who have generalized diffuse thinning, because if you’ve already developed a bald spot, the bald spot is not going to go away with light therapy.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:34]: Oh, wow. Okay. All right.

Now, where would you rank the laser therapy comparing it to other forms of hair loss treatments?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:12:42]: I would put it second or third, you know? I mean, yeah, I consider the oral medical therapy number one. Number two, I like the minoxidil topical therapy, but I’m equally liking the light therapy in the same realm of my minoxidil users.

So I like combining the minoxidil and the light therapy together to give that cellular stimulation and increased blood flow because they work by two different mechanisms of action. So you put them together, you get a compound and synergistic effect because it’s not the same as just using one or the other and you get the same effect.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:20]: Now, is it possible that that could be what your lifelong treatment is? Just laser therapy and maybe some minoxidil?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:13:25]:

Not if you have androgenetic hair loss, because neither one of those two therapies though block the DHT hormone that is the genetic cause of why people have male or female pattern hair loss because it’s hormone related. So none of those, either of those two devices affect the hormones. So the number one therapy is some sort of hormonal medication to help block the hormones that are affecting the cells.

And then the number two therapy in my opinion is then targeting the cells themselves to make them stronger. And that’s with minoxidil and low level light therapy.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:56]:

How do you know if you have that kind of hair loss? Is there a DNA marker test that you can take that will show that it’s in your system?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:14:03]: You can look at your family history. Number one, if your family history is there, cause it’s an inherited condition where you inherit hair follicle cells that have the genetic sensitivity to hormones that the male and female body produces. And then there’s no specific test that you can go and find out if you have it.

But if you think you’re having hair loss and you might, and you want to find out for sure what the cause is, cause there are other medical causes of hair loss other than just genetics, you need to see, you know, your physician or a specifically a hair loss physician specialist to let them evaluate your scalp, take a look at the pattern of loss that you’re having. What does the skin look like and make sure that you’re having the classic symptoms of androgenetic hair loss versus something else that might require a biopsy to prove and then other medical therapies to treat.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:49]: Right. Are there any kind of side effects, any downsides of using the laser therapy for hair loss?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:14:55]:

There is no downside or side effects that I have seen in my personal use, the use of my family members or my patients for using the low level light therapy. It’s not going to cause brain cancer. It’s not going to penetrate to the level of the brain.

It’s not going to hurt your brain. It’s not going to hurt your memory. And people have a lot of hesitation sometimes putting something on their head that’s so close to their either their eyes or their brain to think they’re going to cause long-term damage.

This is not a microwave. There’s going to be no radioactive signals that are going to be penetrating your brain or causing any damage. The wavelength of light only penetrates to the level that it can penetrate.

And the wavelength of light from the laser therapy or LED light therapy devices only penetrate to the level in the skin where the hair follicle is located and does not go any deeper.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:40]:

Now, are there going to be improvements in laser therapy that you’ve seen, or is it just when it first came out, it is what it is. And it always will be what it is. Or is this a technology that is improving and advancing?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:15:52]: I think it’s been where it’s been for a long, long time. But I think, you know, with technology of any sort, you know, they’re going to find maybe be able to hone in on even smaller degrees of wavelength light that might be more beneficial for certain cells. So I’m not ruling out the possibility that it could get better, but where we’ve been right now is the same place we’ve been for a long time.

So I wouldn’t be holding out on waiting to get a light therapy device over the next one or two years, thinking that, you know, I don’t want to spend a whole bunch of money on this device. And then in two years, it’s going to be obsolete. You know, my father’s been using his same light therapy device, you know, for over 10 years that he’s been using.

So, and the technology really hasn’t changed.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:36]:

And what are you looking at for a cost? You mentioned different devices too. So if I want to go cheapest to the Cadillacs, what kind of stuff am I looking at spending to get into laser hair therapy?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:16:46]: You know, for the cheapest you’re spending in the 700s potentially. And then for the most expensive that has the most amount of light diodes in the devices up to 3000 potentially. So it is an investment, but it’s an investment that you only have to purchase one time.

And then it lasts as long as the device will mechanically last and it’s worth the money. Now, here’s what I tell my patients. I don’t ever let you spend your money on devices that I haven’t already spent my own money on.

And I purchased two of these. So if I’m going to spend my money on it, I know it works because I’m the hair doctor. And if I’m going to spend my money on it, I’m going to let you spend your money on it because I know it works.

As long as your understanding of what work means, is it going to regrow all your hair and make you have invisibility of your scalp? No. Is it going to stimulate your hair follicle cells, making them stronger, making the hairs that are being produced thicker, letting the cells live longer so that from an anti-aging standpoint, it’s going to do all those things.

It’s going to increase blood flow to the scalp. It’s going to help the cells of the skin of the scalp be healthy. And there’s no downside to it other than your pocketbook.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:51]:

Okay. And you said that your dad’s lasted for 10 years?

Dr. Angie Phipps [00:17:54]: Yeah. So as long as the mechanical components of the equipment last, that’s how long it’ll last. So it’s a, it’s a good investment.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:06]:

Thank you to the incredible Dr. Phipps for sharing this in-depth knowledge with us and taking us through everything somebody would need to know before deciding if low light therapy is for them. From the science behind it to setting the right kinds of expectations. I’m glad we could share all of this with you so that you can make your own informed decisions about what hair restoration technology you’d like to invest in.

If you’re really interested in this kind of therapy, but you’re not sure if your hair loss is compatible with laser therapy, or if you’d like to pursue laser therapy in tandem with other treatments so you can achieve a healthier scalp and get the look you really want. We always recommend talking to a professional to see what your options are. If you’re interested in a free consultation with a company that offers laser therapy and many other options, check out the link in our show notes to talk to a specialist at HairClub.

And if you know someone who might be interested in laser therapy, we hope that you’ll share this episode with them. For more educational deep dives into all things hair loss with trusted experts, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of HairPod.

Check us out at HairClub on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we’d love it if you’d share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com. We’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone.

And when you share, review, and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

Featured Guests

Heather Brooke
Nick Wilkins

New Episodes Weekly

Available Every Tuesday @ 9am

Want to Be a Guest?

Come on the Show!

Related Episodes

How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Mar 4, 2025

Discover Angela Fields’ journey with hair thinning, CCCA alopecia, and the solutions that helped her regain confidence in this special Women’s History Month episode.

Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

Mar 11, 2025

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

Listen & Subscribe

Listen to HairPod™ on various streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Subscribe and be the first to listen to new episodes.

Available now at:

Which Hair Solutions Work Best?

by Julian Miranda | Dec 3, 2024 | Episode

Episode 41

Which Hair Solutions Work Best?

Hair loss solutions come in many shapes and sizes. The good news is, there’s something out there for everyone. But how do you figure out what’s going to work best for you? In this week’s episode of HairPod, I sit down with friend-of-the-pod Dan Medeiros to hear how he uses two hair loss solutions in tandem to improve his scalp health, encourage hair growth, and get the look he wants in the meantime.

Psoriasis and Hair Loss

Hair loss began for Dan in his late teens and early twenties. He was diagnosed with a rare form of psoriasis that flared up when he was under stress and caused significant hair loss on his scalp. His high-stress job caused him to go from a full head of hair to significant thinning in a short time, leaving him feeling gutted. One of the keys to his hair regrowth was healing his scalp, and he was able to do that using HairClub’s EXT program.

EXT for Scalp Health and Hair Regrowth

Regrowing hair after hair loss is possible, depending on the circumstances. Programs like EXT help regrow hair by taking a holistic, multifaceted approach to regrowth. For Dan, this started with scalp health. Through regular cleansing treatments, he was able to get his scalp health back on track to support the hair follicles. The next part of the EXT treatment helps the hair grow back strong and thick with a topical minoxidil treatment. Dan stuck to the regimen very consistently and found that it didn’t add much extra time to his typical personal care routine.

Diet Changes for Hair Regrowth

Dietary issues cause hair loss when we aren’t getting proper nutrition. When Dan was under stress due to his high-intensity work life, he fell into a habit of eating fast food and drinking a lot of energy drinks. When he began prioritizing his health, sleep, and nutrition, he noticed his hair starting to come back. It’s important to keep in mind that a holistic approach to regrowth is ideal.

Hair Systems as a Hair Solution

Dan uses XTrands+ to cover parts of his head that have not regrown hair yet. He has been on the show to talk about when he first got his system on for the first time, and how he styles his system in a variety of ways. This time, Dan discussed why he uses his hair system along with EXT. The EXT helps regrow his natural hair by healing the scalp and supporting overall wellness, while the hair system gives him the look he wants in the meantime.

Empowering Resources
As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance.
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Episode.41 Transcript

Dan Medeiros [00:00:03]:
Whatever options are out there for you to help regrow, clean your scalp, you should really jump on it. You know, it’s the minoxidil, finasteride, the laser comb, taking the vitamins, whatever you can get your hands on to help boost that, go for it. Honestly, it’s only gonna help.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:35]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week, I get to interview people from different walks of life, whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back.

There are many different reasons why people experience hair loss, and we’ve covered quite a few of them in depth on this show. From male or female pattern hair loss to trichotillomania, the causes of hair loss can be incredibly diverse, and different solutions work for each unique scenario. Today’s guest found a combination of things that has gotten his hair back to show how he wants it.

Today’s guest has found a combination of things that has gotten his hair back to how he wants it, no compromises. If you’re a regular listener, you probably have already heard him come on the show to talk about his experience. It’s time for another episode with Dan Medeiros for you.

Today, we’re gonna talk about the magic combo that has worked out with specialists over at HairClub, and we’re gonna start all the way back at the beginning when Dan first started to notice his hair loss.

Dan Medeiros [00:01:51]
It started off gradually. After high school, going into college, I have a sort of a rare form of psoriasis on my scalp, and my stress is what causes a lot of things to come out physically on me, which primarily on my scalp. So as the stress of life got worse and I started getting older, it started rearing its ugly head, and quite literally, no pun intended, but it devastated me really badly.

And then I got into working a very high-stress job, a working logistics, transportation dispatch, a job where I saw many coworkers break down crying in the office and go away on stress leave for like six months. So it did its damage to me very physically on my head. I lost hair very fast.

I went from a full head of hair to almost half that, and it looked like a war zone on my head. So it hit really hard, really fast in my early 20s, and from there, it was just suddenly trying to figure out, okay, what do I do, where can I go? Try different solutions, everything and anything you can think of, and then made my way to HairClub.

And with HairClub, they got me on track with the EXT program. EXT, it wasn’t just to bring my hair back, but to fix my scalp, and that was the first thing, getting on the regimen, making sure I stuck to the plan, and I had my routine, and I stuck to the routine, cleaning my scalp and making it healthy again. And it eventually, it started to clear up, and as it started to clear up, I started regrowing hair again.

My hair started getting thicker, stronger, and where some people would get clusters of maybe one, two, maybe three strands coming out of a single spot on their head, I started getting six or seven. And so I became a very good EXT client right off the bat, and it was between your shampoos, a scalp cleanser, and then conditioners, and then using minoxidil, and then taking the vitamins to help boost that. So a mix of everything helped a lot.

Changing my diet was a huge part of that too. Honestly, diet is literally half, I’d say half, at the very least, of what is going to help regrow your hair and just make it stronger and healthier. Diet is everything, it really is.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:20]:
I believe in that. Now Dan, I got a couple questions here. One, tell me, what was the severity of the hair loss?

If we’re talking about 100% of the scalp area where you would have hair growing, how much, what percentage would you say that you saw hair loss, and to what level was it? Was it patchy, was it thinning, or was it complete baldness? What did you experience?

Dan Medeiros [00:04:42]:
It was a lot of, it was thinning. Incredibly thinning, especially around the front.

I went from thick, luscious hair in the front to all of a sudden it was just so thin that you could see right through to the scalp. God forbid I was under any sort of lights or anything like that, and I loved having my hair up and messy and spiked up, and I couldn’t do that anymore. Because it started getting noticed, and comments were made, and then I couldn’t look in the mirror anymore, and then from there it just proceeded, and it just got worse and worse, and then it was a matter of trying to find ways to cover that up, changing my hairstyle, all sorts of things.

It was just, thinking back on it, it’s crazy, it’s just crazy how bad it can change.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:30]:
The first thing you talked about too was scalp health. Now, is that considered to be EXT? Is that what EXT is, is caring for the scalp and trying to get it so that it can, the way I’m thinking of it is almost like a farmer would have a field that has great dirt, and they take care of it and make sure that it’s fertile and put fertilizer in it so that it can grow something.

Is that almost the same thing of what you’re talking about?

Dan Medeiros [00:05:55]:
That is probably one of the best ways to kind of describe that. It really is, in order to grow the hair, you need to have a scalp that is healthy, that is energized, it needs to produce the healthy oils, and it needs, and there’s, DHT is the main factor that causes your hair to lose. When you’re starting to produce a lot of DHT, it’ll, it’ll take, it’ll.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:21]
The hormone, right? The hormone that kind of just chokes off the follicle and squeezes out the hair and makes you start going bald?

Dan Medeiros [00:06:30]
Yeah, and that’s when you start seeing, instead of seeing all those spots on your head where you’d see hair growth out of it, it’s the best that you see that smooth, that smooth baldness because there’s no follicle anymore. It’s essentially, the skin’s grown over and nothing happens, it’s just barren land.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:45]
And DHT’s done that, basically.

Dan Medeiros [00:06:46]:
Yeah, and I started producing a lot of it, and I said, my scalp was a nightmare. It looked like a war zone. It was like a minefield that went off.

Imagine your head, it’s feeling like your scalp’s on fire and not being able to touch it or scratch it. Like, you wanna scratch it so bad, but it’s only gonna make it worse. It was, I tried going to doctors, dermatologists, and no one could really do much of anything for it.

It was finally going to HairClub, getting on a proper regimen. The shampoos, the stuff you do in the shower every night, that is what cleans the scalp, and it starts to re, you’re almost retraining your scalp to do the normal things again. And it, as I said, once you’ve gotten the scalp clean and healthy, then it starts producing the proper things it needs to actually regrow hair.

Then your scalp can actually properly do it. So that’s when I started seeing that, and like I said, instead of growing thin hairs that would just fall out, I was growing thick hairs that would stay and continue to grow. So all of a sudden, I was, and then the minoxidil, you throw that in, and that’s what helps the actual growth.

So you clean it, and then you grow. You clean it, you grow. And with that pattern and sticking to that and changing my diet, getting active again, I started playing hockey, I was running, I was being active and sweating out all those bad chemicals.

And then I was able to actually start growing my hair long again. I was actually starting to go out again, and it was, it’s, yeah, it’s just crazy. The whole journey, it’s amazing.

I think back on it now, and I’m going on 15 years with HairClub, and I just, I think back on everything, and it’s still such a trip to see where I’m at right now.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:29]:
Now my question about EXT, is it a package that puts minoxidil and the shampoos and everything together basically in one box that you get? So if you go to HairClub and you ask for EXT, that’s what you get. It’s getting the field ready to grow the hair.

Is that what EXT is?

Dan Medeiros [00:08:47]:
Exactly, yeah, it’s the whole process, the program. So there’s your shampoo, your scalp cleaner, which you use before you put on your conditioner, and then you put on the conditioner, you wash it all out, and then afterwards, while your pores are open, after the shower, then you put in the minoxidil, and then it gets right in there. You let it sit, you stay, especially it’s perfect overnight.

You shower before you go to bed, and then I would wake up in the morning, if I showered, I’d put it on again and have it sitting throughout the day. I get very OCD, so when I get on a regimen, a pattern, I stick with it, and I’m very, very detail-oriented when it comes to that, because I so badly want that to work. And missing a day and not having that consistency, that breaks up the consistency of your growth, of your scalp health, so that’s why I’m so very adamant I’m reminding people, you have to stick to the plan.

If you kind of jump on it, and then you step away from it, jump on it, step away, you’re not, it’s not gonna work the way you want it to, and then you’ll get frustrated.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:52]:
And I feel that’s- How hard is this plan? That’s my question. How much time are you talking?

It sounds like you’re very disciplined, and what if you’re a not-disciplined person? How much time am I taking in the morning, at night, to do EXT?

Dan Medeiros [00:10:04]:
And that’s the thing, it’s not. It’s so, it’s just part of your regular day, your regular routine. You know, you just, it was honestly, just like nothing but a second thought.

I start my day, I shower, I do my shampoo, conditioner, and then I put Minoxidil in. Minoxidil was essentially almost like the only other step I had to add into my day, and it was something I did after my showers, so.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:26]:
What is that like, when you put in Minoxidil? It’s been years since I, I think it was Rogaine, way back in the day. Oh gosh.

You know, I was doing it. But I remember it was, it was wet, and you know, it would mess with the consistency, so how does that work? Do you have to let it dry when you put it in?

Does it mess with the hair if you’re trying to style it? What is it like putting in Minoxidil?

Dan Medeiros [00:10:49]:
You know, with the longer, I’d say, the longer hair, yeah, it’s, you know, it, it can, if your consistency of the hair, like it can almost kinda add a bit of an oiliness to it, so that’s why I said my favorite, it was using it at the end of the, you know, at night. So I get home, you know, I’m done for the night, I shower, I put it in, and then you just, you massage it into the scalp. You know, you don’t just put it on, let it sit, or else it’ll just look like you have a scalp full of, you know, oil.

You really have to massage it in until you’re not feeling that oiliness anymore. And that’s what helps it really get into the pores and really get into your scalp. And then, you know, it sits, it dries, you know, you can do your thing, you can style your hair, and you’re perfectly good to go.

There’s just, yeah, you know, I went through all of the doing things wrong, doing things right, because it’s a bit of a learning curve, but it’s honestly, it’s very easy, very easy. And that’s why we do things like this. We help educate people, and we help them understand the process.

And that’s why I love doing, again, that’s why I love doing this.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:52]:
Dan’s experience shows that even though starting something new can be a little bit daunting, it’s important to just try it and see how it goes. Being committed to the process and changes to his life and routine helped Dan reach his hair goals. Using EXT played a major role in healing his scalp so that his hair could grow in healthy and strong, and the treatments rolled naturally into his own personal care regimen.

But that’s not all he mentioned. Dan’s diet also played a significant role in his hair loss, and changing things up helped him get his hair back.

Dan Medeiros [00:12:30]:
With the stress, which leads, you know, stress, depression, and all that stuff, I fell into the void of fast food and energy drinks. It was awful, so I gained a lot of weight. And with that, you know, the hair loss continued with it, you know, trying to cope with the depression of everything, of losing my hair and everything, and all the stress in life.

I found a crutch with fast food and energy drinks. And that was, oh God, it was devastating. I think back on it now, I’m like, I can’t believe I did that to myself.

But it’s not hard to fall into. And it took me a while to finally snap my way out of it. I was over, I gained, oh gosh, I was over 260 pounds, 265 pounds, when I finally realized, oh my gosh, what am I doing to myself?

Kevin Rolston [00:13:19]:
And- What was that moment? How did you, because we usually have that one wake-up call. What was it for you?

Do you remember that moment where you just said, what am I doing? I gotta stop this routine that I’m on.

Dan Medeiros [00:13:29]:
You know, I saw a picture of myself from high school, and I looked at myself, and I’m like, man, I was skinny back then. And then I remembered what my weight was back then. I’m like, man, I was like 170, 175 pounds at that point.

And I’m like, oh my gosh, I’m like almost 265. Like that, for some reason, that never, like I would see my weight and I’d go that, you know, that’s, there’s nothing wrong with that. Two I am, right, two I am.

And then it just, I realized, wow, that is not good. And it was a complete just, a change. I immediately just went full force into completely turning everything over, stopping the energy drinks, no more fast food.

I was, you know, my diet changed when I would eat dinner and what I was eating. You know, I had a rule, no, trying to eat dinner no less than four hours before I went to bed. You know, you don’t wanna go to sleep with food in your stomach because it’ll still be there in the morning.

And then, you know, my biggest meal, my best meal of the day was breakfast, first thing after I woke up, and jumping on water, you know, eating good meals, going for walks every day, starting to play hockey. And it’s, everything changed along with that. My hair changed along with it, my attitude.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:39]:
Yeah, your hair ties into the overall picture of wellness that you have.

Dan Medeiros [00:14:43]:
Yeah, your body, your entire body is a machine and you need the proper, you know, your machine can only run if you put the proper things in it to make it run. You know, as you start throwing things that don’t work properly, then obviously your machine’s not gonna work properly. So it’s, it made a huge difference.

And I can’t, again, that’s why I can’t stress that enough. And it’s such a hard thing to do. It’s all, but once you find it, once you stick to it, it will work so well, everything will change.

Your attitude, your outlook. I found myself again. I was able to start looking in the mirror again.

I was able to smile again. I was able to look at people in the eyes. You know, instead of looking down, it changed everything.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:32]:
It really does. The one thing I would guess too, you’re talking about the energy drinks and people may not consider when it comes to hair health, sleep, and when you have energy drinks, it messes up your circadian rhythms, the way you sleep and getting a good night of sleep. Again, like you’re saying, it’s all tied together.

So if you’re depriving yourself of sleep, you’re going to jeopardize your hair health.

Dan Medeiros [00:15:46]:
Yeah, I mean, when you sleep, that’s when your body recharges. You know, that’s when all the repairs start happening. So if you don’t give your body, your scalp, your head, everything that time to recharge and repair, you know, you’re just, you’re running on fumes.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:00]:
Right, yeah. Dan, tell me a little bit about Xtrands+. We have now unpacked.

I’ve got a great understanding of what EXT is. What does Xtrands+ do and how’s that contribute now to the great head of hair that you have?

Dan Medeiros [00:16:13]:
Well, I mean, as you can see, this is what I’m wearing. I mean, you can quite literally see right through. The hair looks like it’s all coming right out of my scalp.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:24]:
Yeah, that’s the thing that is really perplexing to me because I’m trying to figure out where any kind of treatment is beginning. What is the real you and what is the assistance? Because there’s nothing that you can notice.

With an extreme closeup, you’ve got hair coming out of your scalp. And so I’m really confused as to what this is and what it’s contributing to this look I’m seeing.

Dan Medeiros [00:16:45]:
Yeah, so like when I’m not, like when I’m not, you know, wearing the hair, I have everything buzzed down. So it’s actually, for me, it’s easier to, you know, when I have it all off, I can actually massage the minoxidil into the scalp. I use a laser hair comb as well.

That’s another huge boost. Between the minoxidil and the laser hair comb, it’s almost like a one-two punch. I would highly recommend getting one of those or they also have the caps.

They have all different forms of the laser hair combs, but, you know, it really helps get to the scalp, gets to the roots. I mean, you can grow it longer, you can do the same thing. I just find it easier this way.

Plus, I mean, I love this style. It’s quite easy to just throw it all over to one side and I can get up in the morning and go about my day. But yeah, like I actually just put my hair on today.

My wonderful wife helped me, which is fantastic because it’s not always the easiest on my own. But yeah, so we put it on quick and got it all. And it’s just, I’m able to go about my day.

I can go on stage and perform. I can go to work. I can go hang out with people.

I went and played hockey earlier today as well. So, you know, I was able to play hockey, put a helmet on, shower afterwards, and it’s unaffected. And then when- No concerns, yeah.

Yeah, no concerns. It doesn’t lift when I’m ready to take it off. And I take it off and then I do my work underneath.

And then when I want to put it back on again, I can put it back on again.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:16]:
So not only does Dan use EXT to care for his scalp and maintain his natural hair, he’s also using a hair system in tandem with it. Between the two solutions he has, you would never know that Dan has any sort of hair assistance. The blending of the hair system into his own natural hair looks so seamless that it’s impossible to tell the difference between what’s growing out of his scalp and the system itself.

So I want to know specifically how he brings the two of those things together to get that completely flawless look.

Dan Medeiros [00:18:53]:
I usually, I’ll have my hair on, you know, for a good, almost kind of like an extended long weekend. So I’ll usually, I go in for my appointments usually on Fridays or Thursdays, and then I’ll wear it till about Tuesday. Then I’ll take it off and I’ll spend those days in between when I have it off, just working on my scalp and then really focusing on using the Minoxidil on top of where I usually have my hair on.

So it’s all just on the top, all the sides and the back. That’s all natural.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:21]:
Yeah, you have one, the left side of your head is shaved up to the hairline and then the hair flips over. People aren’t able to visualize this right now, but it’s long, it’s thick, there’s no indication of any kind of hair issues whatsoever.

Dan Medeiros [00:19:34]:
No, and that’s the thing, and it’s just so simple and it’s such an easy process. Like I was able to get my hair on today completely, you know, all done within no more than half an hour. It was so quick, so easy.

And then I said in between that, I do all the EXT stuff. And even while I’m wearing my hair, I mean, I still have access to the sides and the back. And I mean, so I still massage the Minoxidil into the scalp here because when I just started wearing the hair and I wasn’t using EXT, you know, all of this was on the sides and the back.

It was thinning out as well, it wasn’t as thick anymore. So what if I started to grow it out, you know, you can still see through to the scalp. Now I do, I work with a group in Iowa called the Iowa League of Heroes.

We dress up as superheroes, we go visit the kids in the sick kids’ hospitals, we do all sorts of events. And I dress up as Superman and, you know, so I grow it out, you know, and it can’t, Superman can’t have patchy, thin hair. So I started noticing it was getting thin, so I’m like, I really need to get back on the EXT again.

So I got back on the EXT program and all of a sudden I started growing, it started growing all thick again. So I was able to grow it out and then it was like, oh my gosh, you know, now it’s, I can actually have this longer and it’s consistent from the top to the sides. I don’t wanna have thick hair up top here and then thin hair here on the back.

I don’t wanna have my system to continue, you know, to have my system be made longer and, you know, I don’t wanna be wearing hair that completely takes all of my scalp. I want my own hair as well. Wearing this helps take care of what I can’t fully grow out yet.

And then the EXT is helping to rebuild what I have underneath here as well as the sides and the back. So being able to grow my own hair out and also get the thick, luscious hair that is me, which this is me, this is, I’m able to have both. So I don’t want to, I don’t want my system, my X-Strands to, you know, again, to go from just this to all of this as well.

I don’t wanna wear a whole head system. That’s, and so the EXT helps mitigate that and it helps me actually regrow my hair. And with today’s technologies, and it’s getting even better, I mean, there’s Finasteride and all these other new combinations with Minoxidil, which HairClub’s gonna be jumping into very, very, very shortly.

Finasteride is almost like that second piece of the puzzle that Minoxidil needs to really, to almost double if not triple the growth and the speed at which you see growth.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:07]:
Yeah, Finasteride is an amazing product and really what that does is, you know, you were talking earlier about the DHT and how that hormone chokes off the hair follicle and Finasteride, it really just blocks that so you don’t have that issue. And if you’re intense, 10% of people still need something else and there’s Dutasteride. Dutasteride, and that’s another one too.

Right, that I’ve learned that is, you know, look, Finasteride’s not effective and that’s what happened to me where I, you have a different approach than me because I’m an Xtrands+ or the hair system kind of person and I love the fact that you are still pursuing really good scalp health and the fact that you’re using EXT and I’ve given up on the Finasteride because I thought, well, you know what, I’m gonna be Xtrands+, that’s just gonna be it. But now that I found out about Dutasteride, I know about EXT, I myself am considering saying, okay, well let’s just see if I can’t maybe kickstart the old scalp health and go back at it.

So by doing this HairPod, I’ve learned a lot about my own hair health and where I might go. So you’re kind of an inspiration to me and I would assume for you, the goal would be to try to work on your own scalp health and use the EXT and things like Finasteride, Dutasteride, and maybe who knows, that one day you would be able to go without a hair system or Xtrands+ and just have great scalp health because of HairClub.

Dan Medeiros [00:23:32]:
Exactly, exactly, you know, I would love to have that eventually and rediscovering my own scalp and my own hair is huge and as with time, the technologies are only gonna get better, the advancements and everything. So as I get older, I would love to eventually not have to wear hair and just be sporting my own. That is the end goal but in the meantime, I mean, I get to see myself every day, I get to present myself properly every single day while at the same time, I’m working on me and with my scalp issue that I do have, I mean, that’s for life.

Unfortunately, it’s for life so I have to keep up with that. As I get stressed out, you know, it starts to rear its, again, rears its ugly head again. So I have to continue to work on that, I have to continue to work on my diet and yeah, I just, I feel like, you know, it wasn’t, just wearing hair wasn’t enough and we started doing it at my center and then as more clients started to see the results, my results, all of a sudden they were like, oh my gosh, and just like yourself, you’re like, this is amazing, I should do this too, I would love to see what I can do as well and we’ve got so many clients now at my center who are on it, there’s clients all across, you know, the US that are jumping on this too, more centers are jumping on the doing both and I think it, I hope it continues to grow, I hope more and more people start to understand this, I hope this podcast helps a lot people realize, you know, you can do both, you can find success in both and this is what I’m trying to promote, so, you know, whatever options are out there for you to help regrow, clean your scalp, you should really jump on it, you know, it’s the Minoxidil, Finasteride, the laser comb, you know, taking the vitamins, whatever you can get your hands on to help boost that, go for it, honestly, it’s only gonna help.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:59]:
Talking to Dan is always inspiring, his overall focus is on his wellness, his scalp health, maintaining a great diet and keeping his stress levels down to combat his psoriasis and I think it’s great that Dan is sharing his story so that more people know that they can take their hair and scalp health seriously while still having the look that they want in the meantime, like Dan does with his own hair system.

He’s the first guest we’ve talked to on this show to use both EXT and Xtrands+ and maybe that’s because most people wouldn’t even know that it’s possible to use both of them at the same time. We wanna thank Dan as always for being an incredible guest and sharing his journey with the world so that more people can get the help and the hair that they want. For more inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who’ve been through hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app.

Thanks for listening to another episode of HairPod. Check us out at HairClub on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone that could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you’d share it with them.

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We’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you.

Until next time.

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Hair loss isn’t easy for anyone, least of all children. Abby’s rare condition created a large scar on her scalp, and a large percentage of her hair never grew in. Growing up without hair wasn’t easy; Abby’s parents tried hats and wigs, but they didn’t allow Abby to live a normal life and fit in with the other kids. When Abby’s mom discovered HairClub, the team worked with Abby’s unique situation to help her find the perfect solution that allowed Abby to play, swim, and dance, just like any other girl. Now that Abby is 24 years old, she is a 20-year client of HairClub and exudes nothing but confidence. She shares her story openly and hopes she can help kids and parents who are going through a similar situation. For more from Abby, check out her full episode!

New Technologies for Hair Loss

Technology for hair loss solutions have come a long way in the last few decades. Christopher came on the show to share his experience losing his hair starting in his 20s. He tried multiple solutions but wasn’t getting the results he was after, and part of the problem was he wasn’t aware of all of the options available to him (at first). Christopher is an expert in the beauty industry, and he shares how men aren’t encouraged by society to make changes to their appearance, even if they want to. But, according to him, that is starting to change. The younger generations are more comfortable seeking out different hair loss solutions, and it doesn’t hurt that the technology has improved, too. For more insights from Christopher, check out his full episode!

Chemotherapy and Hair Loss

After recovering from her cancer, Carol had a new challenge to face – the hair loss caused by her chemotherapy treatments. Hair loss made Carol, an extrovert, want to hide from others. All she wanted was to return to her normal life, but her loss of confidence kept that from happening. Carol tells the story of the first day that she wore her new hair from HairClub. This was the moment when she finally felt like herself again and her life resumed. To hear more of Carol’s inspiring story, check out her full episode!

How Getting Your Hair Loss Helps Confidence

Our last story came from Jeff ElZenny. He began losing his hair in high school, and that meant feeling awkward in his prom pictures and at graduation. He felt like he looked so much older than he actually was, and he became a recluse. When he finally got his hair back, he felt like his outgoing, fun-loving personality came back with it. This confidence boost allowed him to enjoy his 20s to the fullest, never worrying about his appearance. To hear more of Jeff’s journey from HairClub client to part of the team, listen to his full episode!

Episode.40 Transcript

Christopher Erstner [00:00:02]:
So, like, I think that's part of the issues that men have is, like, I want to be attractive, and I want people attracted to me. And then, you know, we make the world go round, right? But in terms of, like, society changing their ideas about that, it really hasn't changed, because at least from my perspective, men were just. They kind of have the world on a string, right? I'd like to look a certain way. The world completely changed in a different way, and people are just like, you know what? I'm just gonna live life the way I want to live. And if that means that I have to admit to one or two things, I am going to seek help for hair loss. Or I'm not. It's one or the other. I gotta be me.

Tyler Morehead [00:00:56]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I'm your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week, we are feeling the holiday spirit for those of us in the United States. Hopefully, we are all taking the time to think about gratitude for the things in life that bring us joy. I'm very happy for my hair, my family, my kids, football, you know, the things that really matter. And I'm thankful that I get to host the HairPod. Not only do I feel like I get to help people out who are looking for hair solutions like I have always been my entire life, but I'm learning a lot about hair loss myself, and I'm starting to apply some of the things I've learned right here on the HairPod.

Tyler Morehead [00:01:52]:
And I'm thankful that you're listening. Thank you so much. As we enter into the season of gratitude, we want to revisit some of our most inspiring conversations with guests who have shared their stories with us, from the challenges they experienced to the joy that they felt when they finally got their hair back. If you've been watching your hair get thinner and you're feeling a little bit down about it, we hope these amazing guests can show you that there are options out there. And, hey, maybe someday you're going to be sharing your own hair journey with others and helping them out too. Our first clip is from Tyler Morehead. Yeah, great name for a guy losing your hair. Tyler is a filmmaker and an outdoor enthusiast.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:34]:
He came on the show to share his story with us. Starting all the way Back when he first began to notice a little extra hair coming out in the shower.

Tyler Morehead [00:02:46]:
I think I kind of started noticing somewhere around, it was early 20s, say maybe somewhere around 23, 24. I was living in New York at the time, in New York City, and I just started noticing hair on the bottom of the shower when I got done, you know, showering. And at first I didn't really think that much of it, but it seemed like it was just getting more and more. So it took a little while for me to physically notice that was happening. But yeah, it just kind of crept in one night and that's, that's what it was.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:14]:
What age were you when you finally tried to do something about it? What were the first steps you took?

Tyler Morehead [00:03:20]:
Let's see, what would I have been about 30? I was in my mid-30s at that point and you know, I lived in, worked in, in la. I was. Filmmaking is really was what I wanted to do. And so I'd go on these sets and I had hair and makeup artists that would always say, oh, you should try this stuff. And there's all kinds of little things you can put in your hair to make it look a little thicker. And I was doing them all, you know, I was trying them all. But I think by the time I hit my mid-30s, I kind of started getting tired of doing that and it just seemed to be getting a little bit harder and harder to do that too. And you know, I have to credit my mom on that one.

Tyler Morehead [00:03:53]:
One day she said, hey, you know, why don't you check out no hair club?

Kevin Rolston [00:04:00]:
Like many people, Tyler had reservations about trying a new hair loss solution. He wasn't sure what to expect. And even when he went in for his consultation, he wasn't sure which direction to go. He didn't want to pursue a surgical option and he wasn't sure how the non surgical options would look. Thankfully, his biggest cheerleader, his mom, convinced him to give it a try. After all, if he wasn't happy with the result, after all, if he wasn't happy with the result, he could always go back to the way things were. So he had really nothing to lose. After Tyler tried a hair system for the very first time, his decision was made.

Tyler Morehead [00:04:42]:
You know, I, it sounds so cliche, but I really remember that, that moment vividly actually, because initially, you know, they, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I saved the picture. They took a picture of me before and one right after. But I'll never forget, they didn't let me look in the mirror until it was done. They said, don't do it. Just let us do what we need to do. You look at it when you're done, and if you want to keep it, you're good. Well, when they wheeled me around in the chair, they swung it around, and I saw myself in the mirror. I made the joke to myself, and this is a farm kid thing.

Tyler Morehead [00:05:15]:
Like, we don't speak up too much about much. But I remember thinking to myself, oh, there's that guy. I haven't seen him in forever. And it was just a really great feeling. And when I left there, I'll never forget, too, I had a big dog at the time. I had an Akita. She had been in the house all day long. So I.

Tyler Morehead [00:05:33]:
When I got done at Hair Club that day, I went home to walk her, to let her out and let her do her thing. And I remember walking her, you know, around the area where I live, and it just felt great. I didn't have to wear a hat. I didn't have to worry about all the hair junk in my hair. I mean, it was just one of the most amazing things. I just. To this day, I still remember how it feels.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:53]:
You used to do some modeling too, is that right?

Tyler Morehead [00:05:55]:
I did. That was back in my younger years when I still had my good looks or whatever looks I did have.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:02]:
So when you see yourself, you're in an industry where, you know, everything is your image and your appearance. Did you feel a little bit of that same kind of confidence you used to have as the younger model, Tyler?

Tyler Morehead [00:06:15]:
Honestly, yeah, I had it all. I mean, I had all that confidence back. I mean, it was pretty wild, you know, and at the same time, there was always a little bit of trepidation, too, because I knew what I had done, and I always wondered how many other people knew. And, you know, I think going back to what you said earlier, fewer people, I think, have recognized it or seen it or even asked me about it.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:36]:
Yeah.

Tyler Morehead [00:06:36]:
Than I thought would.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:42]:
Tyler's experience is a great reminder that the first and most important thing you need to consider when choosing a hair loss solution is to focus on how it makes you feel. Tyler felt his confidence come back, and he saw that guy in the mirror that he hadn't seen in a while. And this is the experience of so many guests that we talk to here on the HairPod. Hair loss can be an emotional thing. It can cause a lot of discomfort or anxiety. For many people, hair is tied to their sense of self identity and maybe most importantly, their confidence. And Tyler was no exception. Our next guest story is unique in that she was born with a rare condition that caused her hair loss at birth.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:23]:
Abby Jensen was diagnosed with amniotic band syndrome. This condition caused scarring on her scalp, and a lot of her hair never came in. Things could have gone very differently for her if her mother hadn't found Hair Club for Kids when Abby was just 4 years old.

Abby Jensen [00:07:47]:
I was 4 years old when I started a hair club. So my mom was very on the ball of, like, I don't want her to go to school without hair. So we started with. I forget the organization, but there was one that wouldn't help me because I didn't have cancer. And then my mom found Hair Club for Men, because back then it was just called For Men. There was really nothing else. And I would have to ask my mom who the directors or the people in charge were, but she found them, and they kind of were like, okay, let's meet with her. Let's see what we can do.

Abby Jensen [00:08:16]:
So they met with me and my parents, and I've been a client now for 20 years, and they.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:20]:
Wow.

Abby Jensen [00:08:21]:
Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:22]:
20 years.

Abby Jensen [00:08:23]:
20 years.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:25]:
That is crazy.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:26]:
Tell me a little bit about your journey.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:28]:
You started when you were four with Hair. You talked about, you know, the different.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:32]:
Wigs that they have, and they have an amazing. I mean, the. The technology and the advancement of wigs. And you can speak to this more than I can. Have you seen just the technology and how it's changed from when you were four until what you can see now?

Abby Jensen [00:08:45]:
Oh, yeah. So I remember my first wig was one I could put on and take off. So my parents had, like, a little head that we would put my hair on. We would go out in public, and then I'd go home and they would take it off and I'd be without it. And then my mom slowly realized that this was not sustainable for, I mean, a kid, like, running around, like, swimming and dancing and stuff. So we got into. They came up. Well, I'm.

Abby Jensen [00:09:07]:
I'm sure I was not the first person to do this, but they had me start using a hair piece that I could glue onto my head. So they used, like, a poly fuse kind of solution in the back of my head because it's less sensitive. So I tape in the front and glue in the back for a long time. And they. I was able to swim, I could dance, I could run, I could shower, I could straighten it if I wanted to, like, add heat products and stuff. So that was, I mean, huge. It allowed me to be normal, like my Friends and, like, my parents and everyone else I knew. So that was.

Abby Jensen [00:09:38]:
I mean, just huge in itself to be able to have the hairpiece. I mean, it just. It saved me, honestly. Like, I can be normal. I can look normal. And you wouldn't know that I wear a wig unless you asked. And I used to be so hidden about it.

Christopher Erstner [00:09:52]:
I.

Abby Jensen [00:09:52]:
Like, if people would tell me, oh, like, I heard this, I. Whatever. And I was just like, no, like, that's not true. Like, my hair is real. I used to hide it. Actually, I'm 24 now, so I've gotten to the point where I can share it. I tell my friends. I mean, I've only just recently started taking my hair off every so often, so I can kind of get used to washing my head on my own, because that was something I could never do to be able to share with my friends and family.

Abby Jensen [00:10:15]:
It was a. I mean, a big thing for. I even come to work now with a scarf on, and that's pretty big, too.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:20]:
So what are the reactions you get?

Kevin Rolston [00:10:21]:
What do people say?

Abby Jensen [00:10:23]:
And, well, now they love it. I mean, yeah, I tell people now and they're like, wow, Like, I can't believe. Like, I mean, you go through that. I can't believe you deal with this. I can't believe you can talk about it so freely. I mean, that's. It's huge to be able to say to people like, oh, this is what I deal with. This is what I have.

Abby Jensen [00:10:39]:
And to show people. I think it's. When I was younger, I wanted someone to look up to, and I didn't have that. I didn't have somebody that looked like me or that, like, had something similar to me. So it was. It was hard. I mean, honestly, it was very tough. But now I can be like, this is who I am.

Abby Jensen [00:10:54]:
It's not going anywhere. I can't change it. I can just embrace it. And I think that's kind of where I'm at is too. I can show my friends, I can show my family. I can be open to strangers about, like, my hair situation and everything. So I think it's a big growth mindset, but also just like an acceptance factor is it's okay to be different. It's okay to have something different than other people.

Abby Jensen [00:11:16]:
And that's the biggest lesson I've learned.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:22]:
Thanks to the efforts of her mom when she was little, Abby got to have a normal childhood and do everything she wanted to do without feeling singled out. Her incredible confidence and openness have brought her to the point where she now can be a role model to kids who are going through what she went through as a kid, and that is a testament to her growth and strength. She's not the only one who's experienced some growth when it comes to being open about their hair loss. Our society as a whole is starting to change and treat hair loss differently. Part of HairPod's mission is to talk openly about hair loss journeys of all kinds, and to share the challenges and the triumphs that touch everybody's life at some point or another. One of our most popular episodes of all time featured an interview with Christopher Erstner, a beauty expert and the founder of a cosmetics brand. We talked about his experience with hair loss and the changes he sees in society when it comes to men and the options that we have for changing our appearance.

Christopher Erstner [00:12:28]:
I think the first thing I did was, like, I didn't want to be that guy that was like, bozo, honestly, where it was just like, hair, and then so I just shaved it off. And then I got really comfortable with wearing hats. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:40]:
Okay, so you had. You went with no hair at all, then you decided to take the whole thing off?

Christopher Erstner [00:12:45]:
Yeah, absolutely. I figured that if I wasn't going to be able to do it right or look right, I was just going to get rid of it. And so I own probably every single coach hat that they've ever made. And I just kind of went along with that. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:59]:
How do you think that made you feel? Because I was almost there. That was the last step before I walked into hair club and got my system was I thought I was going to shave the whole thing, but then I started to realize, to me, I look 15 to 20 years older when I don't have hair. How do you feel like you looked without hair?

Christopher Erstner [00:13:17]:
Same. I mean, of course, you keep it together with the hat. Right. So you want to try to keep it cool and fun with the hat, but there's only so much you could do. Like my sister's wedding. I'm not going to wear a hat walking her down the aisle. But I'm not going to lie. I would have totally done so if she would have let me, I sincerely would have done it.

Christopher Erstner [00:13:36]:
She wasn't, you know, she wasn't about that life. But, you know, you do what you got to do, you know? And enough about men do not have that space in the beauty world to have the ability to say, I don't like this, and I'd like to change it without having some type of, like, Joan Rivers complex, like, you know, with, like, the plastic Surgery. Well, maybe she went a little too far, but that's what she did for herself. We should let people alone. Men are just. And even she gets let off the hook and let you know, you got Kenny Rogers situation where it's like, oh my God, it's a little too much. And then you get talked about forever. And your legacy is to be an amp, you know what I mean? So you kind of have to be cognizant of that.

Christopher Erstner [00:14:17]:
But I think that it's getting better, obviously, social media, and there's so many forms of social media now that you really can't get away from the algorithm. And so at some point you're going to come across it if it's something that you're looking for.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:32]:
I think, yeah, tell me a little bit about. Because, you know, I think that is a big hang up for a lot of guys. It seems like in our society it's much more acceptable, or at least it was, that women would go out and seek beauty type treatments. But men, we take whatever life gives us and we don't really do that kind of stuff. And you talk about your own struggles with that because I think it is. You have to come to a place where you get comfortable. And now I have no problem talking about anything that I've done with hair Club. Very open about it, but it probably was something that either happened in society or my age.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:07]:
What do you think it was for you? Is it something that you get more comfortable with as you get older? Or do you think that societal perceptions about men and hair loss and the treatments that they have are different?

Christopher Erstner [00:15:17]:
I don't think that the society has changed on hair loss in regards to like the sexual capability or compatibility really of what men are to women. Right. So like, I think that's part of the issues that men have is like, I want to be, you know, attractive and I want people attracted to me. And then, you know, we make the world go round. Right. But in terms of like society changing their ideas about that, it really hasn't changed because at least from my perspective, you have, you know, our parents and then their parents, men were just, they kind of have the world on a string, right? And women were meant, were supposed to be like very well kept and you gotta wait for your husband to come home. So you have that very chauvinistic kind of attitude that they didn't realize was chauvinistic until years later. But.

Christopher Erstner [00:16:08]:
And those things have changed since, you know, the women's movement in the 70s and then the 80s were just like, you Know, one big party and then, you know, the 90s is, I think, what people started understanding. Like, I'd like to look a certain way and given the room to do so. And then you got to 2000s where things are just not the same anymore. And then pre Covid or post Covid now I think that the world completely changed in a different way, and people are just like, you know what? I'm just going to live life the way I want to live. And if that means that I have to admit to one or two things, I am going to seek help for hair loss. Or I'm not. It's one or the other. I gotta be me.

Christopher Erstner [00:16:47]:
And I think that more younger men are certainly happier with the options than I think that we were when we were kids, for sure.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:59]:
It's amazing how as our society changes and technology improves, there are happy endings in sight for more and more people who are looking to get their hair back. Nowadays, no matter why you lost your hair, there is an option out there that will work for you and give you the results that you want. The hard part could be finding the perfect match for you. Our next guest, Carol, found her perfect match after her cancer diagnosis and intense rounds of chemotherapy that took her hair from her. Thankfully, her cancer went into remission, and she was able to return to her life and career with a clean bill of health. But she still had to deal with the fact that her hair didn't come back in and she didn't feel like herself without him. She lost her extroverted personality and she began turning down opportunities at work. That was before a woman at a survivor support group told her about hair.

Carol Combs [00:17:57]:
I'll never forget the day. It was May 25, 1995, and I had a big retirement party that I had put on for somebody who had worked for the company for 40, and there were going to be over 300 people there, so. And I went with. With my new hair, and I was like my old self. I just. Nobody looked at me differently. People were like, oh, did you get a perm? Your hair looks so great. And I mean, in that moment, I just was so much joy.

Carol Combs [00:18:29]:
I mean, I thought, wow.

Abby Jensen [00:18:32]:
Look what.

Carol Combs [00:18:33]:
Hair club has done for me.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:36]:
It's. It's life changing. That's amazing to feel like that, to.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:39]:
Feel like yourself again. Did you feel like this was kind of the moment where you felt the victory over cancer? You felt like the old Carol was back and that you had nothing but life to live?

Carol Combs [00:18:50]:
Absolutely. I mean, I was done with treatments at that point and wasn't real sure, you know, how was it going to navigate back into my social life and all that and meeting that girl and going to hair club, seeing that it's all now possible, that was huge.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:13]:
Journeys like Carol's show, the incredible power of investing in yourself and doing whatever it it takes to get your life back. And I think the beautiful thing about these stories, as diverse as they are, they all come down to that. It's about listening to yourself and looking for the solution that is right for you. I was a person who realized at the age of 25 that I was starting to lose my hair. And looking back at the genetics of my family through my dad, my maternal grandfather, I knew I was probably doomed to have the same hairline that they did, which was pretty much non existent except for the sides. So at that age, I sought out help and treatment and I did some things that really slowed down my hair loss. But 15 to 20 years later, those measures just weren't as effective as they had been. And I knew I had to take a different step.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:04]:
I was getting to the point where it looked like I was really faking it. I'm getting like comb over guy kind of syndrome or just patchy baldness. It looked like I had some form of mange. It just wasn't how I wanted to look. I knew I had to do something. So I had two options. I thought, either you can go on ahead and just shave it all off, or you can go with a place like Hair Club. But like a lot of people that had seen the TV commercials, I was skeptical.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:27]:
Plus, for me, there was a stigma that I just kind of grew up with as a child. In the 80s, we're getting a different kind of hair, a toupee, whatever you want to call it, just really wasn't trendy and it's not where I wanted to go. But a problem for me, unlike a lot of guys, I do not look good without hair. So I set up an appointment to go to the Hair Club. And you know what, I didn't go. I thought, you know, no, no, no, this is not for me. Then I took another look in the mirror. I got off the clippers and I got close.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:55]:
But I said, you know what, just go sit down with Hair Club and see what they have to say. What they told me about a hair system blew my mind. I was going to have real human hair on my head. It was going to look natural. Strangers could run their hair through it and they wouldn't know that I had anything but my own natural hair. I Could be active in it. I could go swimming, bungee jumping, canoeing, whatever, and I was going to be okay. So I took the leap, and the results were absolutely amazing.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:24]:
And now, for over seven years now, I have been a member of the hair club. And let me tell you, it has changed my life dramatically. I look 15 years younger. I look a lot more attractive than I would without hair. I know, and my wife loves it, and that's really what matters. Plus, being in the public eye like I am, I was able to maintain my confidence. And for anybody, even if you're not in the media, it's a pretty big deal. That's why I want people to know about hair cloth, because I want you to have the same kind of great feelings that I do.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:54]:
Okay, we got one last clip for you today, and it comes from Jeff Elzeni. He's been working for Hair Club for many years now, and he truly believes in the product, not just because he knows it can make a difference, but because he uses it himself. Jeff's story, like the others that you've heard today, is one of triumph. Finding your confidence in living the life that you really want to live.

Jeff ElZenny [00:22:21]:
So I started losing my hair when I was a junior in high school. And, you know, the problem with that was I looked so much older than I was, you know, 17 years old. Looked like I was going on 30 at that point. It was crazy. By the time I graduated high school, I looked like I was in my late 30s, almost 40, you know, so it was a major, major hit to the ego. You know, you know me as this outgoing guy, and, you know, I'm always out and talkative and, you know, really just kind of living my best life. Right. When I went through that, I became a recluse.

Jeff ElZenny [00:22:51]:
I didn't want the attention. I didn't want people to call me out on it. So I figured it would just be easier for me to not be in those environments, so I stayed away from it. That's really where the story started. At 21 years old, I was dating a hairdresser, and we had a conversation, and she said, hey, there's this guy that comes into my place, and he's a member, and he looks really good, and maybe you should look into that. So at that point, I did ended up becoming a member not too long after, you know, and getting my hair back. And, man, you know, like I said earlier, it was a life changer. Not only did it make me look younger, feel better, it gave me me back.

Jeff ElZenny [00:23:26]:
It gave me my life back. You know.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:28]:
Yeah.

Jeff ElZenny [00:23:29]:
So, you know, all of that stuff, and then in the future, obviously, you know, she wasn't the one. So dating and being out there again and being single and living, you know, living that life, it was a game changer because you have your confidence. I wasn't worried about, you know, I looked older than I felt and all that stuff. I felt younger. You know, I had a cool hairstyle. I able to, you know, working out and all that stuff. So it was. It was a big change, you know, and then for me, about a year and a half into it, you know, I became an employee.

Jeff ElZenny [00:23:55]:
So I started working with a company, and really meeting with people was a. It was a mission of mine to be able to help people make the changes that I made. But that was really important to me. And, you know, I won't take anything away from what I did in my prior years, but a lot of people, you know, whenever I'm, I'm told to, like, say, tell me something that nobody knows about you. Well, I'm a licensed electrician, so that's what I went to school to be. Yeah, that's what I did before I got involved in. Yeah, man. So, you know, one of the jokes that I tell my friends that are like, why do you do what you do? It's, you know, it's just a crazy field to be in.

Jeff ElZenny [00:24:25]:
Well, my joke is nobody remembers who put the light switch in your house. Right. But everybody remembers who helped them get their hair back and who helped them change their life. Right. So it's. To me, it was more of a meaningful move because I know what it did for me personally, and I wanted to be able to help other people go through that themselves.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:46]:
We want to thank all of our incredible guests for coming on the show and opening up about their hair loss. If you're going through hair loss right now, you might know how hard it is to do. And if you're someone who is currently supporting a friend or family member who is losing their hair, you probably see it, too. HairPod would not be possible without people who are willing to share their stories in hopes that their experiences can help others. And we want to thank you for listening to this. You are helping us break the stigma surrounding hair loss by educating yourself and sharing with others one story at a time. For more inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who have been through hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:33]:
Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or Search Hairpod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you're enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcasts.hairclub.com we're here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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Related Episodes

How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Mar 4, 2025

Discover Angela Fields’ journey with hair thinning, CCCA alopecia, and the solutions that helped her regain confidence in this special Women’s History Month episode.

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In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

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Is Stress Causing Your Hair Loss?

by Julian Miranda | Nov 19, 2024 | Episode

Episode 39

Is Stress Causing Your Hair Loss?

If your hair is thinning but you’re not sure why, it’s time to take a look at your stress levels. It’s important to understand the relationship between stress and hair loss if you want any hope of stopping the thinning or even growing your hair back. In this episode of HairPod, I sat down with Dr. Angie Phipps, a renowned hair transplant surgeon and expert in hair loss, to explore the external factors that contribute to hair thinning and loss.

Stress-related Hair Loss and Cortisol Levels

Stress-induced hair loss is more common than you might think. Dr. Phipps explains that elevated cortisol levels, the hormone produced during stress, can cause hair follicles to shut down. “Your hair follicle cells are so sensitive to changes in hormones,” she says. This condition, known as telogen effluvium, leads to increased shedding but is usually temporary. If you can manage your stress levels, your hair will often grow back unless the stress itself is kickstarting someone’s natural male or female pattern hair loss.

Illness and Hair Loss: The Hidden Connection

The impact of illness on hair loss often goes unnoticed. Serious illnesses, especially those causing chronic inflammation like autoimmune disorders, can lead to significant hair shedding. Dr. Phipps notes, “Your hair follicle cells don’t like your body having inflammation; it scares them.” Even viral infections like COVID-19 have been linked to hair loss due to prolonged internal inflammation affecting hair follicle health.

Diet, Nutrient Deficiencies, and Hair Thinning

Diet plays a pivotal role in maintaining healthy hair. Nutrient deficiencies can weaken hair follicles, making them more susceptible to shedding. Rapid weight loss from crash diets or medications like Ozempic can cause metabolic stress, leading to hair thinning. Ensuring you get the recommended daily allowances of vitamins and minerals is key to preventing diet-related hair loss.

Exploring Hair Restoration Options

When it comes to hair restoration, one size doesn’t fit all. Dr. Phipps discusses how treatments vary based on individual needs. Alternatives like Hair Club’s Xtrands and Xtrands+ offer non-surgical solutions for anyone who is looking to make their hair appear more voluminous and full. Consulting with a hair loss specialist can help determine the best course of action tailored to your specific condition.

Check out Episode 034: Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss with Dr. Phipps

Episode.39 Transcript

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:00:02]:
The trichotillomania does cause chronic hair loss and chronic inflammation, but it doesn't cause a scarring form of hair loss. Once you get them under control and they're no longer pulling, then the inflammation will go away from that chronic pulling and everything will settle down and the environment of the scalp will return to normal and healthy. And you can transplant into those patients as long as they're under psychological behavioral treatment to make sure, because you don't want them to start pulling out the transplanted hairs as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:44]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I'm your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. In this episode of HairPod, I'm going to be talking with one of our favorite guests of all time, Dr. Angie Phipps. Dr. Phipps is a hair transplant surgeon who is an expert in all things hair loss. Last time we had her on the show, we had an in depth conversation about male and female pattern thinning and how our hormones and genetics interact to determine whether that's something you'll experience.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:29]:
It was an enlightening conversation, and if you want to check it out, we linked to episode 34 in our show notes. So we all know we can't change our genetics as far as hair loss is concerned. But I wanted to go into more depth with Dr. Phipps about what kinds of things we can control when it comes to hair loss and what those external factors are.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:01:53]:
The biggest one is stress. It's funny though, because stress comes back to producing a hormone. So when you're under stress, you produce a hormone called cortisol. So cortisol is another hormone and it rises. And your hair follicle cells are so sensitive to changes in hormones, they detect that changing cortisol level systemically through your body when you're under stress. And it scares them that these cortisol levels are high. So they think they need to protect themselves from this bad hormone, cortisol, and it will cause the cells to shut down and go and prematurely go in or jump into the dormant or resting phase of the hair follicle life cycle. And when that happens, then the hair that's growing will then stop growing and fall out.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:02:39]:
So stress can cause hair loss. Now, what I tell patients, though, is that stress does not cause permanent hair loss, meaning that the Cortisol hormone does not kill the hair follicle like the testosterone DHT hormone does. So it just causes it to shock and shut down and the hair loss falls out. But the stress has to get back to a normal level where the cortisol levels are normal so that the hair follicle cells don't recognize them anymore so that they can recover from their resting phase and go back into their growth phase and produce the hair again. So you got to get the stress under control. But if you're under constant stress, you're going to have constant hair loss and shedding. But it's not necessarily permanent unless that stress is a activator or kind of like a kick in the pants. For the male pattern hair loss, it accelerates it, it's an accelerant.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:03:34]:
So the stress can be an accelerant for male pattern hair loss. And so then it can accelerate the male pattern hair loss and you can eventually see permanent hair loss from stress because it was the accelerant or the inducer for the male pattern hair loss to kind of take off and pick up or female hair loss at a faster rate than it would if the stress wasn't there. Because I tell patients, look, if stress caused permanent hair loss, I would be bald. Every mother in America would be bald. Right? And we're not. And so it can cause hair loss. It's not permanent hair loss, but it takes six to nine months for your hair follicle cells to recover from stress hair loss because it's got to go through the dormant phase of the resting phase before it can go back into the active phase. But it can be a trigger or an accelerant for male pattern hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:20]:
Now do you have any idea? Because we all have stress. If you have a job, if you have kids, if you have in laws, you know, you have stress. If you're married in a relationship, there are going to be stressors. But then there are things that are more extreme stress. I've heard about, for instance, going through a divorce and that is a high stress level and the effects that that has on the body. Have you noticed through studies that different forms of stress like divorce or things like that rank higher than somebody who just has a challenging job or challenging children?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:04:50]:
Yes. It's not just everyday stress that causes that type of hair loss. It's major traumatic events like a divorce, a death in the family, undergoing, you know, a major surgical procedure, undergoing bariatric surgery. That's a huge stress on the body where hormones and all kinds of things are being manipulated. You lose a lot of weight, all kinds of things are shifting. So it's the major metabolic stressors to the body and major psychological stressors to the body that cause that hair loss, just not your day in and day out stress. So when patients come in and they're, they're talking about their hair loss and you know, usually when patients say, you know, I've lost this hair gradually over the last five to 10 years, that's pretty typical for the story of male or female pattern thinning. When they say the past, you know, I've lost all this hair over the last six months.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:05:44]:
A year ago my hair was fine. And I say, okay, let's backtrack six months. What's going on? Or like, nothing. I'm like, six months ago, what happened? And they're like, oh, I had, you know, my favorite aunt died, or I broke up with my boyfriend, or, you know, if you trace the story back six months to nine months or so, you can almost always identify some sort of major stressor potentially that then happened and then the hair loss ensued over the, over the, quickly over the next several months. That's an indicator of the stress. Hair loss. It's called stress telogen, effluvium. So the, the medical term for that hair loss is called telogen because that's the resting phase of the hair follicle.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:06:23]:
Effluvium means shedding out.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:26]:
Okay, now, when you have stressful situations too, sometimes you may not be eating or doing things like that. So how much do periods in your life where you're just so stressed you can't eat, or you're so sad you can't eat and you're not getting the nutrients in your body that you need. How much of an effect would that also have to play with the stress in you shedding the hair?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:06:49]:
Yeah, your diet is a huge component to healthy hair, just like your diet's a huge component to having healthy skin and, you know, just healthy organs and healthy everything. Your hair, you know, recognizes whenever it's in a vitamin or mineral or protein deficiency and will react accordingly by being scared and shut down and fall out. You see lots of pictures with, you know, young girls who have eating disorders and their hair is usually always very thin, brittle, easily damaged. And it's because they're not getting the nutrients to maintain strong hair follicle cells to produce strong hair shafts. So in crash dieting, women are just prone to wanting to be thinner sometimes and will do drastic measures to try and lose weight quickly for a reunion or for a Holiday. And that is not good for the body and it's definitely not good for the hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:41]:
Have you noticed any kind of correlation or connection with women or men either way, who are on any of these newer diet drugs that are out there? The Ozempics, semaglutides and hair loss, are those connected in any way?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:07:53]:
I have seen Ozempic. We're calling it Ozempic hair loss and they call it Ozempic face or Ozempic tush. You know, seeing Ozempic hair because they're losing weight so quickly that there's a shift in your metabolics. And the GLP1 medications are changing the metabolism, which is good for fat know, loss. But when you do it that quickly and not over a steady state, the hair follicle cells respond to that drama, the drastic change, and they start to shut down and have shedding.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:26]:
Wow. Okay. Yeah, that's. Well, what, what an experience where you're losing the weight, but you're also losing the hair.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:08:32]:
Yeah. And we have, you know, when Covid was so rampant, I mean, I saw hundreds of patients with COVID hair loss because they were having that major viral load in their body that was wreaking havoc and it was, you know, causing internal inflammation. And your hair follicle cells recognize internal metabolic changes and inflammation and they respond accordingly by going into protective mode. And that means shutting down, going dormant, and that causes the shedding of the hair shaft.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:06]:
Stress comes in a variety of forms, and they're not always immediately recognizable as something that could cause hair loss. Whether it's a major event like the loss of a loved one or rapid weight loss, these things can cause strain on the body, and it's important to be aware of that. Hair health can be almost like an indicator for what your body might be going through. So it's important to pay attention to those thinning patches, especially if you've gone through any major life changes. This got me thinking about how illness can affect the body and whether something like the flu or Covid could cause hair loss.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:09:46]:
Usually the flu is so short lived that it doesn't necessarily cause that, but, you know, because what we found with the COVID is that is, even though the symptoms may have only lasted a particular length of time, the inflammation that was caused from that virus was staying in the system a lot longer and causing persistent internal effects on the lungs and other organs that you wasn't necessarily manifesting outside physical symptoms anymore. Like, you know, but internally it was still having a chronic effect. But yeah, chronic medical conditions can cause hair Loss and people who are had chronic, especially chronic inflammatory illnesses like lupus and autoimmune disorders because the autoimmune disorders produce inflammation and your hair follicle cells don't like your body having inflammation, it scares them and so they shut down and have shedding. So a lot of times people, patients who have chronic medical conditions, even if it's not an inflammatory medical condition, though they're taking medications. And chronic use of certain medications has even been shown in studies to potentially have a deleterious effect to the hair follicles because of the chronic medication use by the mechanism of action that the medications are having on the body.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:04]:
Well, talking about how important nutrients are to your body, what foods have you noticed that either add to hair loss or can help prevent hair loss? Are there certain foods? How should your diet look if this is the goal that you have to slow down your hair loss?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:11:18]:
Yeah. So you don't need. No specific food's going to make your hair grow or I'd be eating it every day. But you need a well balanced diet. You need, you know, the recommended daily allowances of all your vitamins and your minerals and your, you know, your nutrients. You need to be eating your fruits, you need to be eating your vegetables. And so just eating a well balanced diet, you don't want to be too high in protein or too low in protein or no carbs and no sugar. You know, it's all about balance and making sure that you're.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:11:49]:
Because your hair follicles need the nutrition just like your body does. And in order for your body to stay in homeostasis or balance, you need a well balanced meal.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:59]:
Have you noticed any correlation with over processed, overly processed foods or maybe some of the sodas that we consume? Has there ever been any kind of correlation to that with hair thinning or hair loss?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:12:10]:
Nothing documented study wise that I can recall. Again, it's just a, you know, a balance of limiting your, you know, processed foods. Absolutely. Because it has a high salt and that's just not good for, you know, you know, good for your heart, good for your body, good for anything.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:24]:
Right.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:12:24]:
Okay. And just watching the, you know, the diet sodas because of the aspartame and the end of, you know, the different sweeteners that they use is just not good. But as far as being having a direct correlation to any hair loss. No.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:35]:
Now there might be other things that are not necessarily due to what you're doing with your body and the food you're consuming. Maybe something that would be a hormonal Imbalance, like a hypothyroidism or something like that. How do you know if maybe that's what is causing it? How do you get something like that diagnosed?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:12:52]:
Yeah, so when patients come in, I go through a full medical history, you know, asking them about all the body systems and the endocrine system is, you know, one of the major ones that can be off kilter that can have a contributory effect to hair loss. Thyroid is one of the hormones that, when it's off your hair follicle cells, you know, respond to. And so I'll ask my female patients and my male patients, you know, have you been to the doctor in the last year and had a metabolic workup to see if your thyroid is functioning normally or to make sure you're not anemic? So. And there can be medical causes of hair loss other than the genetics of the male or female pattern. And the two most common medical conditions that cause hair loss are thyroid abnormalities and anemia. So those are usually the two blood tests that I recommend patients to go have checked at their family practice doctor if they haven't had anything done to do a workup for their hair loss, because they may have male or female pattern hair loss, but they may also have thyroid or anemia that's compounding the male or female pattern hair loss. So you want to get rid of any medical cause of hair loss that you can and get that treated, and then we can, you know, work on the, you know, the genetic component.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:03]:
So are there different types of these autoimmune diseases? I assume, you know, you could look into something like Hashimoto's disease or something along those lines, and an expert would be able to identify that pretty quickly what you have.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:14:15]:
So when you go to the doctor, they'll test your, you know, your thyroid, and based upon what those hormone levels are, it'll. It'll direct them into a way of whether you have low thyroid or high thyroid and, you know, can get you on the proper medications. The other autoimmune, you know, disorders that produce chronic inflammation are more along the lines of like lupus, sarcoid and some of those inflammatory conditions like that. But those are, you know, two things that can cause hair loss. Those are common, but not real common. The real common medical causes are, you know, usually thyroid anemia and poor diet.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:53]:
What would you say is the hardest thing to treat when it comes to it? You got anything from just your standard genetic hair loss. You've got your stresses, you've got your autoimmune diseases. What do you find to be the most threatening to a good head of hair.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:15:07]:
Yeah. So the autoimmune, or what we call scarring, forms of hair loss are the most hard because what's happening is underneath the surface of the scalp skin, your body is producing inflammation chronically. But it's what we call subclinical inflammation, meaning that you don't feel it and you don't see it, even so you don't know that it's there. So it's there for years, just ruminating underneath the surface of the skin. And that inflammation is causing pressure on the roots of the hair follicles over time and just pressing and pressing and pressing, and eventually it'll kill the hair follicle cell from just being there for so long. So it's super important for both men and women to get an appropriate specialty evaluation by a hair loss physician in the early times of hair loss, so that if it looks suspicious or the history of it just doesn't seem like male or female pattern hair loss, that we can get you to potentially a dermatologist and get a biopsy of that scalp skin to find out what's going on at the cellular level underneath the surface of the skin, so that we can treat the pathological condition that's causing the hair loss, so that it we can either hopefully restore those hair follicle cells back to functioning capability and regrow hair, or at least get rid of the inflammation or tame or control the inflammation so that the hair loss doesn't get worse. Because once it's gone. In scarring forms of hair loss, you can't even transplant into those areas, because if you take a transplanted hair and put it into that area, the cause of the reason of why the hair fell out the first time will cause the transplanted hair to fall out.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:16:46]:
So you need to detect early detection for those scarring forms of hair loss so that it doesn't get to the point of there actually being a bald spot. Because sometimes then we can't even do anything from a surgical standpoint. However, the saving grace of that is we have hair club who can use their expertise to be able to give hair to those patients.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:09]:
This is an absolute masterclass and just how our bodies respond to stress in so many different forms. Dr. Phipps gave so many good reminders of medical conditions and viruses that can cause hair loss. Hopefully, if you're sitting at home and wondering why your hair is falling out, maybe this is a sign to check in with your doctor to see whether or not your hormone levels a nutrient Deficiency or even a chronic illness could be the reason. The human body is incredibly complex and it's critical to have professional help. In a lot of these cases, not only could it reverse or reduce your hair loss, that could just be the tip of the iceberg as far as your healing is concerned. But physical health issues aren't the only cause of hair loss. Mental health disorders like trichotillomania can cause a person to compulsively pull their own hair out.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:00]:
I was curious as to whether or not this could cause scarring like some of the inflammatory illnesses we were talking about.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:18:13]:
The trichotillomania does cause, you know, chronic hair loss and chronic inflammation, but it doesn't cause a scarring form of hair loss. And on the TV show Bad Hair Day, I actually did two transplants on two patients that had trichotillomania. Once you get them under control and they're no longer pulling, then the scalp will, the inflammation will go away from that chronic pulling and everything will settle down and the environment of the scalp will return to normal and healthy. And you can transplant into those patients as long as they're under psychological, behavioral treatment to make sure, because you don't want them to start pulling out the transplanted hairs as well. So they have to be under medical care for the trichotillomania. I did a scalp transplant on a female who had trichotillomania, and we did two surgeries on her, very successful. And I did an eyebrow transplant on a patient who pulled out all her eyebrows. And we just did one, you know, one treatment to her and it was successful.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:08]:
Now, you working with Bosley, understanding what hair club does, how do you determine when somebody is best with a surgical procedure or whether best going to a hair club and getting a hair system or something along those lines. Can you look and how do you determine who you send where for something like that?

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:19:27]:
Yeah, so you have to, number one, you got to talk to the patient and find out what are your goals, what are you looking to achieve, you know, and then you have to look at supply and demand. If a patient comes in and they're totally bald on top, and they've only got that 2 or 3 inch rim of hair around the back of the head, and they want a full head of hair, that's never going to be accomplished with a transplant. And so that's going to be a patient who, if they want a full head of hair or even want, you know, a little bit of hair, sometimes a transplant isn't an option. And that's the you know, that's definitely a patient that I'm referring to Hair Club. And so you have to have the donor hair to be able to move into the area of hair loss, to be able to accomplish the result of having, you know, less scalp visibility. And there is a limit to how thick a transplant can look because there has to be a little bit of spacing in between the hair grafts because they're living little organs that require a blood supply. And so the density that can be achieved safely, surgically in one procedure is usually not the result of being able to take somebody and give them a full head of hair with no scalp visibility in one procedure. And if that's the patient's goal and that's the budget that they have, and they can't potentially do what's necessary to get that result from a hair transplant, we'll send those patients to Hair Club.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:20:42]:
And women are very difficult from a transplant standpoint because sometimes the donor hair, which is the hair in the back of the head that is typically not affected by the hormones and doesn't thin, can sometimes be affected in women the way it is is not in men. And they are not even a transplant candidate. And so for them, I send them to Hair Club to look at the product called X strands, which can give a really voluminous look of hair, or the X strands plus, which can give them, you know, a complete hair. You know, system just depends upon what their goals are. And a lot of times I see patients that come in and they don't have female pattern hair loss. They've just got really fine, thin hair. And they think, if I get a transplant, it's going to give me a full head of hair again. And that's not what a transplant can accomplish.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:21:32]:
And so patients who come in with fine, thin hair, I absolutely refer them to Hair Club for the X strands because they're going to be able to provide them with the hair strands attached to their existing hair that's just going to give them a huge voluminous amount of hair that's going to give them the result that they're looking for that they thought a transplant would give, but it can't. So again, it's about seeing, you know, a specialist who can tell you what treatments will work, what treatments won't work, and whether you're a good candidate. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it unless you're a good candidate for something. And so I really pride myself on patient, you know, on my ethics and morals of when a Patient comes in. There's lots of patients I could do transplants on that. I don't because I know what their overall goal is going to be. I know what the result from a surgical transplant that I'm going to be able to give them. And when I know that's not going to match, I don't let them go through with the procedure.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:22:22]:
I say, look, hair club is the option for you that's going to give you what you want. I know you thought you wanted a transplant, but this isn't something that I can accomplish through these means. I'm going to send you to Hair Club. I'm taking money out of my own, my own pocket. But I'm going to, you know, I'm doing it because I'm your advocate. I tell patients I want your money, but I don't need your money. I need you to be happy. I need you to get what you are paying for.

Dr. Angela Phipps [00:22:44]:
And if I'm not the answer to that, I gladly send them to somebody who is. And that's always haircut.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:54]:
As we wrap up today's insightful discussion with Dr. Phipps, it's clear that stress and illness can profoundly affect not just our minds, but our bodies as well, even leading to hair loss. But remember, understanding these connections is a powerful first step towards healing. There is hope and help available, and you're not alone in this journey. By acknowledging the impact of stress and seeking support, we can all take meaningful steps towards better health and well being. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you share it with them.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:37]:
If you're enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com we're here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you until next time. This.

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Related Episodes

How Menopause Contributes to Hair Loss

Mar 4, 2025

Discover Angela Fields’ journey with hair thinning, CCCA alopecia, and the solutions that helped her regain confidence in this special Women’s History Month episode.

Women’s History of Hair Loss Solutions

Mar 11, 2025

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week we’re focusing on the history of women’s hair loss treatments and solutions, from ancient times to cutting-edge modern-day solutions.

Listen & Subscribe

Listen to HairPod™ on various streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Subscribe and be the first to listen to new episodes.

Available now at:

Hair Loss, Confidence & Racing With Frankie Muniz

by Julian Miranda | Nov 12, 2024 | Episode

Episode 38

Hair Loss, Confidence & Racing with Frankie Muniz

Hair Loss, Confidence, and Racing with Frankie Muniz

This week on HairPod, we welcomed one of our favorite guests back to the show, Frankie Muniz. We talked about his experience as an actor dealing with hair loss, and how things have changed since he got his hair back. Listen in to hear how finding his confidence again is impacting his career as a NASCAR driver.

Hair Loss in the Public Eye

As an actor and race car driver, Frankie Muniz understands the impact of hair loss on public perception and personal confidence. In the entertainment industry, most “leading men” have a full head of hair, and in his early 20’s, Frankie found his hair thinning. Frankie recounts how this affected his acting opportunities, making him appear older than he truly was. His decision to use a hair system has led to a more youthful appearance and a positive change in his overall presence.

Hair Systems and Confidence

Frankie Muniz shares his transformative experience with hair systems at HairClub, highlighting how regaining his hair significantly boosted his confidence. For Frankie, visiting HairClub is more than a regular errand; it’s his “me time” where he enjoys a head massage and a fresh haircut. Frankie ensures his look remains fresh and natural-looking with trips to a HairClub center every two weeks. Not only does he experience a boost to his self-esteem with his hair system, he also compares it to the self-care that many women get from going to a spa.

HairClub: Tailored Solutions for Every Lifestyle

While hair systems are growing in popularity, many people still don’t know much about how they work or where to get a high-quality one. Frankie wasn’t sure what to expect when he first looked into getting his hair system, and he wondered if it would be able to withstand his active, fast-paced career. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that HairClub caters to individuals of all ages and lifestyles, including active professionals like himself.

Maintaining a Hair System

Hair systems, in Frankie’s experience, require similar maintenance to having natural hair. He uses shampoo and conditioner to keep it clean just like he would with his natural hair and goes into a HairClub Center every two weeks for a professional touch-up. This ease of maintenance allows Frankie to focus on his demanding career as a NASCAR driver without worrying about his hair and knowing it will look great every time he takes off his helmet post-race.

Episode.38 Transcript

Frankie Muniz [00:00:02]:
When I go to Hair Club, it's like a very relaxing, like, me time. You know what I mean? That hour that I'm in the chair, get my head massage, I get my hair cut, it feels good. So, like, I go once every two weeks to the center, and I probably get a new system once every two months. But, you know, obviously I want it to be as fresh as it can be, so they take really good care of me there, and that would be the only additional time.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:44]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I'm your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. Today, we're thrilled to have a guest whose story highlights the importance of confidence both in front of the camera and behind the wheel. Last time he came on the show, he talked about his hair loss journey and the various solutions he tried before going with the hair system, which finally gave him the results he was after. This week, we're going to be digging a little bit deeper into how his hair loss impacted him as an actor and whether having a full head of hair really makes a difference on the racetrack. That's right. We've got another interview with Frankie Muniz.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:40]:
We recorded this episode a while ago, but its message is timeless. No matter what you do, confidence is key. We started the interview by talking about hair loss affected Frankie as an actor, not just in the terms of the kinds of roles that he would get, but also how he thought of himself as well.

Frankie Muniz [00:02:01]:
As a actor, as a, let's call it a leading man. If you think about it, there's not many lead actors in films or TV that are, like, balding, unless they're the awkward, funny, balding friend. You know what I mean? So I know that there were things that I had been up for they were really highly considering me for. And I ended up meeting with the producers, and I remember specifically one saying that they just thought that I looked a lot older than they thought I was going to. And I think it was because my hair was just really, really thin. It's one of those things as well. Like, I knew it was thinning, but when you live your life every day, like, you don't see it, like, go from having full hair to zero. Right? It's a gradual thing, and I think you really notice it now.

Frankie Muniz [00:02:49]:
Like, if I See any picture, Any. Even a film. Like, I was watching something the other day and one of my movies came on from something I filmed in maybe 2011, 2012. And I couldn't believe how bad my hair looked. And I say that because, like, I remember thinking when we filmed it that they did a really good job of filling it in and making it look good. I remember thinking, like, wow, they did so good on that movie. And I watched it and I was like, wow, I'm shocked. So you really notice it.

Frankie Muniz [00:03:20]:
I think now, because I'm used to this. I'm used to seeing a full head of hair. I'm used to having the confidence and all that. But as far as. Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't say that it didn't hurt me. I don't have specific examples, but I know how I feel if I'm filming something now or I'm on camera now. Compared to how I did those years where I was in that. In between, trying to figure out kind of a solution other than wearing a hat, you know?

Kevin Rolston [00:03:46]:
Yeah, right.

Frankie Muniz [00:03:47]:
Didn't work very good.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:49]:
What really surprised me about our last conversation was. And I've seen so many actors in Hollywood, John Travolta has clearly been doing some things when it comes to this, that I figured something like a hair club or hair systems would be prevalent throughout the industry. Because to your point, you don't really see leading men with any kind of hair issues whatsoever. It's like there's just a magical thing when it comes to Hollywood that there's no hair. So I thought it probably was something that was prevalent and everybody referred everybody else and you all knew about hair systems and we were the last to find out. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

Frankie Muniz [00:04:22]:
Here's the crazy thing. I went through all those other options or attempts at solutions because I didn't know that a hair system was an option. I really had no idea about it. And then even Hair Club, again, I'd heard of Hair Club, but I didn't really know what maybe Hair Club did. Like, I. I also maybe thought it was. Even though I was balding and thinning and all that, Like, I thought it was for older people. I didn't realize that they worked with people of all ages, kids, women, you know, just everyone they have solutions for.

Frankie Muniz [00:04:56]:
I didn't know that. So it really took me going in. And maybe that's my fault for not kind of looking into Hair Club a little more. Initially. I would kind of. I would talk to whoever I talked to, and they were like, oh, here's a solution. Oh, try this. Or I did this.

Frankie Muniz [00:05:09]:
Or I had a friend who had a hair transplant. He said, go to this doctor. They were so. And I just kind of was like, sure. I didn't really. I was maybe so desperate that I didn't do the research that I needed to do. And yeah, it was interesting.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:26]:
Frankie brings up an interesting notion here. The idea that you can be desperate for a solution but feel overwhelmed in the face of all the options that are out there. When we interviewed him before on episode 26, he talked about all the things he tried to get his hair back. So definitely check out our show notes for a link to that episode if you want to hear more of the specifics. When it came to hair systems, Frankie didn't know much about him before he started with Hair Club.

Frankie Muniz [00:05:59]:
I had seen some of these social media posts of systems being put on, but even that, I remember having so many questions of being like, well, a, where do they do that? How do they do that? How long does it last? Is it uncomfortable? Like, you know, a bunch of things I was like, I don't know, like, I live a very active lifestyle, especially with the racing now, right. I've got a helmet on, I'm sweating, it's 170 degrees in the car. I'm working out, you know, two, three hours a day. Like, I'm very, very hard on my hair. And I wasn't sure that if a system could keep up with me, if that makes sense. And absolutely one of the most eye opening things or, you know, I think I'm the perfect test subject or whatever you want to call it that. Like, it doesn't matter what you do for a living or how, you know, hard you are on your hair. Like I was in the ocean the whole last week on vacation and swimming.

Frankie Muniz [00:06:53]:
And you, like, you can literally do anything and everything with your hair system. And I think that was a question I have a lot of people actually ask me, like in person and they go, like, what can you not do with it? Like, how do you take care of it? And really, it's my hair. Like, I just do the same thing I normally would have done, right? I wash it the same way, I condition it the same way. I, I do whatever I wanted I want to do and I don't let it hold me back at all. And it doesn't hold me back at all.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:20]:
You come out of the ocean, do you towel dry it? How do you dry it when it's been wet and you've been active? What do you do for that?

Frankie Muniz [00:07:26]:
I just dry it normal. I don't know. I don't have any restrictions or think like, oh, I've got to be careful. I've got to do this. I've got to do that. Like, it's. It's my hair. And, you know, I think that's a testament to everyone at Hair Club, right? They have a lot of different options when it comes to adhesives or ways that they apply it or systems.

Frankie Muniz [00:07:47]:
So, you know, there's full lace systems, there's skin systems, there's these hybrid systems. So I have some hybrid systems, which is skin in the front, lace in the back, so it helps breathe a little more with my helmet.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:57]:
Oh, wow.

Frankie Muniz [00:07:58]:
And we've, you know, that's one thing with Hair Club is they'll work with you to try to figure out what solution will work the best for you. And I think we found that now to where, you know, there's a little period of trial and error of, like, what works better with your skin and all that kind of stuff. And once we figure that we've got our system down and. And I have full confidence that I never have to worry about it at all.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:21]:
So you'll be in a race car which is 30 degrees plus hotter than it is even outside. You're sweating, you're hot, you take your helmet off. There's never even a concern when you're in front of people saying, okay, is my hair still on or did it come off in the helmet?

Frankie Muniz [00:08:35]:
Never a concern. Never a concern. You know, initially, I won't lie, like, yeah, I was like, is it going to. What's it going to do? Like, yeah. Do I need to hide when I take my helmet off? No. That was just kind of the. Me getting kind of over that fear as someone who just didn't know, you know what I mean? And. But no, I have no fear that that's going to be an issue at all.

Frankie Muniz [00:08:55]:
And the cool thing, though, as well is with Hair Club, and I don't want to sound like I'm just, like, pushing it, but, like, I travel all around the country. Hair Club has locations throughout the country. You know what I mean? So I. I've gone into places. I'm in racing in Daytona. I went into Orlando and got a new system put on right before the race. So.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:15]:
Wow.

Frankie Muniz [00:09:15]:
Okay. That's been a really great aspect of being a Hair Club member for me is it's not just where I live. You know, I'm on the road all the time, and I've been able to go to a bunch of different locations throughout the country, and everyone's been awesome to help me out.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:30]:
And then they take your hair system and they give you the exact style that you want. They blend it in perfectly. And you can do that anywhere, anytime, wherever you might travel.

Frankie Muniz [00:09:40]:
Yeah. And I've started wanting to play around with it a little too. That's the fun thing too, is I can. You can kind of do whatever you want, right? You can, yeah. You can have it long. You can change the color. You can kind of do more fun, experimental things. And it's not as permanent, if that makes sense.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:01]:
It's amazing to see how things change from Frankie's hair being the source of his insecurities to now that he's at a point where with his hair system, he wants to change up his look and even experiment with it. It takes courage to come back from a place of insecurity. And for Frankie, a hair system was the boost he needed to get there. I wanted to know whether his hair system has the same impact on the track because it takes a lot of determination, confidence and attitude to drive one of those stock cars across the finish line and really go for the.

Frankie Muniz [00:10:39]:
I actually started racing in 2004, 2005. I was still doing Malcolm, but I got to do the pro celebrity race that they put on at the Long Beach Grand Prix for years, and I ended up winning that. And that feeling of crossing the finish line first was like, truly magical. And like, once you've experienced that, like, you want that feeling all the time. Right. So as a competitive person, but even then, I didn't know, like, how do you become a professional race car driver? I didn't realize that most people start racing when they're 5, 6, 7 years old in carts and kind of work their way up. And, you know, by time they're 16, 17, 18. They've already been racing for 10, 12 years and have tons of experience.

Frankie Muniz [00:11:19]:
I started at 18, 19, so I was already old, you know, as far as that age.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:24]:
Yeah. For that profession. Yeah.

Frankie Muniz [00:11:26]:
And. But I kind of got thrown off the deep end. I got approached by a pro team after I won that pro celebrity race, and they offered me a test just for fun. And it ended up that I was really, really fast. And they signed me to a two year development deal. And, like, my next race was like, a month later, I was racing in the Formula BMW championship against current Formula One drivers. Daniel Ricardo, Sebastian Vettel, you know, IndyCar drivers, Joseph Newgarden, you know, so I really kind of Threw myself off the deep end. But I've always kind of felt if you wanted to do something like, sure, you have to have the natural ability, you have to have the talent.

Frankie Muniz [00:12:03]:
But if you want to be the best, you've got to compete against the best. But you have to feel racing is so mental. There's so much mental preparation that goes into it. And like most sports, right, if you're a basketball player and you feel like you can't shoot the ball, you're probably not going to make it. You know what I mean?

Kevin Rolston [00:12:19]:
Yeah, yeah. You get a mental block, right?

Frankie Muniz [00:12:21]:
Yeah. And do it. So I've kind of always done that. When I went in 2009, I got pretty badly hurt and that kind of stopped my racing career for a while as I was healing. So I didn't race anything from 2009 until 2021, 22. And my first pro season back was last season in the Arkham Menard series. But I decided let me go NASCAR racing. Completely different world from what I raced before.

Frankie Muniz [00:12:44]:
I race open wheel cars, like Indy cars. It's like saying Olympic diving and Olympic swimming are the same sport. They're not two different athletes, two different disciplines. Like, sure, it's racing, but just the way you have to do it, just different. You know, going back into it after such a long period off, I also was now like the oldest guy in the series, you know, old man. I was racing with 16, 17, 18 year olds. As a 38 year old, their parents would come up to me and be like, oh, I grew up watching you. We're the same age.

Frankie Muniz [00:13:14]:
Or you're older than me. I'm like, how am I older than the parents of the kids that I'm racing? You know what I mean? So going back to what you were saying about like confidence, I didn't want to like show up and feel like the old man, you know what I mean? I didn't want to feel like the old guy, you know, having hair and the confidence to like take my helmet off or take my hat off and know that it's going to look good. Like it means so much more than you can imagine. Like as I hate, I don't know, like I don't think that people would understand like that the confidence that I have for my hair helps me in and out of the race car. Like it just does. It's a weird, it's hard to explain.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:50]:
Well, you talk about mental blocks and look, it is something that when you're self conscious about your hair, it is just something that it's like a thorn in the back of your brain that it's, it's always there and it's when you can remove that thorn, it just allows you to think freely and clearly and with the confidence of being the best version of yourself.

Frankie Muniz [00:14:08]:
Here's an interesting tidbit that maybe not a lot of people know and I don't know if they'll even want me to say this. So Hair Club recently just did their an infomercial new infomercial and they had my wife and I kind of hosting the infomercial. And I came up with the idea of for three months removing my hair system, letting my hair grow it back in so we can get like a proper before and after, right? Like a problem like this is actually what my hair looks like and this is the after. Because you know, before I was really a part like an ambassador, like someone who publicly spoke about Hairclub. I was a hair club member. So we weren't really getting those photos. We weren't really trying to, you know, tell the story as much as we want to Now. I cannot tell you how painful those three months were because it'll be that bad.

Frankie Muniz [00:15:00]:
It's not that bad. I couldn't believe it. I was in absolute shock and I truly feel like it did affect my confidence so much even from. That's why I say like working out because like I'd be in the gym like working out like training like crazy. I look in the mirror and I just felt like defeated because how thin my hair was. So like getting the system put back on for the infomercial and getting to, you know, have the true before and after. It was almost as if I did it for the first time again. You know what I mean? It was truly eye opening of again of saying like, wow, this changes the way I feel as a human.

Frankie Muniz [00:15:35]:
And I hope if anyone is out there that feels self conscious or feels or finds themselves looking in the mirror, I'm telling you it's worth it, it's worth the time, it's worth the go in for the free consultation. Just go in for that. If you don't like it, you can stop. You go immediately back to where you were, that's fine. But I'm telling you it's going to change your life because it definitely changed mine. And I know people who I've sent there and now they come up to me like, dude, thank you so much. Like I know exactly what you're talking about because just game changer.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:08]:
What is the maintenance like for having a hair system and how does that differ from having real human hair? How much more times it takes, you know, you look at what you're doing, you're a busy professional, you're a dad, you are a husband, you've got a lot of things going on in your life. Does it take a lot of time to have your hair look as good as it does?

Frankie Muniz [00:16:26]:
No. I mean, I would say the only time that's added is the times that I go to hair club, but I almost consider it, like, women go to a spa or, I don't know, they get their nails done. Whatever it is, when I go to hair club, it's like a very relaxing, like, me time. You should be that hour that I'm in the chair, get my head massage, I get my hair cut, it feels good. So, like, I go, but I wouldn't say fairly often. I go once every two weeks to the center, and I probably get a new system once every two months. But, you know, obviously I want it to be as fresh as it can be. So they take really good care of me there.

Frankie Muniz [00:17:06]:
And so I go in once every two weeks. That would be the only additional time. But that small time investment, that hour, okay, with travel, you know, I mean, driving there the two hours every two weeks that it takes me to kind of make sure that my system is, is the way it needs to be, is worth the way I feel every other moment during those days, during those weeks. So I don't think it's a huge time commitment. You know, I know hair club offers different kind of levels of how often people come in. Some people come in twice a week, once a week. You know, like, you can come in once a month. It really kind of depends on what you're looking for and all that.

Frankie Muniz [00:17:41]:
But I would say that I don't need to go in as often as I do. It's not that I go in because I have to. It's the truth is, like, as a hair club spokesperson, like, you know, I. I want to make sure it's the best it can possibly be at all times. Just because, you know, I think people are looking more than if I wasn't.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:58]:
So where are you going? Because you are a dancer, a drummer, a driver, an actor. Where are your next projects going to be? Taking Frankie Muniz.

Frankie Muniz [00:18:10]:
Yeah, I mean, I will say that it. I've lived a very full life. That's the way I like it. I like to feel like I'm not wasting any time, you know, Granted, I found myself for the first time in a while realizing that maybe I'm trying to do too much at once. Right. If you want to be really successful as a race car driver and you're competing against the top race car drivers in the world, well, they're just focused on being the best race car driver in the world. Same with being an actor, same with being an entrepreneur. Whatever it may be.

Frankie Muniz [00:18:39]:
If you want to be successful, you really got to put in the time to make those things work. So right now, my focus is the racing. I'm only racing part time this year. I've got a few more races left for the season, but then I've already got my deal signed for next year. I'll be full time next year again. So it'll be very, very busy as a race car driver. That said, in the off season, I know that there's some acting stuff and some entertainment stuff planned, but, you know, it won't hinder my racing career at all. And that's kind of how I'm trying to make decisions.

Frankie Muniz [00:19:10]:
I mean, even actually this morning, before I got on this call, I got a call from my manager. I got offered a movie. It's filming September through October. The movie is really funny. I would love to do it, but it doesn't. It's going to put a lot of stress and strain on me, my family and the racing and, you know, I don't want to let down everybody else. Right. There's a lot of people involved in my life, in my career.

Frankie Muniz [00:19:33]:
You know, I want to do the best job I can in whatever it is I'm doing and not, you know, just kind of do it halfway.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:44]:
We over here at AirPod just want to say thanks to Frankie for coming on the show and sharing this powerful message that when you feel confident, it becomes so much easier to live your life the way you want to live it. And Frankie has that confidence recently, making the bold move to say, you know what? I'm going all in stock car racing is what I'm going to do now. He's not totally abandoned acting. He may get back to it, but it's a bold choice to walk away from something that has been your entire life. And now Frankie's living a new life in a new place. It's the same kind of confidence we would all love to have to be bold in our decisions, to take chances and not be afraid to try on new things. Don't forget to check out episode 26 with Frankie if you want to hear more about how his hair journey went before he found his hair system and how he figured out it was the right option for him. For more inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who've been through hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:44]:
Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpod. Check us out at Hairclub on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with us them. If you're enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:09]:
We'Re here to build people up and.

Kevin Rolston [00:21:11]:
To share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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Halloween Tips on Styling a Hair System

by Julian Miranda | Oct 29, 2024 | Episode

Episode 36

Halloween Tips on Styling a Hair System

In this episode of HairPod, I sat down with Dan Medeiros to talk about how he styles his costume wigs for comic cons. Dan has been doing comic cons for years, and he has used both costume wigs and his hair system to put together his amazing, professional-looking costumes. Whether you’re getting ready for Halloween or you’re just curious about buying a costume wig for fun, check out the episode!

Styling Costume Wigs

Synthetic costume wigs are an option for people who want to dress up or change their look temporarily but don’t want to spend a lot of money. They don’t look or move exactly like real hair, but they can be styled to fit your costume needs (to a certain extent). One important thing Dan shares is NEVER to use heat tools on a synthetic wig – because the hairs are made from thin plastic fibers, heat tools will melt the hairs together. Instead, look for a wig that is already close to the shape and texture you want, then put it on a dummy head and style with a combination of pins so you can shape it and hairspray for hold.

Human Hair vs. Costume Wigs

Human hair wigs have a more realistic look than costume wigs, but they tend to cost quite a bit. Rather than investing in human hair wigs, Dan opts to make use of his hair system in many of his costumes. He has a few different lengths of hair systems, which can be switched out to match which costume he plans to wear. When he does wear costume wigs, he will often wear them over the hair system (so that when he removes the wig, he doesn’t have to reapply the system). Even though it gets quite hot under a synthetic wig, his hair system never moves or gets dislodged.

Hair System Maintenance

Hair systems may seem complex or time consuming, but that has not been Dan’s experience. He works with HairClub to determine a maintenance schedule that works for him, as he stays very busy. For Dan, stopping by a HairClub center weekly helps him achieve the look and results he wants. In between appointments, he cares for and styles his hair system just like anyone would do with their regular hair, which helps him save time during the week.

Episode.36 Transcript

Dan Medeiros [00:00:02]:
And that's another thing I love about HairClub and the systems is that it's so easy to manage. You know, the taking it on and off and putting, you know, dealing with that stuff that's, you know, that comes with time. Just like anything. I wasn't able to do that myself. You learn it, but everything else, it's so simple. And HairClub takes care of you. The maintenance is simple. It's just like your own hair.

Dan Medeiros [00:00:22]:
You just, you manage it, you style it. You don't have to worry about light shining through. You don't have to worry about losing it. It's always there.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:45]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I'm your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week, we're welcoming friend of the pod, Dan Medeiros, back to the show. He's come on the HairPod before to talk about the vicious cycle of his anxiety and his hair loss when he was younger and how he found a way to get his hair back. These days, Dan spends a lot of time in the public eye. He's a performer, actor, model, and professional rock star. But in what little free time he has, he cosplays a variety of characters at comic Cons.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:36]:
And for anyone who doesn't know what cosplay is, it's not too different from dressing up as your favorite TV or video game character on Halloween. Cosplayers can have incredibly intricate costumes that are totally custom made from head to toe. For today's episode, we're going to focus on how Dan styles the wigs he uses for his costumes and how his costume wigs affect his hair system. Now, tell me about this, because I.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:06]:
Am a novice when it comes to wigs. To me, I've always just thought when you get a wig, the way the wig looks is what you're going to get.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:14]:
But you can actually get wigs and.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:15]:
You can style them yourself.

Dan Medeiros [00:02:18]:
Yeah. And I mean, to an extent there, some of them are a lot harder than others because, I mean, a lot of the wigs, you know, they're not real hair, so you have to, like, really, really work with them and kind of force them into learning the direction you want it to go. So, like, for this past weekend, we went to Galaxy Con, which is part of Animate Iowa. So it's like half anime comic con and then horror movie comic con thing. So I did, I had to wear a wig for Nandor from the show. What we do in the shadows. I don't know if you watch that show.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:51]:
Okay, that's cool.

Dan Medeiros [00:02:52]:
Yeah, my wife and I did Nandor and Nadja. The full blown makeup accents everything. It was wonderful. So we go all out and you know, the wig, it was something I just got off Amazon, but it was like the length I was looking for. The, you know, the, it was close enough to the texture and cheap enough. So, you know, just kind of attaching it to like one of those foam heads and, and then just really going to it with the brush. You know, if you have to pin things back to kind of get it again to take that shape so you can really mold them and do what you want with them. I mean, I'm no hairstylist expert.

Dan Medeiros [00:03:28]:
I've got friends who are hairstylists and do cosplay and stuff like that. So they're, they're really good at working with wigs and. But yeah, there's so much you can do with it. And it's kind of funny, you know, just managing my own hair and then I'm wearing a wig on top of that. So it's, it's, you know, it can be a lot of hot under there, but it's worth, it's worth it when the costume comes together.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:51]:
So tell me, for somebody that might be looking for a wig for either cosplay for one of the comic cons or just even for Halloween, what are you looking to order? Where would you go to order it? Are there materials that the hair is made out of? The wigs are made out of that that you might want to look for. And then can you apply heat to any of these wigs? How does this work from your experience? What have you seen done?

Dan Medeiros [00:04:14]:
Yeah, and I mean, again, most of them you'll get aren't going to be real hair. They're artificial. And I mean, you can spend really good money and you can even get ones that are really close to human hair. I know a lot of them use like, you know, whether it's horse hair or whatever I've seen. But I tend to stick with what you can get in a lot of the costume stores. But you can get the stuff off Amazon as said. And no, you do do not want to apply heat to them like normal hair because they will melt the hair. The hair, the hair will fuse together and it will look awful.

Dan Medeiros [00:04:50]:
So you have to be kind of careful on how you, how you style it. So you have to do it. You got to do it dry, essentially. And then it's just forcing it into place. If you have to use pins, clips, you know, whatever it takes, that's how you get it to stay. And then you can throw in, you know, throw it. If you throw in good enough, strong enough hairspray and you've got it in that position, it can kind of lock it in. There's so many different little hacks you can find.

Dan Medeiros [00:05:14]:
I do kind of what everyone else does. I just go on YouTube and see what other people do and then take the best tips and which ones work.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:23]:
Now if I'm going for, let's say I want to put together a good costume, there's a costume contest or some money in it. It's pretty decent. What am I looking for to spend to get that kind of wig that is going to make a costume look good?

Dan Medeiros [00:05:36]:
Oh, you're probably going to. You'll want to go with the more realistic ones. So, I mean, and they range anywhere between 30 bucks up to, you know, 150, 200 bucks. You can get ones that are even more expensive than that. And if you want really authentic, real looking ones, you're going to spend a lot of money on them. So for the most part, I try to do characters that I can use with just the hair I've got going, you know, if I have to customize it, that's the nice thing with Hair Club, I'm able to customize my hair. So if I need something that's longer or shorter, I can just switch out. So I, you know, I have, I can switch to a shorter if I want if I need to.

Dan Medeiros [00:06:13]:
During the, during the colder months, I like to have it longer. During the warmer months, you know, I really like to have this buzz down and keep this shorter just so I. Especially performing, I don't like having hair in my face, in my eyes, and it's that extra sweat. I'm doing a lot of outside performing and it's awful when I can't see while I'm trying to sing. I don't want to fall off the stage.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:36]:
That's never good.

Dan Medeiros [00:06:37]:
No, no, no. So seeing where you're going is very important. So definitely think about that.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:47]:
One of the cool things about Dan is that he doesn't just use synthetic wigs for his costumes. He finds ways to incorporate his own hair system into his looks as well. As Dan mentioned, cosplay wigs can be made from a Lot of different types of materials, and the more realistic they look, the more they cost. Most people aren't going to buy a real human hair wig for a costume because they're just too expensive, but they deliver the most realistic look. So Dan uses his hair system when he can, even as a couple of different systems that allow him to create costumes with slightly varying hair lengths. Now, if you're a first time listener or you haven't heard of a hair system before, systems like Dan's are made from human hair and adhere to the scalp so they won't move around. Dan gets his hair system from Hair Club, where he talks to a stylist about his unique situation and then they tailor his program to fit his needs.

Dan Medeiros [00:07:48]:
It really depends on your plan and how often you come in. And I mean, the hair Club, the centers are always fantastic at working with you on, you know, what you need. You know, so if while I'm not performing or needing to be, you know, dressed up as Superman or whatever I'm doing that day, whoever I need to be that day, you know, I do like to have my hair like this on my own, but when I switch to Superman, you know, I like to go shorter. So I go in weekly for appointments. My system's usually every month, month and a bit, but that's just what my plan's on. So I always keep one like a backup at home. If I'm not wearing shorter hair, I'm wearing longer hair. But I like to be able to go back and forth, so.

Dan Medeiros [00:08:31]:
And I'm really good at doing stuff at home too. So if I need to on the fly, either just myself or my wife and myself were really good at taking off and reapplying and doing all the, all the custom work. And I learned a lot during 2020 when we couldn't go anywhere.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:46]:
Oh, right.

Dan Medeiros [00:08:46]:
So I had to do a lot of diy, a lot of learning to do things from home. I didn't have just the ability to just go to the center and have my stylist help me. It was all right, let's figure this out and never have to stress about this again.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:00]:
So now, do you almost have a seasonal schedule for your hair systems? It sounds like you have this time of the year. I have it long this time of year. It's. We're going short because Superman.

Dan Medeiros [00:09:11]:
Yeah. So like, I'm also a singer in the band and, you know, I need to have my goatee, but I like to have my beard. But when I do Superman, I have to shave my beard. So Literally, my hair and my facial hair have to change throughout the year based on what I'm doing or if I'm like doing, like I'm acting or doing a modeling gig. Well, we don't want a beard for this. We want longer hair. We want shorter hair. And I feel like my entire life is dictated on my hair and my hair on the head and the face regions.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:39]:
Right, right.

Dan Medeiros [00:09:40]:
It's exhausting, but it's fun and I like that I can do that. That's the amazing thing. You know, I'm not stuck with what little I had.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:49]:
Yeah.

Dan Medeiros [00:09:49]:
So it's for every single day. I'm so grateful that I am able to do this. I'm able to look the way I'm supposed to look. I'm able to look in the mirror. I'm able to talk to you right now, see myself in the corner of my screen and go, that's how I'm supposed to look.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:03]:
So I'm hearing somebody who is a musician, an actor into cosplay, always doing dress up. And let's just say I'm one of these people that that's not my world. And to me, I'm very busy. I don't have a lot of time. Everything you're talking about sounds like a time suck, and it sounds like it's very involved. And now I'm not so sure that this is for me. Tell me a little bit about your hair systems and how much time it takes. And if you're a business professional and you have kids and a busy lifestyle, are you telling them that you're just not going to have time for a hair system? What is the maintenance like on this?

Dan Medeiros [00:10:43]:
Oh, gosh, it's the complete opposite. And that's what another thing I love about Hair Club and the systems is that it's so easy to manage. And it may, you know, the taking it on and off and putting, you know, dealing with that stuff that's, you know, that comes with time just like anything. I wasn't able to do that myself. You learn it, but everything else, it's so simple. And Hair Club takes care of you. The maintenance is simple. It's just like your own hair.

Dan Medeiros [00:11:07]:
You just. You manage it, you style it. You don't have to worry about light shining through. You don't have to worry about losing it. It's always there. It's just, it's. I don't have time for a lot of maintenance because I am on the go so much. I need to be able to depend on waking up and going all right, my hair looks great because I got to go to work right now, and then after I get home from work, I go, go do this, and I got to go do that.

Dan Medeiros [00:11:34]:
I don't have time to stress over my hair, stress over how I look to look in the mirror and go, oh, I don't know if I can go out there today because I don't look right. I don't have that problem, and I don't have time for that problem. So low maintenance and just ease is my favorite thing. And that's what I love about hair club. And if you have any questions, any concerns, they will get you, and they will work with you, and they will make sure that it's as stress free as possible. And I need that. I've got enough stress and anxiety in my life. So the hair club, by knowing that they're always there to back me up.

Dan Medeiros [00:12:10]:
It's huge. Huge.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:17]:
I think this is the bottom line for all of our guests who have found a hair solution. They look in the mirror and they see themselves the way they feel they're supposed to look. I think it's easy to underestimate the impact of feeling awkward when you catch a glimpse of yourself in a store window or see a picture of yourself from a family gathering. A lot of people are going to.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:35]:
Brush off these little moments of discomfort.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:38]:
Rather than listen to their gut feeling that it's time to take action. And it's only when they finally take that step that they realize what they've been missing out on all along. Just like Dan, I'm a busy person, got a crazy job, a family, and I'm always on the go. I don't have time to fuss with my hair to try to get it to look the way I want, knowing I'm going to be confident when I get up every single morning and face the world, it makes all the difference. Dan's a busy guy, too. It's not uncommon for him to go from a Comic Con to another event. So I asked him if he ever wears his hair system underneath his. His wig just for the sake of convenience and if that ever leads to any issues.

Dan Medeiros [00:13:22]:
I have yet to run into any issue other than it being a little hot under there. But, no, I love it. I don't mind it. And honestly, sometimes if I don't have my hair on, I'll just. I'll just adhere the actual wig itself on top of, you know, just like I would any other hair. I've done that too. But when I. When I, you know, when I need to take it off and actually do something afterwards.

Dan Medeiros [00:13:44]:
It's much easier to just take off the wig and be like, all right, good to go.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:47]:
Yeah.

Dan Medeiros [00:13:48]:
So, like, then that's what I did this weekend. And yeah, it wasn't. It was not a problem at all, actually. What I did is because I had the longer hair, I actually just used clips and I clipped it back, so it was kind of slipped back, clipped down, and then I was able to just take the wig, place it over top, and easy peasy. I didn't even have to think about it. And as you said with, like, wearing my hair, I forget that I'm actually wearing hair because, again, it's like. It's like a second skin and it's. The hair is that you just forget that you are.

Dan Medeiros [00:14:19]:
So I'm never worrying about, you know, the excessive heat from wearing two things. I don't feel that. If anything, I just feel it a little bit extra weight because I'm wearing an extra hair on top of my.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:29]:
Head now to paint a more vivid picture for people that are trying to understand what it's like. Because you talk about you go to shorter, Superman type hair, and then you've got, you know, hair that you're going to be wearing that's a little bit longer. What does that look like? And are you stuck in certain styles? Do you have to pick out a style of longer hair or is the hair long? And then you pick the style and your hairdresser then puts it into that style.

Dan Medeiros [00:14:54]:
Yeah, all of my hairs that come in, they're usually roughly around 6 to 7 inches, usually around there in length. And then I can just dictate where I'm going from there. So as I said, during the colder months, and I want it longer, I'm just like, all right, you know, start off well, maybe cut it down to about 6 inches or 5 inches, and then kind of work away from there. And then every time I come in, I'm like, all right, let's just clean up the ends a bit more, make it a bit shorter or. And then when it comes down, I'm like, oh, I got to do Superman this weekend. So actually, let's cut it down even shorter and I'll get that Superman cut, and then I'll. I'll hang with that for a while. But I do like to keep backups at home.

Dan Medeiros [00:15:32]:
So if I. If I know if I have a shorter one, then what I'll do is when I go in for that appointment and I'm, you know, putting it back on Again, I just. I bring my shorter one and I have them put that on instead.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:46]:
The craziest thing about this isn't that Dan has this sort of magic wand. He can wave and change how his hair looks. It's how completely natural his hair system looks. When I interview our guests, I get to see them and their hair. Dan showed me his system close up, and I could not even tell where it ended and his natural hair began. It's a perfect match with his natural hair, and it's so breathable that he sometimes forgets he's even wearing it. It made me curious how his system holds up when he's performing on stage. And if it's the last thing that's on his mind.

Dan Medeiros [00:16:24]:
It'S 100%. I never even think about it. And trust me, I'm up there, like, running, jumping around. I'm a lead singer, guys, so I'm hopping up on stage, I sweating like crazy. And yeah, not once I've had my. I had professional photographers taking photos. So I see all the photos after the show and some really cool ones where my hair is quite literally doing a sweaty, wet, like, flip. And you can see the beads of sweat coming off of it.

Dan Medeiros [00:16:52]:
And it's just so people.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:53]:
So people understand you. You have sweat through your system. So it breathes enough that the sweat has left your own scalp. It's gone through the fibers that they have there. It's now into the hair, and that hair in your system is drenched with your own sweat. That's amazing.

Dan Medeiros [00:17:10]:
Yeah, that's amazing. It's absolutely incredible. Like, you know, things have changed with the technology so much since even when I first started back in 2010, you know, we were. I was wearing a dirt, an old technology, which is more of a lace. And then we used the strips of tape and stuff like that with. Now it's like this. As I said, it's so thin. It's like the second skin, but it's so durable and it.

Dan Medeiros [00:17:34]:
It just adheres completely to your head and then you just forget it's there.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:40]:
Yeah. Cause I would imagine if you had an old school toupee, what would happen if you were on stage?

Dan Medeiros [00:17:45]:
Oh, you've seen them in the movies and shows where it just goes flying. Lands on somebody's like, soup or something, right?

Kevin Rolston [00:17:51]:
It does.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:52]:
That's always the joke.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:53]:
But you would have a plastic film that the baby doll hair would be woven into, not even real human hair. And then you would be sweating, not through it, so the side of your hair would be wet. And then the top part would be dry because the sweat can't permeate through what they used to make those toupees out of. And it's a different feel now.

Dan Medeiros [00:18:13]:
Yeah. And that's why you can, like you see in the commercials, in the infomercials, you coming out of the pool, you're swimming, it's.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:19]:
Yeah, I love that too.

Dan Medeiros [00:18:20]:
I can go swimming and I don't have to worry about any of that. I say I went, you know, I was, the first time I went on an all inclusive vacation to Cancun, I was like, okay, all right. I'm in a whole other country. I've got, you know, I hope this is going to be all right. And honestly, it was fine. I was there for a week. I'm in the sun and the pool all day, every single day and in the heat and it wasn't a single issue. Did my own little touch ups as I needed.

Dan Medeiros [00:18:47]:
But when I went out for dinner and disco dancing afterwards, it was a good time.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:54]:
Yeah, I will tell people too. I always, when I had a full head hair, even as a kid I had thin, fine hair that was impossible to style. And now that I have a hair system, I actually have better hair now with the system than if I had, if I could choose, would you want to go back and have all your original hair or have the system? My hair looks better with the hair system than it did when I had my own natural hair, so.

Dan Medeiros [00:19:18]:
Exactly. And that's what you can do. You can have that. You don't have to, you know, you don't have to be that. You can actually look the way you should be the way you want to be.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:31]:
I want to thank Dan for coming.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:33]:
On the show once again. He's always got great advice for everyone who is looking to learn about hair loss and how they can come back from it. Whether you're getting ready to style your first costume wig or you're wondering how you can find a hair solution that matches your lifestyle, we got you covered here on the hairpod. Don't forget to check out our show notes if you want to hear more from Dan about his hair loss journey. And for more inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who have actually been through hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search HairPod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share with them.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:20]:
If you're enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast.hairclub.com we're here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you until next time.

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Racing Through My Hair Loss Journey: Joey Logano

by Julian Miranda | Oct 22, 2024 | Episode

Episode 35

Racing Through My Hair Loss Journey: Joey Logano

Is there anything holding you back from the win? Joey Logano is back on HairPod to talk about the life of a NASCAR driver. Joey speaks about his career, the competitive world of NASCAR, and how he continues to race with the same passion and determination that has made him one of the sport’s biggest names. We also dig into his experience with hair loss, and how the other drivers reacted to his decision to start using a hair system.

NASCAR: Behind the Scenes

While most professional athletes may experience some ribbing or joking behind the scenes, NASCAR is a little bit different. Most teams see the same rival team once every few months, but during racing season, competing drivers see each other week after week. Conflicts do arise occasionally, but for the most part, Joey says the best thing to do have an awareness of those situations and avoid them when you can.

Hair Loss As a Pro Driver

Joey Logano has a hair system, and he has never been shy about letting people know that he deals with a condition called alopecia areata. He is also open about working with HairClub, and due to the stigma that surrounds hair loss and hair systems, one may think he has caught some flak from his competitors or even his own team. This has not been the case – if anything, other drivers have wanted to know how Joey solved his hair loss because they deal with similar issues.

Hair Systems and Finding Confidence

Joey has found that the best way to deal with detractors has been to embrace his situation. He feels most comfortable being completely open about his hair system and hair loss, even poking fun at his situation at times. While this may not be the way everyone handles their hair thinning or loss, it’s important to consider that even someone as transparent about hair loss as Joey does not experience many negative reactions. People are generally supportive, and in general, his hair system doesn’t come up in conversation at this point.

Long-term Hair System Use

Before making the decision to endorse HairClub as a product, Joey wanted to test it out. It was important to him to find out if it was something he could actually use and live with in the long term. He has found that having a hair system has been a great option for him in terms of how easy it is to care for and how well it stands up to the fast-paced lifestyle of a NASCAR driver.

Episode.35 Transcript

Joey Logano [00:00:02]:
But I still enjoy going to the racetrack. I enjoy winning. So I know I got a handful of years at least left in me, and I think depends also just how life is. But if I can’t compete for wins, that’s probably going to be the sign for me to say I’m not going to just go to make laps and go around in circles. I enjoy racing, don’t get me wrong, but I do it to win. I don’t do it for fun. I don’t do it to race. I do it to win.

Joey Logano [00:00:25]:
And so I I’m still competitive. I still can win races. I’m going to continue doing it.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:42]:
Welcome to Hairpod, the podcast where we get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:48]:
I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:50]:
Week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. If you’re a NASCAR fan or a HairPod fan, you already know the name Joey Logano. Joey is a NASCAR champion who isn’t afraid to tell his hair story. He’s been on the podcast a couple of times already to talk in depth about his journey with an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata. With alopecia areata, the immune system mistakes a person’s own hair follicles as a threat and attacks them, causing hair loss that happens in round patches. If you look at Joey now, you’d never know that he has this condition.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:37]:
He’s got what appears to be a full head of hair, whether he’s in front of the press, smiling for a photo op, or just getting out of his stock car. I’m glad we got to talk to Joey again because I wanted to find out what it’s like having a hair loss condition and living that fast paced lifestyle of a NASCAR champ.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:59]:
Here we are again with Joey Logano to talk about NASCAR and hair. What an interesting combination and how we weave these two things together. What’s going on, Joey?

Joey Logano [00:02:09]:
I see what you did there. It’s pretty. It’s going well. How you doing?

Kevin Rolston [00:02:14]:
Yeah, doing good. I’ve got on a temporary face tattoo right now. Other than that, I’m doing fantastic, so.

Joey Logano [00:02:21]:
Well, I tell you what, everybody knows the name of your show. It’s written all over you. So that’s.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:25]:
Yep. That’s all over my face. It’s in henna. And you thought that maybe I lost a bet and I wanted to ask you, being in the world of NASCAR, do you guys ever get into silly, stupid bets with one another that you have to pay off on the track?

Joey Logano [00:02:39]:
No. Good. You’re smart.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:41]:
You’re smarter than I am.

Joey Logano [00:02:43]:
Yeah, I really don’t want to look like that.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:47]:
That’s terrible.

Joey Logano [00:02:49]:
It’s terrible.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:50]:
Yeah.

Joey Logano [00:02:51]:
Honestly, it’s funny. The drivers themselves, I mean, we all know each other and are around each other a lot, but I wouldn’t say there’s many of them that really hang out and do a whole bunch of things together or funny jokes like that.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:03]:
Yeah. I’m kind of curious when it comes to relationships on the tour, would you say, are there certain cliques and are people more friends or enemies? Because I’ve seen so many races where guys are duking it out right after they get out of their cars, and sometimes they have to stop to duke it out. So I think I’ve seen maybe more fights than I’ve seen pat on the backs. What is the relationships like in NASCAR?

Joey Logano [00:03:29]:
Well, I mean, yeah, I think it’s, it’s competition. And, you know, the people you hang out with the most at the racetrack is going to be your team. Right. And your teammates and the people that you’re around. So, you know, your competitors, it’s different than other sports because, you know, other sports, you have a. A team of, I don’t know, ten to 15 to 30 people right, on each side, depending on what sport you’re playing. And they play each other, and then maybe in four months, they might play each other again.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:57]:
Right.

Joey Logano [00:03:57]:
But you have a long period of time in between, and if there is a beef, you kind of forget about it a little bit and you gotta move on to the next thing. But for us, it’s the same 36 drivers you see every single week.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:10]:
Right.

Joey Logano [00:04:10]:
And eventually you’re going to have something happen, and guess what? You’re going to see them again next week and the next week and the next week. It just doesn’t go away. It doesn’t go away. Um, so it’s just a. A very unique sport for that reason.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:24]:
As a driver, do you know some of those interpersonal struggles and realize maybe I need to stay away from these two if they get together on the track because tempers might flare up, they might spin somebody out that might affect how I drive. So do you need to know and almost psychoanalyze the other drivers that are on the track with you?

Joey Logano [00:04:42]:
Well, it’s always important to know what situation people are in. Whether situation. Yeah. If they’re trying to get into the playoffs. I just went through one of these scenarios, you know, whether, whether trying to get in or if they have a history of someone else, and there’s two erasing right in front of you, the last thing you might do is get caught up and you know, their mess, right. And so you try to stay aware of the situations the best as possible, but sometimes there’s just nothing you can do about it, right. Like you’re. You’re just there and you happen to be racing for the win, and here you are.

Joey Logano [00:05:12]:
Right. Like, it just is what it is right now.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:14]:
Is it something where you find a weakness of another driver and you’ll often have a nickname for them? Are people like some sports, you know, football especially, they’ll be ribbing each other and they’ll be in each other’s head and they know that something gets under somebody’s skin. Does that happen in NASCAR with drivers? Is it to that level?

Joey Logano [00:05:33]:
I don’t see it to that level. You know, like, I mean, I think what the difference is is I think in other sports, whether it’s basketball or football, the adrenaline is at its peak right after a play, right. And you’re kind of feeling one way or the other, right. Whether it’s good or bad, and. And you’re going to draw to each other immediately. Right. Like in the heat of the battle for us, you know, the time we see each other is 2030 minutes before the race at driver intros. And then you’re strapped into a race car after that.

Joey Logano [00:06:04]:
So if someone makes a move on you or you’re mad at them or you want to, you know, talk a little game, you can’t. You’re stuck in a race car. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:13]:
Right.

Joey Logano [00:06:13]:
So afterwards, sometimes drivers get out and express their feelings a little bit, but really, outside of that, there’s just not a whole bunch.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:24]:
Of, if you watch a lot of professional sports or even if you just played football in college, it’s pretty typical to see athletes have a little bit of fun at each other’s expense or even go one step further and try to get into a competitor’s head by calling out their weaknesses. That kind of exchange happens outside of pro sports. Too many people who go through hair loss don’t feel confident about it, and the last thing they want is for someone to bring it up and make some kind of snide comment. They may want a solution, but not one that calls attention to the problem itself. Kind of like the toupees used to see guys wear decades ago. Joey’s pretty public about his hair loss and has never really tried to hide the fact that he uses a hair system. So I want to know if the other drivers ever remarked on his hair loss in a negative way.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:16]:
I’m just kind of curious. In your field, how has you being a client of HairClub been accepted? What do other drivers say? Do they use it as a thing to rib you with, or do you feel like it’s starting to hit that nice level of acceptance throughout even NASCAR?

Joey Logano [00:07:34]:
Yeah, I’d say it’s the complete opposite, actually. I had a lot of them reach out to me, and for whatever reason, there’s a lot of race car drivers that suffer from hair loss for whatever reasons. I don’t know if it’s helmets or heat or. I don’t know. Lord knows. But I had a lot reach out to me saying, what did you do? Can I do, like, who’d you call? What do I do? Right. So as far as, you know, the. The drivers now, they don’t do that type of stuff.

Joey Logano [00:08:00]:
And to me, that’s probably below the belt a little bit, so probably be a good thing if they didn’t do that, right? It’s one thing to talk about someone’s driving skills or something like that, but I don’t think anyone ever, you know, talks about those type of things. Race fans are different. Race fans are going to be race fans, right? The ones that love you are going to love it. The ones that already don’t like you probably are going to not like you more. Like, I was just. It’s just life. That’s fine. But the other side of it, I mean, it’s.

Joey Logano [00:08:24]:
It’s, uh. Nobody really says anything.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:26]:
I remember as a kid, you always knew when somebody had a toupee or hair help. And now today, when I’m at HairClub and I see people that might be there, or I see people that are HairClub clients, people like yourself. I’m always so blown away because I never have any idea. So you work closely with the pit crew. You’ve got your whole team. Is everybody aware of what you do? What would you say is the awareness level of what you do with hair club? Do they just know you go to hair club, or how does that sit with the people that are closest to you?

Joey Logano [00:08:57]:
Well, they know I go to HairClub, obviously. Look at. I’m talking to you. I’m wearing a shirt. I don’t hide it.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:03]:
Yeah.

Joey Logano [00:09:03]:
I don’t know. I get a lot of questions about it, but honestly, dude, I’d live my life like, it’s a pretty normal, like, at this point, I’ve. I’ve had my hair for a couple years. You know, it’s been very easy, and I got the routine figured out and I live my life like anybody else, you know? And, yeah, I’m glad I did something about it. Right. I suffered from alopecia, so I decided that I wanted to do something. Found HairClub, saw that they have multiple solutions. I found the one that was right for me and I did something.

Joey Logano [00:09:31]:
And I hope everybody, if you have the opportunity to, why wouldn’t you these days, right, if there’s a technology there to, you know, make your appearance look better and you can do it, what’s stopping you? You know, don’t let someone’s stupid comment, you know, stop you from bettering yourself. Right. And if you could feel like you can do that, then, then go for it. And honestly, no one’s. I mean, I’ve never really had any backlash that bothered me. At least, you know, you’re going to get some jokes here and there. Honestly, I joke with them most of the time. I throw the jokes out before they do.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:06]:
That’s it. That’s it. There you go thing.

Joey Logano [00:10:08]:
Like, I’m very open about it. You know, not everybody is as open or wants to talk about it, but I really, yeah, I understand what I have. And nothing you can do about it, right. Whether it’s alopecia or just normal male pattern baldness. Like, what are you gonna do about it? Like, it’s not your fault. There’s nothing you can do about, you know, your genes, right? Like, that’s what you’re born with. And you know what? So I did something about it. Kiss my butt.

Joey Logano [00:10:32]:
I think it’s a great move.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:33]:
Well, I think the improvement in the technology is one of the biggest reasons, because how do you get on somebody that has a head of hair that looks 100% completely natural? I don’t even know where the joke is in something like that. And that’s really it. When I see the hair solutions that are out there now, you really have no idea. If somebody brings it up, it’s like, what are you going to say? Because they look better with it, they don’t look worse. So find the joke in this.

Joey Logano [00:10:56]:
Yeah. And it’s. If it’s the first time you met me, you would never know, right? I mean, people, you can’t. You can’t tell.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:01]:
No idea. Now I’m curious. Cause I’m sure people want to know about the durability. And I’m curious, too, because the temperatures that you have on the track in that car. You mentioned the helmet, which, I mean, those things are on pretty tight. I would imagine. I’d imagine getting them off, too. I know with football helmets, those things really grab.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:20]:
So do you have concerns with the hair that you have, that anything is going to get messed up, it’s going to become dislodged. Does the heat affect your hair?

Kevin Rolston [00:11:31]:
What.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:31]:
What are the concerns and conditions that you have?

Joey Logano [00:11:33]:
No, I just, like, honestly, I just had to figure out the right combination for me and the right routine. But outside of that, now I have zero concerns. When I go to the racetrack, I take my helmet off at the end of a race, jump in the pool, drive a jet ski 70 miles an hour across the lake.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:49]:
Okay, so you even go fast. You go fast on the lake, too.

Joey Logano [00:11:53]:
Well, I mean, I’m a race car driver. What do you think I do? I don’t go slow. I can tell you that much.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:01]:
Does it bother you if you ever get passed by another jet ski, or do you feel like you have to win even that race?

Joey Logano [00:12:06]:
Yeah. Yeah. Well, you know, I don’t think racing on the lake is probably the thing I should be promoting, but you’re right. We’ll back off that one. Most of the time, I like to go fast. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:23]:
There are hair loss solutions for everybody out there. No matter what kind of hair loss or lifestyle you have, the most important thing you can do is talk to professionals and find out what your options are. I wanted to find out how that process went for Joey, because not only is he a hair club user, he also endorses the product. So when he went in for his consultation, he had to figure out if hair club was something he could stand behind. So I asked him how long it took to go from his first consultation to ending up with a product that he was satisfied with.

Joey Logano [00:13:00]:
Honestly, it’s pretty quick. You know, you can go to HairClub, and they’ll give you, you know, whatever options they have available quickly. What they do a lot of times is they have a consultation, they bring you in, okay, talk to you. What’s your struggles? Right? What’s your history? And there’s many, many fixes that they can present to you. So, like I said, what works for me may not be what works for you, but I think the ultimate outcome, the goal is what? To have hair again. And it’s different for everyone, right? Like, there’s hair transplants. There’s. There’s just things you can put on your hair.

Joey Logano [00:13:37]:
There’s certain kinds of shampoo, right? I mean, there’s different things. You can use that to try to, you know, and HairClub has all those things that allow you to do that all the way through. For me, with the alopecia stuff, I couldn’t do a lot of the options because it can trigger it to be a lot worse.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:53]:
Oh, wow. Okay.

Joey Logano [00:13:54]:
So it can kind of trigger a lot more underlying issues. So.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:58]:
So HairClub can work. Yeah, they can work around those kind of specific problems.

Joey Logano [00:14:02]:
Yeah, but it’s different for everybody depending on what you’re dealing with.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:05]:
Now, did you have a consultant when you went into HairClub, somebody that said, hey, here are the options, and here’s what I think would work for you?

Joey Logano [00:14:11]:
Yeah. Which was one of the cool parts. Before I partnered with him as someone that’s endorsing the product, I went there and said, hang on. I was very skeptical. If I’m going to endorse this, this is a pretty personal thing to be talking about. I want to make sure that, one, this is going to work before I tell anybody about it, and, two, that I can live my life with it, and it’s not just a complete pain in my butt that I’m like, it’s not worth it. Right. I want to make sure that I check those two boxes before I tell everyone, you should go do this.

Joey Logano [00:14:40]:
And I feel like once I got through that, I was like, all right, well, I feel comfortable talking to people about what’s going on and what I did to fix it and that, you know what? If you have a problem, go fix it. Right? Like, it’s like that in anything in life, right? If you have an issue, fix it. And if there’s an avenue to fix it, great. Hair club’s got it for you, so you might as well do it.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:58]:
What’s it like styling your hair time now compared to time that it used to take before you had your system?

Joey Logano [00:15:04]:
Well, it’s a little longer now because I actually have hair. When you got no hair, it takes no time, but it doesn’t take any longer than it did when I was a kid and I had hair. You know what I mean? Like, it was. It’s the same, right. I might get in the shower. I shampoo and condition just like anybody else would. You know, once a month, I get a haircut, and I keep on going. Like, it’s pretty simple for me.

Joey Logano [00:15:32]:
And I got the system figured out at this point. Like, it took me a few months to get to that point, but, yeah, now that I got it figured out, it’s cake.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:40]:
The thing I find amazing about hair club is that once you find hair club and you find your solution is they grow with you because as you age, you get older, you know, they can start bringing the hair back. If you want to look like you have more of a natural hairline for your age, they can do that if you’re getting some of the gray, like I got some gray in the beard. But you know what? They put some gray in my system so that it looks a lot more natural. And so, you know, once you find hair club, it is something that you can ride out for the rest of your life and have the hair that you want.

Joey Logano [00:16:09]:
Absolutely. Make adjustments. However you want to make adjustments. I mean, it’s literally, it’s up to you, right? I mean, I mean, a lot of it I leave up to the stylist because I’m like, yeah, you’re going to know a little bit more than me, I hope, and they do. But you can put your two cent and tell them what you want, tell them what’s comfortable, you know, what’s not. I went through a couple things that I was like, I don’t really like this that much, right. And we made an adjustment and changed that we wanted.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:34]:
Well, I got to tell you, Joey, I think you’ve got broadcasting hair. I think you have broadcasting abilities because I am in the field. How much longer before you’re in the booth and not the track? Any thoughts on that?

Joey Logano [00:16:46]:
Oh, man, I got no idea. I know I got some time when I feel certain about it, then I know it’s time. But I still enjoy going to the racetrack. I enjoy winning, you know, so I know I got a handful of years at least left in me. And I think depends also just how life is. But if I can’t compete for wins, that’s probably going to be the sign for me to say I’m not going to just go to make laps and go around in circles like, I enjoy racing, don’t get me wrong. But I do it to win. I don’t do it for fun.

Joey Logano [00:17:15]:
I don’t do it to race. I do it to win. And so if I can’t win, I’m not going to want to do it anymore. So I’m still competitive. I still can win races. I’m going to continue doing it.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:28]:
Sounds like Joey’s passion for competing and winning on the track hasn’t slowed down one bit. We wish Joey a fantastic end of this year’s racing season and can’t wait to see what’s next for him. I hope his drive for excellence inspires you to go out there to win at whatever you do. And as Joey said, if there’s something about your appearance that you’ve been wanting to change, do it for yourself. And don’t worry what other people are going to think. The people who matter most are going to be supportive. And you may even find that the people around you are dealing with similar issues. Who knows? By opening yourself up to change, you could be helping them more than you know.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:06]:
For more inspirational stories and words of wisdom from people who have been through hair loss, make sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpot. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpot on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast Dot hairclub.com. we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:49]:
And when you share, review, and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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Episode 55

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Women’s History of Hair Loss Treatments

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Finding the Right Solution for You

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