I always knew postpartum hair loss was a possibility, but nothing prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster that came with it. Then, after getting COVID, my shedding got even worse. Desperate for answers, I spent years trying every product I could find, but nothing worked—until I learned how things like dihydrotestosterone a.k.a. DHT blockers and personalized care could actually target the root of the problem. What started as a frustrating and isolating experience became a turning point—not just for my hair, but for how I care for myself overall.
The emotional toll of postpartum hair loss
After the birth of my first child at age 31, I expected some postpartum hair loss, but nothing prepared me for how much hair I actually ended up losing. After my second child, the hair fall only intensified. I truly started to dread washing my hair—watching it come out in clumps in my hands was so upsetting and emotional. Honestly, at 33, I couldn’t shake the fear that my hairline would eventually resemble my mother’s and grandmother’s—thin and balding.
My hair has always been a defining part of my identity, largely because I am a natural strawberry blonde with red tones. It’s one of the first things people tend to notice about me. Over time, it’s become more than just a physical feature—it’s a form of self-expression and a thread woven into how others recognize and remember me.
Growing up, I was often referred to as the “little redhead,” and even earned the nickname “Red” among friends, classmates, and family. It’s played a quiet but steady role in shaping my confidence over the years, and to this day, it still feels like a signature part of who I am. So seeing it thin out and disappear was incredibly painful.
COVID-related hair loss made it even worse
Yet, the postpartum shedding was nothing compared to recovering from COVID-19; I had another wave of experiencing hair loss, and it was truly terrifying. While my hair has never been especially thick, the combination of its vibrant color and natural curl has always made it stand out.
What I tried to stop the shedding
Losing it took a major toll on my confidence. I even stopped coloring and highlighting my hair in an effort to reduce damage. I also immediately tried over-the-counter shampoos and conditioners that were specifically marketed for stimulating hair follicles to treat hair loss, in the hopes that they might help. After reading about the hair-boosting benefits of biotin, I also added biotin supplements to my routine.
Unfortunately, I didn’t see much improvement. So, eventually, I thought the affordable products just didn’t work as well, so I opted for more expensive brands. Frustratingly, after a few months, I still wasn’t seeing any results—nothing seemed to truly address the root of the problem.
A personalized hair loss routine that finally worked
That’s when a neighbor told me about Advanced Trichology—it was such a comprehensive, personalized approach, unlike anything I had tried before. For the first time in my hair loss journey, I had someone evaluate my medical history, lifestyle and even analyze my scalp under a high-resolution microscope.
They also reviewed my blood work to understand what might be happening internally. Based on all of that information, they developed a custom treatment plan tailored specifically to my needs. The upfront cost to get started was probably in the ballpark of $200 to $300, but I would have paid double.
Coming from a healthcare background myself, I appreciated that my hair loss was approached like a medical concern, not just something cosmetic. This resonated with me as it is exactly how I approach my patients. It made me feel incredibly comfortable, and having a plan personally designed to focus on my needs made this program easy to commit to. That’s why I had such high hopes when I began using their zone 1 and zone 2 supplements—DHT Blocker and FoliGROWTH vitamins—along with two topicals, NutraM and FoliGROWTH serum.
The DHT blockers are such an important component because DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone known to shrink hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle, often leading to thinning or shedding, especially in women with a genetic sensitivity to it. The bloodwork that’s done as part of this hair loss treatment program helps determine DHT levels, and the products are designed to help lower and balance those levels to support healthy regrowth.
A new routine—and new hope
At the beginning, I was completely drained from trying to find my own solutions—I had spent so much time researching products, trying everything under the sun, and getting nowhere. After I started seeing results, I got curious and began looking into the “why” behind it all.
I was surprised to learn that these products weren’t just your standard supplements—they actually support gut health through probiotics and prebiotics, which I hadn’t realized was so closely tied to hair health. It was eye-opening, and coming from a healthcare background, it made a lot of sense, but it just hadn’t clicked for me before.
The serums have honestly become my favorite part of the routine. I was a little skeptical at first, especially with the FoliGROWTH since it’s an oil—and with naturally curly hair like mine, the last thing I want is anything that makes it feel greasy. But it surprised me because it doesn’t leave any oily residue, and since my hair tends to be on the drier side (as most curly-haired people can relate to), the oil actually improves the texture and leaves it feeling more nourished.
The NutraM serum is more water-based, so it’s super lightweight. I use both serums at night—not because they make my hair oily, but mainly because the FoliGROWTH has a pretty strong scent. It’s not unpleasant at all, but it doesn’t pair well with my perfume or scented lotions.
Also, as anyone with curls knows that massaging products into dry curls can sometimes cause frizz—another fun curly-hair quirk. That said, I genuinely look forward to this part of my evening. I use a soft scalp massager to work the serums in, and it feels amazing—like a little self-care ritual before bed. It’s soothing, relaxing, and it’s nice to actually enjoy the process of taking care of my hair again.
Seeing the results restored my confidence
Best of all, within three months, I noticed significantly less shedding, and by six months, I was so thrilled to notice new growth had begun to fill in my hairline! It was such a relief, for the first time in years, my hair was healthy again.
There was less breakage, and washing my hair no longer filled me with dread and anxiety. I only wish I had found these solutions sooner, rather than wasting so much time and energy on generic treatments that just weren’t right for me.
My best advice for anyone going through hair loss
The biggest lesson I’ve learned from my own experience is that hair loss is incredibly personal—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding the why behind your hair loss is the only way to see meaningful, lasting results.
Another important realization was that I needed to stop fearing the simple act of washing my hair. It sounds small, but that fear had become so ingrained in me. Reclaiming that routine as something that was positive instead of associated with dread was such a huge relief and emotional shift for me.
For anyone else wanting to address their hair loss, my best advice is to start the process of understanding the why behind your hair loss as early as possible. What I learned from my own battle with hair loss is that this isn’t a quick fix—it’s a journey. You’ll save so much time, money and emotional energy by going directly to a personalized solution instead of trying countless generic products like I did. For me, Advanced Trichology was a game changer—and now at 42, my hair is once again something people notice and often compliment me for!