And this leads to changes in pH balance. ‘As sebum is acidic, the scalp may become less acidic in later life, however, this won’t affect the overall condition of the hair, it just may need a boost from shine sprays or scalp specific conditioners.’ How does nutrition affect scalp health? Lucinda Ellery, hair loss consultant, told us that as you age, the texture of your hair may “start to swing between dry and oily, depending on your hormones”. As busy women, it can be challenging to find the time to research the information needed for supplementation that will benefit your body throughout menopause. It is also a chore to remember to take a variety of different supplementations daily, and difficult to know what works best together for your body.

Probiotics, glutamine, zinc, schisandra, milk thistle, turmeric and super-berries like Goji and Bilberry can all benefit acne-prone skin, so look for these ingredients in your supplements or add them into your healthy eating routine. They judged each product on how effectively it cleaned hair and offered long-lasting oil control. They also noted any improvements to shine, smoothness, hydration and volume. Our bodies go through many changes as we get older, and – unfortunately – hair getting greasier can be one of them.Menopause can also make your scalp flaky and itchy (it’s a barrel load of laughs, isn’t it?), so research the best shampoos for over 50s that are designed to clean deeply yet gently. For haircare, avoid long hot showers which can further dry out the scalp. As well as this, you should use mild, natural shampoos and avoid harsh soaps as this can be drying. Follow this up with a nourishing moisturiser, ensuring you are always moisturising after showers. For your scalp, avoid hair products with too many synthetic fragrances, colours, sulphates, and parabens. Nutrition can play a key role in scalp health. ‘Hair is a dispensable tissue –psychologically it is hugely important, but physiologically we could easily survive without it,’ says trichologist Anabel Kingsley.‘ In terms of diet this means that our hair is never given priority – it’s the last to receive any nutrients we take in and is the first part of us that gets these withheld.

We formulated our Menopause Formula for this exact reason. It blends 48 premium, bio-available nutrients specifically selected for their synergistic ability to nourish and boost the female body at a time when it is most in need of balance. Hormonal fluctuations, mood, energy, hot flushes, aches and pains, sugar cravings, skin problems, dryness and a low libido are triggered by changes during this transition and amazingly we have ingredients that target all of this in our all-in-one supplement. Our formula also aids skin rejuvenation, long term bone density, brain health and the cardiovascular system for long term wellbeing. All of their formulas have been developed to nourish and balance the body’s 10 interconnected systems including skin, hormones, digestion, energy, and mind, with specific ranges targeting pregnancy and menopause. During menopause, your scalp is also affected by slightly raised levels of androgens within your body. ‘Androgens can cause extra facial hair and body hair but lessen scalp hair, not necessarily in numbers, but in diameter and length, resulting in loss of volume,’ says Natalie. This explains why some women report hair thinning during the menopause. Stress and scalp health verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ If dryness is your issue – be that with skin, eyes, vaginal dryness, or flaky skin on the body - it’s a good idea to up your fat intake especially from omega 3 from fish and nuts and seeds such as flaxseed and hempseed oil. These nourish the skin’s cells and help to make our complexion dewier and more hydrated.Most women will experience hair changes during menopause," she said. “These often appear profound to ourselves but, unless drastic, they may barely be noticeable to others.” How to stop greasy hair during the menopause Menopause can also cause changes to the hair too. Oestrogen stimulates the body's production of oils, which keeps the scalp naturally moisturised. As oestrogen levels decline, the body produces fewer oils, and the scalp can become more prone to dryness and itching. A lot of shampoos contain ingredients that are harsh on the scalp and will only exacerbate the itchiness. Strong chemical detergents like sulphates and salts are there to cut through grease but are extremely harsh on the scalp. Finally, some women may notice hairs sprouting on the upper lip or chin due to hormonal fluctuations during menopause, namely related to testosterone. This clarifying shampoo promises to prevent dandruff and boost shine, thanks to the pH-balancing, antibacterial benefits of its hero ingredient, apple cider vinegar. Healthy hair starts at the roots – but how does menopause affect your scalp? Learn how to improve your scalp health and treat a flaky scalp before, during and after the menopause with these top tips, DIY remedies and product recommendations…