5 Questions to Ask Your Hairstylist About Hair Loss

Thinning hair can be a really touchy and personal subject... especially for women! At Boost N Blend™, we've tried to help reduce the stigma associated with thinning hair and encourage discussion between women about female hair loss. Apart from the support available in the female hair loss community, there's another great source of information and trained help available to us: our hairstylists! A good stylist will be able to assess your scalp and general hair health, suggest suitable color services, styling and hair care products and offer an insight into styling techniques that have the capacity to make your make hair appear more full.

Your hairstylist is a valuable and knowledgeable asset who's already on your team! You're generally comfortable discussing the intimate details of your life with your stylist, so don't be afraid to take the discussion one step further and ask the questions listed below to take your hair care, hair health and understanding of female hair loss to the next level:

1. What’s the overall condition of my hair and scalp?

Begin your next appointment by asking your stylist how your hair and scalp are doing, so you can gauge where to move the conversation and get an unbiased assessment of your general scalp and hair health by a trained eye. Your hair stylist is in the perfect position to let you know if they can identify an issue just by visual examination and may be able to tell you about something you literally can't even see! This question serves to open up a broader conversation and may be the catalyst to help you speak more openly about your concerns.

2. How often should I wash my hair?

You undoubtedly already have a set hair washing routine but you may in fact be washing your hair too much or too little... it all depends on your specific hair type and the current condition of your scalp and hair. It's important to only shampoo your hair when you need to. Excessive washing will strip your hair of it's natural oils and create more problems that you might realise. Washing your hair too frequently compounds other stressors too and you may be using heat-based drying techniques and harsh styling products more than you need to too.

3. Is your shampoo and conditioner free of parabens and sulphates?

Any stylist worth their scissors will know the value of products that do not contain parabens and sulphates. They won't be using them in their own salons (or on their own hair!) and they shouldn't be recommending them to you. Both ingredients have been linked to an excessive drying effect, irritating the scalp, fading your colour and even contributing to hair loss. Dryer hair is also more brittle and will be far more susceptible to breakage. Asking your hair stylist about their shampoo can also lead them to suggest other products that may be beneficial to your overall scalp and hair health. For example, if your hair is severely damaged, your stylist may be able to recommend a good hair treatment to breathe life back into your locks.

4. Do you use a natural hair dye?

For some women, hair dye can be the culprit for hair loss. It is usually a specific chemical or combination of chemicals used in the dye, (rather than the act of dying itself) that is the main problem. If you tend to be sensitive to chemicals or have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to stay away from excessive chemical content in your hair products but is there actually an alternative when it comes to hair dye? While a specific chemical reaction has to occur to make your colour last, there are several brands out there offering mineral based dyes as a more natural alternative. Professional grade ammonia, resorcinol and PPD free permanent hair color products do exist and are more gentle on you hair, scalp and stylist's hands! The extra bonus is that they don't smell either and neither you or your stylist will be forced to inhale harsh chemicals throughout the process either.

5. Which cuts or styles will best disguise my thinning hair?

It's not necessarily about short hair vs. long hair — it's the way your hair is cut and styled that ultimately makes the difference in appearance. Your hairstylist should know how to make the most out of your next cut, based on your hair's texture and density, and recommend a haircut to best compliment you. We've outlined a few points to consider here, and you may wish to discuss these options with your hairstylist at your next visit. At this point, your hairstylist may also suggest the use of thickening products like hair fibres and root boosters. A natural cotton hair fibre like Boost N Blend is the best option for sure as any keratin-based hair fibre is derived from an animal protein and will be loaded with chemicals and antibiotics to make it suitable for human use. Unlike their Keratin-based counterparts, natural cotton-based fibres like Boost N Blend, won't to clog your pores, irritate your scalp or contribute to your hair loss. When used on hair that has been properly cut and styled, the results are excellent!

There's a great deal of value in having an open and honest discussion with your hair stylist if you notice any significant hair thinning or hair loss. As a general rule, your hairstylist will be able to assess your scalp and hair health, suggest products to suit your hair type and current situation and help you avoid any unnecessary, potentially harmful, chemical additives. If a natural option exists, use it... it's sure to keep your hair looking and feeling it's best and will help to minimise thinning hair and hair loss.

If you'd like to try a natural hair loss concealer like Boost N Blend™ to help boost your confidence, we currently ship worldwide from one of these three stores: