Welcome to Katy Perimenopause! Let's begin with hair loss...
Perimenopause talk from Katy Sunnassee (aka Katy Peri!) editor of Top Santé magazine and Platinum magazine in the UK.
Welcome to my perimenopause newsletter!
Hey there! Welcome to my Substack and thank you so much for subscribing! My name is Katy Sunnassee and I’m 45, hence in perimenopause (most women are by age 45) and hence the name of the newsletter, as people 15 years ago used to say I looked like Katy Perry when she had her black hair with the fringe (and I’ve just had mine cut in again, so I really need some new photos!).
I’ve been writing about women’s wellbeing for 20 years (where has time gone?!) Most of that I’ve been a staff writer or editor on women’s magazines in the UK. I became editor of Top Santé magazine in 2015 – the UK’s longest-running health magazine for women age 40+. Last year I also became editor of Platinum magazine – an uplifting, empowering lifestyle magazine for women aged 50+.
I’ve pretty much always focused on health, and now, in my mid-40s, which is when research indicates most women are beginning to experience perimenopause (of which there are at least 48 symptoms! Did you know that?) I want to blog about this topic and share the things happening to me and my body, so younger women can be better prepared, and women my age and older can relate and find solutions.
Perimenopause and menopause are no longer dirty words as more women, including celebrities, talk openly about this life phase on social media and in their books. For me it’s heartening, as I’ve been including this topic in Top Santé for almost ten years and back then few people were talking about it, let alone in the mainstream.
What you can expect from Katy Perimenopause
This Substack will be dedicated to my journey, which I hope will also empower you to discover tips, products, expert advice and wisdom to help navigate perimenopause - the lead up to menopause, which is counted as a year after your last period.
I’ll mostly be focusing on topics I also cover in my Katy Perimenopause column for Top Santé each month, which is a sneak-peek into my own life and woes, including the odd moan about my husband (as per the sleep divorce column I wrote in the April issue!!!)
But in the main you’ll find me writing and talking about products I love, including supplements, skincare, nutrition advice, stress management and more.
Oh and I put the word ‘show’ in the above header as I’ll be launching an accompanying podcast too… either through this platform, or separately, or combine them both somehow.
For now I’m keeping this weekly newsletter FREE, to connect with as many people as possible, but I’ll introduce a paid subscription at some point once I’ve worked out what extra value I can offer subscribers on a regular basis. I just wanted to get this going for now, and keep it free, as that felt easiest.
I didn’t want to overpromise then under-deliver from the outset. I want it to be the reverse: to under promise and over-deliver, as I truly value each and every subscription. After all there are SO many things you could be reading, so I appreciate that you’ve stopped by and am especially grateful if you’ve subscribed.
So, let me dive in to my first topic, which also happens to be what I’ve written about in the May issue of Top Santé, and which affects millions of women: hair loss.
Hair today, gone tomorrow
Ok the loss wasn’t so sudden and overnight. I’m not entirely sure when it began, but I do know that sometime in my mid-30s, around the time I met my husband (I often blame him!), is when I realised my barnet had lost its fullness. I recall standing in the shower one day, squeezing the water out of my long hair and thinking “this feels thinner” (the same happened to my bum, which, when I turned around, seemed barely there compared to the pert and peachy version from my 20s, but that’s another topic, maybe for another blog post…)
Where once my ponytail felt the thickness of a 50p, now it was 5p. Looking in a bathroom mirror with bright lights on, I saw my scalp through my hair, whereas in the past my fine-yet-dense mane created complete coverage. And when putting my hair into a ponytail, I had to start wrapping the scrunchie around a second or even third time, as one twist wasn’t enough to hold it in place (still isn't).
I also became conscious of my widening parting and crown – all the more noticeable due to dark hair – which my then-boyfriend, now-husband could see, as he’s taller, and would point it out. This wasn’t said in a mean way, as he wanted to help by paying for me to do health tests to determine whether I was lacking in vitamins and minerals or perhaps my hormones were out of whack.
I did blood tests, urine tests and a stool test (yes, pooing on a paper plate and putting it in the post) to check gut bacteria and parasite status. I can’t remember the results of those tests, but I do recall taking zinc, and being told I needed to sort out my gut and quit sugar (usual story).
New hair growth?
Fast forward 10 years, and having dabbled with hair-growth supplements – although not for long enough to see improvements – my hair is still no thicker. But (drum roll)... I have recently seen baby hairs sprouting through, AND my hair is falling out much less than it did last year, which is a start. It used to come out in clumps in the shower, where I’d endeavour to paste it to the wall to prevent it completely clogging the plug hole (nice). Now though, it seems I only paste 20 or so hairs up on the side as opposed to enough to make a small birds nest.
If you follow me on Instagram you’ll have seen my “hair fall” story updates showing the tangled clumps that come out while brushing and washing (sharing is caring!), which were once excessive, I thought.
But, over the past few months, the amount has reduced a lot. So, what am I doing? While I can’t accurately pinpoint one solution, as I try lots of things at a time, I put it down to A) daily collagen (currently Kollo Health Collagen or Revive Collagen the Perimeno or Meno blend), and B) using Scandinavian BioLabs Shampoo and Conditioner plus their hair growth Serum.
You can literally feel the shampoo and serum working as they make the scalp tingle. I’ve only recently started these so I’m sticking with them to see whether they’re the holy grail of hair solutions that so many women need...
Testing out the hair-growth shampoo
Scandinavian Biolabs Bio-Pilixin Shampoo (£21 or £18 on subscription) contains natural ingredients designed to reduce excessive sebum and encourage a balanced scalp pH, which as we know is meant to be slightly acidic, as is all external skin. The formula helps to build stronger and more vibrant hair and a fresh feel thanks to its eucalyptus aroma.
The formula contains:
Capilia Longa®, which is described as able to give an 89 per cent reduction in hair loss and up to 52 per cent improvement in hair density after 150 days of use. It helps keep hair strong by extending the life of hair fibres.
Amino Acid Complex that’s been shown to improve the state of damaged hair by increasing overall strength. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, including keratin, which is the main component of hair.
Niacinamide, which as well as its keratin-boosting potential, is said to improve blood flow and protect hair follicles from damage caused by oxidative stress.
Caffeine is also in the mix, which you find in lots of growth-promoting shampoos as it’s a stimulant that increases circulation, which would in turn speed up the delivery of blood and therefore nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles.
You’ll also see from the ingredient list below that it’s sulphate/sulfate free, which is good as sulphates are known to be such effective cleansers that they strip all healthy oils from your skin or scalp, potentially leaving it dry and irritated.
Full list of ingredients in the shampoo: Aqua, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Niacinamide, Sodium Chloride, Caffeine, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Peg-90 Glyceryl Isostearate, Citric Acid, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polyquaternium-47, Alcohol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Curcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media, Pca, Glycine, Alanine, Laureth-2, Serine, Valine, Pentylene Glycol, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Phytic Acid
Testing out the hair-growth conditioner
The accompanying Bio-Pilixin Hair Recovery Conditioner (£26) is designed to improve smoothness, help enhance durability and also help reduce hair breakage. It also supports the shampoo to enhance scalp and hair vitality. Like the shampoo, it too contains Capilia Longa and an Amino Acid Complex, as well as aloe vera to soothe and hydrate the scalp and also condition hair strands.
Full ingredients list: Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium PCA, Curcuma Longa Callus Lysate, Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Curcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media, PCA, Citric Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Benzyl Alcohol, Valine, Pentylene Glycol, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phytic Acid.
Testing out the hair-growth serum
The Bio-Pilixin Serum (£49 or £42 on subscription) is the mother of all products though, and one of the brand’s best sellers. Designed to reduce hair thinning and support growth, it contains multiple plant growth factors, developed through stem cell technology, to nurture follicles. It works by helping stimulate blood flow and helping supply vital nutrients to both scalp and hair. The website also states that results can be seen in as little as 45 days, and it’s completely drug free.
“Using Bio-Pilixin® daily can pay off in just 45 days. Early results could include less shedding in the shower or even compliments from your hairdresser. Clinically tested increase in density can be seen as early as 150 days,” says the Scandinavian Biolabs website.
Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum full ingredients: Aqua, Alcohol, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Curcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media, Panthenol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Sodium PCA, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Limonene, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Phytic Acid.
Feel the burn!
You can literally feel the shampoo and serum getting to work. The shampoo gives a mild tingle thanks to the caffeine and eucalyptus, I think. But it’s the serum that must be opening the follicles to allow the active ingredients to penetrate, as you can feel it. I must confess that at times, when I apply a bit too much in one place, it feels as though my scalp is on fire! Not too hot to handle, but enough to know something is happening.
The instructions say to use one pipette-full over your scalp although it’s impossible to fill up the pipette entirely (I can only ever get it a quarter-full at most) so I fill it a tiny bit and apply in lots of goes, focusing on my parting, around my hairline, and generally through the top and back as those are where my hair is thinnest, and will be any any woman with androgenic alopecia.
So although the serum stings/tingles a bit, what I like about it is that it’s watery and fine in consistency, which makes it easier to rub in. It also means you don’t need to wash it out before styling. A lot of scalp products for hair growth are thick oils or sticky serums that make you feel as though you need to wash your hair, especially before leaving the house unless you wear a turban or cap.
I think that’s why I’ve ended up only using them a couple of times, as it always feels like more of a chore to continue with them (having to wrap my hair in a towel to avoid staining my pillow at night, then needing to wash my long hair in the morning, which I know I wont have time to do, hence I just don’t bother).
The fact the BioPilixin Serum is lightweight and non-greasy makes it a lot easier to use, hence you’re more likely, I think, to stick with it. And something you use or do regularly is always going have better long-term benefits than a product that might be the Holy Grail of hair growth but is pretty pointless if all it ever does is sit in the bottle in your bathroom cabinet.
Also, I’ve not even been applying the serum that much – so far not more than once a week (shows how much I wash my hair!), twice at most. But even so, with the shampoo and conditioner, I’ve seen a lot less hair fall in the shower, as the above quote indicated might happen.
My conclusions…
I haven’t been using this hair growth system as much as I could be, but, even still, I’m seeing what I consider to be an improvement with the reduction in hair fall. I’m aiming to increase my hair washing to 2 or even 3 times a week and use the serum each time afterwards, to see whether that speeds up results.
The blurb says you need to wait 150 days (five months) for improvements and I only began in February, maybe March, so it’s only been a month or two at most. Little and often is usually the motto when it comes to seeing improvements in anything, right?
I’ll do a follow-up post, and take some before and after pics. I’ve got plenty of before pics from years ago, although I ought to do some new ones so I can then retake them in exactly the same way, with the same lighting, to compare.
You can also find me at instagram.com/thehealtheditor - see you there!
Katy Peri x