Heal first, then grow: why inflammation shows up in your hair

Oct 9

When clients sit in my chair and ask, “How do I make my hair grow again?” my honest answer is always the same: first, we heal. Only then do we stimulate growth. Hair is responsive, but it is also honest. If there is inflammation anywhere in the body, it tends to show up at the hair follicle—often before you feel it elsewhere.

Think of the follicle as a tiny, living organ. It’s richly supplied by blood vessels, nourished by nutrients, and guided by delicate chemical signals. Inflammation—whether from stress, nutrient gaps, gut disturbances, hormonal shifts, or a disrupted scalp barrier—can nudge the follicle out of its growth rhythm. It may shorten the growth phase (anagen), push hairs to shed sooner (telogen), and over time contribute to miniaturization. In other words: the inflamed terrain makes it harder for hair to thrive.

What inflammation can look like on the scalp and in the follicle

On the surface, inflammation can feel like itching, burning, tenderness, flaking, breakout-like bumps, or oiliness and dryness at the same time. Part lines may appear wider, you may notice more hair in the brush or shower, and texture can feel rougher or more fragile. Under magnification, we often see perifollicular redness or scaling (a halo around the follicle), buildup that congests the opening, and, in long-standing cases, signs that the hair is growing back finer.

Why the body gets inflamed in the first place

Inflammation is the body’s way of asking for balance. Common contributors I see in clinic include:

Blood sugar swings and insulin resistance that stress the follicle over time
Nutrient insufficiencies, particularly protein, iron/ferritin, vitamin D, zinc, and essential fatty acids
Gut dysbiosis or persistent digestive issues that interfere with absorption
Chronic psychological stress and poor sleep, which alter cortisol and immune signaling
Hormonal shifts (postpartum, perimenopause, thyroid changes)
A disrupted scalp microbiome and barrier from harsh products, frequent high-heat styling, or occlusive buildup
Environmental and product exposures that the body has to work harder to process

Phase 1: calm the system and restore the terrain

At âme vitality, our work begins with understanding your unique picture: your story, a detailed scalp and hair assessment, and, when useful, non-invasive tools that help us map contributing factors. I often collaborate with your medical provider for labs like iron studies, thyroid panels, vitamin D, and markers of inflammation. In-house, we may use technologies such as CRLAB Tricotest and hair-bulb–based wellness reports to help personalize nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. None of this is about labeling you; it’s about seeing the whole pattern so we can support your hair from the inside out.

Foundational pillars I prioritize:

Nourishment that reduces inflammation and fuels growth Hair is protein. Consistent, adequate protein intake helps the follicle produce strong keratin. Pair protein with colorful plants, healthy fats, and slow carbohydrates to stabilize blood sugar and keep inflammation down. Iron (and stored iron, ferritin), vitamin D, zinc, B12/folate, and omega-3s are frequent focus points in hair recovery. Extreme dieting and under-eating are common, often hidden drivers of shedding—gentle, consistent nourishment outperforms quick fixes every time.

Gut health and absorption If the gut is inflamed, your scalp feels it. We support regularity, sufficient fiber and fluids, and a pattern of eating that your body can reliably digest. If you have persistent reflux, IBS symptoms, or food reactions, we fold that into the plan and loop in your clinician as needed.

Blood sugar balance Large glucose swings can amplify inflammatory signaling. Simple practices—eating protein and fat with carbs, walking after meals, and spacing added sugars—quiet the roller coaster and support steadier hair cycles.

Stress and sleep The follicle and nervous system share a developmental origin. That’s one reason stress shows up in your hair. Gentle, realistic tools count: consistent bed and wake times, sunlight in the morning, a wind-down routine, breathwork or short meditations, even 10 minutes of daily movement. Reducing “background stress” is as therapeutic as any topical.

Scalp ecology and barrier repair A healthy scalp is a hospitable home for hair. We start with pH-balanced cleansing, periodic but gentle removal of buildup, and targeted botanicals that soothe rather than strip—think anti-inflammatory, microbiome-friendly ingredients. If we suspect seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or infection, I coordinate with dermatologists if needed so we calm the fire before asking follicles to work harder.

Minimizing external stressors We look at traction and tight styles, high-heat habits, harsh chemicals, and unprotected UV exposure. Small changes add up: looser styles, heat protectants, cooler settings, and product choices that prioritize the skin you’re wearing them on.

Phase 2: stimulate growth—once the fire is out

When the internal and scalp terrain is calmer, stimulation works better and feels better. This is where we add modalities that invite follicles into a longer, stronger growth phase.

Non-invasive delivery of growth factors and peptides At âme vitality, I often use Alma TED to enhance the penetration of growth-supportive topicals without needles or trauma. When combined with a calm scalp and adequate internal nutrition, these sessions help create momentum in the growth cycle.

Targeted topicals Formulations with peptides, caffeine, rosemary, green tea polyphenols, and other evidence-informed ingredients can support follicle signaling when used consistently on a soothed scalp. I avoid anything that inflames the barrier for the sake of “feeling it work.”

Light, touch, and circulation Low-level red light therapy, intentional scalp massage, and rhythmic techniques that enhance microcirculation are gentle ways to remind follicles they’re safe to grow. We prioritize approaches that are non-toxic and non-traumatic.

Supplementation, personalized When nutrition and digestion are addressed, targeted supplementation can be useful. The focus is on filling specific gaps rather than taking everything. We personalize this step and keep it time-bound and purposeful.

What realistic progress looks like

Hair works in seasons, not days. Most clients notice scalp comfort and less irritation first. Shedding often stabilizes within 12-16 weeks as more follicles complete a full cycle. Early regrowth feels like soft, short “baby hairs” at the hairline and part around the 3–4 month mark. Texture and ponytail fullness tend to improve between 6–9 months, with meaningful density changes taking 9–12+ months. Consistency is everything. So is patience with your body while it heals.

How we do this at âme vitality

We offer an environment that is calm, human, and focused exclusively on hair. My role is to be your guide—assessing internal and external contributors, building a plan that respects your lifestyle, and choosing non-invasive, non-toxic tools that make sense for your scalp. We integrate science with nature and education with care.

A simple place to start today

Anchor your meals with protein and color, and drink enough water for your body.
Wash your scalp regularly with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser; avoid harsh scrubs or high-heat styling while you’re inflamed.
Choose one daily nervous-system practice you can stick to—walks, breathwork, or a consistent bedtime.
If shedding is new or rapidly worsening, loop in your clinician for a basic lab workup (iron studies, thyroid, vitamin D) and keep a simple hair journal so we can track changes together.

Your hair is not working against you—it’s communicating. When we listen to that message and calm the inflammation, follicles respond. Heal first, then grow. I’m here to help you do both.

Sara Hallajian