Your Hair Remembers What You’d Rather Forget”
A blog by Jennifer Kerr, Obsessions Salon, Ramsgate
Have you ever looked in the mirror, running your fingers through your hair and thinking, “It’s just not the same anymore”?
And when someone asks if you’re okay, you smile and say, “I’m fine” – but deep down, you know you’re not.
Here’s something I’ve learned after decades in this industry:
Your hair knows when you’re lying to yourself.
It might sound strange, but stay with me.
Your hair is more than just strands on your head. It’s a barometer of your emotional wellbeing – and often, it starts breaking down long before you do.
At Obsessions Salon, I’ve sat with countless clients who open up in the chair – sometimes mid-haircut, sometimes mid-tears.
And more often than not, their stories of heartbreak, grief, or anxiety are reflected right there in their hair.
We recently read research that confirms what we’ve been seeing for years behind the chair:
Emotional stress causes real, physical changes in your hair follicles.
When your stress hormones skyrocket – especially cortisol – your oxytocin levels plummet. That’s the “feel good” hormone that keeps your hair happy and in growth mode.
Without it, your follicles start to panic… and within 3–6 months, you start noticing more hair on your pillow, in your brush, and washing down the drain.
This explains why so many people come to us saying,
“I haven’t changed my shampoo. My diet is the same. Why is my hair falling out?”
Because it’s not about the shampoo. It’s about what your body has been through.
One of our beautiful clients went through a loss earlier this year. At the time, she powered through, went back to work, and kept everything “together.”
But months later, her hair started shedding more than usual. She was panicked – but when we gently talked it through, it all started to make sense.
Her hair had been silently processing the pain her heart never got to express.
And that’s the thing…
Your hair keeps the receipts.
This isn’t to scare you – it’s to empower you.
Because once you understand the connection between your emotions and your hair health, you can start making real, lasting changes.
Here are three ways you can begin healing your hair from the inside out:
-
Prioritise Oxytocin
Touch is powerful. Hugs from loved ones, playing with your dog, or even a relaxing head massage can all help rebuild your oxytocin levels. -
Get Stress Under Control
Meditation, breathwork, gentle movement – even five minutes a day makes a difference. Your hair will thank you for every deep breath you take. -
Connect the Timeline
If your hair is shedding now, ask yourself: what was going on in my life 3–6 months ago? Stress, illness, grief – your hair is finally responding now.
At Obsessions, we believe true hair health comes from a whole-person approach.
It’s not just the cut or colour. It’s how you feel when you leave our chair. It’s knowing someone sees you, hears you, and understands what your hair is really saying.
So, if your hair feels different lately… if you’re experiencing changes you can’t quite explain…
Know this: you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it.
We’re here to support you, guide you, and help your hair heal – no matter what it’s been through.
And if you ever want to talk about what’s really going on behind that “I’m fine”… we’re here for that too.
With care,
Jennifer Kerr
Owner, Obsessions Salon
info@obsessionssalon.co.uk