Hair loss can be a deeply emotional experience, especially for young women. This is the story of a 21-year-old woman who came to my practice after struggling with Alopecia Areata. She had tried multiple treatments with little success, but by focusing on her overall health healing her gut, cleaning up her diet, and following the Hair & Wellness by Bissan Hair Recovery Protocol she was able to restore her hair naturally.
The Initial Visit: Searching for Answers
When she first came to me, she was exhausted—physically and emotionally. She had been losing hair in round patches on her scalp for months, and new patches kept appearing. At 21, she was self-conscious about her thinning hair and wanted answers.
She had already seen dermatologists and tried topical treatments, including corticosteroids, but nothing seemed to stop the progression of her hair loss. The fear of losing more hair was consuming her daily life. That’s when she found me.
During our first consultation, I took a functional medicine approach and went beyond just looking at her scalp. I asked about her lifestyle, diet, stress levels, gut health, and medical history. Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition, which means it doesn’t just happen at the scalp level—there’s always a root cause deeper in the body.
Digging Deeper: What We Found
Using a functional blood analysis and scalp analysis, I was able to pinpoint some key issues contributing to her hair loss:
- Gut Imbalance & Inflammation: Her gut health was compromised, which was leading to nutrient malabsorption.
- High Stress Levels: Chronic stress had weakened her immune system, making her more prone to autoimmune flare-ups.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: She was missing key vitamins and minerals that support hair growth, including zinc, vitamin D, and iron.
- Processed Diet & Sugar Overload: Her diet was high in processed foods and sugars, both of which fuel inflammation and worsen autoimmune conditions.
This was a classic case of the gut-hair connection—her immune system was overreacting, causing her body to attack her own hair follicles.
The Treatment Plan: A Holistic Approach to Hair Regrowth
Instead of just focusing on her scalp, we healed her from the inside out. Here’s the exact protocol we used to restore her hair:
1. Gut Healing & Inflammation Reduction
- Removed inflammatory foods: She cut out gluten, dairy, refined sugar, and processed foods, which were triggering inflammation.
- Added gut-healing foods: Bone broth, fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi), and aloe vera juice to restore her gut lining.
- Took digestive enzymes and probiotics to rebalance her microbiome.
2. Nutrient Replenishment
- Supplemented with zinc, vitamin D, and iron based on her blood test results.
- Increased protein intake to support keratin production (the building block of hair).
- Added omega-3s to reduce inflammation and improve scalp health.
3. Stress Reduction & Lifestyle Changes
- She started practicing daily meditation and deep breathing to lower her stress.
- Improved her sleep by limiting screen time before bed and using magnesium for relaxation.
- Started gentle exercise (walking, yoga) to support circulation and overall well-being.
4. The Hair & Wellness by Bissan Hair Recovery Protocol
- Detoxified her scalp to remove buildup and inflammation.
- Stimulated hair follicles using a combination of scalp massage, micro-needling, and red light therapy.
- Applied natural hair growth serums with DHT blockers and growth peptides.
- Monitored her progress closely, adjusting her plan as needed.
The Results: Hair Regrowth & Renewed Confidence
At six weeks, she already noticed less shedding and some small baby hairs appearing.
By three months, her patches were starting to fill in, and the regrowth was stronger and thicker than before.
By six months, she had a full head of hair again! The transformation was incredible—not just in her appearance but in how she felt. She had more energy, clearer skin, better digestion, and overall improved health.
Her biggest takeaway? She felt in control of her health again.
Why This Approach Works
Many people focus only on the symptoms of hair loss—using creams, injections, and medications that don’t actually address the root cause.
But Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune issue, and hair regrowth requires a whole-body approach. By healing the gut, reducing inflammation, balancing nutrients, and improving scalp health, we created the perfect conditions for her hair to grow back—naturally and sustainably.
Who Can Benefit from This Approach?
This functional hair recovery protocol is designed for:
Women & men with Alopecia Areata looking for a natural solution.
Anyone struggling with chronic hair loss who hasn’t found success with conventional treatments.
People with gut issues, inflammation, or autoimmune conditions affecting their hair.
Anyone ready to make real lifestyle changes for long-term hair and health benefits.
Final Thoughts: Healing from the Inside Out
Hair loss isn’t just about what’s happening on the surface—it’s a reflection of what’s going on inside the body. This 21-year-old woman’s journey proves that by taking a holistic, functional medicine approach, hair can regrow naturally and beautifully.
If you’re struggling with hair loss and looking for answers, know that there is hope. By identifying the root cause and creating a personalized plan, we can restore your hair and health together.
Are you ready to start your hair recovery journey? Let’s get to the root of it. 💛
