How I Restored My Hair After Extreme Hair Loss

In 2017, I found myself in a highly stressful job. The constant pressure led to burnout—and significant hair loss. My hair started falling out in clumps, leaving me devastated. I’ve always had fine hair, but it was thick and healthy. During this stressful time, I noticed my hair thinning drastically, especially on the upper left side of my scalp.

This was the turning point. I quit my job to focus on my physical and mental health. Although I improved my diet and reduced stress, my hair showed no signs of recovery. Here’s how I embarked on a long journey of trial and error to regain my hair’s strength and volume.

The Early Struggles with Hair Loss

I took several initial steps to improve my hair health:

• Healthier Diet: I prioritized a balanced and nutritious eating plan.
• Frequent Trims: I visited my hairdresser every two months, trimming about 1 cm to “refresh” my ends.
• Scalp Massages: I started massaging my scalp to stimulate blood flow.
• Oil Treatments: Overnight coconut or olive oil treatments became part of my routine.

Despite these efforts, my hair remained thin and weak. I even tried biotin supplements for 2 months, but the results were underwhelming. My new hair growth broke off before it could reach a significant length.

The Breakthrough: A New Approach to Hair Recovery

One day, while searching for biotin in a pharmacy, I had a transformative conversation with a pharmacist. I can’t remember the whole conversation, but something struck me when she talked about doubling the initial dose of biotin and taking it consistently for a longer time. This advice inspired me to take a more comprehensive and long-term approach to restoring my hair. I decided to nurture my hair with even more intensive hair care and for as long as it takes to improve the health and state of my hair.

Here’s the plan that finally worked:

1. Biotin Supplements

I committed to a daily dose of biotin, doubling it initially, as recommended by the pharmacist.

2. Hydration and Moisture

• I applied a moisturizing hair cream daily to prevent dryness and breakage.
• Before washing, I treated my hair with coconut oil or a deep-conditioning mask, leaving it on for at least 30 minutes or overnight whenever possible.

3. Gentle Hair Care Routine

• I avoided blow-drying, heat styling, and harsh brushing.
• I used a scalp massaging brush during washing to promote circulation and encourage hair growth.
• For detangling, I switched to the Tangle Teezer Original Panther Black, which minimized breakage.

4. Adjusted Hair Washing Technique

I alternated between:

• Reverse washing: Applying conditioner before shampoo to minimize damage.
• Regular washing: Shampoo followed by conditioner.

5. Natural Hair Dye

I switched to a natural, long-lasting hair dye free of ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, silicone, and PPD. This alternative was just as effective and easy to use as regular dyes but much gentler on my hair.

6. Strategic Trimming

Instead of trimming every two months, I extended the intervals to 4–6 months. This allowed the longer hair to protect the newer growth from external influences.

Progress and Results

Over time, I noticed significant improvements:

• Steady Growth: Baby hairs grew past the fragile 2–3 cm stage, steadily increasing by about 1 cm per month.
• Thicker, Stronger Hair: My hair became healthier, with visibly fewer breakages.

This journey taught me that hair care requires consistency, patience, and a multi-faceted intensive approach. As we age, our hair naturally thins, but with diligent care, it is possible to maintain healthier, thicker hair.