When my parents first discovered a circular patch of hair loss on my scalp at just seven years old, none of us knew it was the beginning of my journey with alopecia areata. I later went on to experience psoriasis too, and at the time, these felt like two completely separate conditions. One affected my hair, the other affected my skin.
I never imagined that decades later I would study Biochemistry and Immunology and become fascinated by the biology connecting them both. What I once saw as separate problems, I now understand as two powerful examples of the complex relationship between our immune system, our skin and our hair follicles. Although psoriasis and alopecia have different mechanisms, both involve changes in the way the immune system communicates with our tissues.
They also both affect structures we often view as purely external — our skin, scalp and hair. Yet these are not simply cosmetic parts of the body. They are highly active, constantly adapting tissues that respond to changes in our internal environment.
The hair follicle is a living mini-organ
One of the areas that particularly fascinates me is the hair follicle itself. Most people think of hair as the strand they see in the mirror, but the follicle underneath the skin is actually an incredibly complex mini-organ.
The follicle contains specialised cells, has its own blood supply, communicates with immune cells and responds to changes in hormones, nutrients, stress signals and inflammation. It is constantly receiving information from the body and adapting to the environment around it.
Hair growth is also one of the most energy-demanding processes in the body because the cells within the follicle divide incredibly quickly. This means the follicle requires a constant supply of nutrients, oxygen and cellular energy. When this environment becomes disrupted, whether through inflammation, oxidative stress, nutrient insufficiencies or immune changes, the follicle can be one of the first places we notice.
Immune privilege: the fascinating science of alopecia
One of the most interesting discoveries in hair research is something called immune privilege. Normally, the hair follicle has a unique ability to protect itself from unnecessary immune attack. It creates a specialised environment where the immune system is carefully controlled, allowing the follicle to continue through the normal hair growth cycle.
In alopecia areata, research suggests this immune privilege can collapse. Immune cells that would usually leave the follicle alone begin targeting it, resulting in inflammation around the follicle and disruption of normal hair growth.
This is one reason I believe alopecia gives us such an incredible insight into immune communication. The follicle itself is not simply a passive structure that produces hair. It is interacting with the immune system all the time.
How psoriasis can affect the scalp environment
Psoriasis works differently to alopecia, but it also demonstrates the powerful relationship between the immune system, skin and hair.
In psoriasis, inflammatory immune pathways become activated within the skin, leading to increased skin cell turnover and the plaques many people recognise. When psoriasis affects the scalp, this inflammatory environment can influence the area surrounding the hair follicle.
For some people, this can contribute to increased shedding, changes in hair texture or a feeling that their hair is not growing as well. This does not mean the follicle is permanently damaged. Often, the follicle is responding to the environment it is living in.
And this is an important distinction. Instead of only asking what is happening to the hair, we also need to ask: What is happening around the follicle?
Why cellular health matters for your skin and hair
This is where my own understanding completely changed. I stopped looking at my skin and hair as separate problems and started looking at the health of my cells.
Every cell in the body, including our skin cells, immune cells and hair follicle cells, relies on energy, nutrients and effective communication. The outer membrane of every cell is particularly important because it controls how that cell interacts with its environment. A healthy cell membrane helps nutrients enter the cell, supports cellular communication and allows waste products to be removed efficiently.
Essential fatty acids are one of the key building blocks of our cell membranes. Omega-3 fats from oily fish, alongside other important fatty acids, help maintain membrane structure and support healthy inflammatory pathways. This is why I focus so much on including high-quality fats in the diet when supporting skin, hair and immune health.
Some of the products I personally use to support cellular health are from BodyBio, particularly their focus on phospholipids and essential fatty acids, which are important components of healthy cell membranes. You can use my practitioner code VJ15 for 15% off BodyBio products.
Protein is another foundation that is often overlooked. Our skin and hair require amino acids to create important structural proteins, including collagen and keratin. If we do not provide enough raw materials, repair, renewal and regeneration become much harder.
Supporting the skin barrier from the inside out
The skin barrier is one of the most important parts of our immune defence system. It helps maintain hydration, protects us from the outside world and communicates constantly with immune cells.
When this barrier becomes disrupted, the immune system may become more reactive, which is why supporting the barrier is about much more than what we put on our skin.
Nutrients such as zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, omega-3 fats and antioxidants all contribute to normal skin and immune function. Colourful plant foods provide compounds that help protect against oxidative stress, while adequate protein provides the building blocks needed for repair.
Hydration, sleep and stress regulation are also important because the skin is constantly responding to signals from the rest of the body.
Mitochondria: energy for repair and regeneration
Another overlooked area of skin and hair health is mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are the structures inside our cells responsible for producing energy. This energy is required for almost every process involved in repair, growth and immune regulation.
The hair follicle, in particular, has a high energy demand because of how quickly its cells divide during active growth. Supporting mitochondrial health means focusing on the foundations: stable blood sugar, nutrient density, movement, good-quality sleep, antioxidants and reducing unnecessary stressors on the body.
The gut-skin connection
We also cannot ignore the gut. A large proportion of the immune system is associated with the gut, and research continues to explore how our gut microbes influence immune signalling, inflammation and barrier health.
This is why, when I work with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, I always consider digestion, nutrient absorption and the microbiome. Because it is not just about what we eat — it is about what we can digest, absorb and utilise.
For some people, looking deeper into gut health can provide valuable insights. At the Autoimmune Nutrition Clinic, I use advanced functional testing such as the GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile to assess areas including digestive function, microbial balance, inflammation markers and the overall gut environment.
This allows us to move beyond guessing and better understand what may be influencing immune communication, skin health and the body’s ability to repair and restore balance.
What my own journey taught me
Living with alopecia and psoriasis completely changed the way I viewed my body. For years, I thought my skin and hair were separate problems. But now I see them as messages from a much bigger system.
My question changed from:
“How do I stop this symptom?”
To:
“What does my body need to create a healthier environment?”
Our skin and hair follicles are not separate from the rest of us. They are constantly communicating with our immune system, hormones, gut, nervous system and cells.
And when we understand that, we can begin supporting the body from the inside out.
Ready to support your hair from the inside out?
If you are experiencing hair loss, it can be easy to focus only on what is happening on the surface — the shampoo, the treatments or the products you apply to your scalp.
But healthy hair growth starts much deeper. Your hair follicles are living, energy-demanding structures that rely on the right nutrients, immune signals, circulation and cellular environment to function at their best.
After experiencing alopecia myself and spending years researching autoimmune conditions, I created my free guide Optimising Hair Growth to help you understand the foundations your follicles need.
Inside, I share the key nutrients, lifestyle factors and root causes to consider when supporting healthier hair growth from within.
Download your free Optimising Hair Growth guide here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can psoriasis cause hair loss?
Psoriasis itself does not usually destroy the hair follicle, but scalp psoriasis can create an inflammatory environment that may contribute to increased shedding or temporary hair loss in some people. Itching, scratching and removing scales aggressively can also damage the surrounding area. When scalp inflammation improves, hair growth may recover if the follicle remains healthy.
Are psoriasis and alopecia connected?
Psoriasis and alopecia are different conditions, but both involve changes in immune system activity. They highlight the close relationship between our immune system, skin and hair follicles. This is why supporting overall immune balance, cellular health and the body’s internal environment can be an important part of a whole-body approach.
Can you regrow hair after alopecia areata?
Many people with alopecia areata do experience regrowth because the hair follicle is usually not permanently destroyed. However, the pattern is different for everyone. Supporting nutrient status, stress resilience, immune regulation and overall health may help create a better environment for normal hair growth.
What nutrients are important for healthy hair follicles?
Hair follicles require a wide range of nutrients because hair growth is a demanding biological process. Important nutrients include protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, B vitamins and essential fatty acids. The focus should not just be intake, but also digestion, absorption and utilisation.
How does gut health influence skin and hair?
The gut and immune system are closely connected. The gut microbiome can influence immune signalling, inflammation and nutrient availability, all of which may affect the environment in which our skin and hair follicles function.
Why do you look at the whole body when supporting hair loss?
Hair follicles do not work in isolation. They respond to signals from the immune system, hormones, nervous system, gut and metabolism. Looking at the whole person helps identify potential factors influencing the environment around the follicle.
VJ Hamilton, BSc, RNT
VJ Hamilton is a Registered Nutritionist (BANT) and an expert in autoimmune disease. VJ combines her knowledge from her medical science degree in Biochemistry & Immunology with Nutritional Therapy to offer a thorough and personalised approach to support her clients based on the most current scientific research. VJ runs a virtual and in-person nutritional therapy and functional medicine practice, The Autoimmunity Nutritionist, specialising in gut skin and immune health.