Hair changes during perimenopause and menopause are common, underreported and, in most cases, manageable.
A lot of women notice their hair changing somewhere in their forties and do not immediately connect it to their hormones. The texture feels different, the parting looks wider, more comes away in the shower. By the time they piece it together, they have often been living with it for a year or two already. The reassuring part is that understanding what is happening is the first step to doing something about it.
Why menopause affects hair
Oestrogen and progesterone help keep hair in its active growing phase, known as the anagen phase. As these hormones decline during perimenopause and menopause, that protective effect reduces. Hair follicles become more sensitive to androgens, particularly DHT and this sensitivity can trigger the same thinning pattern seen in androgenetic alopecia: gradual diffuse thinning at the crown and along the central parting rather than sudden or patchy loss.
The hormonal shift can also trigger telogen effluvium, where a larger proportion of hairs shift into the resting phase at once and then shed. This is why many women notice increased shedding before or alongside the thinning itself. It is a disruption to the hair cycle rather than permanent damage to the follicles, which is an important distinction. Our broader guide to female hair loss covers the full range of causes and how they overlap.
How it tends to look
Menopause-related hair loss rarely presents as patches. It is typically diffuse, meaning spread across the scalp rather than concentrated in one spot. A widening parting, a thinner ponytail, fine vellus hairs at the hairline and less density at the crown are the most common signs. Hair texture can also change during this period, becoming finer or drier. If the loss is sudden or clearly patchy, it is worth seeing a GP to rule out other causes including alopecia areata or thyroid changes.
What may help at home
The most consistent results come from combining three approaches: stimulating the scalp with LED light therapy, supporting blood flow with scalp microneedling and using a targeted topical serum. None of these is a quick fix. Used together consistently over twelve to sixteen weeks, they create the right conditions for the scalp to support healthier hair growth. The tools available make this straightforward to do at home.
LED light therapy at scalp level
Red light and near infrared wavelengths applied directly to the scalp support follicle activity at the cellular level, with effects on follicle activity supported by peer reviewed research on near infrared LED therapy and hair follicle growth and may support the appearance of improved hair density over time. Our LED Hair Growth Cap uses both red light and deep infrared therapy in a hands-free wearable cap. Sessions run for around twenty minutes and are easy to build into an evening routine. Most people do three to four sessions per week. The cap is CE and ISO 13485 certified and built for consistent home use.
Scalp microneedling
Microneedling the scalp creates micro-channels that support blood flow to the follicle area and help any topical serum reach deeper than it would on intact skin. Our Derma Roller is designed specifically for scalp use and takes a few minutes once a week. Use it the evening you apply the serum, immediately before applying it, so the two work together rather than separately. Keep the roller clean, replace it every two to three months and use it gently across the scalp with light upward strokes.
For the hairline and finer areas where menopause thinning tends to be most noticeable, the Adjustable Derma Stamp is worth considering alongside the roller. A stamp presses straight down into the scalp rather than rolling across it, which means it does not snag or pull on fine hairs at the hairline. It has 140 medical grade needles and adjustable depth from 0.25mm to 3.0mm, making it well suited to the more delicate areas of the scalp where a roller can be harder to manoeuvre.
A targeted hair serum
Our Hair Growth Serum is a 30ml 4-in-1 formula containing caffeine, biotin and phospholipids, designed to support the scalp environment and the conditions for healthy hair growth. Apply it immediately after microneedling, while the channels are open, then use it nightly on the other evenings of the week. Consistency matters more than frequency here. Nightly application on its own is useful and pairing it with microneedling once a week is where the results build.
If you are starting from scratch
The Ultimate Hair Growth Kit bundles the derma roller and the serum together at a reduced price, which makes it a straightforward starting point if you want to try the microneedling and serum pairing before adding the LED cap.
A realistic weekly routine
Three or four evenings a week, wear the LED cap for around twenty minutes. On one of those evenings, use the hair derma roller on the scalp before applying the serum immediately afterwards. Use the serum nightly on the remaining evenings without the roller. That is a manageable routine that covers all three pillars without overworking the scalp or taking significant time.
What to expect and when
Shedding may temporarily increase in the first two to four weeks as the hair growth cycle resets. This is a known response and not a sign that the routine is not working. Subtle changes, such as fine baby hairs appearing at the hairline, are typically noticed around four to six weeks. Visible changes in density and texture are more common at the twelve to sixteen week mark with consistent use. Results continue to build beyond that. Stopping the routine will usually see the hair return to its previous state over time, so this is an ongoing practice rather than a course.
When to see a GP
If hair loss is sudden, patchy or accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, weight change or changes in skin and nails, speak to a GP before starting any at home routine. A blood test to check thyroid function, iron, vitamin D and B12 can identify underlying causes that may need addressing first. HRT is also something many women explore during this period and its impact on hair is worth discussing with a doctor if hormonal hair loss is a concern. These are personal and medical decisions that sit outside our scope, but they are worth raising with a healthcare provider.
For a fuller picture of female hair loss, causes and timelines, our guide to female hair loss causes and at home solutions covers the broader landscape alongside the same tools.
Common questions
Does menopause always cause hair loss?
Not always, but hair changes during perimenopause and menopause are very common. Falling oestrogen reduces the protection hair follicles normally have against androgen sensitivity, which is why many women notice thinning or increased shedding during this stage. The degree varies widely from person to person.
Will my hair grow back after menopause?
In many cases, yes, particularly with consistent scalp support. The follicles are not typically destroyed by hormonal hair loss, which means they retain the potential to respond to stimulation. The key is starting a consistent routine early and sustaining it. Results build over three to four months of regular use.
How long until the LED hair growth cap shows results?
Subtle changes such as fine new hairs at the hairline are typically noticed around four to six weeks. Density changes that are visible in the mirror tend to come at twelve to sixteen weeks of consistent use, three to four sessions per week. Results continue improving beyond that with ongoing use.
Can I combine the LED cap and scalp microneedling in the same routine?
Yes. Use the LED cap on most evenings for twenty minutes. Use the hair derma roller once a week, followed immediately by the hair growth serum. The two approaches work at different levels and complement each other well. Do not use the roller on the same evening as the LED cap immediately before it as the skin needs a short recovery window after microneedling.
Browse the full hair growth range at purederma.co.uk, from the LED cap to the microneedling and serum tools that support it. Any questions, get in touch at help@purederma.co.uk.
