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Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This First-of-Its-Kind Hair Growth Peptide Promises Results in 6 Days — 5 Months Later, I'm Stunned
Four months after having my baby, I was partially convinced someone had made a voodoo doll of me and was ripping out my strands in sizable, gasp-worthy clumps. I left behind dark wads of hair in the shower, sink, bed, and even in my daughter's mighty little fists. 'You gotta stop ripping out what's left of Mama's hair,' I joked with my baby. On the inside, I started panicking. How much more hair will I shed? Will it ever end? 'Postpartum hair loss is a result of estrogen levels that were high during pregnancy suddenly dropping,' BosleyMD trichologist Gretchen Friese tells Flow Space. 'Because estrogen levels are so high during pregnancy, the hair can seem thicker and then when it starts falling out it can feel like a lot of hair.' Postpartum isn't the only time in a woman's life when she can experience hair loss and shedding due to estrogen fluctuation: This can also occur in perimenopause and menopause as the ovaries produce less estrogen. While I knew this was just par for the course, I still didn't like it. So I tried eating more steak for the iron (expensive), took Nutrafol every day (so many pills), and swapped in thickening shampoos (this works but it doesn't give you permanent results). And then I found OMI. OMI Hair Growth Peptide Gummies (120-Day Supply) Buy Now at omi $79 Buy Now On Amazon $79.00 OMI hair peptides, which you can get in gummy or pill form (I chose gummy, since they taste like candy), are formulated by a patented hair technology (IFP Hair Factor) that improves hair follicle health. OMI Hair Growth Peptides 'directly target hair follicles to strengthen and anchor hair from within,' founder of OMI, Naomi Whittel, tells Flow Space. 'Unlike nutritional supplements, which provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals to support overall hair health, peptides work as a key, unlocking the ability of hair follicles to repair and rebuild.' Think of it as a laser-focused formulation that cuts to the chase when it comes to hair health and regrowth—for any kinds of hair loss, too, not just postpartum. OMI's formulation also includes biotin (also known as vitamin B7), and a cocktail of other B vitamins (B6, B3 or niacin, and B5 or pantothenic acid) that supercharge amino acids, which leads to healthier hair. 'While natural solutions like rosemary oil focus on improving scalp health externally, OMI's peptide-based formula works at the follicular level, directly addressing the structural needs of hair to restore integrity, combat postpartum shedding, and support healthy regrowth,' Whittel says. Within 90 days, people with all hair types will notice stronger, thicker hair. The tech is so powerful, OMI promises results in just six (!!!) days, though recommends staying the course for the full 90 days. I decided to put it to the test and see if it would help with my sad post-pregnancy hair. I've been taking OMI gummies for five months (updated), and so far, I'm impressed. It's not that the results have been instant regrowth (I think we can all be realistic here), but I've witnessed far less shedding. This, in turn, has made my hair look a lot fuller than it has been in the last couple months. When I wring my hair in the shower, I'm not also pulling out a wad of strands. My sink isn't hairy. When my daughter grabs my hair, she isn't able to easily yank it all out. I don't feel personally victimized by my brush anymore. The results have been fairly quick, but I do plan on taking the gummies for the full 90 days, so bookmark this page if you want to follow along! I took a 'before' photo the day before I started taking OMI, and another photo this morning (18 days had passed). I was worried you wouldn't be able to really tell just how thin my hair had become, but looking at these photos side by side, I'm legitimately shook. You can visually see how much fuller my ponytail looks today compared to how damaged and frail-looking it appeared only weeks ago. I documented my hair brush after a few of the showers I took as well. That's when (and where) I'd notice the most fallout. Day 1 you can see that the brush is pretty packed with my hair (RIP). Day 5 and Day 10 have remarkably less hair (it looks like Day 5 has more hair, but it probably has the same amount). And here, you can really see the difference. This is the amount of hair I pulled from the brush each time I took photos. I took OMI gummies, but you can take a pill form, too. Maybe this is childish, but I'm far more likely to take a supplement if it tastes like a Sour Patch Kid (OMI tastes like blackberries). I've been pretty good about taking two every day after breakfast because they actually taste good. I've been religiously taking OMI gummies and capsules for a total of five months now, and my hair legitimately feels thicker (when I put it in a ponytail, I'm pleasantly surprised when I don't have to wrap the hair tie around a bunch of times), and new hair is visibly growing at my temples. Here's a photo of me and my daughter. My hair just LOOKS healthier, too. I've also noticed far less hair a) in the shower, and b) in my brush post-shower. There's definitely been less fall-out and more hair growth (albeit in baby hair form!). The progress is slow, but I can see and feel the difference. I'll be sure to report back in the next three months so we can compare with the above photo. I do have to give some credit to my shampoo and conditioner: I've been using the Aveda Invati Ultra Advanced line, and I think it's really helped my hair appear fuller and shinier. I've been using Aveda products since I was a literal kid (my uncle is a hair stylist and has been doing my hair since I was baby), so I really trust the brand. Aveda Ultra Advanced Shampoo & Conditioner Set $73 Buy Now I've also been using Briogeo Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Scalp & Hair Oil before showering as a scalp 'mask' of sorts. I'll apply it all over and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes and then shower. I think it helps moisturize my scalp and keep it healthy (which is especially helpful during weeks I end up using a lot of dry shampoo and hairspray, which can dry out the scalp), which in turn aids with growth. Briogeo Scalp Revival™ Rosemary Pre-Wash Scalp and Hair Oil $32 Buy Now 'Get enough sleep, keep stress levels at bay and eat a healthy diet full of good fats and stay away from processed sugars,' Dr. Friese recommended when I asked about any other measures that could be taken when trying to prevent more shedding. Easier said than done when you're a new mom, but with OMI and some good haircare, I have the tricks up my sleeve to be well on my way to my pre-baby hair. More from Flow Space Can Tea Ease Menopause Symptoms? I Tried Magic Hour's Divine Timing Collection to Find Out
Buzz Feed
11-05-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Stop Using Dry Shampoo Instead Of Washing Hair
The 'skinification' of hair has been trending for a few years now, encouraging us to spend more focus (and money) on the importance of scalp care for overall hair health. The theory is that washing your hair less frequently and using fewer chemicals can lead to healthier hair with less breakage and longer, stronger strands. With the rising popularity of dry shampoo, many people have reduced the frequency of washing their hair in the shower. But what happens when we obsessively use (or even over-use) dry shampoo and forgo washing for days in a row? We spoke with trichologists and hair stylists to ask about the potential dangers of overusing dry shampoo. Is dry shampoo ever a bad idea? The answer is complicated. Dry shampoo is not necessarily bad for your scalp or hair, but if your scalp is already dry, it will likely dry it out even more. Then there's the issue of how often you use it and whether you clean your scalp correctly at least once per week to remove product buildup. The same applies to all products that can create buildup in the scalp and hair. 'Dry shampoo isn't inherently bad for hair, but frequent use can lead to buildup on the scalp, potentially causing irritation or imbalance [of the scalp]. It should be used as a temporary solution rather than a replacement for washing, which can impact scalp health over time,' said Sara Hallajian, an IAT-certified trichologist based in Santa Monica. How does dry shampoo work? Dry shampoo works by absorbing the oil in the hair, while also adding volume at the roots, providing grip and helping to preserve a hairstyle. 'One of the main ingredients is alcohol denat; a combination of ethanol and a denaturing agent that can draw any moisture or oils away from the scalp and hair. In addition, butane, isobutane and propane make up about 70-90% of dry shampoos, but some of that is how it is packaged,' explained Gretchen Friese, a hair stylist and trichologist at BosleyMD. Some of the key oil-absorbing ingredients include starches, like rice or corn starch and clays, such as kaolin or bentonite, added Hallajian. What happens when we overuse dry shampoo? The first thing that happens is product buildup in the scalp, which eventually blocks the hair follicles and slows down the hair growth cycle. You may think this isn't too important, but in reality, halting hair growth can lead to issues such as hair loss, breakage, and dryness. 'People who don't wash their hair enough [and overuse dry shampoo] can clog the follicles, which can cause hair loss,' said Friese. Overuse is relative to the oiliness of your scalp, your hair type and thickness; 'The finer the hair, the more quickly it tends to become oily, because its flat cuticle layers don't absorb oil as effectively, allowing sebum to sit on the surface. In contrast, curly and coily hair, which is naturally drier due to its more lifted cuticle structure, absorbs oil more efficiently and typically doesn't require dry shampoo as often,' said Hallajian. If you have scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff or excessive dryness, you should avoid dry shampoo altogether, as it can exacerbate these issues, she added. 'If you use it too often and don't wash your scalp regularly, it can lead to buildup, which might clog pores and irritate your scalp,' explained Laura Polko, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Laura Polko Los Angeles. 'That's where the rumor of it being really bad for you came from. So, it's totally fine to use dry shampoo when you need it, just don't rely on it as a substitute for washing your hair.' So, what happens when you leave dry shampoo on overnight? Spraying dry shampoo before bed might not be the best idea, as leaving it on for too long can cause buildup and dryness, the experts agreed. 'While it's fine for a few hours during the day, it's still a product that you're putting on your scalp to add volume and growth at the root, so, at some point, it's going to clog things up if you overuse it,' said Polko. 'I would not recommend using dry shampoo for an overnight 'hack' to replace washing. Many people sweat overnight, so using shampoo [instead of dry shampoo] is the best way to cleanse the scalp,' said Hallajian. While baby powder was an alternative used by previous generations, experts don't recommend using it, even though it can help absorb oil. 'Many contain talc, which is a respiratory concern. Cornstarch-based options are better, but they can still create buildup. It's best to use a product formulated specifically for scalp health,' noted Hallajian. 'It's safer to stick with dry shampoo, which is specifically made for hair and won't cause those kinds of issues,' Polko agreed. Hallajian recommended another alternative for a quick hair refresh that won't cause buildup: 'Scalp tonics or mists with ingredients like witch hazel, tea tree, or salicylic acid refresh the scalp and scalp scrubs and clarifying shampoos used weekly can also help regulate oil production naturally.' How can we use dry shampoo safely? As mentioned, the main issues arise from overuse and improper cleansing of the scalp. Using a specifically formulated product once or twice a week is generally OK. 'I recommend only using it once between washes to avoid clogging up the hair follicles and ideally washing it out within 36 hours,' said Friese. This applies to all hair types. 'Use it when you need it — maybe once or twice between washes,' said Polko, 'but make sure you're still washing your hair regularly to keep your scalp healthy.'
