This Is What Your Hair Is Telling You About Your Health

Sometimes, it seems like everything we love to do to our tresses — like dying them in this season's dreamy pastel hues, going smooth and sleek, or pumping up the volume — is a one-way ticket to breakage city. Luckily, there are plenty of hacks to repair your hair and boost healthy growth. But if your strands change texture overnight, or your ends start splitting for no clear reason, an underlying health issue might be responsible.

Thyroid Problems

Temporary hair loss can be a sign that your thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism). That's because thyroid disease can cause something called telogen effluvium, which sounds like an awesome Swedish nightclub but actually has to do with your hair cycle.

“The growth phase of an individual scalp hair (anagen) is about three years, after which it takes three weeks to get prepared to fall out (catagen) and three months to fall out (telogen)," explains board-certified dermatologist and University of Southern California clinical instructor of dermatologyTsippora Shainhouse. Most of the time, around 85 percent of your strands are in that growth phase — but with telogen effluvium, an above-average proportion of your hair gets stuck in their rest phase.

Additionally, hypothyroidism can dry out your hair, leaving it less shiny and more prone to breakage; hyperthyroidism can lead to greasier tresses, but also seems to up your chances of breakage. Basically, if there's any drastic, unexplained change in your hair's condition, it's worth visiting your doctor to see if your thyroid's at fault.

Stress

Yes, your mental health can totally affect your hair. Dr. Shainhouse notes that good ol' telogen effluvium can strike after your body goes through physical *or* emotional strain. “When the body is stressed, it can shift up to 50 percent of the scalp hairs into the catagen phase," she explains. “Three months later, you will suddenly notice that your hair looks less dense/full." If stress can cause such a dramatic change in your hair, just think how it must be affecting the rest of your body — and your mood.

The good news: Dr. Shainhouse says that for most people, hair begins to grow back after about six months. “If you are otherwise healthy, then treatment is mostly a watch and wait game," she tells us. However, she cautions, “For some women, this hair loss unmasks an underlying female-pattern hair loss, and the hair may never look as thick as it once did." If that's the case for you, try not to let your hair become a new source of stress. Practice self-care (or check in with the pros!) to target any ongoing mental health issues.

Dietary Factors

You know that old expression, “You are what you eat"? Turns out, it also applies to your hair. If something's limiting your dietary options — like an undiagnosed food allergy or GI condition — it might show in your hair. Dr. Shainhouse points out that telogen effluvium can occur in response to the dietary restrictions themselves (for example, if you're taking in fewer calories and less protein, or if you're only able to consume liquids) and their consequences (especially rapid weight loss).

To restore your strands to their former glory, Dr. Shainhouse advises, “Develop a healthy eating schedule that includes food-derived vitamins and nutrients, and ensure that you are getting enough protein."

Androgenic Alopecia

“This is a female version of male pattern baldness," shares Dr. Shainhouse. “Women maintain their hairline but notice a widened center part and thinning at the crown." This hair loss can start as early as your late teens, although it's more common in women from their mid-30s onward. That's because hormones play a significant role: “When estrogen levels dip in the perimenopausal period, the testosterone effect presents as hair thinning."

If you do experience androgenic alopecia earlier on, it could actually be a symptom of something else. “Some women have a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), in which they make so much estrogen that some gets converted to testosterone, which can contribute to loss of hair," Dr. Shainhouse says. If this is the cause of your hair loss, then treatment for PCOS may also help with the androgenic alopecia.

However, Dr. Shainhouse reminds us that it's difficult to regrow or thicken hair after it has been affected. “Supplements like biotin, silica, and horsetail can help thicken existing hairs," she says. Other treatment options might include dandruff shampoo, hair transplantation, or red light therapy or topical agents like Rogaine to increase scalp circulation.

Traction Alopecia

Time under tension is great for strengthening your muscles, but it's not so good for your hair follicles. Stressful styling can lead to traction alopecia, a potentially permanent type of hair loss. Dr. Shainhouse explains that, by pulling at your roots, styling practices like frequent brushing and wearing tight braids or buns can cause follicular degeneration syndrome. “With tight hair styling, the hairs get pulled; the follicles get traumatized," she explains.

And it's easier to overdo it than you might think. “If your scalp hurts from your styling, then your hair is being pulled too tight," says Dr. Shainhouse. “That feeling of scalp tenderness after taking out your ponytail at the end of the day means that your hair has been pulled too tight." But if that sounds familiar, don't panic. Dr. Shainhouse says that as long as this is an occasional occurrence, the hair will grow back.

“With persistent tension and trauma to the follicles, the follicle can be destroyed," Dr. Shainhouse warns, however. “Fibrous scar tissue can develop around and within the old hair follicle. Hair cannot grow back." She offers the following tips to prevent stressing your follicles:

1. Let your hair down. “Wear looser hairstyles," the doctor suggests. “Buns and ponytails are okay, so long as you give your hair a break once in a while. Don't wear them every day. Your scalp should not hurt when you take them out."

2. Be gentle. “Avoid pulling your hair too hard while styling," recommends Dr. Shainhouse. “Don't tug with round brushes while straightening." She also advises being careful with back teasing, which can cause major damage to your tresses.

3. Lighten up. “Hair extensions are heavy," Dr. Shainhouse points out. “The tension and traction from the extension can traumatize the follicle and lead to scarring and more hair loss. Be very careful, and consider using clip-in extensions for short periods only."

Has your hair clued you in to any big health issues? Tell us about it @BritandCo!

(Photos via Getty)

There's nothing more tasty than a fresh slice of buttered sourdough in the morning. But new research suggests you might want to pass on this delicacy to extend your longevity. So isbutter bad for you? Here's what recent studies found!

Scroll to see how your bread & butter intake may be impacting your health!

Felicity Tai

A recent study conducted by Harvard University and Mass General Brigham found that people who consumed more butter had a 15% higher risk of early death compared to those who used it in moderation. On the flip side, people who preferred plant oils had a 16% lower risk of mortality.

The results shed light on the ongoing question of whether butter or plant-based oils are the better choice for your health. Sadly for butter lovers, the findings suggest that replacing even two teaspoons of butter with the same amount of plant oil could lower the risk of early death by approximately 17%.

Polina Tankilevitch

For the study, the research team examined dietary data from three major studies: the Nurses' Health Study, Nurses' Health Study II, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. They tracked over 220,000 Americans' butter consumption, including for both cooking and spreading, as well as their intake of various plant oils, like olive, soybean, canola, corn, and safflower oils.

Over the course of 33 years, the researchers gathered this information via food surveys every four years. Then, they used the data to calculate averages and gain a clearer picture of eating habits.

Nadin Sh

A total of 50,932 deaths occurred throughout the study, with 12,241 from cancer and 11,240 from heart disease. The team adjusted for variables such as age, physical activity, weight, alcohol consumption, and smoking, which revealed a distinct trend.

Higher butter intake was associated with increased death rates; meanwhile, higher consumption of plant oils was tied to lower death rates. However, not all plant oils had the same effect, as corn and safflower oils showed no significant benefits.

Mareefe

Still, increasing plant oil intake by roughly two tablespoons a day was linked to an 11% reduction in cancer death risk and a 6% decrease in the risk of dying from heart disease.

"Replacing three small pats of butter (approximately 15 grams) with one tablespoon of plant-based oil (approximately 15 grams) in the daily diet could contribute to lowering the risk of premature mortality," the team wrote.

Kaboompics.com

Now, this doesn't mean you need to cut out butter entirely. In fact, the study actually found that butter used for baking or frying wasn't strongly linked to mortality risk. This may be because it's used in smaller quantities or less often.

Butter being spread directly on foods, like bread, showed the strongest connection. So, the researchers suggest making small switches, like swapping out butter for olive oil or canola oil, to maintain taste and enhance your health.

"Even cutting back butter a little and incorporating more plant-based oils into your daily diet can have meaningful long-term health benefits," concluded Dr. Daniel Wang of Harvard's Department of Nutrition.

To read the study's complete findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine, visit the link here.

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Jenny Slate is back on our screens after last summer's It Ends With Us, and she's starring alongside Michelle Williams in FX's series Dying For Sex. What a duo! The new TV show revolves around Molly (Michelle Williams) who gets a life-changing diagnosis and decides to embrace a variety of new experiences — and the "hilarious, sexy and unfiltered" series (according to the trailer description) might just change how you look at life and love.

Here's everything we know about Hulu's new show Dying For Sex, starring Michelle Williams.

What is the plot of Dying For Sex?

Hulu/FX

Molly's (Michelle Williams) life changes forever when she's diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. With her best friend Nikki (Jenny Slate) at her side, Molly decides to leave her husband Steve (Jay Duplass) to explore "the full breadth and complexity of her sexual desires for the first time in her life," according to the show's synopsis. Watch the full trailer here.

Where can I watch Dying For Sex?

All 8 episodes of Dying For Sex premiere on Hulu April 4, 2025. Here's the full episode list:

  • Season 1, Episode 1: "Good Value Diet Soda"
  • Season 1, Episode 2: "Masturbation is Important"
  • Season 1, Episode 3: "Feelings Can Become Amplified"
  • Season 1, Episode 4: "Topping is a Sacred Skill"
  • Season 1, Episode 5: "My Pet"
  • Season 1, Episode 6: "Happy Holidays"
  • Season 1, Episode 7: "You're Killing Me, Ernie"
  • Season 1, Episode 8: "It's Not That Serious"

Who's in Dying For Sex?

Hulu/FX

The Dying For Sex cast is led by one of our favorite stars from the 90s (hello Dawon's Creek!), but the full cast is amazing. The cast includes:

  • Michelle Williams as Molly: a woman who changes her life after a breast cancer diagnosis.
  • Jenny Slate as Nikki: Molly's best friend who gives her courage throughout her diagnosis.
  • Jay Duplass as Steve: Molly's ex-husband
  • David Rasche as Dr. Pankowitz
  • Sissy Spacek as Gail
  • Rob Delaney as Neighbor Guy
  • Esco Jouléy as Sonya
  • Jay Duplass as Steve
  • Kelvin Yu as Noah

Where is Dying for Sex being filmed?

Dying For Sex began filming in New York City in March of 2024.

Is Dying for sex Based on a true story?

Yes, the Dying For Sex show is based on Nikki Boyer's podcast of the same name that tells the story of Molly's journey. Nikki is serving as executive producer on the new TV show. According to the Daily Mail, Molly passed away in 2019.

Are you excited to see Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate in Hulu's Dying For Sex? Check out The 9 Best TV Shows To Watch On Max This Month for even more streaming ideas.

I don't know whether to treat my period acne as guests or annoying pests. I'm familiar with balancing my hormones, but even that seems to be a great mystery when painful breakouts appear on my forehead or chin. Even relying on a face wash fromFarmacy Beautyisn't always a match for their stubbornness.

But esthetician Danielle Gronich wants to dispel the idea hormonal acne's impossible to treat. Plus, she's exposing the truth about ingredients that could be causing flareups 👀. Known as The Acne Guru, Gronich has over 10 years of experience treating cystic acne, and is the founder of both the San Diego Acne ClinicCLEARSTEM Skincare.

Ready for our acne to be in great hands?

Scroll to learn The Acne Guru's top 4 tips for treating stubborn hormonal breakouts

What's the biggest myth about hormonal acne?

Taylor Nicole/Dupe Photos

I love relying on TikTok to find cute matcha drink recipes to remake, but I know some of the skincare advice shared on the app shouldn't be followed. But there's one thing in particular Gronich isn't a fan of.

"The biggest myth about hormonal acne is that you have to be on birth control in order to solve it. This myth is all over social media, but I believe it comes from the medical world not really understanding hormones and having to rely on prescriptions to override them."

Would you believe me if I told you she's not wrong? I've been on birth control off and on since I was teenager, but I've yet to see it get to the root of my acne problem!

What are different types of hormonal acne?

Anna Nekrashevich/Pexels

Did you know not all hormonal acne stems directly from your period? According to Gronich, "there are many different triggers" for it with "the most common ones being stress and high sugar or processed foods" because they "impact our hormones." However, that's not all!

"Also extremely common is PCOS, estrogen dominance, progestin-related acne from certain birth control controls like the hormonal IUD, and then there is another type of hormonal acne caused by the vitamins and supplements we take," she adds. Going a step further, Gronich says "certain vitamins and supplements can spike testosterone or interfere with other enzyme processes that throw off our hormones."

I guess this is why my doctor always recommends I consult with her before taking random tablets so I'm not disrupting anything in my body!

Why do I see breakouts on my forehead, cheeks, or chin sometimes?

Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels

Remember the face mapping tool we were introduced to years ago? There's truth to them which is why Gronich created a Pore-Clogging Ingredient Checker for you to get more insight about what you're putting on your skin. But back to what your breakouts are trying to tell you!

Given Gronich's experience, she knows "different areas of the face can represent different parts of the body." She sees "hormonal acne most on the chin and jawline" because "we have the deepest hair follicles there." Want to know what this means for our body's reaction to certain foods and products?

"Dairy has insulin-like growth factor hormone so many people who consume dairy regularly get hormonal acne right on their chin. Some people are taking too much vitamin B 12 which throws off their hormones and you see it on the jawline," she says.

Then there's our relationship with using a ton of beauty products. Gronich is firm about telling "people to remove pore-ingredients from their skin care ad makeup" because "acne that's all over your face" is the direct result of "something that's being put all over your face." Not being aware of what we're using "will flare with our PMS cycle, so we accidentally think it's hormonal," accodring to her. But nope!

"...it can also just be caused by those hidden pore-clogging ingredients," she states.

Okay, how do I treat what feels like hormonal acne?

Yan Krukau/Pexels

No matter your skin type, there's a few ingredients you can use to treat hormonal acne over time. "People can treat their hormonal acne with mandelic acid, and spot treatments like sulfur," Gronich shares. She also says, "Benzoyl peroxide can be a useful tool as well but must be used carefully so as not to over strip the skin. Don't take this advice lightly because I accidentally created more issues when I used this haphazardly.

If you don't want to use Benzoyl peroxide, she says you try "ice rolling." The amount of times you can use this tool depends on your skin type. "...if you are oily, you can use these treatments every day."

How do I treat dark spots left over from hormonal acne

Ron Lach/Pexels

Gronich's tips for treating dark spots are making me rethink my shower habits because I've been doing the opposite of what's considered helpful for my skin. She says, "Avoid using hot water in the shower as it continually inflames the skin and further damages the delicate scar tissue!" Furthermore, you can "use anti-inflammatory products," according to her.

"Serums that contain hyaluronic acid can be very helpful, as well as gentle massaging to activate circulation which stimulates our wound healing response in the skin. Red light therapy can also be fantastic for scarring, along with professional micro needling treatments," she remarks.

The best things you and I can do are being mindful of what we eat, supplements we take, and what we put on our faces. Also, a lot of patience goes a long way when treating hormonal acne.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more spring beauty stories!

When it comes to naming their children, celebrities don't really follow trends — they create them. Hollywood's A-listers have a knack for choosing baby names that spark conversation, from whimsical and unconventional to more timeless and elegant picks.

These star-powered selections also have the ability to set the stage for the next big baby-naming trend. So, here are some of the most memorable and unique celebrity baby names that have captured the world's attention.

Scroll to see all the unique celebrity baby names we love...and loathe.

1. Paloma

Campbell "Pookie" Puckett and her husband, Jett Puckett, have taken the social media world by storm with their seemingly picture-perfect romance and lavish lifestyle.

In November 2024, the influencer couple welcomed their daughter, Paloma, into the world after creating a lot of anticipatory hype surrounding their name choice.

Paloma has Spanish and Italian roots and is derived from Latin. It means "dove," in addition to "pigeon" and "butterfly." Those familiar with Greek mythology may recognize doves as symbols of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

2. Wyatt, Elliotte, and Bennett

Jason Kelce, who spent 13 years playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, and his wife, Kylie Kelce, faced some backlash for the gender-neutral names they chose for their three daughters.

However, gender-neutral monikers are more popular than ever before. And now that the couple has a fourth daughter on the way, they reportedly plan to continue the name trend in their family.

3. Riot

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made waves in 2023 when they named their second child Riot. The bold, unconventional pick fits right in with the couple's trend of sticking to "R" names, as Rihanna's full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, and A$AP Rocky's is Rakim Athelaston Mayers.

Beyond its personal significance, the name Riot carries a strong, rebellious energy. It definitely reflects both artists' fearless approach when it comes to both music and fashion.

4. Winnie

When Jimmy Fallon and his wife, Nancy Juvonen, had their first daughter in 2013, they chose a somewhat unique name with a lot of personal meaning: Winnie. Welsh in origin, it means "gentle friend" or "friend of peace."

Specifically for the couple, though, it's a tribute to Lake Winnipesaukee, the picturesque New Hampshire lake where they got engaged. Plus, Jimmy added the name made even more sense since they viewed Winnie as a "win" in their life.

5. Grace Warrior

Everyone remembers Steve Irwin as the fearless "Crocodile Hunter" who tragically died in late 2006. More recently, his daughter, Bindi Irwin, welcomed a little girl of her own into the world in 2021 and named her Grace Warrior.

While Grace may be a more common name, meaning "favor" or "blessing," Warrior was a more unusual choice with a sentimental intent.

"Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior," Bindi shared on Instagram.

6. River Rose and Remington

Kelly Clarkson and her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, chose two distinctive names for their girl and boy: River Rose, born in 2014, and Remington Alexander, born in 2016.

With British roots and a whimsical feel, River is a gender-neutral pick that means "a flowing body of water." It was traditionally used more frequently for boys, but Kelly changed that trend.

Meanwhile, Remington is also British in origin and started as a surname, translating to "settlement by the boundary stream." Perhaps Kelly chose this sibling combination because both River and Remington begin with "R" and have connections to water.

7. Elsie Otter

When Zooey Deschanel and her then-husband Jacob Pechenik had their daughter in 2015, they chose a name that was both classic and quirky: Elsie Otter.

While Elsie is a timeless choice of Hebrew origin, which means "pledged to God," the addition of Otter gives it a more playful twist. During an appearance on TODAY, Zooey explained their reasoning behind it.

"We just really liked the name Elsie, and then we both love otters because they're so sweet and also smart," she detailed.

"They use tools, they keep their favorite tools, they hold hands while they sleep; there are so many amazing things about otters. They're wonderful animals."

8. Luai

Finally, in 2023, Lindsay Lohan and her husband, Bader Shammas, named their Dubai-born son Luai. It's Arabic in origin and means "protector" or "shield," but it remains a rare pick in the U.S.

Luay, a more common variation of this name, was only given to eight boys born in the U.S. in 2022.

Looking for more baby name advice or celebrity news? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Drew Barrymore is undoubtedly an acting force to be reckoned with. Viewers everywhere first fell in love with her when she played Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982. Then, she went on to star in many other major productions, such as The Wedding Singer, Scream, He's Just Not That Into You, and 50 First Dates.

Nowadays, the 50-year-old is still showcasing her on-screen talents, just in a different way. Back in September 2020, she launched a daytime talk show known as The Drew Barrymore Show.

Over the last four years, she's featured a wide range of guests, from Matthew McConaughey and Vanna White to Paris Hilton, Millie Bobby Brown, and Reese Witherspoon. Drew has also become known for having a more touchy-feeling rapport with her guests, which some people have called "clingy."

This seemingly led Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, to make a dig at Drew's behavior during her appearance on the March 6 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show.

Scroll to find out what Meghan Markle said about Drew Barrymore...

Meghan's new show, With Love, Meghan, came out on Netflix the day before. So, she planned to sit down with Drew to discuss her latest project, as well as other topics, including her courtship with Prince Harry and parenthood.

However, some viewers were shocked by an offhand quip that Meghan made during the interview, telling Drew, "I hear you like to connect." She proceeded to soften the blow by taking Drew's hand and claiming her touchy behavior was "so sweet, though."

Again, Drew has a reputation for hugging, touching, and sitting quite close to her guests. Yet Meghan, who has also been called warm and is known to go in for hugs, seemed more reserved and regal.

Despite Meghan's remark and the differences in body language, the pair still delved into some interesting conversation topics. For instance, the Duchess of Sussex detailed how, when she first began dating Prince Harry back in 2016, he made her a vow based on some old advice she'd received.

While Meghan was a college student, she'd worked as a nanny for two different families, and one of the fathers told her, "When you meet your person one day, I want him to say to you the same thing that I said to my wife when we got married, which is, I vowed to always date my wife."

Well, amidst her blossoming romance with Harry, she asked the Prince to make her that same promise. He responded, "I vow to always date you."

According to Meghan, she credits their strong connection to their commitment to treating each other the same way they did prior to tying the knot. In her eyes, holding onto the "good and joy" from the "butterfly period" of courting is what keeps relationships alive.

You can catch The Drew Barrymore Show live on weekdays. To find your local time and station, visit the link here.

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