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Six months after having my son, Oliver, my hair started falling out in CLUMPS.
I’m talking handfuls in the shower, hair all over my pillow and a ponytail that seemed to be getting thinner by the week.
And everyone kept telling me the same thing…
“It’s just postpartum hair loss. Totally normal!”
But I knew my nutrition had taken a serious hit.
Between sleepless nights, looking after a newborn and barely finding time to eat, I wasn’t getting enough protein, my iron levels were severely low, and I was missing other important nutrients.
And as it turns out, your nutrition can have a HUGE impact on your hair.
Why Was My Hair Falling Out?
Postpartum shedding is common. After giving birth, falling oestrogen levels cause more hairs to enter the shedding phase.
But nutritional deficiencies, stress and rapid weight loss can also trigger a condition called telogen effluvium.
Your hair follicles need energy, protein, iron and other nutrients to support normal growth. When those resources are lacking, excessive shedding can occur, sometimes months after the original trigger.
In my case, postpartum changes and nutritional deficiencies may both have played a role.
How I Started Regrowing My Hair
First, I addressed my deficiencies, started taking appropriate supplements and increased my protein intake.
Gradually, the shedding settled.
Then I wanted to encourage new growth, so I started using minoxidil.
Minoxidil is one of the most researched treatments for pattern hair loss. I used it for around six months and started noticing new hairs growing through.
Because my hair loss wasn’t diagnosed as genetic pattern hair loss, I eventually stopped using it and focused on maintaining healthy hair.
I can’t know exactly how much regrowth came from minoxidil versus natural recovery, but it was part of my journey.
Important: Minoxidil is extremely toxic to cats and can also poison dogs. It’s not suitable for everyone, and genetic pattern hair loss generally requires continued treatment.
Today, my hair-care routine focuses on three things: supporting healthy growth, looking after my scalp and preventing breakage.
Here are the ten products I use.
1. DENSE Hair Gummies My Daily Hair Nutrition Essential
Best for: Supporting normal hair health from within.
If my experience taught me anything, it’s that you can’t expect your hair to thrive when your body isn’t getting the nutrition it needs.
That’s why I now take DENSE Daily Densify Hair Gummies.
What caught my attention was the combination of vitamins, minerals and botanical ingredients in one convenient daily gummy.
What’s inside DENSE?
- Biotin: Contributes to maintaining normal hair and supports nutrient metabolism.
- Zinc: Supports normal hair maintenance, protein synthesis and cell division.
- Selenium: Helps maintain normal hair and protects cells against oxidative stress.
- Iron: Supports oxygen transport. Low iron stores can contribute to excessive shedding.
- Pumpkin seed extract: Contains compounds being investigated for their potential effects on DHT-related hair thinning.
- Saw palmetto: Another botanical being researched for its possible influence on DHT, a hormone involved in genetic pattern hair loss.
- Vitamin C: Supports collagen formation and improves iron absorption.
The pumpkin seed research is particularly interesting. One small trial found improved hair counts in men taking oral pumpkin seed oil for 24 weeks, although this doesn’t prove that DENSE produces the same results.
Why I love the convenience
Rather than juggling several different hair supplements, DENSE combines its ingredients into one daily gummy.
It’s simple, easy to incorporate into my routine and gives me a convenient way to complement my nutritional intake.
Of course, supplements aren’t miracle hair-growth treatments. They’re most useful when they help address nutritional gaps, and they can’t replace adequate protein or treatment for a diagnosed deficiency.
Check the current ingredient label before purchasing. The upgraded DENSE formula contains botanicals, including Fo-Ti, that have safety considerations. Seek medical advice if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition.
2. Pumpkin Seed Oil – My Pre-Wash Scalp Treatment
Best for: Scalp conditioning.
I massage pumpkin seed oil into my scalp two or three times a week before washing.
Pumpkin seed oil contains phytosterols being investigated for their potential effects on DHT, which can contribute to genetic hair thinning.
However, research into topical pumpkin seed oil is limited, so I use it primarily as a conditioning treatment rather than a proven hair-regrowth remedy.
3. The INKEY List Scalp Treatment – My Weekly Scalp Reset
Best for: Maintaining scalp health.
Once a week, I use a scalp treatment from The INKEY List.
Healthy hair starts with looking after your scalp, especially if you’re dealing with irritation or product build-up.
The exact benefits depend on the treatment’s ingredients, but this is my dedicated weekly scalp-care step.
4. Nizoral Shampoo – My Medicated Scalp Shampoo
Best for: Dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Nizoral contains ketoconazole, an antifungal ingredient that treats dandruff and certain inflammatory scalp conditions.
Some preliminary studies have also explored ketoconazole for pattern hair loss, although it isn’t an established regrowth treatment.
I use it once a week, following the instructions.
5. Olaplex No. 3 – My Secret to Keeping My Length
Best for: Strengthening damaged hair and reducing breakage.
Here’s something people overlook when trying to grow longer hair.
Your hair might be growing perfectly well at the roots but snapping off at the ends!
Olaplex No. 3 is a bond-building treatment designed to strengthen damaged hair.
I use it weekly to help protect my lengths and retain the hair I’ve worked so hard to grow.
6. L’Oréal Elvive Growth Booster Serum – My Morning Treatment
Best for: A daily anti-hair-fall scalp routine.
Every morning, I use Elvive Growth Booster Serum.
It contains aminexil, an ingredient related to minoxidil that’s been studied for hair retention.
The evidence isn’t nearly as strong as it is for minoxidil, but I enjoy using it as part of my daily scalp routine.
7. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum – My Evening Scalp Essential
Best for: A minoxidil-free cosmetic scalp serum.
This is one of my favourite additions to my routine.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density contains peptides, caffeine and botanical complexes designed to improve the appearance of thicker, denser hair.
While the research is still limited, it’s a lightweight, affordable option for anyone interested in a cosmetic scalp treatment.
I apply a few drops every evening.
8. Kerastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum – My Overnight Hair Protection
Best for: Dry, frizzy lengths and ends.
While my peptide serum goes on my scalp, my 8-hour Serum goes on my lengths.
It helps condition and smooth my hair, reducing tangles and friction-related breakage while I sleep.
Because hair growth is one thing, but keeping that length is another!
Do You Really Need All 8 Products?
Absolutely NOT!
This is my personal hair-care routine, built up over time. If you’re starting from scratch, here’s how I’d simplify it.
Option 1: The Essential 3-Step Routine
For beginners or anyone on a budget.
- DENSE Hair Gummies: Daily nutritional support where appropriate.
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum: An optional evening scalp treatment.
- Gentle shampoo + moisturising conditioner: To protect your existing hair.
Option 2: The 5-Step Hair-Care Routine
For anyone wanting a more complete routine.
- DENSE Hair Gummies: Daily.
- Pumpkin Seed Oil: Pre-wash, 2–3 times weekly.
- Elvive Growth Booster Serum: Every morning.
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum: Every evening.
- Elvive Full Resist Shampoo + Hydra Hyaluronic Conditioner: Every wash.
Option 3: If You Can Only Buy ONE Thing…
It depends on your biggest concern.
For diagnosed pattern hair loss: Minoxidil has stronger evidence for regrowth than cosmetic serums, provided it’s suitable for you.
For a minoxidil-free scalp-care product: I’d consider The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum.
For nutritional support: DENSE may be a convenient addition if its ingredients suit your needs.
For preventing breakage: Start with a good conditioner.
And if you suspect a nutritional deficiency, prioritise investigating and correcting that first.
How Long Does Hair Regrowth Take?
Here’s the frustrating truth: hair doesn’t grow overnight.
Scalp hair grows approximately 1 cm per month.
With temporary telogen effluvium, shedding often improves within a few months of addressing the trigger, but visible fullness can take six to twelve months or longer to recover.
Consistency matters, but so does patience.
My Biggest Hair Regrowth Tip?
If I could go back and tell myself one thing when my hair was falling out in handfuls, it would be this:
You can’t serum your way out of a nutritional deficiency.
My hair recovery started with looking after my body, and my current routine helps me care for my scalp and protect the hair I’ve grown.
So whether you’re searching for natural hair-loss tips, remedies for thinning hair or ways to grow healthier, longer hair, start with the foundations.
Nourish your body. Look after your scalp. Protect your lengths. And give your hair time.
This article shares my personal experience and general information, not medical advice. Speak to your GP about significant, persistent or patchy hair loss. Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
