To think more women losing their hair these days?

[adrianmolesmole]

I know this is a weird question..!

I'm noticing it everywhere, small balding spots on tops of women's hair, or their crowns or partings, is this a covid thing or something? I've been experiencing hair loss myself so it could be me reading too much into things, being as paranoid as I am! Is it just me of us this actually happening?

@Supertree

My hair comes out so much every time I brush or wash my hair and it seems to have really ramped up over the past year. But I do also have a bit of an issue with hair pulling. I don’t think I have noticeable bald patches yet, but my hair is definitely thinner than when I was a teenager (now in my early thirties). Even if I don’t pull hair out, I rake my hands through it obsessively to feel all the different hair textures and find the good ones. Doing that unintentionally pulls hairs out too. I wish I could stop but I just love it. I’m going to get my hair done for the first time in years (it’s crazily long right now) and hoping that having nice hair will mean I leave it alone. Probably not though. Tying it up helps more and the longer it is, the more frequently I tie it up. I’m definitely going to have bald patches as natural hair loss starts to occur with age if I can’t stop messing with it.

I do this too. I don’t actually pull hair out (well occasionally by accident) but I’m constantly running my fingers through my hair to feel for the different textures. I have certain strands that feel particularly nice that I love to try and find. I can’t explain why I do it. It started in secondary school and I’m now late 30’s. I guess it’s a self comforting thing. I can’t stop myself. Then when I was early In my twenties my hair suddenly started falling out loads on top and around the sides. Doctor gave me loads of lotions and potions but nothing helped. It thickens up during pregnancy but falls out dramatically afterwards and doesn’t regrow until my next pregnancy. I’m due to give birth to my 3rd in about a months time and I’m already worried about the loss after. I was able to hide it last time cos of the pandemic but this time I’ll need to face people and I feel so embarrassed. I also hate how the hair Falls all over my nice clothes so I look really untidy. If I cook it falls in my food. I tie it up but somehow it still falls in. The whole thing gets me down.

No its an age thing not a bloody covid thing ffs!!

Rude

www.healthline.com/health-news/covid-19-survivors-are-losing-their-hair-heres-why

@itsnotmeitsu

I lost loads of hair when my dog died. I didn't make a connection until I found out there was a condition caused by stress that creates hair loss. Can't remember the name off the top of my head, but under times of stress the folicules shut down because the body is diverting its energy elsewhere. In the future, as long as the hair folicules are functioning, the hair will regrow.

Probably telogen effluvium.

When you go through a period of intense stress (grief, illness, childbirth etc), some people find that a few months later, they lose lots of hair. It's to do with stress hormones interfering with the hair growth cycle.

Eventually it should work itself out again although you may feel as if you are losing so much hair that you fear you will go bald.

I had it after both pregnancies about 3 months after the birth. During pregnancy itself, little hair is shed, and many women marvel at their thick healthy hair during pregnancy because the shedding phase of the hair cycle slows down. After the birth, the hair cycle starts up again so all of the unshed hair (and more!) comes out, which can be very alarming. I remember when it started to grow back and having to deal with all the tiny baby hairs along my hairline for months.

Biotin is a good supplement for hair health and growth.
For women with PCOS, Saw Palmetto can be good, as it can lower DHT levels - but do your research on this one because it can have other side effects and interfere with some medications.

@Dancingtomusic

Saraclara thats excately how i feel.about washing my hair...i have to build up my courage to do it as so much falls out.

Same here.

Yes I think my hair started falling out when I had cancer (didn't need chemo) due to the stress of it. I read a scientific study that I can't find now but it said that peppermint oil can help. It's the active ingredient in Nioxin. So I bought some peppermint essential oil and mix it in with olive oil and rub it on my thinning patches at night. Not sure I've noticed a difference yet but there is definite tingling!

@MissMaple82 - There have been a number of reports that hair loss IS a symptom of long covid in women.

@VexedofVirginiaWater They do a brown shampoo if you've got that colour hair - I use this on my crown sometimes, definitely disguises it!

@LadySilence Don't go to a trichologist! They cannot prescribe anything other than what you can already get over the counter (albeit they may combine into their own 'formula')

@MargotMoon - am interested in the brown shampoo - could you tell me which one, please?

[quote BigbreastsBiggerbeard]@MargotMoon - am interested in the brown shampoo - could you tell me which one, please?[/quote]

Batiste! www.boots.com/batiste-dry-shampoo-brown-dark-deep-200ml

Thanks @MargotMoon - alas I have a lot of grey now, in fact more grey than brown I suppose.

@VexedofVirginiaWater

Thanks *@MargotMoon* - alas I have a lot of grey now, in fact more grey than brown I suppose.

Have you thought about some light brown/blonde highlights? Mine looks much improved when I have these. Not only does it break up the grey but disguises the thinness a bit

I lost loads after having covid, luckily I have ultra thick hair, so it was not too bad. Apparently a common symptom after covid, it starts to grow back after around 6 months.
Maybe you are noticing this effect in many women?

@MissMaple82
Hair loss is a medically recognised symptom of long covid

Have you thought about some light brown/blonde highlights? Mine looks much improved when I have these. Not only does it break up the grey but disguises the thinness a bit

I did this for many years, but I have let it grow out now as I couldn't keep up with colouring it - it is very light now so it wasn't doing much use. Also, I don't know if others find this, but when I went in the hairdresser was always trying to persuade me to have it darker, more like my original colour (which is still there underneath and at the back) and the last time she sort of conned me into it, and it started to show through after 2 weeks! What a waste of time and money! I was so annoyed because it was exactly what I told her would happen. It was then that I decided I was done with colouring it and I let it grow out. I haven't been back to that hairdresser. Now I just have someone give it a dry cut - much less bother!

Mine has been looking thin, and getting worse for about a year I think. I hoped I was just imagining it but have now had 2 people say they can see it too. I do have a Drs apt booked on Monday and hope they will agree to get some blood tests done as you can see my head through the hair now.
I did start taking some vitamins when I first noticed it, they're for hair and nails and my nails are fantastic, but it doesn't seem to be working for the hair! I am only in my mid-thirties so hope it's not permanent but who knows.