Hair Today…Hair Tomorrow

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: May 14, 2024

From the Editor…Karen Giblin

“Hair is the richest ornament of women.”

– Martin Luther

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

My aunt was born in Italy but emigrated with my father and grandparents to the United States at an early age. She was always loving and filled with great passion. My aunt had a strong work ethic as she owned and operated our family restaurant in Little Italy in Baltimore for over sixty years. She was the matriarch in our family. My aunt lived to be 99 years of age.

Why am I bringing up my aunt currently? It is because, she always had a sense to stay gorgeous. Oh my, she wasn’t about the nips, fillers, and shots that some people resort to today. For her, it was always important to show Mother Nature who was boss. She took special care of herself – eating a healthy and balanced diet and making sure that she kept moving and got enough exercise daily. These were her key components to her healthy lifestyle.

My aunt’s hair was one of the most defining features of her physical looks. And, I bring this up because there are a lot of transformations that our hair goes through at menopause. With this fact in mind, I feel that it is always important for you to know what is happening and how to take care of your hair at menopause and beyond.

So, let’s look at some of the common complaints about our hair that may occur during menopause. It is not uncommon to find too much hair in places we don’t want, for instance hair on our chins. And sometimes we may notice our hair thinning in other places like the tops of our heads or alongside of the hairline. The exact nature of these causes isn’t well known, but it may be because of a combination of declining estrogen loss and aging.

It is important if your hair changes are truly troublesome that you seek the advice of a healthcare professional. Your healthcare provider can help you to understand your options for managing hair changes. Please remember that you won’t be considered vain in doing so.

Some tips to consider:

• Avoid damaging your hair by frequent coloring or perms.
• Comb and brush your hair delicately.
• Use your hairdryer or curling iron on lower settings or even let your hair air dry.
• Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.

For unwanted hair:

• Plucking, waxing, shaving, bleaching, depilatory cream, electrolysis, laser therapy and medications (some off-label) such as: oral contraceptives, anti-androgens and topical cream (eflornithine).
• For hair loss treatments (some off-label):
• Minoxidil, spironolactone, finasteride, estrogen therapy, hair transplantation.

So, in closing, whether you seek treatment for your hair woes or just try to cope with these changes on your own, always try to take extra steps to be kind to your tresses. And, if possible, treat yourself to a salon visit. A good hairdresser may be able to provide you with great advice as to what you need to do to gain an extra level of care for your hair.

Good Health to You All,

Karen Giblin