Many clients are surprised when their hair starts behaving differently, becoming thinner, coarser, or even changing texture seemingly out of nowhere. While external factors like heat and chemical treatments often take the blame, medications can be a hidden culprit behind unexpected shifts in hair health. As stylists, understanding how certain medications impact hair can help guide clients through these changes with realistic expectations and tailored care strategies.
How Medications Influence Hair Growth
Hair growth follows a cycle of anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). Certain medications can disrupt this cycle, pushing more hair into the resting phase prematurely, leading to increased shedding or even temporary hair loss. Common culprits include:
- Hormonal Medications (birth control, hormone replacement therapy, thyroid treatments) can trigger shedding or cause hair to become finer over time.
- Blood Pressure Medications (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors) may shorten the growth phase, leading to slower hair growth or increased shedding.
- Antidepressants and Anxiety Medications can disrupt the hair cycle, causing excessive shedding in some clients.
- Chemotherapy and Other Strong Treatments often target rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles, leading to significant hair thinning or loss.
Unexpected Changes in Hair Texture
While hair loss is a well-known side effect of certain medications, texture changes can be just as surprising. Clients may notice that their once-smooth strands become frizzier, their natural curl pattern loosens or tightens, or their hair becomes more brittle. Some medications that can alter hair texture include:
- Retinoids (Vitamin A Derivatives) used for acne or anti-aging treatments can make hair more fragile and dry.
- Steroids can lead to increased oil production, making hair appear limp or greasy.
- Antibiotics and Chemotherapy Drugs can cause hair to regrow with a completely different texture post-treatment. Many clients recovering from chemotherapy find that their straight hair grows back curly (a phenomenon known as "chemo curls").
Helping Clients Navigate Medication-Related Hair Changes
Stylists can play a crucial role in helping clients manage these changes with personalized recommendations:
- For Thinning or Shedding Hair: Encourage gentle scalp massage to stimulate circulation and suggest lightweight volumizing products.
- For Increased Dryness or Brittleness: Recommend deep conditioning treatments and protein-infused products to strengthen strands.
- For Texture Shifts: Help clients embrace their new hair patterns with styling techniques and cuts that enhance their evolving texture.
