Hair is not just hair
Hair is one of those things we don’t think about until it changes.
One day it feels thick, glossy and predictable. The next, it is shedding more than usual, growing where you did not invite it, or refusing to behave in ways it once did without question. It can feel personal, even though it is anything but.
Hair is not emotional. It is biological. And it is constantly responding to what is happening beneath the surface.
We tend to talk about hair as though it is one thing, but the hair on your head is entirely different to the hair on your face, arms or anywhere else. Each type has its own role, its own structure and its own hormonal sensitivity.
How many types of hair do we actually have
We often talk about hair as though it is one thing, but the body produces several different types, each with its own purpose.
Broadly speaking, there are two main types of hair. Vellus hair is the soft, fine hair that covers most of the body. It is usually light in colour and barely noticeable, quietly helping with temperature regulation and protecting the skin.
Terminal hair is thicker, darker and more deeply rooted. This is the hair found on the scalp, brows, lashes, legs, pubic area, underarms and, for some, the face. It is far more influenced by hormones, which is why it changes so noticeably over time.
There is also a third, less talked about stage called lanugo hair. This is the ultra-fine hair that develops in the womb and is usually shed before or shortly after birth, although it can reappear in certain health conditions.
What is interesting is that the body can convert hair from one type to another. Hormonal shifts can turn soft vellus hair into coarser terminal hair, which is exactly what happens during puberty, and sometimes later in life with conditions like PCOS or during menopause.
So while it might feel like new hair is suddenly appearing or disappearing, the reality is often that it was there all along, just changing form.
Why hair texture changes everything
Not all hair behaves in the same way, and much of that comes down to texture.
Fine hair tends to sit closer to the scalp and can become oily more quickly, yet at the same time feel fragile or prone to breakage.
Thicker or coarser hair behaves differently. It can feel drier, more resistant and harder to manage, simply because natural oils struggle to travel as easily along the hair shaft.
Curly or textured hair adds another layer again. The shape of the strand makes it more prone to dryness, which is why it often needs more moisture and a gentler approach.
Hair rarely needs more of everything. It needs more of the right things.
When hormones start to shift
This is where things begin to change.
During puberty, androgen levels rise and transform certain hairs. In men, this is what triggers facial hair growth. In women, these hormones are present too, just in smaller amounts. But when that balance shifts, the hair responds.
This is why conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to increased facial hair. It is not random. It is the body following hormonal signals, just in a different ratio than expected.
Menopause brings its own quiet shift. As oestrogen declines, hair on the scalp can become finer, thinner and less dense. At the same time, androgens can become more dominant, which is why some women notice coarser hairs appearing around the chin or jawline. It feels contradictory, but biologically it makes perfect sense.
Hormone replacement therapy can influence this too. Sometimes it restores balance, sometimes it creates new patterns depending on how the body responds.
Hair does not just change in density or thickness. It behaves differently depending on where it grows on the body.
Some areas respond far more strongly to hormones than others, which is why the hair on your head rarely tells the same story as the hair on your face or body. This is where things become more specific, and where understanding those differences starts to matter.
What you eat shows up in your hair
Hair does not exist in isolation. It is one of the first places your body reflects what is going on internally.
There is a growing conversation around supporting hair through food, some of it helpful, some of it overcomplicated, but there is something to be said for going back to basics.
Simple habits like eating regularly can support energy levels and reduce stress on the body. Apples, dates and celery are often talked about as easy, supportive snacks when energy dips.
Hydration plays a role too. Ingredients like cucumber and watermelon are naturally rich in water and minerals that help support hair condition over time. Greens and herbs such as nettle and dandelion have long been associated with supporting the body gently, particularly when it comes to skin and hair.
Sweet potatoes and green vegetables, particularly peas, provide nutrients like beta-carotene and plant-based proteins, both important for maintaining healthy hair growth cycles. Want to know more head to Naturally Charlotte on instagram.
There is also the role of stress. Prioritising rest and reducing stimulants like caffeine can support the nervous system. When the body is constantly running on adrenaline, it often redirects energy away from things like hair growth.
None of this is about strict rules. It is about creating an environment where your body feels supported enough to do what it is naturally designed to do.
The myths that never seem to go away
Shaving does not make hair grow back thicker. It simply blunts the edge, so it feels coarser as it grows.
Oil does not make your hair greasy when it is used properly. The right oil, used sparingly, should restore balance rather than disrupt it.
And hair changes are not purely cosmetic. They are often signals. A reflection of something deeper, whether that is hormones, stress, nutritional deficiencies or, occasionally, something that needs a closer look.
What actually helps
If you are trying to simplify your routine, it is worth looking at what you are using day to day.
There are some genuinely good UK brands creating thoughtful, plant-based shampoos and conditioners. Names like Faith In Nature, Green People and Odylique focus on formulations that cleanse without stripping the scalp.
Sometimes the simplest rituals make the biggest difference. When my hair is looking dull, dry or frizzy, I come back to my own beer and vinegar hair rinse. It sounds old-fashioned, because it is, but it works.
And then there is what you do after.
I use The Bloom in a very simple way. A few drops through damp ends, or pressed lightly into the scalp when things feel dry or unsettled. It is not about coating the hair, but about bringing everything back into balance. I notice this even more now my hair has been lightened, when it needs softness without feeling weighed down.
Hair is always telling you something
Hair will change throughout your life.
The goal is not to control it completely, but to understand it well enough to respond when it does.