Jane Ferguson began experiencing alopecia 11 years ago, when she was 75. The condition caused her to develop bald patches that would unpredictably shift, often leaving her hair thin and sparse. She described the experience as "horrible," with stylists trying to manage the changing bald spots.
Ferguson sought help from doctors and specialists, including trichologists and dermatologists, undergoing numerous consultations that cost hundreds of dollars each. Despite these efforts, she felt no solutions were being offered, and treatments proved ineffective. Over five years, she spent thousands of dollars on products like shampoos and supplements, all of which failed to help.
The hair loss significantly impacted her social life, leading her to wear hats or try to conceal her hair. She found herself sitting at the back of gatherings to avoid drawing attention to her thinning hair and would wash it daily hoping to create more volume, but it continued to deteriorate.
Her stylist, Karen, introduced her to Suzanne Cooper, founder of the haircare brand Glowwa, who was developing a hair supplement after experiencing thinning hair herself due to stress. Cooper offered Ferguson a three-month trial of the supplement. Initially, for the first two months, Ferguson saw no changes, but she continued the trial as promised. In the third month, she noticed small new hairs growing on the bald patches.
Her hair continued to grow, becoming stronger and healthier than before, eventually transforming her entire head. Ferguson has been taking the Glowwa supplement daily for five and a half years. She stated the supplement costs $49.99 per month and believes it has also improved her cognitive function.
Sofia Baig, a trichologist, explained that Glowwa Hair Food contains nutrients such as biotin, zinc, vitamin B12, and folate, which are involved in normal hair follicle function. It also includes vitamin C to support collagen production and iron absorption. B vitamins aid energy metabolism, while L-lysine and rice protein provide amino acids for protein synthesis and keratin formation. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) contains sulfur, though its direct role in stimulating hair regrowth is limited.
Baig noted that these ingredients can support a healthy environment for hair growth, particularly if dietary intake is insufficient or a deficiency exists. However, she emphasized that these supplements do not directly stimulate regrowth, as hair loss often has complex underlying causes. She recommends investigating the root cause of hair loss, which can involve factors like recent illness, stress, weight loss, surgery, medication, diet, thyroid function, and hormonal changes.
Baig advises that a balanced, protein-rich diet, adequate calorie intake, good sleep, hydration, and stress management are foundational for hair health. Gentle haircare practices and minimizing heat and chemical damage are also important. Supplements and topical treatments are most effective when used in conjunction with these healthy habits and cannot compensate for poor nutrition, significant calorie restriction, chronic stress, or untreated medical conditions. Baig stressed that consistency is key, as noticeable results from supplements typically take three to six months due to the slow nature of hair growth.