This week’s letter is brought to you by Hårklinikken, a scalp care for hair growth brand that I’ve been genuinely obsessed with for years. It also means today’s paid letter is free for all subscribers :)
Nothing can make or break the day like your hair. We all know those mornings when your styling is so *on point* it feels like you could genuinely take over the world. On the other on hand, when your hair is limp, flat, and/or appears to be shedding dozens of strands by the minute, it can drain all of your confidence and convince you that you’re destined to have bland boring hair forever. That’s doubled if you’re trying, and failing, to grow out your hair.
Slowly raises hand
My goal for the last few years had been to reach the type of rib-grazing, cascading waves that would make even Ariel jealous, and while I would love to tell you that all it takes is one pill or potion to help revive your hair, the truth is much more complicated than that. I should know — I’ve tried pretty much every remedy under the sun.
Allow me to set the scene. Going into 2020, I had a long bob that disguised an undercut, in addition to a set of bangs. When the world shut down, my three different hair lengths sent me into a bit of a spiral, and there was rarely a day that I didn’t consider shaving it all off into one even (if very short) cut. Three months later I raced to the salon, masked and ready to chop it all to my chin once again. Since then I’ve been painstakingly waiting for the awkward mid-length phase to end, trimming it twice a year to keep it from looking raggedy (thanks, Dhiran!) and exploring a variety of hair growth products to speed up the process.
Then in 2022, I kinda sorta blew up my life. Following a bout of Covid, I had a devastating breakup and then quit my job just three months later. My cortisol levels (aka the stress hormone) were through the roof, mixing with the additional telogen effluvium (or temporary hair shedding phase of the growth cycle) activated by the virus. Essentially, I was losing a Pomeranian’s worth of hair every time I showered. Those tiny spirals of hair that you stick on your shower wall? Mine looked like Cousin It had just commandeered the bathroom. I freaked out! Not only could I see the evidence of the excess hair washing down the drain but my hairline and temples were noticeably thinner, my ponytail depressingly scrawny.
Since then, my emotional yo-yo-ing has thankfully leveled out — do not discount your mental state when considering hair loss remedies — and I’ve been able to explore many different avenues to revive my overall hair growth. The most important discovery, however, has been that boosting hair density isn’t just a one-and-done operation. It’s a life-long commitment to promoting overall hair and scalp health. As a beauty editor, I probably should have realized this, but in my desperation to regrown my patchy hair at all costs, I didn’t consider how I might have to change some of my beauty habits to prevent more hair loss throughout my life.
So! What has this looked like? Well after checking off the basics of hair health, namely using a high quality shampoo and conditioner, a weekly clarifying shampoo to remove buildup, and a nourishing hair mask for my color-treated strands, I visited some professionals to learn how to best enhance my regimen.
I had heard murmurings about Hårklinikken for a few months as many of my peers dealt with their own Covid-related hair loss, so in spring of last year, I messaged the team for an appointment at their Manhattan clinic (they also have locations in Tampa, Beverly Hills, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and Dubai, with more to come). I met with founder Lars Skjøth for a consultation in which he assessed my scalp, pinpointing where I saw thinning, and prescribed a customized product regimen including hair gain extracts and a stabilizing shampoo and conditioner. But as I have learned throughout my varied hair adventures (including injecting platelet rich plasma into my scalp — ouch) you not only need to stay consistent with your routine, you should also explore two or more modalities to combat loss and promote healthy growth.
Luckily, now that I’ve seen real tangible results from using these serums (as well as massaging my hair with every application to promote blood flow and boost oxygen levels in my follicles) I’m adding the Hårklinikken Hair Supplements into my routine. These help address three biological hair loss triggers, namely stress, gut imbalances and nutrient deficiencies, all of which can lead to thinning. Not only does the formula strengthen existing hair (thereby reducing breakage), it also boosts the appearance of hair thickness, nourishes the follicles, and aids nutrient absorption, among other benefits. And since my mane is still a few inches shy of reaching my waist, I’m eager to support healthy hair growth from both the inside and out for the foreseeable future. New 2025 goal unlocked!
retail < therapy
Hårklinikken Hair Supplements: Take two daily capsules at mealtime to minimize hair shedding, promote new growth, and support overall hair and scalp health. No product works overnight (unless we’re talking extensions) but with consistency and patience you’ll be able to reach your own hair length goals, minus the stress of thinning hair, thanks to ingredients like Horsetail Plant Extract, Biotin, Organic Pea Shoot Extract, L-Cysteine and Hyaluronic Acid.
See you next week!
Cheers,
xxHB
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