For nearly two decades, Pamela Morrissey has run a thriving salon business, building a loyal clientele with her expert cuts, colour, and styling. Her passion for hair didn’t stop there, she recently trained as a certified trichologist, deepening her understanding of the science behind healthy hair. As a TV hair stylist known for dramatic makeovers on RTE’s Today Show, she’s seen it all. But it wasn’t until she stepped into the world of trichology that she truly grasped one powerful truth – when it comes to your hair, you really are what you eat.
Now, she shares how your lifestyle and diet can transform your hair from the inside out, boosting thickness, slowing down shedding, and even reversing premature hereditary hair loss. From eating more berries to drinking more water (and yes, even hanging your head upside down over the side of the bed to boost circulation), there’s more within your control than you might think. She’s also developed an award-winning hair oil that helps replenish damaged strands, promote growth, and restore volume.
We hear a lot about free radicals and antioxidants when it comes to anti-aging, but they’re just as important when it comes to hair health, says Pam.
She explained “ Free radicals are harmful molecules that build up in the body due to stress, sun exposure, pollution, and processed foods. These trigger inflammation and accelerate aging not just in your skin, but in your hair follicles too. That’s where antioxidants come in.”
“Antioxidants, found in plant-based foods like berries, leafy greens, nuts, sweet potatoes, turmeric, and fermented foods, help neutralize free radicals and reduce the oxidative stress that causes problems like thinning hair and hair loss. Since free radicals are nearly impossible to avoid, especially in high processed foods, it’s crucial to eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods daily to protect your cells and support hair health.
Pam explains that genetic hair loss progresses faster when the body is dealing with high levels of inflammation. “It’s that simple,” she says. “If you have a kidney infection, for example, your blood flow will be directed to the organs that need healing. Your scalp will only get a reserve supply, which isn’t enough to support hair growth.” That’s why keeping inflammation low through diet and lifestyle is essential.
She recommends packing in antioxidant-rich foods that your body can store and use when needed. “You’re giving your body the tools it needs to keep your hair strong,” she says.
“Applying natural oils like borage, jojoba, and camellia are rich in omegas and play a powerful role in hair and scalp health. These oils help oxygenate the scalp, reduce inflammation, and provide protection against environmental damage like sun and pollution.”
“A healthy scalp on the outside, with a great diet and regular exercise, is the foundation of healthy, beautiful hair,” Pam says. “It all works together.”
She shares more free and easy tips: “Lying with your head upside down for a few minutes a day boosts blood flow to the scalp, delivering nutrients and antioxidants. Research shows this can help reverse hair loss and support growth.”
Moderate exercise also supports hair growth, as an increased heart rate helps eliminate free radicals. However, excessive exercise has been linked to hair loss in some cases.
“Gut health is huge right now and it matters far beyond digestion,” says Pam. “The gut, brain, scalp, and pituitary gland are all connected, and that link plays a big role in keeping hair healthy by regulating hormones, nutrients, and inflammation.”
She explains that maintaining a balanced gut is essential for hair health: “I always recommend a good probiotic and a solid diet. If your gut is off, your hormones often are too and that can show up in your hair.”
Pam says poor hormone health, often involving the pituitary gland, can trigger premature genetic hair loss. “Androgenetic hair loss is the most common form, it’s driven by hormones like testosterone and your genetic makeup. It may be in your genes, but if inflammation sets it off early, the good news is you can reverse it by correcting your hormones and gut health.”
Stress is another key factor. “When your body goes through shock, you get a spike in hormones like cortisol and that can lead to shedding,” she says.
Pam explains that stress and inflammation can pause your hair in its active growth phase. “That’s why people often lose patches of hair weeks or even months after a major stressor, it’s not immediate, but the growth has stalled, and then the hair finally lets go.”
Her advice? “After stress, pack in antioxidants, to clean up free radicals and support your recovery from the inside out.”
“Menopause acts like a stress on the body,” says Pam. “Plus, the hormonal changes can increase sensitivity to hormones like DHT, which can worsen genetic hair loss.”
“You need at least five hours of sleep to let your body enter deep recovery mode,” she explains. “That’s when antioxidants get to work, travelling around your body and neutralising the inflammation-causing free radicals. While you’re awake, your body’s too busy, so those antioxidants stay stored until you’re asleep.”
“Try to avoid stress, I know it’s easier said than done,” Pam admits. “But even taking two or three minutes to breathe deeply or meditate helps. Cortisol, the stress hormone, triggers more free radicals. Stepping away from stress, even briefly, helps reduce the damage.”
She adds, “On high-stress days, I load up on antioxidant-rich foods so my body has a strong reserve ready to work overnight.”
“Stay hydrated,” Pam advises. “Drink plenty of water, and add electrolytes or a pinch of Himalayan salt, especially to your first glass in the morning.”
Sulfate-free products usually advertise it, but a small amount of sulfate helps remove grease. Too much, however, can strip natural oils and disrupt your scalp’s microbiome, which protects against inflammation and infection. If your shampoo isn’t sulfate-free, check the label, sulfates should appear after the fourth ingredient to ensure they are at safe levels.
Pam developed her own restorative and nourishing Sobe Brown Superfood Oil, which includes borage oil, a powerful anti-inflammatory rich in antioxidants that helps fight free radicals on the skin.
She explains “Jojoba and camellia oils hydrate and soothe. Since stress and sweat constantly strip moisture, it’s important to moisturize the scalp, just like the face. Apply weekly to lock in hydration,and always use a good quality shampoo.
The oil contains omega-6, omega-9, and vitamin E, everything your scalp needs to combat aging free radicals, she says.
“The best time to apply it is at night, so it can work while you sleep, alongside your body’s natural repair. For women, focus on the hairline and crown; for men, the back of the head. Massage it in, especially after hanging your head over the bed for a few minutes to boost blood flow. I also use it before a run, when circulation helps it absorb better. Sleep and exercise are ideal times to apply, as your body clears free radicals during both.”
