I appreciate how open Ashley Tisdale is about issues that don’t get much attention. She talks about hot button topics, but she also brings up stuff that is less sexy. Granted some see her as sharing too much, but then she talks about stuff like alopecia and we get to share hair loss tips. In Ashley’s latest Frenshe newsletter, she talks about dealing with hair loss from stress and how it affected her self-esteem. To combat the issue, she changed her outlook, her diet, and incorporated a very expensive and painful platelet rich plasma treatment that helps hair growth. Okay, so maybe not totally relatable.
Ashley Tisdale has a few strategies for managing hair loss.
The High School Musical alum, who welcomed her daughter Jupiter in 2021 with her husband Christopher French, took to her blog Frenshe on Wednesday to discuss how she’s dealing with alopecia. She said that she noticed her hair falling out a few months earlier, which mirrored the hair loss she suffered years ago while dealing with intense stress.
“Alopecia and hair loss are fairly common, but a lot of people feel embarrassed to talk about these issues,” Tisdale wrote. “Any type of hair loss can affect your self-esteem, especially if you feel like you’re the only one going through it. That’s why I want to talk about it openly — because it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes it’s connected to hormones, other times to heredity, and for me, it’s connected to stress overload.”
The 37-year-old then shared how she manages her alopecia, writing “don’t let worry take over” as the first point on her list, as when she battled alopecia years ago, her “worries began to spiral.” She was “scared that it would get much worse,” and the anxiety only exasperated her stress.
“When I focused on the present and accepted what was happening, I was then ready to make a plan to address my hair loss,” she explained.
She also listed “manage stress” as one way to cope, and wrote that meditation and self-care rituals helped lower her stress levels.
Another way she dealt with stress included changing up her diet.
“Eating with a focus on gut health also helps me thrive,” she said. “Whatever your self-care plan may be, embrace it.”
Tisdale also wrote about seeking treatment for hair loss, something that she has previously shared on social media. She added that she has seen great results from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, which involves injecting platelets from one’s blood back into the scalp.
“It’s expensive and it is certainly not the most pleasant experience — it involves microneedling the scalp, after all — but it made my hair grow back amazingly fast, and research shows that it works,” she said.The former Disney Channel actress also reminded her readers that it’s OK to also embrace hair loss, whether that be sporting a wig or embracing a hairless look.
My hair has thinned some with age. And I have two bald spots at my temples, so I was very interested in what Ashley had to say about hair loss. Mine could be stress, but more likely hormones and obviously I’m not too embarrassed to talk about it. I have never been successful at not letting “the worry take over.” Worry runs roughshod over me whenever it wants, especially when I’m in the present. I’m not being cute, I wish I could just Let It Go, but I’ve never mastered that. I do think diet helps. CB suggested pre-natal vitamins and that is great for both hair and nails. As for micro needling my head with plasma to get my hair to grow back? I won’t lie, if had the money, I’d do it. My bald patches are right in the front and if I pull my hair back, it’s obvious. They affect how I wear my hair so yeah, I’d take a permanent fix if I could.
But I doubt a platelet-rich boost to my hairline is in my budget. I’ve always wanted to invest in wigs. I love the idea of changing my hair with every outfit. I need to do my research, though, because I can’t afford the ones that look good. But I’m sure there are some nice ones out there I can afford. For now I’m trying Vegamour oil, which was highly recommended to help stimulate hair growth. I also use Better Not Younger shampoo and conditioner with a Virtue mask on the weekends. And I just got some Boldify hairline powder to cover the spots. And I am using the ol’ acupressure mat that I swear by for stress along with the aforementioned pre-natal vitamins.
This is not a sponsored post. Amazon will give us a portion if you use these links, but I do use those products mentioned. Except for the mask, I use the Virtue Flourish mask for thinning hair from Sephora but it’s twice as much. My intent is more to get a conversation going. Feel free to talk about what works for you.
Photo credit: Instagram and Getty Images
Hair loss is such a painful topic. I have a type of alopecia that causes my scalp to inflame and scar. As a result I have bald spots that will never grow back. Wigs have changed my life and boosted my self esteem and I highly recommend them.
Simplyl: would you mind sharing the name of your wig compan(ies). I would love to find at least one wig that I could slap on my head for bad hair days which I have more often than I would like! I have problems with fit and with head heat. Some wigs cause me to overheat and my poor face breaks out in blotches. I’d be grateful for any light you can shed on an industry I find a bit mysterious. Thanks.
Been googling hair loss lately- I think mine is stress related? Bc I have had a very stressful 6 years and went white virtually overnight this summer during a particularly bad period.
It’s so hard bc I think about it all the time which cannot be healthy. I’m starting to use collagen powder and generally cleaning up my diet. I also use the Ranavat hair oil and for sure my hair has no damage even tho I was surfing every day but not sure yet if it’s helping Re growth.
I ordered pura d’or and that will get here in a few weeks (I’m not in the US).
Hair loss is not something I ever thought about until the past few weeks after we moved and got settled in and I looked in the mirror and was like whoa.
I’m grateful for this conversation. Go Ashley! I live in a place (Buenos Aires) where a lot of med spa treatments are super cheap. I’m sure as hell looking into this PRP for hair
I was in an emotionally abusive relationship for 10 years and, at its worst, I lost hair like crazy and it got thinner than it already is. Stress can take a HUGE toll on the scalp. Luckily, when it ended, my hair got healthy again.
That resonates with me too. Moving out made the hair move in!
I’ve been looking at that acupressure mat! I’m going to get one
I’ve been on this very same treatment for almost a year now (plus Minoxidil lotion and oral medication). It’s an investment, for sure. But in over ten years, it’s the only thing that has made my hair grow back.
Hi Lucia,
What lotion with Minoxidil do you use? I live in France and they keep taliking about negative side effects so I haven’t jumped on the train yet but I’m really wondering!
Are you taking oral minoxidil too or which oral med? I have tried viviscal and other supplements but they are not working.
Marion and Fabiola: hi! Sorry it took me this long to answer. I’m currently using Ylox lotion plus oral minoxidil and Aldactone. Haven’t had any issues with them but obviously everyone is different and my doctor prescripted them to me only after I did all the necessary blood and urine tests.
We charge $750 to draw the blood and spin it down to create the PRP for orthopedic procedures, including all the disposables. I don’t know what the physician’s office charges to administer it. That isn’t cheap, but it might not be as expensive as you might be imagining.
alopecia areata and related conditions are hard to treat and incredibly difficult especially for someone who makes their living on their looks.
I had PRP done for a chronic case of tennis elbow. worked like a charm, but getting it hurt like f@@k. I can’t imagine how bad it would hurt to have it in my scalp. hope it helps her.
I sometimes wonder if covid exacerbated pre-existing hormone/stress issues to make it worse. I’ve read there are A LOT of hair loss issues post-covid.
I’m taking biotin and using Nioxin shampoo, as well as Oribe Serene Scalp Thickening spray.
Planning to ask for a referral to a dermatologist to get on a treatment plan.
I’ve always had fine hair but felt it thinning more this past year as I entered the perimenopause years. Under my dermatologist’s care, I started taking oral minoxidil and made the investment in a Kiierr laser growth cap and I’ve started to notice a real difference in recent months. Of course, these are therapies that I’ll have to continue with but I think it’s worth it.
I have family with alopecia. It’s such a difficult topic, I appreciate that she’s drawing attention to it!
I have been using a collagen supplement from Thrive for a year, I have tried many things for the past decade and this is the first thing that has actually worked. Look up Mermaid Gang on Instagram. I know a lot of people aren’t into Direct Sales….but have tried literally everything else and this has actually got new hair growing on my head.
What’s the name of it?
does it make the hair on the rest of your body grow more too?
I picked up some Difeel Black Castor shampoo and conditioner and I swear it’s working. I have baby hairs everywhere which gives me hope which helps the stress over it. It’s a very slow process, and I’m picking up some more this weekend so it’s working enough to be a repeat customer.
Thanks for the tip Mabs! I’ll check that!!
I take Nutrofol supplements every day – they’re a mix of adaptogens for stress and cortisol regulation and other things that are supposed to good for your hair health. I also started using some collagen powder in my coffee every other morning.
I don’t know if it’s stopped with the shedding, but I do feel like I have lots of regrowth, especially at my temples.
I started noticing my hair thinning a few years ago. I had hyperthyroidism (surgery to remove a hot nodule). My father passed away suddenly. Then Covid hit, super stressful working from home in a small condo with 2 kids under 5 at home for almost a year. Then I got Covid last year. And perimenopause. The top of my head was so thin that I felt like Gollum. In certain light I could see just the individual strands and the reflection of my scalp.
I saw a dermatologist and have been using topical minoxidil for a year which helped. I started oral minoxidil a month ago so I’ll see how that goes. My self-esteem really suffered and I considered shaving my head. I’ve noticed many women my age with thinning hair (especially the hair part that looks very wide and sparse). My derm told me to switch my part which I did. She also suggested PRP but said that it’s very expensive. I’m 46 so I’m at the age where I’m invisible so part of me wonders if I should even care about my hair loss! Maybe I’m still a little vain.
I have androgenic alopecia, and my loss is right at the front of my head. I’ve been wearing toppers since 2020, and finding that solution (and communities of women online who are also struggling with hair loss) was life-changing.
I really appreciate that more women are talking about hormonal hair loss! I started noticing mine thinning as soon as I turned 50. I use a low dosage oral minoxidil and also another minoxidil treatment topically. I think it keeps my hair from looking too thinned out but I’m nowhere near the volume I had in my 20’s and 30’s.
I bought a Lustahair topper (aka wiglet!) last summer and it makes a HUGE difference in appearance. I’m still trying to get the hang of putting it on so it doesn’t move around :/
Ms Petit — I wear Highline toppers, and I use pieces of barber’s velcro to keep it in place. It made a WORLD of difference because my hair is too puny to hang on to those clips.
I just clip the squares of velcro into the clips, stick it in the comb, and then plop it on top of my head (making sure to kind of move it around so it holds onto the hair better). You can also remove the clips and comb and sew the velcro in. Give it a try!
Normaleft – Do you mind me asking how long those toppers last for you? They are more expensive than what I use but look lovely.
Mine are going on 3 years! The prices have gone up a lot since I got mine, but they are still well worth the cost. I keep catching myself shopping for another one, but honestly the ones I have are as good as the day I got them.
This is just for the silk-top toppers though. A lace top wig is much more fragile and will not last nearly as long.
Guess my answer to your question wasn’t approved? My toppers are going on 3 years old. And I wear them every single day, so they’re holding up like champs. I just alternate the pieces because they’re the same color and style.
I’m like you — my hair started thinning in my 20s, and now I’m 44 with a sad head of sad hair. 🙁
Sorry if this ends up showing up 3 times. It looks like my comments are not getting approved.
My Highline toppers are going on 3 years old. I wear them every day, and they still look just like they did when I got them. I have a couple of pieces, and I just alternate those. The prices have gone up about 30% since I got them, but that’s about everything these days…
Follow her on Instagram and Facebook. She runs sales occasionally and announces them there.
I started losing my hair in my 20s. At 45, I don’t have much left. I wear a hair topper (basically a toupee) every day and no one sees me without it. It certainly does a number on your self confidence and makes dating tough.
Mine started in the last year of my mom’s life. I was working full time and she was living with us. I knew it was thinning but I had no idea it was so bad until I looked in a mirror with overhead lighting at a resort we went to a few months after she passed. I blamed it on the stress, but my periods stopped at 58 and a half which was around the same time.
I’ve tried a lot of things. Minoxidil gave me high blood pressure. I don’t think I saw any improvement with Purador products. But recently, I think it’s better. I had asked my dermatologist about saw palmetto because I had seen something about that for men. She said it hasn’t been tested on women (surprise/s) but it couldn’t hurt so I take a capsule a day. I’ve been using essential oils (tea tree and rosemary) in castor oil and recently got a scalp scrubber thingy that was in a recent post on this site that I use after applying the oil to scrub it in. (Every other night because I wash it every other morning). I also started using collagen powder daily after my hip replacement surgery in October and that may have been the biggest thing. By the way I use the scalp scrubber thing in the morning to give my hair some volume also.
I did PRP over the summer after an insanely stressful time where I lost 1/3 of the hair on my whole head (sudden deaths, children, Covid, owning a business, it was chaotic ). Although the treatment was expensive, I saw almost immediate results. I did three treatments (last one was in September) and I have about 4-5 inches of hair growth and still baby hairs growing. Right now it looks a bit like a mullet. Honestly, it wasn’t as expensive as I thought it would be and I don’t have to worry about prescriptions or anything like that. If I felt it thinning again, I would consider one treatment a year as a maintenance treatment. It hurt as much as you would expect a needle going into your scalp 100 times would, but if you’ve ever gotten botox or filler or anything like that, you’re prepared for it. It’s a very tiny needle.
My SIL works at some huge medspa in Dallas and did that treatment and sounds like it worked for her. It’s like $750 but she got it for free. Ashley’s face had morphed into the typical Instagram surgery look with no uniqueness. Kind of sad to me.
Thanks for the cost info on PRP. I think I’m gonna give it a try. This was a great topic. I learned a lot of how to handle my hair loss.
This is a great topic. Between menopause and Covid, I have some pretty big gaps starting two inches back and around the crown. At the moment I’m using Boldify, but I need to find a treatment because it isn’t getting better. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I was in my office bathroom and I could see my scalp through my hair in the bathroom lights, like Brendan Frasier’s hair. I was horrified. I think I might look into PRP.