Top 4 Secret Reasons for Hair Thinning

(And how to nourish your hair from the inside out)

If you've been noticing more hair in your brush lately, you're not alone. Hair thinning is incredibly common these days, especially among women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. While hormones and genetics often take the blame, there are several hidden causes of thinning hair. And when these are rectified, hair starts feeling full, strong, and shiny again.

1. Dehydration - Not Drinking Enough Water

This is one of the top reasons I see hair thinning in my clinic. Hair is made up of about 25% water, yet many of us walk around pretty dehydrated. When the body doesn't get enough water, it prioritises vital organs over hair and skin. This leaves the scalp undernourished and reduces circulation to the follicles, resulting in dull, brittle strands that fall out more easily.

Do this: Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. I tell my patients to start with 2 glasses when you wake up. Herbal teas count too. Nettle, oat straw, and horsetail teas are particularly rich in minerals that support strong, healthy hair.

2. Lack of Greens (and Minerals)

If your meals are light on greens, your hair may be missing essential nutrients. Minerals like iron, zinc, silica, and magnesium are crucial for strong hair growth, yet they're depleted in modern diets.

Greens act as nature's multivitamin - they oxygenate the blood and nourish the scalp from within.

Do this: Take mineral rich herbal supplements to amplify minerals available for hair growth. My top picks for fuller hair? Neem, Nettles, Rosemary or Fo Ti. These have all been used and recommended by herbalists for hundreds of years for hair growth and repair.

3. Dry Scalp

If your skin is dry and lacking healthy oils, your scalp will be dry too. And a dry, tight scalp restricts blood flow and nutrient delivery to the follicles.

Healthy fats comprise some of the hair strand's basic structure. Without it, hair is drier, duller, and each strand is lighter in weight... so it's less full.

What's the fix? Increase healthy fats.

A randomised study in women with hair thinning used supplementation of omega-3 & omega-6 plus antioxidants for 6 months and found improved hair density, reduced percentage of telogen (resting) hairs, and better hair diameter compared to the control group.

Do this: Take a flaxseed oil or cod liver oil supplement. You can also rub rosemary infused olive oil straight onto the scalp at night to help encourage new hair growth.

4. Hidden Stress and Adrenal Fatigue

Even when you don't feel stressed, your body might be showing signs of adrenal fatigue - and your hair can reflect it first. Chronic stress increases cortisol, which can disrupt the hair growth cycle and push follicles into the resting (shedding) phase.

Do this: Get more sleep and use adrenal nourishing herbs like ashwagandha and licorice to feel calmer and more centred. Commit to reducing stress and adopting a calmer lifestyle.

It's a myth that beautiful, full hair starts with an expensive shampoo because it begins with nourishment from within. Drink more water, eat more greens, and take a quality herbal hair supplement to provide the building blocks of beautiful, thick, strong hair.

Your hair tells a story - and when it starts to change, it's your body's way of asking for care. Nourish it from the inside out, listen to what it's telling you, and remember: true hair health always starts with overall wellness.