Babies, Hair, & Hormones

As if having a new baby, a new schedule and a serious lack of sleep isn’t enough? Then we lose our hair.
Seriously? Who the uck designed that? *cue hardcore eye roll* Deep breathe. Let’s dive in.
My name is Jennie Loney. I’ve been a hairdresser for fifteen glorious years. Every week, whether it's a simple cut or for hair extensions, women come to see me in Missoula who suffer from hair loss. It could be from age and menopause, pregnancy, hormones, and a whole bunch of other reasons. I also suffer from hormonal hair loss. It’s a real freaking bummer. Quick disclaimer, I don’t have biological children. But, I know your hair loss struggle and have known many women over 15 years of my hair career who have.
For the better part of the last bit of my hairdressing career, I have dedicated myself to becoming a hair loss specialist in Missoula. Yes, I have a selfish motive here as I am also a hormonal hair loss sufferer, but so many of my clients are too. I’ve bonded so hard with my girls over this and it's not as uncommon as some of you may think. Nothing is harder than losing the one thing that crowns us, our hair.

I met Catie Reed a few years ago. We bonded INSTANTLY. Not only did we have a few mutual friends, a load of common interests, but our struggle to conceive was an immediate source of connection. We both suffered from PSOS and struggled to get pregnant. Hair loss was not the only thing we had in common. I have given up on babies, due to age and meeting the love of my life who is 10 years older and has two beautiful children of his own. I felt so much empathy for Catie’s situation. We cried many times together.
Then came the news that changed not only her life but mine.
She got pregnant!
Holy shit. It’s possible! I could feel her excitement as she entered the salon. But, I also felt her reluctance to tell me the news I was so desperate for in my own life. “I’m pregnant,” she said while looking at me with the most gentle of stares. I wrapped her in the biggest, probably most smothering hug I could muster up. I was THRILLED!
We cried a bit again.
But, her journey in pregnancy wasn’t easy. Catie already suffering from hormonal hair loss and pregnancy, and then birth, only compounded the issue. I asked her to give us a bit of insight into her hair loss and extension journey:
"Catie, how has having a baby affected your life, hair is routine, and your hormonal hairloss?"
Catie: “Having a baby has drastically changed all aspects of life, especially my self-care routine. Having hair that I can easily put into a professional bun or curl the night before and just quickly touch up in the morning has been critical for time management and my ability to maintain professionalism in the workplace. Plus, I also regularly get compliments on my hair extensions, which has been really nice when I don’t necessarily feel like I look my best."
"Catie, how has postpartum hair loss affected your life?"
Catie: “ I underestimated postpartum hair loss. Combined with PCOS, my hormones are all over the place and I was afraid my thinning hair wouldn’t cover the extensions, and I would have a patchy bald head until the new hairs grew in. Thankfully I was wrong! Jenny was able to adjust the hair extensions' placement so that my remaining hair easily covered the extensions. While everything about my body is changing and looks unfamiliar, it’s so comforting to have just one aspect of myself that makes me feel confident.

"This first year of having a baby has been some of the best and hardest days of my life. I love dedicating myself to taking care of my daughter, she’s my everything. However, it’s easy to lose yourself at times. Going to see Jenny once every few weeks has grounded me differently. It’s like having coffee with a friend, but I come out looking way better than I did before going in. She’s been a blessing to my mental health in more ways than one. Now I have pretty hair and a new friend who is an amazing hair stylist who gets hair loss."
We continue to find new and better solutions to the source of our hair loss. There are a lot of potential treatments and answers other women have seen significant results with. However, hair loss often hits us unexpectedly and it can take years to find answers. Mirror Mirror, Fabrik's sister hair extension lounge in downtown Missoula, is so thrilled to be able to offer hair extensions to give us the hair we deserve and are such a vital part of our mental health and well-being.
I want you to know that you are not alone. You don’t have to suffer in silence. Help is here and I am dedicated to becoming the best hair loss specialist. Not only for you but for myself.
If you have any hair extension questions or would like to learn more, email me at jennie.loney@fabriksalon.com or call Mirror Mirror Extension Lounge at (406) 540-2347.
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