Why I’m Losing My Hair… (+ the Hair Growth Treatments I’m Trying)

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Losing my hair at 36… something I feared, but never thought I’d be facing so soon. For so many women, hair is tied to identity, confidence, and self-expression, and losing it feels like losing a part of yourself.

In this video, I get real about my journey with hair loss. From the first signs during a stressful summer, to dealing with scalp issues, treatments, and grappling with the shame of alopecia. Let’s talk about genetics, wellness culture myths, and how we can navigate this together.

If you’ve faced hair loss, share your story below—let’s support each other. ❤️
(P.S. PLS Keep it kind in the comments)

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1) The information in this video is for education and entertainment purposes only, so you should always speak to a health care provider about your unique health needs.
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3) Please be kind in the comments.
4) Trigger warning to those with disordered eating tendencies.
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Xoxo Abbey 🌸

Leroy Johnson
 

  • @ABeautyAddict says:

    I want to hug you! I’ve been losing my hair for the past 2 years and let me tell you, I have cried more times than I wanna admit. Thank you for sharing and you are not alone. 🙁

  • @aravelladubon699 says:

    I’m sorry that you’re going through that. As someone who has started to lose my hair because of diet I understand the pain that comes from losing hair but I wish you luck on your treatments and recovery!

  • @GabbyPeterson17 says:

    I feel you!! Been losing my hair for 3+ years in my 20’s and it is SO FKN TOUGH. I’ve cried many a time over it. Sending love

    • @AbbeysKitchen says:

      Thank you!! It is so hard. Sending so much love

    • @GabbyPeterson17 says:

      @ as far as what’s working for me, it’s a similar approach, kitchen sink and I’ve had phases where I get loose with my habits and my hair falls out again. I do minoxidil, Microneedling and retinoid on the scalp to help with the efficacy of minoxidil, then the irestore cap, hair supplements, zinc, iron, magnesium, reduce stress, cold showers, ketoconozole shampoo, and nioxin hair defense serum 😂 laughing at how long that list is but it helps stop the constant shedding

    • @21972012145525 says:

      ​@@GabbyPeterson17 yea I was deficient

  • @kittyfriend9888 says:

    it is never silly to cry over hair, anyone who says it’s “just hair” has never dealt with anything hair related I can assure you!!! (either that or they just simply don’t care about hair at all, but most of us do) I’m 35 been dealing with a hair nightmare for years, (basically a mix of hair loss and horrible hair cuts resulting in me having to cut it all off) (I can’t even be alone in the house without it tucked in a cap or wearing a topper, let alone out in public) so I’ve been wearing toppers for a little over a year and it’s honestly driving me insane, I don’t have ocd (I have adhd) but I’ve experienced ocd symptoms while dealing with this, like I can spend hours a day cutting and plucking these hair toppers in a total loop of frustration I cannot break, I’ve dealt with really some serious stuff in my life and this has been one of the hardest on my mental health 💔❤️ my heart goes out to anyone experiencing hair problems, both big and small

  • @rosaryax says:

    I started to lose my hair when I was 17, it’s incredibly tough. I feel your pain, I can’t even count how many times I’ve cried after looking in the mirror. Especially since hair is such a noticeable and important part of our appearance. I wish you the absolute best of luck with your treatments <3

  • @BrujaBanter says:

    Hi Abbey! I have hair loss secondary to an autoimmune disease and one super simple (and cheap!) thing that has helped me is sleeping in a silk bonnet. It obviously does nothing to address the underlying cause but just helps ensure that the added friction as I move around in the night doesn’t cause even more unnecessary hair loss. And I’m so sorry you’re going through this – it really does suck.

  • @sharonpaul912 says:

    Thank you for sharing! I also am 36 and have noticed a huge loss of hair in the past 2 years. I knew I was probably genetically predisposed, but I think when you’re younger you just think you’re invincible/it won’t happen to you. Didn’t even realize/appreciate my super thick hair when I had it 😢 Interestingly, my mom’s loss started postpartum and that’s also when mine started. I wonder if the hormone changes did something to turn “off” the hair growth phase. I have not done anything as of yet, researching options. Interesting that you said you went to a trichologist. I looked them up when I was researching options and they are not actual doctors. They are not certified by any medical board and it appears there’s no regulations for getting a certificate. Yet they call themselves doctors. Maybe it’s different in Canada (I’m in the US). I’m about to pull the trigger on getting minoxidil and seeing if that works and also working on seeing a dermatologist. I think all the things you’re trying are great options. I would love to see an update in the future! Hoping you have a successful hair regrowth journey ❤ PS it’s ok to be upset/cry. Hair is so important to us as women, it’s our crowning glory. It’s what I was known for when I was young because mine was so curly and thick, it’s part of our identity and it’s scary to lose it when we’re still middle aged.

  • @broccolista says:

    Abbey, I can see how affected you are by this situation and I want to send you a big hug and let you know you’re not alone.❤ I am also losing hair and will be watching closely as you tackle this, and I cannot wait for your future video entitled “How I conquered hair loss and now have thicker hair than before!”🎉

    That day is just around the corner.❤️

  • @hyrumkohler says:

    Thanks for being vulnerable and honest with your story/journey

  • @rhi91 says:

    I struggle with the same thing and have just started taking spiro as well. Hair loss for women is so deeply attached to shame, its so difficult and i really commend you for speaking about it. The more women do, the less taboo and scary it is! I wish you so much luck and just know that worst comes to the worst, there are incredibly realistic looking wigs now that you could invest in, and its fun to have some different looks <3 It looks like you're doing as much as you can, i have high hopes for it improving!

  • @samanthabeer1156 says:

    Hi Abbey. I went through this 7 years ago. Not sure what triggered it but it was 3 months after getting married I discovered bald spots pretty much all over my head so I’m guessing stress. My trichologist diagnosed alopecia and said the most important factor in female hair loss is ferretin. Doctors tend to tell you its ‘fine’ as long as its within range but you have to be at the higher end of that range for optimal hair growth. I was recommended a supplement specifically for female hair loss which really helped and I haven’t had bald spots since, although it is now thinning all over with perimenopause 🙄 They were called Florisene. Not sure if you can get them in Canada but worth trying. Good luck, you will get there. Rosemary is also good for hair growth. I use a quality organic high concentration rosemary shampoo and conditioner.

  • @jayare6804 says:

    thank you for sharing your situation on such a personal topic. I’m sure this will help a lot of people. wishing you all the best! 💜

  • @Tanjaaa212 says:

    Losing my hair has been the worst symptom of Hashimoto’s for me. It’s such a hard thing to deal with and it feels so isolating because you spend so much time trying to hide it. Just know you’re not alone.

  • @21972012145525 says:

    I lost about 40 pounts over a year and half. Because the weight loss was over such a long period of time and sustainable (or ao i thought) i didnt realize it was unhealthy, as i was mostly just skipping meals without any supplementation. Then i started losing clumps and clumps of hair. I did not attribute it to the weight loss. I lost almost 90% of my hair. I think inalso had covid and just immense amounts of stress.

    Out of desperation, i finally saw a dermatologist. I was low in vit d, iron, and zinc. I started eating again and i weigh more now than i did when I lost the weight but my hair is mostly back, with a slightly different texture.

    If i had to do it again, would definitely supplement with a multivitamin and incorporate more physical activity (instead of just food restriction)

  • @smeek794 says:

    I was diagnosed with alopecia at 16 and it progressed to universal alopecia within the year. I’m now 32 and haven’t even experienced eyelash regrowth let alone on the scalp. It absolutely sucks and your feelings are valid. While I got used to it over time, I never fully got over it and am still uncomfortable telling people about it. I wish you luck with your journey! A lot of people do respond to treatment, I hope that you are one of them.

  • @pritika2111 says:

    I found hair toppers, and I no longer feel sad about my hairloss. It is what it is, but I can still get the hair of my dreams with hair toppers.

  • @rikketakera says:

    I lost so much of my hair postpartum and standing in the shower, pulling out handfuls and handfuls and handfuls of hair, not knowing when it would stop, was genuinely so awful. I’m so sorry you’re going through this ❤️ you’re not silly for being upset about it. I think all women understand what our hair means to us, even if we can’t put it into words.

  • @shannonrolfes5171 says:

    Good luck! My mom is going through this now and I’m forwarding your video to her. She needs to know she’s not alone ❤ Thank you for sharing!

  • @cheryls3136 says:

    Feel your pain! My hair starting thinning with menopause/thyroid issues. I’ve taken a more natural approach: good menopause vitamin (with small amount of biotin) and keeping shampoo simple (Dermae plus add 10 drops of rosemary oil) and let it sit for a bit. I find it helps. Sending a big hug. If anyone can figure this out, it’s you!

  • @kristinataber8380 says:

    You are so not alone Abbey! Big hugs. I started losing my hair around 2021-2022, and I’ve probably lost like… half of my hair, no lie. I guess I’m thankful that I had a lot of hair to lose, but ugh… it’s just not a fun thing to go through. I think mine is genetic, stress, and weight loss. It’s like the holy trifecta of my body being like… hahahahaha. you do NOT need hairrrr okiebye. I should note that I just turned 37. And this is horrible! Again, big hugs. And fingers crossed that you get some good results <3

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