Expert Advice: Conversations around hair loss

August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month so it's a great time to open up conversations with your clients about this sensitive topic. For some, it can be a temporary concern, such as post-partum, although for others shedding and thinning can be the start of a longer-term condition. 

Whilst as a hair or beauty professional you aren't qualified to diagnose medical hair loss, if you notice a clients' hair thinning or they raise concerns with you, they will appreciate you having details of trichologists and professionals who could help along with scalp and hair preparations which may assist. 

“Hair loss can affect anyone at any age, whether it is through alopecia, cancer treatments, menopause, stress, post-partum and health related illness, there are many reasons why people might be suffering hair loss. And it is much more common than you might think,” says Stephanie Reid of Parrucche Wig Professionals.

"Hair fall isn't just physical - it's deeply emotional. Everyday stressors, from scalp imbalances to mechanical damage, can trigger hair fall, which in turn fuels even more stress. It becomes a cycle that impacts both hair health and self-confidence," explains Martha Glenn, Head of Brand at Biolage Professional Hair Spa.

“Believe it or not it's common to have a client sat in the chair suffering from this and it can be traumatic for them,” says Adele Clarke, OSMO Ambassador and owner of Spectrum Hair Company. “There can be many factors that can contribute to the causes and as hair professionals it's important to be armed with basic knowledge to reassure and reduce to distress this can bring.”

“Hormone changes can be a big factor in [hair loss],” explains Adele. “Did you know that with imbalances our body can secrete a toxin called DHT? This can be effectively cleansed away with specialist or deep cleansing shampoo which will help. More frequent washing of the hair is advisable in these circumstances and a low maintenance hairstyle, quicker to do can be more helpful at these times. 

“Menopause and post pregnancy are the two most common times to look out for this cause.” 

Adele continues: “Stress and shock can be a trigger. A person can think they are handling a trying time really well, but it can manifest itself in other ways and your follicles can pay the price. This is where our skills as a good listening therapist come into play. Private quiet areas and a listening ear will gain you that guest loyalty for years to come when you help a person through a difficult time. 

“Don't underestimate the benefits of a good relaxing head massage to nourish the affected areas and trigger good circulation to kick start new growth. Quite often it's not what you rub in, rather than the healing relaxing touch itself that's doing the trick."

Extensions, wigs and hair pieces

“When all else fails, in cases of alopecia, during chemo or just unlucky genetics, there is the realm of hair replacement systems, additions and extensions,” advises Adele. 

Matthew McIlveen, Education and Product Specialist at Scruffy Hair Co., has seen the wig industry transform dramatically over the years.

“We're seeing more people than ever choose wigs as a styling option - not because they have to, but because they want to. Wigs are no longer for hiding; they're for showing up as the version of you that you feel most confident in,” he says. “People are recognising that wigs are a tool - a way to play with their look, express themselves, and get that perfect style without the effort.”

If you're currently unable to offer hair extensions, hair pieces or wigs, it's worth building a relationship with a local provider so you can signpost clients or even better, upskilling to enable you to provide clients with options yourself. 

“Becoming a trained practitioner in these fields or if not, striking a collaborative deal with one nearby can be a very wise move and beneficial for all concerned,” suggests Adele. “These areas have come on in ways that are astounding in recent years. They literally are so undetectable even a professional couldn't spot the good ones till we touched them. 

“A client who has been dealt with sensitively and given back her hair happiness will tell many people and that's what we're all here for at the end of the day isn't it? Happy hair days without the stress.”  

Formulated by Deborah Mitchell, founder of Heaven Skincare, Collagen Drops supplements combine 10,000mg of marine collagen with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, a small amount of glucosamine and Biotin to help with hair repair. 

The supplement can be added to food or drinks, or taken directly orally, and can also be applied directly to the hair by mixing into shampoos and conditioners. 

Although individual results can vary, users report noticeable improvements in hair strength after three to four weeks of consistent use. 

As an added bonus, Heaven Skincare's Collagen Drops also deliver a more youthful looking complexion and stronger nails.

Heaven Skincare: heavenskincare.com

Parrucche recently launched their own collection of Human Hair Wigs for clients who experiencing hair loss.

Ranging in lengths from 12 to 18 inches and available in a range of on-trend colours, Parruche's Human Hair Wigs are available in Petite, Small, Medium and Large sizes with hair density from 130% to 200%. 

In addition, three Cap constructions have been included in the collection including undetectable lacefronts, ear to ear lace, light construct ear tabs and adjustable bands for a semi-custom feel.

In addition, they also offer a range of wigs, hair toppers, hair enhancers and alternative hair loss solutions.

Parrucche: parrucche.co.uk

Biolage Professional Hair Spa has introduced Full Rescue designed to break the cycle of hair fall by addressing the two main causes: scalp and mechanical stress. 

The range comprises a shampoo, conditioner, restorative mask, densifying leave-in spray and invigorating scalp serum. It targets the root cause of hair fall using steam-distilled rosemary oil and triple-purified niacinamide due to their ability to restore balance and resilience to scalp and strands.

"Everyday stressors, from scalp imbalances to mechanical damage, can trigger hair fall, which in turn fuels even more stress. It becomes a cycle that impacts both hair health and self-confidence," says Martha Glenn, Head of Brand at Biolage Professional Hair Spa. "With Full Rescue, we set out to break that cycle, not only by fortifying the hair, but by helping people feel empowered, seen and restored."

Biolage Professional: biolage.co.uk

Available at 111 Harley St., the Exosomes ASCEplus HRVL Hair & Scalp treatment delivers 10 billion Damask Rose Exosomes to treat hair loss and other hair-related concerns. Exosomes are nanoparticles that promote cell to cell communication and increase cell turnover.

Fortified with 10 growth factors and over 30 types of nutrients specifically formulated for the hair, including Biotin and Copper Tripeptide, the treatment optimises the hair growing environment, stimulating hair follicles and helping the scalp reach its optimal hair-growing function.

In addition, the treatment reduces the shedding stage of the hair growth cycle and enhances the growth stage to deliver thicker and fuller hair. 

111 Harley St.: 111harleystreet.com

TricoActiv+ Hair Treatment Lotion is a new hair loss solution developed by Consultant Trichologists Eva Proudman, FIT IAT from UK Hair Specialists, and Dr Michael Ryan MIT AIT PsyD aka ‘The Dubai Hair Doctor'.

Key ingredient Methyl Nicotinate, a vasodilator that moves dormant hair follicles from the ‘resting' to ‘growing' phase, increases blood flow into the follicle and keeps the hair in the growing phase for longer.

In addition, rosemary supports blood flow, sandalwood stimulates hair growth and hop acts as an effective DHT Blocker to stimulate growth and prevent hair loss. Clover reduces shedding and thinning whilst maintaining the pH balance of the scalp and nettle maintains healthy levels of DHT.

TricoActiv+: tricoextra.com

“Maintaining a healthy scalp environment is essential, especially for clients experiencing hair loss,” says OSMO Ambassador Adele Clarke. For use at the backwash and at home, OSMO Scalp Therapy Detoxify Shampoo is a deep cleansing clarifying shampoo formulated to remove product build-up and impurities, helping to create an optimal foundation for hair growth. At the same time, it preserves the hair's natural oils and moisture. 

For at-home daily care, OSMO's Extreme Volume Collection of fortifies formulations thicken each strand of thinning hair for more robust results. Hero ingredients include soybean oil and rice protein to boost and strengthen.

OSMO: osmohair.co.uk