Introduction: Where’d My Hair Go?

I used to have hair that made people stop and smile. It was thick, shiny, and something I thought would always be part of me. In my teens, I noticed a few extra strands on my brush.
Nothing too serious.
I figured it was normal.

But after my first pregnancy, it changed.

The hair started coming out more and more. And it never fully came back.

Now that I’m in my 60s, I’ve got maybe a third of what I used to.
Some days, that gets to me.
On other days, I remember what my mom always said: ‘Keep the faith, no matter what.’

Hair loss can come from all sorts of places.
Stress.
Diet.
Hormones.
Medications.

But there are things you can do.
Small steps.
Foods that feed your hair. Vitamins that make a difference. Shampoos that don’t strip you bare.

I’ve learned a few things, and if you’re going through this too, maybe they’ll help.

Food for Reducing Hair Loss – Eat for Your Roots

I didn’t always think about how food could affect something like hair. You hear about it helping your heart or your weight, but no one really tells you that your scalp is hungry too. Hungry for the right kind of care. The kind that comes from a plate, not just a bottle.

Your hair grows out of follicles, and those little roots need to be fed. Not with fancy treatments, but with the right nutrients. When your body doesn’t get what it needs, your hair is one of the first things to suffer. It gets thinner. Slower. Weaker. And one day, you notice it’s not just falling out. It’s not coming back the way it used to.

Here are some of the foods that help keep the roots strong and the strands holding on:

Omega-3 fatty acids

These help soothe the scalp and support healthy follicles. They come from foods like:

• Salmon
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts

Protein

Hair is made mostly of protein. Without enough, your body won’t prioritize hair growth. Good sources are:

• Grass-fed beef
• Eggs
• Lentils and legumes
• Chicken (but only if it’s clean and hormone-free)

Iron

Iron helps carry oxygen through your blood to your scalp, and your follicles need that oxygen to grow strong, healthy hair. Without enough iron, everything slows down—especially hair growth. The most reliable source? Grass-fed beef. It’s rich in heme iron, which your body absorbs much more easily than plant-based sources.

Other foods that contain iron, though less absorbable, include:

• Spinach
• Oats
• Tofu

Biotin and B vitamins

These support the building blocks of hair. They help strengthen the strands and keep them from breaking. Try adding:

• Sweet potatoes
• Bananas
• Mushrooms

Eating well won’t fix everything overnight. But little by little, these choices add up. They tell your body that you’re taking care of it. That you want to keep growing, even in the small ways.

Vitamins For Hair Growth And Thickness: Supplements That Work

Sometimes eating right just doesn’t fill in all the blanks. You try your best, but life gets in the way. And even with a solid diet, your body might still be running low on the nutrients your hair needs to grow and stay strong.

That’s where supplements come in. Not to replace your food, but to support it. Quiet help when your body needs a little extra care.

Here are some of the best vitamins for preventing hair loss:

Biotin (Vitamin B7)
This one helps your body produce keratin. Without it, hair can become thin, brittle, and slow to grow.

Iron
Your scalp needs oxygen, and iron is what carries it there. Low iron is one of the most common reasons for thinning hair.

Vitamin D
Plays a role in creating new hair follicles and calming inflammation. If you don’t get much sun, you might need more of it.

B-complex
Includes B1 through B12. These help deliver nutrients and oxygen through your blood, which keeps the roots of your hair nourished.

Zinc
Supports the glands around your hair follicles and helps with tissue repair.

If you’re falling short in any of these, there are supplements for preventing hair loss that can help fill in the gaps. They won’t fix everything overnight, but they give your body the building blocks it needs.

LiveGood makes clean, affordable options that cover the essentials without unnecessary fillers. It’s one way to give your hair a little more support from the inside out.

Gentle plug for LiveGood if appropriate: affordable, clean supplements to cover nutritional gaps.

When you’re doing what you can, and it still doesn’t feel like enough, the right supplements for preventing hair loss can make a quiet difference.

Shampoo for Stopping Hair Loss – Wash Wisely

When you’re losing hair, even something as simple as washing it can start to feel like a big deal. You want to clean your scalp, but you don’t want to scrub away what little you’ve got left. I’ve been there. Standing in the shower, hoping the shampoo I’m using is helping and not hurting.

It turns out, what’s in your shampoo really does matter. The best shampoo for preventing hair loss is gentle, not harsh. It should clean your scalp without stripping it. It should support your follicles, not irritate them.

Here are a few things to look for:

Sulfate-free

Sulfates make shampoo foam, but they can also dry out your scalp and damage weak hair. Going sulfate-free is a safer bet.

Infused with keratin, caffeine, or biotin

These ingredients can help strengthen your strands, stimulate your scalp, and protect what’s still growing.

Mild and moisturizing

Your scalp needs to stay healthy if you want your hair to stick around. Look for a shampoo that soothes and hydrates, especially if your skin is sensitive.

Now, one question comes up a lot.

Is minoxidil good for preventing hair loss?

The answer is yes. It has been shown to help with hair regrowth and slowing down loss.

But it’s not a shampoo. It’s a topical treatment you apply directly to your scalp, usually twice a day.

It works differently and should be used alongside a good shampoo, not in place of it.

Washing your hair may not feel like much, but when you choose the right products, it becomes one of the small ways you take care of yourself. And those small ways can add up.

Tips for Preventing Hair Loss – Little Habits, Big Difference

Sometimes it’s not the big changes that help the most. It’s the quiet, everyday habits that add up. The ones that seem small at first, but over time, they tell your body it’s safe. That it’s cared for. That it doesn’t need to let go of anything else.

If you’re trying to keep the hair you have, here are a few simple things that can help:

Avoid tight hairstyles

Pulling your hair back too tight puts stress on the roots. That tension can cause breakage or even make your hair fall out faster. Let it rest.

Don’t overwash

Washing your hair every day might feel clean, but it can strip away the natural oils that protect your scalp. Try to space out your washes when you can.

Use a soft brush

A gentle brush with wide, flexible bristles can help you avoid pulling and breakage. Be kind to your hair, especially when it’s wet.

Hydrate, rest, and manage stress

Your hair listens to your life. When you’re tired, dehydrated, or stretched too thin, it knows. Take care of your body, and your hair will have a better chance to stay strong.

Bonus tip: gentle scalp massages with natural oil

Massaging your scalp with oils like rosemary or coconut can help improve circulation and create a calm, healthy environment for your follicles.

These little habits are not magic. But they are kind. And sometimes kindness is what the body responds to most.

Men vs. Women – Reducing Hair Loss for Both Genders

Hair loss doesn’t play favorites. It shows up in different ways, for different reasons, but it affects all of us in one way or another.

The hair loss causes can vary depending on whether you’re male or female, which means the care you need might look a little different, too.

Preventing hair loss in males

For men, the main culprit is usually hormones. More specifically, something called DHT, a form of testosterone that can shrink hair follicles over time. This makes the hair thinner, shorter, and eventually, it stops growing altogether.

If you’re a man looking into preventing hair loss, here are a few things that may help:

• Look into DHT-blocking shampoos or natural supplements
• Consider medications like finasteride if recommended by a doctor
• Get enough zinc, protein, and healthy fats in your diet
• Keep your scalp clean and avoid heavy styling products

Preventing hair loss in women

For women, the causes are often more varied. Iron deficiency, thyroid problems, and changes from pregnancy or menopause can all play a role.

If you’re a woman working on preventing hair loss, try focusing on:

• Iron-rich foods or supplements if your levels are low
• Supporting your thyroid health with balanced nutrition and regular checkups
• Gentle hair care after childbirth or during hormone shifts
• Adding biotin, vitamin D, and omega-3s to your routine

No matter who you are, losing hair can feel personal. But there’s comfort in knowing that you’re not alone, and that with the right care, you can give your hair a better chance to stay.

Preventing Postpartum Hair Loss – And After Pregnancy

They don’t always tell you that your hair might fall out after the baby arrives. You’re focused on feedings and sleep and just keeping up. Then one day, the shower drain clogs, or your brush fills up faster than usual. And it hits you. The shedding. The loss. It’s not just your imagination.

Postpartum hair loss happens because of a shift in hormones. During pregnancy, your body holds onto more hair than usual. After delivery, those hormone levels drop, and the extra hair starts to fall. It’s normal, but that doesn’t make it easy.

There are a few things that can help with preventing hair loss after pregnancy:

• Get enough iron to rebuild your blood and support circulation
• Focus on protein to feed your follicles
• Add biotin to help strengthen your hair from the roots
• Sleep when you can, hydrate, and be gentle with your hair and yourself

Many women share tips and stories in preventing postpartum hair loss Reddit threads. You’ll find everything from natural oils to nutrient routines to emotional support. It helps to know you’re not alone.

The truth is, this kind of hair loss doesn’t last forever. It takes time. It takes consistency. But your hair will settle. Your body will find its new normal. And little by little, things will grow again.

Managing Hair Loss During Weight Loss & After Surgery

Sometimes when people talk about losing weight, they make it sound like everything gets better. But they don’t always mention the parts that feel strange.

The fatigue.
The changes in your skin.
The hair on your pillow that wasn’t there before.

You think you’re doing something good for yourself, and then your hair starts falling out. It can feel like one more thing you didn’t expect to grieve.

If you’re focusing on preventing hair loss during weight loss, it helps to slow down. Let your body adjust gently.

Give it what it needs to feel safe.

• Eat enough protein every day
• Keep meals balanced, even when your appetite fades
• Don’t skip nutrients just to cut calories
• Take a daily multivitamin if your meals are limited

When the weight loss comes after surgery, the change is even faster. Your body goes through shock. It starts pulling from its reserves, and hair growth is not a priority. That is why preventing hair loss after bariatric surgery takes real intention.

• Prioritize protein every single day
• Take iron, B12, and zinc regularly
• Follow your doctor’s schedule for lab work and supplements
• Be gentle with your body. It is still learning how to work in a new way

Some people are using newer medications now, like Zepbound. The stories are mixed.

For some, it helps. For others, it brings new challenges.

If you are using it, focus on preventing hair loss on Zepbound with the same kind of care.
Track what you eat.
Stay hydrated.
Watch for signs of deficiency.
And speak up if something feels off.

Hair is personal.

Losing it during a time when you are trying to feel stronger can feel like a betrayal.

But your body is not against you. It is just trying to survive the shift.

With kindness, nutrition, and time, things often settle. And sometimes, what grows back feels stronger than what was lost.

Preventing Hair Loss During Chemo – Tender Care for a Tough Time

There are some kinds of hair loss that hit differently.

Not because they hurt more than others, but because they come during a time when everything else already feels heavy.

Chemotherapy is one of those times. You are fighting for your life, and somewhere in the middle of that fight, your hair starts slipping away too.

It is okay to feel something about that. You are allowed to miss your hair. You are allowed to feel tired of losing things.

While nothing stops it completely, there are gentle ways to care for your scalp through it. Not just to save hair, but to protect your sense of self along the way.

Some things that may help:

Cool caps
These are special caps worn during chemo that help reduce blood flow to the scalp. They are not always available, but if they are, they may help you keep some of your hair.

Scalp care and hydration
Use mild, fragrance-free shampoo. Keep your scalp clean, soft, and moisturized. Even without hair, your scalp still needs care.

Nutrient support post-treatment
After chemo, your body needs help rebuilding. Protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins all play a part. Talk to your care team about when it is safe to add supplements or adjust your meals.

This time in your life asks a lot of you. More than anyone should have to give.

But being gentle with yourself, even in small ways, can help carry you through it.

And when the time is right, your hair often finds its way back, just like you are finding your way through.

Preventing Baby Hair Loss – Yes, It’s a Thing!

You don’t expect it, but one day you notice it.

A little bare patch on your baby’s head. Maybe in the back where they sleep, or near the sides where their hat rubs. I

t can feel scary at first, like something is wrong. But most of the time, it’s not.

Baby hair loss is usually normal and temporary. Their little bodies are adjusting to life outside the womb. Their hormones are settling.

And sometimes, hair just falls out to make room for the next layer. The real one. The one that sticks around.

Still, there are a few small things you can do to care for your baby’s scalp while this is happening:

Keep their scalp clean and dry

Use a gentle baby shampoo and avoid over-washing. Pat dry softly with a towel.

Avoid headbands or rough rubbing

Friction can make hair fall out faster. Let their head rest naturally. Use soft materials for pillows, hats, or car seat covers.

Talk to a pediatrician if you’re concerned

If the hair loss seems sudden, patchy, or if there are other signs like redness or flaking, it’s always okay to ask.

You’re doing a good job. Babies are growing in so many ways, and sometimes their hair just needs time to catch up.

In most cases, it grows back on its own, slowly but surely, just like the rest of them.

Oils & Other Helpers – Nature’s Little Boosters

Sometimes the best things are the simplest.
A warm drop of oil.
A quiet massage at the end of the day.
Not to fix everything, but to offer care.

Oils may not be magic, but they can help make your scalp feel healthier. And sometimes, that’s enough to give your hair a better chance.

If you’ve ever wondered which oil is best for preventing hair loss, here are a few that people trust:

Rosemary oil

This one is known for helping with circulation. When massaged into the scalp, it may help wake up the follicles and encourage growth.

Castor oil

Thick and rich, it coats the hair and scalp to lock in moisture. It may also help reduce breakage and dryness.

Coconut oil

This is gentle and soothing. It helps protect the scalp and nourish the hair. Especially good if your scalp feels irritated or dry.

How to use oils safely and effectively:

👉 Use just a small amount. A few drops go a long way.
👉 Warm it slightly in your hands before applying.
👉 Massage gently into the scalp with your fingertips.
👉 Leave it on for 30 minutes or overnight, then wash with a mild shampoo.
👉 Try it once or twice a week, not every day.

Not every oil works for every person. You may need to try one or two to see what feels best for you.
Go slow.
Notice how your scalp responds.
And remember, sometimes the act of care is just as important as the results.

What About Genetics & PCOS?

Sometimes hair loss feels like something you inherited. Like an old family photo you didn’t ask for.
You see it in your mom.
Your uncle. Maybe even your siblings.
And you wonder if there’s anything you can do about it.

Preventing genetic hair loss isn’t about fighting your DNA. It’s about working with what you have, as early as you can.

The goal isn’t perfect hair. The goal is to care for your scalp in a way that slows down the process and gives your follicles a better chance.

Some gentle ways to support this:

• Focus on good nutrition early in life
• Use DHT-blocking shampoos or supplements if your doctor says they are safe
• Choose mild, consistent topical treatments that don’t irritate your scalp
• Avoid pulling or damaging styles that speed up loss

Another reason for hair loss, especially in women, is something called PCOS, which stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

It’s a hormone disorder that can cause irregular periods, acne, weight gain, and thinning hair around the crown or part line.

Preventing PCOS hair loss starts by supporting your body from the inside:

• Work with your doctor to balance hormones
• Add zinc and biotin to help strengthen hair
• Focus on steady blood sugar and address insulin resistance with your diet
• Avoid high-and-low crashes from sugar or extreme dieting

Hair loss from PCOS or genetics can feel unfair. But the way you care for your body still matters.
Even if the results are slow.
Even if no one else notices.
You’re choosing to care for something that belongs to you.

That matters.

Conclusion: Be Good to Your Hair, and It’ll Be Good to You

Hair might seem like a small thing. But when it starts to go, it can take pieces of your confidence with it.

And that doesn’t make you vain. It just makes you human.

Caring about your hair is really about caring for your whole self.
It’s not vanity.
It’s vitality.

There’s no single fix. But there are small steps. Quiet habits that make your body feel supported, one day at a time.

• Eat food that feeds your scalp
• Take supplements if you’re not getting enough through your meals
• Choose products that are kind to your skin and roots
• Be consistent, even when results come slowly
• Talk to your healthcare provider to figure out what’s right for your body
• You deserve to feel strong. You deserve to feel healthy. And you deserve to look in the mirror and still see yourself there.

If you’re looking for a way to make these changes more affordable and simple, I’d gently suggest taking a look at the LiveGood Buyers Club. It’s a place where you can get clean, well-made supplements and wellness products without spending more than you need to.

No pressure.

Just something worth considering if you’re ready to take care of your hair, and the rest of you, too.