To think my hair will never look normal?!

[balloonpops7]

I’m really struggling with my hair at the moment and it’s really lowering my self esteem.

First it’s very thin and sparse, it’s always been thin but it literally goes gappy especially when it’s wet.
It is especially sparse now, I’ve put a picture on too.
It never dries properly because it just feels oily instead, and yet I get a very flaky scalp at the front of my head.

I’m having to keep wearing hair extensions because it makes me want to cry wearing it down, because it’s so gappy!

Im really trying, I’ve been using clarifying shampoo/conditioner, double washing, scalp massages, hair masks…

What do I do?!

STOP! Especially the clarifying shampoo - I used it ONCE & it felt like it stripped everything out of my hair, it went in the bin.
Personally I'd go right back to basics & treat it kindly, stop with the extensions too, I'm sure they can't be doing you any good..

Get your iron and b12 levels checked.

And your vitamin d levels. When my hair was thinning I went to the docs and had a blood test and my vitamin d was really low

Agree that you need to check for physical causes.

I would use some hair treatments from Lush or Body shop which are more gentle

You can get treatments for dry scalps from Lush as well.

I'd stop with the hair extensions and test it

This salicylic acid shampoo clears flakes and is for greasy hair. It’s worked wonders for my flakes. Wrt the thinning, have you spoken to the Dr? Low ferritin under levels of 70 can mean thin hair (normal is classed as over 22 in some places!) as levels are too low to support hair growth. Also low B12, low vitamin D or thyroid issues can all mean hair becomes thin. Extensions won’t help as they will be pulling on your existing hair.

www.revolutionbeauty.com/uk/en/hair/shampoo-and-conditioner/shampoo/revolution-haircare-salicylic-acid-clarifying-shampoo-for-oily-hair/1454988.html

Agree with getting levels checked.

Have you recently given birth? Been ill? Lost weight? Approaching menopause?

Try not to 'fuss' with it too much, the extensions won't be helping. It might be worth finding someone who can cut it so it makes the most of it.

It doesn't look as bad as you think either. Take it from me.

Ooh, I have got low B12, I have to have injections every 12 weeks for it. Could that be the cause? I never thought of that or was told that could be a symptom!

Stop using the clarifying shampoo you should only use this before dying your hair. Could you maybe have it cut so it looks more fuller? I would speak to a good hairdresser.. boots sell hair skin and nail tablets and they are good I suffered from hair loss after having my little girl and they did wonders for my hair xx

If you are already having injections 12 weekly then your levels will be being kept in the normal range but if it’s quite a recent deficiency then it could be a reason for the thinning in the first place.

Agree it's definitely worth getting bloods checked OP.

My hair has been thinning/coming out in clumps (I'm peri and have under active thyroid) and was on the verge of spending a small fortune on collagen shots and a poster here suggested that before going ahead ...

Turns out my ferritin was low (39) so I'm now on ferrous sulphate so going to see how it goes.

I've also got a decent brush (long handle tangle tweezer as recommended by my hairdresser), NEVER brush conditioner through as it's hugely damaging (been doing this all my life dammit), and wait until it's almost dry before using a lovely detangling spray (Davines). I've also been using Plantur shampoo and conditioner but I'm not sure they are doing anything except draining my wallet.

So I'd really recommend being very very gentle too.

Fist bump though OP as I feel your pain

Try L'Occitane volume & strength shampoo. Gentle, natural ingredients & makes my hair feel lovely. I started getting regrowth after about a month of use. It stopped falling out in handfuls. After 2 weeks I was only losing about an eighth of what I had been. It was amazing.
(I don't work for them 😁).

I saw a woman with very thin hair have her hair cut the other day. It was cut into like a shag style, held a slight wave and then the hairdresser tonged the fringe for volume.

It was on tiktok but i'm sure there's loads if you want inspiration. I agree you don't need a clarifying shampoo.

I think the right extensions for your hair is a good way to go while trying the longer term measures. It's obviously not the extensions causing the problem as you have gaps in areas you wouldnt wear them, but the wrong ones may be putting strain on your fragile hair.
Are you wearing clip ins at present? If so, they're probably not helping, but there are other types that are gentler.
In your shoes I'd go for a consultation with an extensions specialist as the right type will be game changing.

Any chance you could link to this please.

Have you had your thyroid tested? Your hair looks like someone I know who has hypothyroidism.

Get a topper , there are loads of women in Instagram with similar hair who have developed help . No need to suffer any more

My hair was like this. Turns out I was deficient in Iron, B12 and vitamin D! It took a while of supplementing but it did improve eventually, and obviously, I felt a whole lot better too.

Loads of people fill in their hairline with eyeshadow. If you search it in you tube you’ll get loads of videos.

Sorry, can I hijack?

All these people that say get to the doctors, what do you actually ask for? Full blood test?

I suffer with alopecia areata with patches popping up all over my head from time to time - this stuff pretty much covers them and is a god send. Highly recommend getting this and using it to cover your thin areas so you can have a rest from extensions.
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07YJLPMC5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Looks like my hair. I have hypothyroidism and low vit d. I would suggest getting blood tests - either from your gp or medichecks or equivalent.

I find t gel good for dandruff.

A friend with similar issues had highlights and a layered shorter cut, looks fab and thicker

A friend of mine had similar and I recommended her using this: eu.happymammoth.com/collections/all-products/products/hair-harmony?wickedsource=google&wickedid=Cj0KCQiAw8OeBhCeARIsAGxWtUyBxaW73R8ebwI5uZ6ZoAKPHVdL7FXn1UUXlzCdc57PSXV8JPUfH4caAnn0EALw_wcB&wickedid=634475145518&wcid=18890523591&wv=4&gclid=Cj0KCQiAw8OeBhCeARIsAGxWtUyBxaW73R8ebwI5uZ6ZoAKPHVdL7FXn1UUXlzCdc57PSXV8JPUfH4caAnn0EALw_wcB. I have actually never used this particular product from them, just the gut repair which worked brilliantly, but my friend was super happy with this and it didn't take many weeks before I could see a difference in her hair.

Mmm I may treat myself with Christmas vouchers, I bet it's smells gorgeous

Hi, I managed to get a sit down appointment to talk about "alarming sudden hair loss". I'll be honest, with the NHS as it is I did feel a bit guilty as it's not a priority but knowing about my thyroid and that could be a reason I just thought bollocks. Luckily I got a gp who was sympathetic