Hair and Inflammation: Why Growth, Strength and Shedding Are About More Than Shampoo

May 26, 2025

Your Hair Reflects More Than Style

Hair is more than cosmetic - it's a reflection of your body's overall health. And while most people focus on what goes on their hair, the real story often starts much deeper.

If you're experiencing thinning, breaking or hair loss, it may be time to look at what's happening beneath the surface - especially when inflammation is involved.

Is It Just Age or Inflammation?

Many people assume hair thinning is just a normal part of getting older - or something they're genetically stuck with. But while age and genetics matter, inflammation often plays a far bigger role than we realise.

Ageing:

As we age, hair naturally thins:

The anagen phase (growth phase) shortens
Follicles may miniaturise
Cell turnover slows
But this decline is gradual - not abrupt. Accelerated thinning usually involves other factors.

Genetics:

Genetic hair loss (like male or female pattern baldness - androgenetic alopecia) affects millions and is hormonally driven (DHT sensitivity). However, even here, inflammation plays a compounding role:

Miniaturised follicles often show inflammatory markers
Scalp inflammation worsens and shedding slows regrowth

Inflammation:

Chronic inflammation can:

Disrupt the hair cycle prematurely
Impair blood flow and nutrient delivery to the scalp
Trigger autoimmune responses (like alopecia areata)
Damage the follicle microenvironment via oxidative stress (Bauman Medical)

This is where DHA can help. By calming systemic inflammation and improving cell health, it can slow shedding and support regrowth - even in people with age- or hormone-related hair loss.

Research Highlights:

A 2015 study found that women taking a supplement containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids experienced reduced hair loss and increased hair density. (Healthline.com)
Another study indicated that omega-3 fatty acids can promote hair growth by increasing the production of hair cells and stimulating new hair follicles, leading to thicker and denser hair. (For Men Health)

How Inflammation Affects Hair Growth

Inflammation can disrupt the delicate environment that hair follicles rely on to function properly. When the immune system is out of balance, it may:

Interrupt the hair growth cycle (more time in shedding phase, less in growth)
Reduce blood flow and nutrient delivery to follicles
Trigger scalp conditions like dermatitis, folliculitis or autoimmune hair loss (e.g. alopecia areata)
Increase oxidative stress in skin cells that support healthy hair.

Over time, this results in finer strands, slowed growth and excessive shedding - even if your diet or products haven't changed.

The Role of DHA in Hair and Scalp Health

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to support nervous system and cellular health. In relation to hair, DHA can:

Reduce systemic inflammation that impacts follicle activity
Support healthy circulation and oxygen delivery to the scalp
Improve hydration and elasticity of skin cells in the scalp
Help counter oxidative stress that contributes to hair thinning

And because it works from the inside out, DHA supports the foundation of hair health - not just the appearance.

SoSwell: Daily Hair Support Without the Gimmicks

SoSwell delivers:

1 gram of algae-based DHA per serve (1 scoop) - a therapeutic dose that supports inflammation regulation
Zeaxanthin - an antioxidant that protects cells from stress including those in your skin and scalp
No synthetic fillers, fish oils or harsh additives

It's designed to nourish the systems that keep hair healthy - gently and effectively.