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The Drugstore Supplement That Transformed This Woman’s Thinning Hair

 Stress can take a nasty toll on everything from our skin to our weight—it can even make our hair thin out, which is exactly what happened to this Australian-based beauty blogger.

According to DailyMail, Kimberly Nissen, 31, wrote in a blog post that she was experiencing “blogger’s burnout” (spending “so much emotional and physical time” on her job), which caused her stress and led her to develop poor eating habits.

“When I had my mental breakdown, I stopped eating appropriately,” she wrote. “Actually, I stopped eating altogether for long periods of time. The result was my anemia coming back and I ignored it.”

As a result, Nissen began losing her hair, but she thought it was probably just due to her styling habits. “I blamed my tight braids, hair irons and chemical damage. However, when my normal amount of hair fall dramatically increased, with noticeable receding of my hairline, I panicked. I didn’t know where to begin with treating it but I couldn’t understand why it was happening.”

After limiting the stress she put on her hair—she stopped wearing tight hairstyles, avoided using heat-based tools and hadn’t dyed it in almost two years—Nissen learned that most causes of hair loss are health-related, not from daily habits, so she visited a doctor.

“There are dozens of reasons female hair loss occurs, but the three most common health related causes are pregnancy, thyroid disorders and anemia,” she wrote. “Ruling out pregnancy was instant, and I had already been investigating a thyroid issue recently, and that was ruled out, so my doctor and I looked into anemia. My GP suggested that before we go down the expensive path of seeing any number of specialists and dermatologists, we should try simply adding an iron supplement to my diet. I was prepared to try all the prescription hair tonics, lasers and any other treatment that was recommended, but ideally, a $15 bottle of vitamins would be a dream solution for me.”

Nissen took one Iron Plus supplement (many brands sell them; you can find them at almost all health food stores and drugstores) each day for a month, and in just that short time, she said her hair line had filled out to where it was three years before. “I have very thin hair, so my hair has never provided full coverage of my scalp, but as you will see from the before-and-after photos, the results are noticeable.”

Greenwich, CT, dermatologist Mitchell Ross, MD, says iron deficiency is one of the many causes of hair loss and alopecia in women. “When iron stores are low, the body lacks the ability to produce hemoglobin in the blood, which carries oxygen for the growth and repair of all body cells, including the hair follicles. Iron deficiency hair loss is a temporary hair loss that causes the hair to be prematurely pushed from the anagen (growing) phase into the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle, causing the hairs to fall out. If the cause of hair loss is due to low blood iron levels, then iron supplements could be recommended to correct the deficiency and help return the follicles to the anagen (growth) phase.”

However, Dr. Ross notes that iron supplements will not help those who do not have low iron, and therefore they should not be taken unless a health care provider deems you iron-deficient, which can be determined by a blood test.

Male patient receiving an Emsculpt NEO treatment to the abdominal area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can EMSCULPT NEO do for me?

EMSCULPT NEO is an amazing noninvasive body sculpting treatment. It’s perfect for patients who are looking to get summer body ready! With this state-of-the-art, two-in-one technology, you build muscle and burn fat at the same time! This treatment provides a 30% reduction in subcutaneous fat and 25% growth in muscle on the treated area after a recommended number of treatments.

How does EMSCULPT NEO work?

While you lie down and relax, EMSCULPT NEO sends high-intensity energies deep below your skin, making your muscles contract in a big way that is like doing thousands of crunches or squats in a few minutes. While your muscles are contracting, the energy from the applicator simultaneously sends warmth to your fat cells, heating them up to the point of destruction. So you build real muscle from the contractions while destroying fat cells that are later naturally eliminated by your body.

How many EMCULPT NEO treatments will I need?

The recommended treatment plan is 4-6 treatments, one week apart. Depending on the patient, you may see improvement in your muscle tone, core strength and posture within a few weeks. And you’ll see fat reduction continue for about 12 weeks after your last treatment.

Are there any patients for whom you do not recommend EMSCULPT NEO?

EMSCULPT NEO is great because it has been shown to be safe and approved for all body and skin types. Contraindications include hernia, recent surgery, and pregnancy, so if a patient has any of these conditions, they should wait until they don’t to get EMSCULPT NEO.

What is the difference between CoolSculpting and EMSCULPT NEO?

CoolSculpting is a well-known treatment that is excellent for reducing unwanted fat in targeted areas. EMSCULPT NEO also reduces fat, but it has the benefit of building muscle, which is what its predecessor EMSCULPT was made to do.

Which treatment you choose depends on what your body needs and your personal goals. If you have great muscle tone and only need to get rid of some extra fat in a specific area like your abdomen or below your chin, CoolSculpting is an excellent option. But if you have loss of muscle tone and need more of a lift or tightening to a certain area like your abs or butt, EMSCULPT NEO is your two-in-one solution.

What is your favorite thing about EMSCULPT NEO?

Not only is this treatment super convenient with one treatment lasting only 30 minutes, but there is also no downtime! Patients can go about their day as they normally would immediately after their visit.

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