For many of our clients at Glasshouse, a sudden or progressive change in hair density feels like losing a piece of their identity. In my practice as a kinesiologist and nutritional expert, I view hair not merely as an aesthetic feature, but as a dynamic reflection of your "fluid body" and internal systemic equilibrium.

When your hair begins to shed in atypical volumes—a condition clinically known as telogen effluvium—or when overall density diminishes, your body is speaking to you. It is signaling a shift in its internal landscape. To truly resolve hair loss, we must bridge the gap between internal biomedicine and advanced external trichology.

Below, I’ve broken down the clinical root causes of hair shedding alongside the exact internal and external protocols we use at Glasshouse to restore structural health and transition the hair follicle back into a robust growth phase.

Part 1: The Internal Catalysts of Depletion

Hair follicles are among the most metabolically active structures in the human body. Because hair is non-essential for survival, it is the very first asset the body de-prioritises when facing internal dysregulation. In my clinic, I look at three primary systemic disruptors:

1. Stress, Cortisol, and the Nervous System

When the sympathetic nervous system enters a prolonged state of 'fight or flight', it triggers a spike in cortisol (our primary stress hormone). Chronically high cortisol alters cell-signaling molecules, forcing active growing hairs (anagen phase) prematurely into a resting state (telogen phase). This leads to diffuse shedding roughly three months following a stressful event. Furthermore, a stressed system triggers micro-inflammation around the hair bulb, compromising the follicular matrix.

2. Hormonal Dysregulation

The hair follicle is highly sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. Elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—an androgen derivative—bind to follicle receptors, initiating a process called miniaturization. This shrinks the follicle, shortening its growth cycle and producing progressively finer hair. Similarly, fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid function (particularly hypothyroid states) decelerate cellular metabolism, leaving follicles sluggish and weak.

3. Nutrient Stealing and Crucial Deficiencies

In a state of systemic depletion, the body initiates "nutrient stealing," diverting essential vitamins and minerals away from the scalp to sustain vital organs. Three primary deficiencies stand out in trichological health:

• Iron (Ferritin): Ferritin is the storage protein for iron, essential for producing the hemoglobin that oxygenates the hair bulb matrix. Low ferritin arrests cellular proliferation at the root.

• B Vitamins: Crucial for metabolic enzymatic reactions and structural protein synthesis.

• Zinc: A foundational co-factor for DNA and RNA synthesis within the rapidly dividing cells of the hair follicle.

Part 2: Cellular Bio-Availability – The Glasshouse In-House Supplement

True structural health—the physical strength of your keratin and the integrity of your collagen—cannot rely on quick fixes or un-bioavailable, synthetic isolated nutrients. True correction requires a synergistic team of targeted ingredients.

Born from my clinical work in Biomedicine and Kinesiology, our Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement was specifically developed to treat the "root causes" of internal depletion by focusing on the fluid body:

• Ashwagandha: A potent adaptogen formulated to support the adrenal glands. By regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, it stabilises cortisol production, shielding the hair follicle from the physical toll of stress.

• Equisetum (Horsetail): A silica- and selenium-rich botanical highly regarded for its ability to reinforce structural keratin, improving hair tensile strength and elasticity.

• Nettle Leaf: One of the oldest recorded remedies for hair loss, nettle leaf naturally blocks 5-alpha-reductase (the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into hair-thinning DHT). It is also a powerhouse of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, alongside folate, iron, and magnesium to counteract nutrient stealing.

• Vitamin C & Zinc: While many focus on biotin alone, our formula utilizes Vitamin C and Zinc as mandatory co-factors to help your body synthesize its own structural collagen naturally, while Vitamin C simultaneously provides crucial antioxidant support to the adrenal glands.

Because this formula respects natural cell renewal cycles, a minimum 90-day commitment is recommended to witness enhanced hair density and a systemic reduction in shedding.

Part 3: Scalp Physiology and the Follicular Environment

While we cultivate the internal terrain, we must simultaneously optimize the external environment. A healthy scalp is the literal bedrock of a thriving hair follicle. If the scalp is tight, inflamed, or congested, micro-circulation is choked, and hair growth stalls.

To combat this, our clinical backbar and home-care regimens focus on advanced scalp therapy:

The Calming Ritual: Soothe Plus by Organic Colour Systems

For scalps suffering from micro-inflammation, sensitivity, or redness, we utilize the Soothe Plus protocol. The Soothe Plus Treatment is an intensely nourishing, perfume-free, spray-on treatment packed with botanical and certified organic ingredients like aloe vera, fennel, sea mayweed, and chamomile. It delivers an immediate cooling effect, reducing epidermal inflammation and improving scalp barrier cohesion to protect the hair bulb.

The Cellular Energizer: Oway Micro-Stimulating Hair Bath

To treat sluggish follicles and encourage physiological growth, the Oway Micro-Stimulating Hair Bath acts as a powerful circulatory stimulant. Formulated with biodynamic mint extract and organic horse chestnut extract, it reactivates blood vessel micro-circulation around the hair bulb, optimizing oxygenation and nutrient delivery. Enhanced with zinc salts, it purifies the scalp deep down, removing environmental toxins that inhibit natural hair development.

The Growth Powerhouse: Rep-Hair® Follicle Strengthening System

When severe shedding or pattern thinning requires an intensive intervention, we introduce the Rep-Hair® Protocol by Organic Colour Systems (comprising the Strengthening Shampoo, Nourishing Conditioner, and Scalp Treatment).

Rep-Hair® is powered by Capixyl™, an elite, scientifically formulated complex blending biomimetic amino acids with Red Clover extract. Capixyl™ directly targets DHT, reduces follicle-shrinking inflammation, and improves cellular anchoring in the extracellular matrix.

The Science: In clinical laboratory trials, when utilized at its optimum 5% level (the exact concentration formulated within the Rep-Hair system), Capixyl™ was shown to perform three times more effectively than Minoxidil—the standard over-the-counter chemical treatment—at stimulating natural hair growth, entirely without the synthetic side effects or chemical dependency.

Hair Loss & Shedding Q&A with Olivia Crighton

To help you navigate your hair health journey, I have compiled and answered the most common questions I encounter in my clinic regarding hair loss and shedding.

Q: Why is my hair shedding so much all of a sudden?

Olivia: Sudden, diffuse hair shedding across the entire scalp is usually a condition called telogen effluvium. It occurs when a major systemic shock—such as severe emotional stress, illness, a sudden hormonal shift (like postpartum), or extreme nutritional depletion—shocks a large percentage of your hair follicles out of their active growth phase (anagen) and into their resting phase (telogen). Because the telogen phase lasts about 3 months before the hair actually falls out, you will usually notice the shedding roughly 8 to 12 weeks after the triggering event occurred.

How long does it take for hair to grow back after shedding?

Because hair grows in distinct cycles, recovery is a gradual process. Once the underlying trigger or stressor is addressed, excessive shedding typically begins to slow down within 3 to 6 months.

New "baby hairs" will usually start appearing along your hairline or scalp shortly after shedding subsides. However, because hair grows at an average rate of about half an inch per month, regaining your full density and length typically takes between 6 to 12 months. Supporting your nervous system, scalp health, and nutritional balance helps create the optimal cellular environment for this new growth.

Q: What vitamins should I take for hair loss and shedding?

Olivia: Rather than reaching for isolated supplements, you need to focus on bio-available nutrients that target the root causes of shedding. I highly recommend a combination of Iron (Ferritin) to support cellular proliferation at the root, Zinc and B Vitamins for structural protein synthesis, and Vitamin C to support your adrenal glands and collagen production. Our in-house Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement combines these vital co-factors with adaptogens like Ashwagandha and DHT-blockers like Nettle Leaf to cover all bases synergistically.

Q: How does stress affect hair growth and the nervous system?

Olivia: When your nervous system is trapped in a chronic state of 'fight or flight', your adrenal glands flood the body with cortisol. High cortisol levels actually degrade the substances (like hyaluronan and proteoglycans) that protect and anchor the hair follicle. It essentially forces the hair to shut down its growth cycle early to conserve energy for the rest of the body. To stop stress-related shedding, we have to support the adrenal glands directly using nutrients like Vitamin C and adaptogenic herbs.

Q: What is the best scalp treatment for thinning hair?

Olivia: The best treatment depends on the state of your scalp physiology. If your scalp is inflamed, tight, or sensitive, we use the Organic Colour Systems Soothe Plus treatment to calm the epidermal layer and should be used at home to reduce inflammation over time. If the scalp is congested and the follicles are suffocating from buildup we recommend coming in for a scalp micro-camera analysis and a prescriptive treatment which may include the Herbs and clay scalp detoxifying treatment with some ozone steaming to remove product build-up and congestion. If your follicles are sluggish, we use the Oway Micro-Stimulating Hair Bath to re-engage blood circulation. For active thinning and hair loss, I highly recommend the Rep-Hair® Follicle Strengthening System. It contains Capixyl™, which has been scientifically proven in laboratory tests to stimulate hair growth three times more effectively than Minoxidil by blocking DHT and strengthening the hair's anchoring matrix.

Q: Does LED light therapy actually work for hair growth?

Olivia: Yes, absolutely. LED therapy—or Photobiomodulation—is one of the most clinically proven, non-invasive treatments we have for hair loss. Specific wavelengths of red light penetrate deep into the scalp’s dermal layer where they are absorbed by the mitochondria (the powerhouses of your cells) in the hair root. This stimulates ATP (cellular energy) production, which extends the hair's growth cycle, increases localised blood flow, and reverses follicle miniaturisation.

Q: How can I book a treatment or start my hair recovery protocol?

Olivia: If you are local to the salon, you can book a Hair & Skin Kinesiology Consultation with me directly. We will look at your unique internal triggers, toxic load, and nutritional status to map out a bespoke recovery pathway. We can also integrate professional LED photobiomodulation into your salon visits. If you are practicing home care, you can purchase our Glasshouse Supplement, our curated scalp care lines, or one of our strictly vetted, approved home-use LED Hair Helmets directly through our shop.

Experiencing persistent hair shedding or scalp tension? Book a Systematic Kinesiology session or Bespoke Scalp Treatment at Glasshouse Salon in Hackney to explore a personalised pathway to balance.