The "sudden" illusion. The grief is real and worth naming. What I look for in the chair.
If you've watched your part widen, your ponytail shrink, and your hair behave as if it belongs to someone else, you're not imagining it. Perimenopause hair changes can feel sudden, even when the underlying shift has been building for years. In this episode, Esmael Gilis — hairdresser of 28 years and a two-time nominee at The Hairdressing Awards Belgium — walks through why the change can feel so abrupt, what's actually happening at the follicle, and the realistic first steps that don't insult your intelligence. No miracle promises. No shame. Just an honest conversation about a real pattern thousands of women are recognizing right now.
Educational content only — not medical advice. Always pair changes with your GP or dermatologist.
**Free guide:** If you're walking into this conversation with your doctor and you're not sure what to ask, I made you a free guide — *Is It Just Shedding? A 5-Minute Self-Check for Women*. Same 5 questions I ask in the chair. [Download the guide here.](https://www.heads-hairacademy.com/hair-recovery-programme)