Thick, healthy hair is undoubtedly one of our physical attributes that makes us all feel more attractive, but it also reflects overall wellness. So, when you start noticing extra strands in the shower drain or a once-full ponytail losing volume, it’s natural to wonder what’s happening.

While genetics can contribute to hair loss, other factors– everyday habits, environmental factors, and underlying health conditions– could be speeding up the process. While pinpointing the exact problem can be tedious, advancements in hair health science offer targeted, clinically tested solutions that make slowing hair loss as easy as taking your vitamins.

Industry-leading Nutrafol® Men and Nutrafol® Women’s Balance are drug-free, physician-formulated supplements that address multiple root causes of hair loss with a blend of medical-grade botanicals, bioavailable nutrients, and adaptogens.

Let’s look at the science behind common causes of hair thinning and show you how Nutrafol® can help restore your hair’s strength and fullness.

1. Hormonal Changes

The fluctuating hormone levels we experience during aging take a toll on our entire body, including our hair. A testosterone byproduct called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is particularly problematic, as it triggers a process called follicle miniaturization, meaning follicles shrink, causing thinner strands and a shorter growth cycle.

In pre-menopausal and menopausal women, the downturn in estrogen levels can cause a similar disruption, leading to increased shedding and slowed regrowth.

The Fix: Nutrafol® Men and Nutrafol® Women’s Balance contain saw palmetto, a natural DHT blocker, to prevent follicle shrinkage. Additionally, adaptogens like ashwagandha help rebalance hormone levels by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to improve overall endocrine function.

2. Stress

When life’s pressures are weighing on your mind, they also weigh down your hair growth potential. Chronic stress triggers your body to overproduce cortisol, causing inflammation that shortens the anagen or growth phase. When the anagen phase is shortened, follicles prematurely enter the telogen or resting phase, which is when shedding happens.

The Fix: Nutrafol® supplements feature Sensoril® Ashwagandha, an adaptogen clinically proven to lower cortisol by up to 30%.

3. Nutritional Gaps

Each of your hairs is primarily a shaft of keratin, a protein that requires a steady supply of nutrients to thrive. So, when you have deficiencies in a particular vitamin, mineral, or amino acid, your hair takes a toll. For example, low iron means that your body is less efficient at transporting oxygen, low zinc slows down DNA replication and cell division, and low biotin means one of the essential cofactors in keratin production is lacking.

The Fix: Healthy hair starts with a nutrient-dense diet. For an added boost, Nutrafol® supplements include highly bioavailable marine collagen peptides to provide amino acids for keratin synthesis, along with selenium and zinc to support cellular repair and follicular function.

4. Health Conditions and Medications

Certain health conditions can cause follicles to produce less or lower-quality hair. Hypothyroidism, for example, slows down energy delivery because it impacts the metabolism, while autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata mistakenly attack hair follicles.

There are also certain medications that, for various reasons, can cause hair loss, including antibiotics, hormonal birth control, immuno-suppressants, anti-convulsants, and beta-blockers, amongst others.

The Fix: First and foremost, you must consult a medical professional if you suspect an underlying condition might interfere with your hair health. Once you’ve discussed the issue with them, ask whether Nutrafol® would be an appropriate measure to help mitigate the problem.

5. Circulation Issues

Your hair follicles thrive on a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients in the bloodstream. Poor circulation caused by smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, or scalp tension can deprive follicles of the resources they need to sustain robust growth. Over time, reduced blood flow can lead to weakened hair structure and increased shedding.

The Fix: Boost circulation to your scalp by exercising regularly and giving yourself scalp massages during showers. You can also look to Nutrafol®’s Synergen Complex® for micronutrients like tocotrienols (a potent form of vitamin E) and curcumin (a powerful anti-inflammatory) to improve circulation. 

Take Charge of Your Hair’s Health

Nutrafol® takes a multi-targeted approach to hair wellness, and, when coupled with your dermatologist’s advice, can help you address the root causes of thinning and restore your strands to their full potential. You can learn more about Nutrafol® Men and Nutrafol® Women’s Balance products, both available at Advanced Skin Therapeutics, by visiting us in-store. Just looking to stock up? You can also order online.