Inside a Hair Consultation: Solving Hair Loss, Breakage, and Dryness After Illness
Hair concerns rarely have a single cause. More often, they are the result of several factors working together—internal health, age-related changes, and external hair care habits.
Recently, I conducted a one-on-one hair consultation with a 36-year-old client who had been experiencing significant changes in her hair over the past 12–18 months. Her primary concerns were dryness, breakage, and ongoing hair loss.
In this article, I’m sharing the key insights from that consultation and the approach we discussed to help restore scalp health and support healthier hair growth.
The Client’s Main Concerns
Over the past year and a half, the client noticed several persistent issues:
- Increased hair fall
- Breakage and thinning
- Dryness and frizz
- A general change in how her hair felt and behaved
She had also made some lifestyle adjustments, including stopping hair dye in mid-2025 and embracing her natural gray hair.
At the time of our consultation, she was primarily using coconut oil to control frizz, but was unsure whether it was helping or contributing to the dryness she was experiencing.
Understanding the full context of her hair history helped identify potential root causes.
The Role of Illness in Hair Loss
The client experienced a serious illness in January 2025 and was treated with strong antibiotics. Events like illness, infections, surgery, or medications can disrupt the hair growth cycle.
When the body goes through significant stress, many hair follicles shift prematurely into the shedding phase. This condition is known as Telogen Effluvium.
Typically:
- Shedding begins 2–3 months after the stress event
- Hair fall can continue for several months
- The follicles usually recover once the body stabilizes
This type of shedding is temporary, but it can feel alarming when it happens.
Internal Factors That Can Affect Hair Health
Hair health is closely connected to overall health, which is why internal factors are always part of the assessment during consultations.
In this case, I recommended starting with comprehensive blood work, going beyond standard tests to evaluate possible nutrient deficiencies.
Key markers worth checking include:
- Iron levels
- Ferritin levels
- Hormones
- Vitamin deficiencies
Nutrient imbalances can significantly affect the hair cycle and follicle health, so identifying any deficiencies is often the first step in addressing persistent hair concerns.
Age-Related Changes in Hair
Another important factor we discussed is age-related hair changes.
By the mid-30s, subtle shifts begin to occur in the scalp and follicles:
- Hair follicles gradually become smaller
- Blood circulation to the follicles may decrease
- Nutrient delivery becomes less efficient
These changes don’t mean hair cannot remain strong and healthy—but they do mean that scalp care becomes even more important.
A Scalp-Focused Treatment Approach
To support the scalp and encourage healthier growth conditions, we developed a simple topical routine.
Scalp Treatment
The client was advised to use Pressed Scalp Elixir 2–3 times per week.
Application guidelines:
- Apply before washing
- Massage gently into the scalp
- Leave on for 1 hour to overnight
- Avoid leaving it on the scalp for a full day
- Use enough to moisturize the scalp, but not saturate it
Between wash days, a leave-in scalp spray can help maintain hydration and balance.
How Often Should You Oil Your Scalp? Click to find out
Scalp Massage
Regular scalp massage can also support follicle stimulation and circulation. Even a few minutes several times a week can help improve scalp environment over time.
If you’re unsure about technique, read our guide on The Benefits of a Scalp Massage.
Hair Moisture and Breakage Management
Addressing the dryness and breakage required adjusting how oils and treatments were being used.
Switching from Coconut Oil
Although coconut oil is commonly used for hair care, it can sometimes contribute to dryness for certain hair types.
This is because coconut oil contains components that can behave similarly to protein. For some people, excessive protein exposure can lead to:
- Increased brittleness
- Dryness
- Breakage
For this client, discontinuing coconut oil was recommended.
Hair Oil Routine
Instead, we discussed using Pressed Nourishing Hair Oil more strategically.
Two approaches can work well:
Daily use
- 1 pump maximum
- Hair should not appear oily
- The goal is light nourishment, not coating
Pre-wash treatment
- 4 pumps total (2 per side)
- Apply to the hair lengths
- Braid the hair
- Leave for 15–20 minutes before washing
This formula contains hydrolyzed keratin, which helps strengthen and protect the hair shaft.
What you do between wash days also matters. Here is how to Keep Your Scalp Healthy Between Washes.
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Recovering from hair loss often requires a balanced routine. Our Formulated Products Bundle combines targeted scalp care with strengthening support for the hair shaft.→ Learn more about the system. |
Deep Conditioning for Moisture Recovery
Because the client’s hair was experiencing dryness and breakage, we also discussed incorporating weekly deep conditioning treatments.
Key tips when choosing a conditioner:
- Look for formulations designed for thick or dry hair
- Avoid formulas that are heavily protein-based
- Try sample sizes first before committing to full products
The goal is to restore moisture balance without making the hair brittle.
The Next Steps in the Hair Recovery Plan
Hair recovery often requires patience and consistency. For this client, the plan moving forward included:
- Comprehensive blood work to identify any nutritional deficiencies
- Starting topical scalp treatments gradually
- Monitoring changes in shedding and hair texture
- Following up after several weeks to evaluate progress
With the right combination of internal support and targeted scalp care, most people begin to see improvement over time.
The Takeaway
Hair loss and dryness can feel overwhelming, especially when they appear suddenly after illness. But in many cases, the body and scalp simply need time and the right environment to recover.
By focusing on scalp health, internal balance, and gentle hair care, it’s possible to support the follicles and create conditions for stronger, healthier hair growth.
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