This article has been compiled by Vaibhavi Kodnani, a content writer at Proactive For Her.
PCOS is a hormonal condition that causes an imbalance in the hormones of the body. In this condition, the androgen levels increase in the body. Androgens are a group of hormones that includes testosterone. Therefore, some male characteristics develop, leading to two effects on the hair - hirsutism and hair loss.
Hirsutism
You will develop excessive and thick hair over your lower face, such as the upper lip and chin. Increased hair growth may also happen on your body, like your chest, back or around the navel.
Hair loss
You may also suffer from hair fall due to PCOS. This thinning and loss of hair due to increased levels of androgens is called androgenic alopecia. It affects the hair in either of the three ways:
- Widening of the centre partition
- Thinning of hair
- Receding hairline
Losing more than 100 strands in a day counts as a hair fall.
Will the hair grow back on its own?
Hair loss is one of the PCOS symptoms. Hence, if you do not manage your PCOS, hair growth will not take place. It is all interconnected and interdependent. To reduce your hair loss, you have to work towards bringing the PCOS under control. At the same time, you will require medical treatments for PCOS related hair fall. There are some home remedies as well as useful tips to manage your hair.
For persons with PCOS, hair loss can be very stressful. In turn, taking stress can lead to more hair fall, and you get stuck in a vicious cycle. Hair loss does affect your appearance. It can lower your self-esteem and self-confidence and cause body image issues. But, remember that it is possible to treat it. Find out how!
Medical treatments for Hair fall due to PCOS
There are various treatments targeted at balancing your hormones and promoting hair growth. For permanent hair loss also there are some options available now.
Oral medications
As the hair loss is due to PCOS, you need to manage the PCOS itself. Depending on the hormones that are imbalanced, the doctor will prescribe you medications to balance them.
If the female hormones are imbalanced, your doctor will prescribe you Oral Contraceptive pills to regularise your periods and manage your hormones like LH, FSH, oestrogen and progesterone in your body. It will help in controlling your PCOS and eventually manage the symptoms of hair fall too.
If the androgen levels are high, your hair follicles on the scalp become weak. Hence, the doctor will give you an anti-androgenic drug-like fefalorolectone to help curb hair fall. These drugs are also available as a hair spray or hair lotion that can be applied to your scalp. They may also give you oral medications like finasteride or dutasteride that are DHT blockers. It is to balance your testosterone levels.
If you suffer from migraines, non-medicated lotions would be a better choice for you. Anti-hair fall medicated lotions contain a drug called minoxidil and aminexil. They dilate the blood vessels to improve the blood circulation of the scalp and block testosterone receptors to reduce hair fall. But, dilation of blood vessels in migraine patients can increase headaches or the frequency of headaches.
The doctor will also prescribe you non-medicated anti-hair fall lotions if the hair fall is due to stress caused by PCOS.
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy (PRP)
If your hair fall is uncontrollable and you are suffering from permanent hair loss, the doctor may suggest you opt for PRP therapy. You can choose this treatment method only if the root cause of your PCOS is well-managed.
Process of PRP therapy:
- The doctor will extract your blood.
- This blood will be centrifuged in a machine that separates the platelet component from the blood.
- Platelets heal wounds. So, wherever these platelets are injected, it stimulates a controlled healing pattern there. Following the same principle, hair growth can be stimulated too. Hence, the platelet-rich plasma will be injected into your scalp.
- It will fertilise that area so that the hair grows stronger and better.
Hair transplant
When all other treatment methods fail, you can opt for a hair transplant. It is the process of moving some hair to your bald patches. The doctor will take out some hair follicles from the back of the scalp. Those hair are stronger than the ones on the frontal line or front of your scalp. Then, they will transfer it to the bald areas.
For hirsutism, you will be put on anti-androgenic medications for 3-6 months. If your PCOS is under control, you can even opt for laser hair reduction. Opting for any treatments without managing your PCOS will give you temporary results.
Home remedies to treat hair loss
Homemade shampoos are not recommended as they do not cleanse your scalp well enough. However, homemade hair masks are excellent to use before washing your hair.
Ingredients that are safe and beneficial to use when suffering from hair loss are:
- Fenugreek seeds
- Castor oil
- Aloe vera
- Curd
- Hibiscus
- Egg
- Onion juice
- Curry leaves
Homemade hair mask recipe
This pre-wash hair mask helps with hair fall, hair breakage and also conditions the hair. Research has found out that fenugreek seeds and castor oil help with hair growth.
Ingredients:
- Fenugreek seeds - 2 tbsp
- Curd - 2 tbsp
- Onion juice - 1 tbsp
- Castor oil - 1 tbsp
- Pure honey
Method:
- Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight.
- The next day, put it in a processor. Add the rest of the ingredients - curd, onion juice, castor oil and a little bit of pure honey. Don’t add the honey if it is not pure.
- Blend everything well until it becomes a thick paste.
- Apply it all over your scalp and strands. Leave it for 30 mins to an hour, and then wash it off with an anti-hair fall shampoo followed by a conditioner.
What should one avoid when dealing with hair loss?
To avoid aggravating your hair loss, you must keep a few things in mind.
Do not oil your hair
It is a common myth that oiling your hair promotes hair growth. Oiling hair while suffering from hair loss produces the opposite results. The three reasons why you must never oil your hair while dealing with active hair loss are:
- Your hair follicles are too weak.
- Vigorous massaging is harmful to weak hair.
- Oil can trap the hair follicles so the oxygen won’t reach them. It will cause more hair loss.
Do not tie your hair
As your hair follicles are weak, do not tie your hair into a tight bun, top knot or ponytail. Tying your hair too tightly can further weaken the already weak hair follicles. But while sleeping, tie your hair into a loose plait rather than leaving it open.
What is the best hair care routine to follow?
Here are some tips for hair care when suffering with PCOS-related hair loss.
Washing hair:
- Wash your hair 2-3 times a week with an anti-hair fall shampoo and strengthening conditioner.
- If you work out, rinse your hair with plain water after that. The sweat evaporates, but the sweat salts get accumulated in your hair follicles that can increase your hair fall.
- Be very gentle while washing your hair; do not rub or massage it vigorously.
- Always dilute the shampoo with 3-4 drops of water to reach a watery consistency. It will be easier to apply.
- Apply the diluted shampoo on your scalp and leave it on for 30 seconds to a minute before rinsing it.
- After shampooing, apply the conditioner 1 inch from the root till the end.
Hair Care products:
- Use an anti-hair fall shampoo as its composition has useful ingredients like biotin, zinc, ketoconazole, etc. It does not matter whether the shampoo has sulphate or not.
- Use a strengthening conditioner after shampooing.
- You can even make natural conditioners or hair masks at home. You can use this pre-wash mask 2-3 times a week. Leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour before washing it off.
- Do not use any hair styling products like gel or mousse on your hair.
- If you colour your hair, choose safer alternatives. There are medicated brands that have come up with ammonia-free hair colour kits. Apply temporary hair colours rather than permanent ones.
- Do not oil your hair while suffering from hair loss.
Drying hair after wash:
- Use a cotton towel instead of Turkish towels.
- After washing your hair, wrap it in a cotton towel for 10-20 mins as it allows the hair cuticles to close. Hair cuticles are a protected layer over the hair that open up post hair wash, causing frizziness and breakage.
- Once your hair is towel dry, then leave it open for air drying as your hair follicles are too weak.
- Although it is not advisable, if you do not have that much time to dry your hair, you can use a blow dryer. Remember to always point the head of the blowdry downwards; towards your strands.
Combing hair:
- Do not comb your hair when it is wet.
- If you have to comb your hair after towel-drying it for 20 minutes, use the wide-toothed comb.
- If you have long hair, detangle them with your fingers first and then use a comb.
Trimming hair:
- If you have hair fall and long hair, it is advisable to get it cut short. Otherwise, the end part of your hair appears like a tail.
- On a general basis, you must get your hair trimmed after every 6 weeks to avoid split ends because they lead to weak strands.
What are the lifestyle and diet changes for managing hair fall?
Apart from the medications and home remedies to manage your hair fall issues, some lifestyle and diet changes will make a difference as well. PCOS is a lifelong condition but is manageable with the following incorporations.
Exercise regularly: Undoubtedly, exercising has many benefits. It releases your happy hormones and helps to reduce your stress levels. You can also shed some weight if you exercise daily. Focus on doing at least 20 minutes of exercise every day. A few yoga poses claim to help in reducing hair fall by increasing the blood circulation in the scalp. They include the downward dog pose and the standing forward bend.
Get enough sleep: Any alterations in your sleep can also affect your skin and hair. Therefore, sleep early, sleep at the same time daily and get up on time after a good 7-8 hours of sleep.
Improve your diet: Increasing the protein intake in your diet can prove beneficial for your hair. Protein-rich sources are eggs, beans, spinach, fish, oats, sunflower seeds, all nuts like almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, carrots, cottage cheese, milk. Avoid eating high-processed foods, foods with added preservatives, sugary foods, refined carbs, foods with a high Glycemic Index. Keep yourself well-hydrated at all times.
Manage your weight: 70% of women who have PCOS are obese or have increased abdominal girth. Thus, attaining a healthy weight will help in balancing your hormones and gradually reduce hair fall.
Recommended hair care products brands
Pantene, Dove and Olaplex are a few good commercial brands with good hair care products. But if you have PCOS, then it is better to opt for medicated hair products. A few brands with good anti-hair fall shampoos and strengthening conditioners are:
- Ducray
- FCL
- Duntres
- Bioderma
What are some tips to make hair loss less noticeable?
If your centre partition has widened, then part your hair in the opposite direction to give it some volume effect.
If your hair is thinning or you have bald patches, you can try covering it up if you do not want to treat it medically. Cover it with a wig, scarf or hat. Nowadays, there are breathable wigs available that can be washed once a month. Another tip is to opt for tattooing your scalp. In tattooing, your scalp will be covered in small dots of the same colour as your hair to give an illusion of hair in that area.
Bottom line
Uncontrolled PCOS can lead to serious complications such as cardiac issues, infertility, etc. Hence, the first step is to manage the cause of your condition. Secondly, if it is affecting your hair, visit a dermatologist to discuss treatment options. The doctor and their team can also counsel you to help you deal with it better. You can join online support groups if it’s affecting your mental health.
Disclaimer : This information is educational and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding supplements.
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