Gwyneth Paltrow, the 52-year-old actress and founder of wellness brand Goop, has tried nearly every luxury treatment available—from skincare and detox products to infrared saunas and sleep patches. But despite her success in many areas of health and beauty, one challenge has remained: hair loss.
A Personal Battle with Hair Thinning
Paltrow recently shared details about her years-long struggle with hair thinning. While she has invested in expensive treatments like scalp injections, including PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and steroid therapy, results have been mixed. These injections are designed to reduce inflammation, improve scalp health, and stimulate hair growth.
Exploring New Technology: Trans-Epidermal Therapy
In a recent move, Paltrow tried a newer, non-invasive technique called Trans-Epidermal Delivery (TED). TED uses low-frequency sound waves and air pressure to push hair-growth molecules into the scalp without needles. These sound waves help peptides and other hair-supporting ingredients penetrate the skin’s outer layer and reach the dermis.
A Common Problem for Women Over 50
Hair loss among older women is not uncommon. According to the National Institutes of Health, around 40 percent of women over the age of 50 suffer from androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern hair loss.
“Hair loss is caused by many factors,” says Aga Tompkins, a board-certified trichologist and celebrity hairstylist. “It can be linked to genetics, hormonal changes like menopause or childbirth, poor diet, stress, and scalp inflammation. It can happen at any age.”
Tompkins points out that scalp problems such as dryness, itchiness, and excessive oil can disturb the natural hair growth cycle.
Traditional and Holistic Hair Loss Treatments
Standard hair loss treatments include minoxidil, oral supplements, low-level laser therapy, and PRP. But Tompkins emphasizes that many of these methods do not consider holistic scalp care.
“An effective approach must improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and restore balance to the scalp’s microbiome,” she explains. “The key is using the right combination of products consistently.”
She adds that treatments that only cover up symptoms—like cosmetic thickening sprays or volumizing products—may give short-term results but do not help long-term hair regrowth.
Expert Opinions on Hair Regrowth Strategies
Dr. Ellen Bowman, a board-certified physician in hair restoration, agrees that there are limited clinically proven treatments. However, trained experts can offer FDA-approved drugs, custom prescriptions, laser therapies, PRP, TED therapy, follicular unit extraction (FUE), and even exosome therapy to manage hair loss.
At-home remedies are also available. These include scalp massages using nutrient-rich oils and using hair supplements that contain biotin, zinc, and collagen peptides. There are even at-home laser therapy devices that promote scalp health.
Still, Dr. Bowman warns people to avoid supplements or products that promise miracle cures. “Be cautious of items that contain harsh chemicals, make bold claims without evidence, or only offer cosmetic improvements,” she advises.
When Are Hair Transplants Necessary?
Hair transplants may be an option, but only for the right candidates. A healthy scalp and a good supply of donor hair—usually from the back or sides of the head—are required.
“These donor follicles can be relocated under local anesthesia to areas with hair loss,” says Bowman. “Once they settle in, they grow hair in the new location, often with long-lasting results.”
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