My hair care routine for hair loss
In this post, I am going to share my hair care routine for hair loss. It is a post I never imagined I’d write, let alone share. It’s about something I’ve spent years trying to ignore or push aside.
Hair loss has been a constant challenge in my life, and for the longest time, it was a topic I couldn’t bring myself to discuss with anyone. The emotional weight it brings, especially as a young person, is overwhelming.
Writing this post was a tough decision. But deep down, I know the reason I started this blog was to connect with others and, hopefully, help someone who might be feeling the same isolation I once felt.
My journey with hair loss began when I was just 16. One day, I noticed my part line seemed a little too visible. A few casual comments from friends confirmed what I feared. I started experimenting with different ways to part my hair, hoping to hide the thinning areas. At the time, I didn’t realize this was just the beginning of a lifelong struggle.
What made it harder was the confusion. No one in my family had experienced hair loss. My mom’s hair was thick and luscious, and my sister’s still is. I felt so ashamed, like I’d been singled out by something I couldn’t control. I kept it a secret for as long as I could.
Eventually, I saw several dermatologists. A few years later, I got my first diagnosis: androgenetic alopecia (AGA). They handed me a prescription for minoxidil and sent me on my way. But back then, there was no internet to research my condition, and my doctor didn’t explain that it was chronic—or that I’d need to stay on medication for life to maintain any progress.
I started using minoxidil, and for a while, things improved. But when I stopped using it, my hair loss came back with a vengeance. Over the years, I tried everything I could think of—natural remedies, medical treatments, you name it. Sadly, nothing worked.
Looking back, I realize why: antiandrogens weren’t available back then, and I wasn’t fully prepared to take ownership of this condition. I didn’t grasp just how seriously it needed to be managed.
Types of hair loss
There are many types of hair loss (Trichotillomania, Traction Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Telogen Effluvium…), and I highly encourage you to first visit your dermatologist and find out what type of hair loss you have and if it is perhaps related to some vitamin deficiency (anemia, for instance) or illness.
But this post is just about androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and my personal experience and battle with it.
This post is not medical advice, and I am not a medical professional.
Before taking any of my advice in this post, first consult with your doctor.
The psychological effects of hair loss
Hair loss can take a profound toll on your mental and emotional well-being. It often brings feelings of shame, anger, envy, and a constant battle with self-esteem, confidence, and self-image.
For years, I found myself avoiding social situations because of it. Even now, I feel a twinge of discomfort if someone stands above me. Lighting became something I paid far too much attention to. And rain? The thought of it washing away my hair fibers and revealing the true extent of my hair loss was terrifying.
But here’s the good news: as you grow older, these fears begin to lose their grip. You realize that your worth isn’t tied to your appearance, and slowly but surely, you stop letting it define you. You become gentler with yourself, more accepting of who you are, and less focused on chasing perfection.
I’ve come to understand that while I can’t change my hair loss, I can change how I let it affect me. I won’t let it steal my joy or hold me back from living fully.
Accepting hair loss
Acceptance is the first and most important step in dealing with hair loss. It starts with a simple acknowledgment: “Okay, I have hair loss. Now what can I do about it?”
From there, it’s all about action. Dwelling on self-pity, sadness, or anger won’t change anything, it only drains your energy and precious time. Instead, channel that energy into solutions. Asking yourself, “Why me?” might feel natural, but it’s not helpful. The truth is, life brings challenges to everyone in different forms. What matters is focusing on what you can control.
And the good news? You do have control over your habits.
Treating hair loss is all about consistency. It’s not a one-time fix but a daily commitment—like brushing your teeth. Make it part of your routine, something you do without even thinking about it. Stay disciplined, and over time, you’ll see two powerful changes:
- You’ll regain a sense of control over your situation.
- You’ll preserve and maintain the hair you still have.
Acceptance isn’t about giving up—it’s about taking charge and moving forward.
How I stabilized my hair loss
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t consistent with my hair loss treatments for a long time. For years, I was on and off using minoxidil, and by the time I turned 44, I had significant thinning on the top of my head. The rest of my hair was fine, but the visible loss was hard to ignore.
Everything began to change when I decided to take a more serious, holistic approach to my health. I improved my habits (diet and exercise) and committed fully to a consistent hair loss routine.
I use a topical antiandrogen spironolactone with 5% minoxidil, and I rarely skip an application. Whether I’m at home or traveling, these treatments come with me everywhere. After every hair wash, I also started using my HairMax laser comb and am considering upgrading to a laser cap or panel this year.
The consistency paid off. While I know my hair will never fully return to how it was before hair loss, I’ve regained a lot of thickness, and I have a lot of regrowth.
That’s why I’m sharing this with you: if you’re dealing with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), don’t rely solely on natural remedies. Oils, rice water, and similar treatments may be nice from time to time, but they won’t prevent your follicles from miniaturizing or dying out. They might help with telogen effluvium or other types of temporary hair loss, but AGA requires a more aggressive, science-backed approach.
If you’re worried about side effects, consider topical medications instead of oral ones. That’s what I’ve done, as I feel they’re a safer option for long-term use.
My hair care routine for hair loss
Over the years, I’ve refined my hair care routine to effectively manage hair loss and promote healthier regrowth. Here’s what works for me:
Washing schedule
I wash my hair every other day to maintain balance, keeping it clean without stripping natural oils.
Regaine foam application
On wash days, I apply Regaine Foam. It’s a game-changer for me because it doesn’t irritate my scalp and gives my hair a thicker appearance once dry. I prefer the foam over the liquid version, as the latter tends to make my hair look greasy.
To apply, I section my hair, massage the foam in with my fingers, and finish with a scalp massager brush for better absorption.
Red light therapy
After applying Regaine, I use red light therapy, which is known to stimulate hair follicles and encourage growth.
I was never sure if red light works, but once I stopped using it, I noticed a lot of hair fall again.
Currently, I am using a Hairmax comb, but I plan to upgrade to a red-light panel.
Topical treatments
The following day, I apply a topical solution containing minoxidil (5%), tretinoin, and spironolactone. While spironolactone works best with daily application, I use it in the evening and wash my hair the next morning because it makes my hair sticky and greasy.
It also has a weird smell.
Weekly ketoconazole shampoo
Once or twice a week, I incorporate a 1-2% ketoconazole shampoo into my routine.
Even though it is very runny, I really like using it. It makes my hair super clean and leaves it noticeably thicker. However, since it can be drying, I limit its use to avoid over-stripping my hair.
It is also good for preventing ichiness or dandruff.
Regular shampoo and conditioner
For my regular washes, I use Redken Volume Injection Shampoo and Conditioner or Kerastase Volume Shampoo. They are expensive, but I find that I use very little for my thin hair so they last for a long time.
They also give a lot if volume to my thinning hair.
Supplements
I take several supplements, but none are specific for hair loss.
I take marine collagen and creatine every day with my coffee, and D2 + K2.
I recently tried Saw Palmetto, but it caused breast tenderness so I had to stop taking it. I may try a smaller dose next time.
Results and improvements
Since incorporating spironolactone, Regaine Foam, and red light into my routine, I’ve seen pretty good results. My hairline, particularly at the temples and the crown, has experienced significant regrowth. My hair fall has reduced drastically when I wash my hair and for the first time in 20 years, I felt confident enough to start going to the hair dresser.
Don’t get me wrong, my hair is still the thinnest there, and I do have noticeable hair loss at my hairline. Still the overall hair thickness significantly improved and I have a lot of regrowth all over my head.
Don’t wait to start a hair loss routine
The key takeaway from my haircare journey? Consistency, proactivity, and early treatment are essential. The sooner you start addressing hair loss, the better your chances of preserving and even improving your hair health.
After over 30 years of hair loss, I realize that all the pain I felt didn’t change my situation. Instead, I should have channeled that energy into an effective hair care routine for hair loss that would have made a significant difference.
So, here’s my advice: Don’t wait. Act now.
Educate yourself online on hair loss. Find out the possible hair loss solutions you can implement.
I saw a lot of information on Reddit forums, and from there, I knew what to look for and ask for from my doctor.
Patience is key
When starting a new hair care routine for hair loss, remember that results take time. Be prepared to wait 4-6 months, or even up to a year, to see meaningful progress.
I see on Reddit that many people abandon treatment early, believing it isn’t working, when in reality, regrowth takes a lot of time.
It’s also important to note that shedding doesn’t always mean failure—it can be a part of the regrowth process. During my journey, there were moments when I feared I was losing hair again. But after a month or two, I noticed my hair was actually thicker and healthier.
Some medications like Minoxidil, have side effects. They range from heart palpitations to headaches and increased facial hair.
Usually, side effects go away after a month, but some still linger, like increased body hair. However, they are easy to deal with, and I’d rather accept more face hair than less hair on my head.
Final thoughts
My hair loss journey will last my entire life.
I don’t feel bad anymore for having hair loss, as I understand that everyone has battles to fight. And this is mine.
Through building good habits this year, I managed to significantly improve my hair loss, and I can only imagine what my results would have been had I started the correct hair care routine when I was young.
So the battle with hair loss starts within you. You need to get past the anger, sadness, and self-pity, and move towards building a habit of taking care of your hair for life.
