Help! My Hair is Falling Out 

Your guide to beauty and self-care during hair loss 

Hair loss can be a devastating experience, regardless of why your hair is falling out. Whether it’s because of aging, general stress, chemo, alopecia or an autoimmune disorder, hair loss is never fun, always stressful, and the best case scenario is holding yourself with grace and love through it all. 

We’ve been working with and supporting women (and men!) going through hair loss for almost 30 years, and know a thing or two about staying strong while your follicles are going weak. Consider this your guide to surviving — and thriving. 

Best Tips for Coping with Hair Loss 

The hardest part of coping with hair loss is realizing that you can’t control it. The more you try to fight it, the more painful the experience will be. 

We know this sounds counterintuitive, because you’re probably here looking for answers and solutions to your hair loss. And we’ll get to grooming tips and beauty hacks to help the process go more smoothly, and keep you glowing in the meantime. But first, and most importantly, it’s time to let go. 

The struggle is the worst part. Once you stop struggling, and realize that hair loss is your body’s natural reaction to whatever reality you’re moving through, you will feel better. That’s a promise.

Take yourself under your own wing and remember that this, too, shall pass. We’ll be here to get you through it, wigs, scarves, pretty hair pieces and all. 

Now for the coping mechanisms. Let’s get started! 

1.    Find a Support Group 

If you’re going through hair loss due to a significant health issue like chemotherapy or an autoimmune disorder, support groups can be a wonderful way to find camaraderie and know that you aren’t alone. Loneliness is a common experience for someone dealing with hair loss, especially if none of your friends or family have dealt with a similar situation. 

Know that you aren’t alone. Connecting with other people who have been affected by hair loss can create a sense of belonging and community. You’ll make friends and bond with people who can offer advice, support, and hugs that aren’t just out of pity. 

Talk to your doctor about finding a support group for hair loss, or Google to find one in your area. Your hair stylist may also be able to help connect you to other people going through it. 

Another great way to find support, if you don’t want to meet in person, is in an online community. This can relieve the anxiety of meeting people face-to-face, but you’ll be able to read about other people’s experiences, and in that way, feel less alone. 

2. Talk To a Therapist

If you’re like any of us, you might be trying to downplay the experience in your mind. Telling yourself to toughen up and deal with it, or similar. This self-talk is actually pretty cruel, and won’t work the way you think it will. 

Talking to a therapist is a reasonable response to hair loss, and is actually an extraordinary act of kindness to yourself. Think of it this way. Hundreds of years ago, people lived in tight-knit communities, and would probably be assisted by a medicine woman or spiritual guide who would know how to care for the body, mind and spirit of the person going through loss. These days, we are so isolated, and medical care tends to focus on the symptoms of the person and critical illness, while leaving emotions to the wayside. 

Talking to a therapist can care for the human in you, the heart that is so often neglected in times of physical stress. You may be surprised by how much better you feel, by getting those feelings off your chest.  

No, it’s not superficial to cry about hair loss. Yes, it will make you feel better to let go of your sadness, whether the root cause is your roots (ha! Hair pun!) or something else.

3.    Care for Your Scalp 

Hair provides a natural layer of protection from the elements, so if your hair falls out, your head may be more susceptible to irritation, redness, and overall sensitivity. Take care of this, and protect the hair you still have, with targeted TLC. 

For cancer patients, we recommend Alra’s mild shampoo, which is specifically formulated for those going through cancer treatment. 

For others, here are some of our favorite solutions for sensitive scalps with thinning hair: 

• Nioxin Scalp Relief Shampoo. If you are experiencing dryness, itchiness, and sensitivity, this cleanser is for you. Made with natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Vitamin B3 and Keratin, it has a scalp neutral PH And a clean label fragrance.
• Scalp Relief Conditioner. Soothe your scalp, promote healthy hair growth, and prevent split ends with this conditioner for sensitive, thinning scalps.
• Scalp Relief Soothing Serum. We absolutely love this product for providing thicker looking hair from the first use, while immediately relieving dry, sensitive, itchy scalps with its leave-on treatment. 
   

Another product we love is this Instant Fullness Dry Cleanser. It’s a quick and easy solution to thinning hair when you’re short on time (and energy), gently cleansing while providing a voluminous appearance without weighing down locks. 

If it’s thickening you’re after, we also have 3 part kits to help restore fullness to thinning hair. Bonus, these kits contain ingredients to protect hair from harsh UV rays! 

4.    Treat yo’self to stylish headwear

Women have been using beautiful accessories like hats and scarves to disguise hair loss for thousands of years. We’re proud to be part of that tradition. 

While we have hundreds of options for your perusal, here are a few of our popular styles to get you started. And no, you don’t have to revamp your entire wardrobe to match. We chose these headcoverings for versatility and ease. 

Popular headcoverings for hair loss (crowd favorites) 

●      Trinity Cotton Turban. We’re obsessed with this trendy yet low-key turban, which can be worn three ways for maximum usage. It’s the cap for bad hair days and no hair days, because it matches every outfit while providing the ultimate comfort that you need, thanks to super soft cotton and gentle seams.  

●      Slinky Pre-Tied Scarf. We’ve got dozens (no, seriously — dozens!) of scarves in this convenient, pre-tied style, to match any occasion and outfit in your wardrobe. With or without hair, it looks fabulous, and the silky fabric will feel oh-so-good on your head.  

●      Pleated Newsboy Hat. It comes in khaki, gray, denim or charcoal, all classic colors for this classic style. The flattering pleats promote an illusion of fullness, while the style is inconspicuous enough to wear without advertising your hair loss.  

5.    Fall asleep in (affordable!) luxury 

Coping with hair loss isn’t just for the day. We know you feel it even at night, when your scalp may be more sensitive against the pillow, and the fear of further hair loss and breakage is a waking nightmare. 

Never fear, we have solutions. Our sleeping caps can help protect the hair you still have, while soothing your scalp in the process. (We even have sleep caps for cold climates, if you’ve got a chilly head.) And we have cotton sleep caps for men with a more masculine appeal.

Don’t forget the value of a soft pillowcase. Our silk pillowcase is made with the highest grade premium silk, providing minimal friction and absorbing less natural oils. While cotton pillowcases can cause hairs to break, silk pillowcases are more gentle and promote a velvety feel by morning. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic! 

6.    Consider a wig 

If your hair loss is getting to a point where you can’t stop thinking about it — or perhaps you’re completely bald — you might consider wearing a wig, just to ease the turmoil of going about your day. 

In our experience, many people find that a wig helps them feel more secure and confident, not just superficially, but on a deeper, emotional level. With so many styles, colors and textures to choose from, it’s possible to find a wig that closely resembles your hairstyle prior to your loss. And you won’t have to spend so much time stressing about what you no longer have. 

Check out our wig buying guide to find your perfect match. We also have a toll-free hotline at 1-800-264-4287 (HATS) that you can call to get free, personalized help on your wig-buying journey. Or you can chat with an expert online.

Beauty Hacks for Hair Loss 

Now that you’re hopefully feeling better (or at least less afraid) about what you’re going through, we can move on to the fun part: feeling fabulous! 

It’s possible to reclaim your experience and actually enjoy your beauty routine with a few simple tricks. Instead of thinking about the hair you’re losing, focus on the fun of dressing up and experimenting with different styles during this alternate time. 

Play with scarves 

Whether you are just covering up a patch or looking to distract from overall thinning, a strategically placed scarf can create the illusion of fullness while offering the utmost in glamour. Silk scarves channel such icons as Jackie Onassis and Liz Taylor, not to mention sensual, mysterious women throughout the ages. 

Our scarf-tying guide can get you started with ideas, while pre-tied scarves provide elegance without the fuss. 

Discover your hat aura 

So you’ve never worn hats before. So what? Now’s the time to embrace the hat personality you never knew you had. 

We have so many hats to choose from that you can forget all about your hair loss. From of-the-moment bucket hats to timeless styles like berets, cloches and beanies, you’ll find a style that boosts your mood. Our sun hats are particularly appealing, as they are designed to be both stylish and easy on the scalp — a rarity in the market.

Accessorize with clip-ins 

Remember being young and wanting streaks of wild color in your hair? Now’s your chance to live that fantasy…with slightly less rebellion. 

Our hair pieces are fantastic at disguising hair loss, and convenient enough to apply at home. In mere seconds, you can have a messy bun, whimsical waves or a classic ponytail. 

Wiglets and hair toppers add fullness to thinning hair while covering areas where hair loss occurs. These can be great for covering up bald or patchy areas, providing targeted coverage exactly where you need it.  

Flutter those lashes 

If your eyelashes are thinned or gone, you may be missing that flirtatious flutter, or simply an eye-framing fringe. Never fear. We have affordable, high quality false eyelashes for when you’ve lost hair there. You can also use makeup to create the appearance of thicker lashes. 

With practice, applying false lashes can become a normal part of your beauty routine. 

Arch an eyebrow 

Similarly, restore brows to fullness using a variety of easy, at-home methods, including eyebrow wigs, temporary eyebrow tattoos, and stencils. Experiment with different styles to see what feels the most natural. 

Get chatty at the salon

Hairdressers are there for a reason. Ask them for suggestions if you’re stumped or overwhelmed by your hair loss. 

They can make your hair look thicker by cutting it shorter, adding in layers or feathering it. When blow drying, try lifting hair up and away from the head. Changing the location of your part can help conceal thinning areas. You can also dye hair to cover up bare scalp areas.

Rock a wig 

Perhaps the simplest hack for hair loss, wearing a wig can be an antidote to deep-rooted stress, especially on public occasions when you want to avoid talking about your hair loss. You don’t owe everyone an explanation or even an acknowledgement about what you’re going through, so if you want to fly incognito, rock a full-coverage wig and get back to being you. 

Remember that you’re naturally beautiful

It’s no small feat to go through an experience like hair loss with your self-love intact. Remember that your physical appearance is just part of the beauty you bring to the world. We are all equipped with far more than hair follicles to spread love and experience joy on this wonderful planet.