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When one treatment works for someone else but not for you
It’s one of the most frustrating experiences with hair loss: two people follow the same treatment plan, yet one sees visible regrowth while the other sees little change. This isn’t because the treatment is “good” or “bad.” It’s because hair follicles don’t behave uniformly—even on the same scalp.
Hair loss is not a single disease. It’s a biological outcome influenced by hormones, metabolism, inflammation, stress, nutrition, scalp health, and genetics. Each hair follicle responds based on its own internal environment. Understanding why follicles respond differently is the first step toward realistic expectations and effective outcomes.
Hair follicles are independent biological units
Every hair follicle has its own blood supply, hormone sensitivity, immune response, and growth cycle timing. Even follicles just millimetres apart can behave very differently.
Some follicles may be:
- Actively growing (anagen phase)
- Resting (telogen phase)
- Miniaturising due to hormonal sensitivity
- Dormant but still viable
- Irreversibly damaged
When a treatment is applied, only follicles that are biologically capable of responding will show improvement. Others may need additional internal correction before they can react.
The hair growth cycle is rarely synchronised
Hair grows in cycles, not continuously. Treatments that stimulate growth often push resting hairs to shed first before regrowth begins. This shedding can happen unevenly across the scalp.
Key reasons for uneven response:
- Different follicles enter the growth phase at different times
- Some follicles are stuck in prolonged resting phases
- Chronic stress or illness may delay cycle re-entry
- Hormonal signals may suppress growth in selective regions
This is why early treatment months can look inconsistent or discouraging even when the treatment is working biologically.
Hormonal sensitivity varies from follicle to follicle
Not all follicles react the same way to hormones like DHT, thyroid hormones, or fluctuating estrogen levels.
From a dermatological perspective:
- Androgen-sensitive follicles shrink faster
- Some follicles have higher receptor density
- Hormonal imbalances affect regions differently
This explains why:
- The crown thins faster than the sides
- The hairline behaves differently from the back of the scalp
- Women may see widening partitions while density remains elsewhere
Unless the underlying hormonal trigger is addressed, topical or external treatments alone may produce patchy or limited results.
Blood flow and nutrient delivery are uneven
Hair follicles depend on oxygen, iron, amino acids, and micronutrients delivered through blood circulation. Poor circulation or nutritional deficiencies don’t affect all follicles equally.
Common internal barriers include:
- Iron deficiency or anaemia
- Poor gut absorption
- Low digestive fire (Agni)
- Chronic inflammation affecting microcirculation
From a nutrition-focused lens, if nutrients aren’t absorbed efficiently, follicles simply don’t receive what they need to grow—regardless of what is applied externally.
Gut health and absorption influence follicle response
Hair is a non-essential tissue. When digestion is compromised, the body prioritises vital organs over hair growth.
Ayurvedic understanding links this to:
- Weak Agni leading to poor nutrient assimilation
- Toxin buildup (Ama) affecting tissue nourishment
- Imbalanced doshas disturbing scalp and follicle health
Two people eating the same diet may absorb nutrients very differently. This explains why supplements or diet changes may help one person faster than another.
Stress alters follicle behaviour at a cellular level
Chronic stress doesn’t just cause hair fall—it changes how follicles respond to treatment.
Stress can:
- Prolong the resting phase
- Reduce blood flow to the scalp
- Increase inflammatory signals
- Disrupt sleep-related repair cycles
From an Ayurvedic and neurological viewpoint, unresolved stress disturbs the nervous system and heat balance (Pitta), weakening follicle response even when treatments are consistent.
Scalp environment determines treatment penetration
A healthy follicle needs a healthy scalp.
Factors that reduce response:
- Dandruff or fungal overgrowth
- Inflammation or itching
- Excess oil or buildup
- Poor scalp hygiene
If the scalp barrier is compromised, treatments may not reach the follicle effectively. Clearing the scalp environment often becomes a prerequisite for visible improvement.
Timing and consistency matter more than intensity
Many people change or stop treatments too early because results appear uneven.
Hair biology requires:
- Minimum 3–6 months for visible changes
- Continuous support across cycles
- Consistency rather than frequent switching
Follicles that respond slowly may simply need sustained internal correction before showing surface-level results.
Why a root-cause-first approach matters
When treatment is chosen without understanding the dominant cause—hormonal, nutritional, stress-related, metabolic, or scalp-based—results become unpredictable.
A root-cause-led approach integrates:
- Dermatological assessment of follicle viability
- Ayurvedic correction of dosha and digestion imbalance
- Nutritional correction of deficiencies and absorption issues
This layered understanding explains why personalised plans outperform one-size-fits-all solutions and why follicle response varies so widely.
What to do if your hair isn’t responding as expected
Before assuming failure, evaluate:
- Are underlying deficiencies addressed?
- Is digestion and absorption optimised?
- Is stress and sleep being managed?
- Is the scalp environment healthy?
- Has enough time passed for a full hair cycle?
Hair regrowth is not linear. Uneven response is not failure—it’s feedback from your biology.
Frequently asked questions
Why does hair grow back in some areas but not others?
Different follicles have different levels of damage, hormone sensitivity, and blood supply. Some are still viable; others need deeper correction.Can follicles stop responding permanently?
If follicles are dormant but alive, they may respond once internal conditions improve. Fully scarred or destroyed follicles usually do not regenerate.Does shedding mean the treatment isn’t working?
Not necessarily. Shedding often indicates cycle reset, especially early in treatment.How long should I wait before judging results?
Most biological hair responses require at least 3–6 months. Full assessment often needs longer continuity.The takeaway
Hair follicles don’t fail treatments—treatments fail to match follicle biology. Understanding why follicles respond differently helps shift the focus from quick fixes to sustainable correction. When internal balance improves, follicles regain the ability to respond—each in their own time.
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