Midlife Hair Loss: Sue McLea’s Hair Regrowth Story & Why She Chose MONAT

Hair thinning and hair loss are among the biggest frustrations I hear from women in midlife. Our hair can feel like part of our identity, so watching it become thinner, more fragile or seeing our scalp where we never used to see it can have a surprisingly big impact on confidence.

For this episode, I invited my longtime friend and client Sue McLea to share her own experience.

I’ve known Sue for years, so I knew what her hair looked like before. Over the last several months I started noticing the incredible difference in her hair — not simply longer hair, but visibly thicker hair and new growth in areas where she had previously experienced significant thinning.

Sue has now been using MONAT for approximately eight months and is also a MONAT ambassador. She joined me to explain what she experienced, what she uses and exactly how she uses it.

Sue’s Hair Loss Story

Sue began experiencing significant hair thinning around age 59–60, particularly around her temples.

It progressed to the point where she described having noticeable bald areas on either side of her head. Hairstyles she had worn for years suddenly became difficult because pulling her hair back exposed those areas.

Initially, she assumed this was simply another part of getting older.

Eventually, after watching the results her niece was experiencing with MONAT, Sue decided to try the products herself.

She was skeptical and gave herself a simple test:

Two months. If she didn't see a difference, she was done.

Instead, Sue says she began seeing tiny new “baby hairs” within approximately 30 days.

Eight months later, the difference in her hair is remarkable. Her hair has become so much thicker that she says she now needs to rethink her hairstyle because of all the new growth coming through.

The Big Philosophy: Your Scalp Is Skin

One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was the emphasis on scalp health.

We spend enormous amounts of time and money taking care of the skin on our faces, yet most of us give very little thought to the skin underneath our hair.

Sue’s approach is to create a healthier scalp environment while also protecting the hair itself from breakage and damage.

Hair naturally moves through different stages — growth, resting and shedding — so the goal isn't simply to coat the existing hair and make it temporarily look better. The discussion centered around supporting the scalp and follicle environment while also protecting the hair you already have.

Sue’s MONAT Routine

Sue didn't simply add another shampoo to her shower. She committed to a complete routine.

1. Rejuveniqe Oil – Before Washing

Sue uses Rejuveniqe Oil as a pre-shampoo scalp treatment approximately once or twice per week.

She applies the oil throughout the scalp, massages it in and brushes it through the hair. She often applies it at night and leaves it in before washing.

The oil contains a blend of plant-based oils and is designed to hydrate the scalp and hair while helping reduce dryness, frizz and breakage.

It can also be worked through the lengths of the hair rather than simply used on the scalp.

2. Double Shampoo

MONAT shampoo is highly concentrated, so Sue uses only about a dime-sized amount.

She emulsifies it thoroughly in her hands before applying it primarily to the scalp.

She then shampoos twice.

The first wash is used to remove product, oil and environmental buildup.

After rinsing thoroughly, she repeats the process. Sue says the second wash produces considerably more lather.

Rather than piling shampoo through the ends of the hair, the focus is the scalp.

3. Conditioner

Conditioner goes primarily from the ears down, rather than being applied heavily to the scalp.

Sue recommends allowing it to sit for several minutes before rinsing so it has time to work through the hair.

4. IR Clinical Hair Thinning Defense Serum – Every Day

This was one of the most important products in Sue's routine.

Sue keeps the serum somewhere she will see it every day — initially beside her toothbrush — because consistency matters.

She applies a small amount directly to areas such as her temples and crown and gently massages it into the scalp.

It can be used on clean or dirty hair and Sue says it doesn't weigh the hair down.

Ingredients discussed during the podcast include Capixyl, melatonin and caffeine.

We also talked about DHT and its relationship with the hair follicle. Sue explained that Capixyl is incorporated into the formula specifically in relation to DHT and supporting the hair-growth environment.

For women going through menopause, this conversation becomes particularly interesting because hormonal changes can coincide with significant changes in hair density and quality.

5. RejuvaBeads

This was actually the first MONAT product I personally tried, and I was immediately impressed.

RejuvaBeads is a leave-in treatment designed for damaged hair and split ends.

I've used just about every expensive leave-in conditioner, oil and treatment imaginable. Many make your hair feel nice initially but leave behind that unmistakable feeling that you've got product sitting on your hair.

This didn't.

My hair simply felt like better hair — silky, soft and healthy without feeling heavy or oily.

That's particularly important for me because my hair is naturally fine and fragile. Years of coloring and heat styling have made it prone to breakage, and since moving to Idaho I've also struggled considerably more with hard-water damage.

After using RejuvaBeads, my brush went straight through my hair.

That alone got my attention.

RejuvaBeads was discussed as helping bind and protect damaged areas of the hair shaft and can also be used as part of heat protection.

What About Very Damaged or Color-Treated Hair?

MONAT also has a Bond Support/Bond IQ range discussed in the episode for people dealing with significant damage from coloring, bleaching or repeated heat styling.

Sue also mentioned other products including a scalp scrub for people dealing with significant buildup, products specifically designed for curly hair, root-lifting products and a lightweight hairspray that allows the hair to remain touchable rather than stiff.

The point is that everyone's hair problem isn't identical — which is why Sue recommends taking the hair quiz rather than randomly choosing products.

Menopause, Estrogen & Hair

Of course, products aren't the entire conversation.

Hair changes during midlife can occur alongside major hormonal changes.

We talked specifically about the decline in estrogen around menopause and how women can suddenly find themselves dealing with thinning hair at exactly the same time they're already navigating changes in body composition, skin, energy and confidence.

Hair loss can feel like one more thing being taken away.

And Sue's story really resonated with me because she initially did what so many people do:

She accepted it.

She assumed this was simply what happened as she got older.

Seeing her results challenged that assumption.

Weight Loss, Nutrition & Hair

We also talked about something I think deserves considerably more attention: nutrition during weight loss.

If you're using a weight-loss medication or following any diet that dramatically suppresses your food intake, you still need to think about what nutrients you're providing your body.

Rapid weight loss combined with inadequate calories, protein and nutrients can be a terrible combination for maintaining muscle — and potentially your hair.

Losing weight while sacrificing muscle and hair isn't exactly the victory most women are looking for.

Whatever you choose to do for your hair should therefore sit on top of the basics: adequate nutrition, sufficient protein and taking care of your body from the inside as well as the outside.

Sue’s Husband Tried It Too

This isn't purely a women's conversation.

Sue's husband had also spent considerable time and money trying different approaches for his hair, including more aggressive options.

He became so impressed with his own experience using the MONAT products that Sue jokes he now promotes them better than she does — and several of his friends have started using them too.

So while midlife female hair thinning was the reason for this conversation, men struggling with thinning hair may also want to speak with Sue about an appropriate routine.

What If Your Hair Initially Feels Different?

We also addressed something I'd seen online: people saying their hair initially felt dry or frizzy after switching products.

Interestingly, Sue experienced this herself.

About two weeks after starting, she contacted her niece because her hair suddenly felt dry and frizzy. She described this as a short transition period after removing years of buildup from her previous products. She continued her routine and used the oil for additional hydration, and she says that phase passed.

Her advice is not to judge an entirely new hair routine after a couple of washes.

Give it some time.

And Yes — We Talk About MONAT Being an MLM

We didn't avoid this.

MONAT uses a network/multi-level marketing model, and Sue is an ambassador.

I'm not financially involved with MONAT. I bought the products after seeing Sue's results and wanted her on the podcast because I know her, trust her and have personally watched the change in her hair.

Sue didn't approach me with a hard sell. In fact, much of our conversation was about how uncomfortable both of us can feel when enthusiasm for something that genuinely worked starts sounding like selling.

We also briefly discussed MONAT's history, previous controversy around the company, its emphasis on naturally based ingredients and its focus on avoiding certain ingredients in its formulations.

The company also offers wellness products alongside its primary haircare range.

The Bigger Midlife Conversation

One of my favorite parts of this episode actually goes far beyond shampoo.

It's about acceptance.

We hear:

"That's aging."

"That's menopause."

"That's just what happens."

And slowly people begin accepting things that make them feel less and less like themselves.

Sue said something that stuck with me: improving her hair hasn't only changed her hair.

It made her want to take better care of herself again.

She started styling her hair again. Paying attention to it. Enjoying it.

In her words, she feels like she's falling in love with herself again.

That's why this conversation matters.

Hair may sound superficial until you're the person watching yours disappear.

Want Sue’s Help?

If you're dealing with thinning, shedding, breakage, hair that simply won't grow, or you're completely confused about which products would be appropriate for your hair, Sue is happy to help.

You can send her photographs, take her hair quiz, message her with questions or arrange a quick conversation so she can help you determine which products make sense for your particular hair.

Sue is very clear that she can't guarantee anyone else's results — but she can help you understand the options and build an appropriate routine.

Contact Sue McLea

Instagram: @suemclea
Email: sbmclea360@gmail.com
Take Sue’s Hair Quiz: msha.ke/susanmclea

And if you're listening rather than watching, I definitely recommend watching this episode on YouTube as well so you can actually see Sue's hair and the areas of new growth we're talking about.

The difference is pretty extraordinary.

As always, my goal with these conversations isn't to tell you what you have to do. It's to introduce you to information, products and people I've encountered that may help you have a better midlife — and beyond.

Because getting older doesn't mean we simply have to accept everything getting worse.