Is there any point fighting hair loss?

[Mumsknot]

I’ve also had very fine hair but now I’m 52, my scalp is noticeably visible especially around my crown.

Covid really knocked me for 6 and I had a lot of hair loss after that. I’ve had all sorts of blood tests and all my vitamins and minerals are at normal levels.

I suspect this runs in my family as my mum lost a lot of hair but then she went on to get cancer and died quite young so I’m not sure what her hair would have looked like at my age!

I have v sensitive skin so don’t want to try the creams - did you just give in to it? I’m cutting it shorter and shorter as it just looks ridiculous long but not sure what more I can do!

Watching with interest.

I found putting a drop of Rosemary essential oil into my blob of shampoo before washing my hair really helps.

I had a period of hair loss which is much improved (I'm 47). I think I have hereditary loss from my bald dad.

Buckle up for a long post & I'll share what I've had success with, in case anyone else finds it useful - but I appreciate you don't want to try creams.

Supplements:

• iron tablets. Yes, they can be normal but my research indicates levels need to be quite a bit higher to maintain scalp and hair health. I use bisglyconate which is allegedly more gentle on your stomach.
• Biotin. Standard - but be aware, overdosing can lead to hair loss.
• Collagen. Great for your hair and nails.

I use L'Oréal anti fall shampoo & conditioner (the brown one). May be coincidence but I really noticed a change when I started using this.
After washing while damp I use the Loreal strengthening serum. Again, this feels like it made a difference.

The big hitter - I use minoxydil foam religiously every night. A small amount around my hairline, parting and crown, any extra on my temples. It just makes my scalp feel warm.
Twice a week I use a 0.5 derma roller on these areas before using the foam.
You can take oral minoxydil if you don't want to use foam but I wanted to try topical first as it can have side effects.

I saw improvement at about 4 months but it's taken about 12 months before I'm confident to wear my hair down. My hairdresser (who has ridden my hair trauma rollercoaster with me) has seen a change and says my hair seems so much stronger than it was. I can use my one step without ripping out loads of hair 👍🏼

Caveat: I started using estrogen about 6 months after Stratford ng my hair improvement plan and it fell out terribly, so I stopped the E. I may need to choose between HRT and hair at some point 😭

If none of this helps, I used a topper for a while and it was AMAZING.
Have a think about wigs/toppers - once you're over the 'I'm wearing a wig' feeling they're great & make such a difference to feeling 'dressed up'.

I hope this helps someone.

Thanks that’s really helpful. I am pondering wigs and toppers as my scalp is v visible!

I have a couple of friends in their 50s with toppers, they look great and the women feel good with them. They cost around £750 each.

My hair has always been very fine and menopause has now resulted in a receding hairline. I’ve managed to cover it up for quite a few years but it’s reached the point in the last few months that I now wear a topper. As I’m in Scotland and have had a referral to a dermatologist I get them free on prescription but I would say book an appointment and give some a try. I definitely worry less about what people can see when I’m out and about.

I'm much the same as you OP. I've become obsessed with hair - I always have the thinnest hair of anyone everywhere I go (with the exception of very elderly women).

I have sensitive skin too and have been using Regaine since August. If anything, my hair loss has increased, but I'm hopeful that, as it can do that to begin with, that it's having an effect and will start to thicken a bit before long.

I've found nothing else works that I've tried so far and gave been contemplating toppers. I use keratin fibres which do help to fill in the gaps/cover scalp but makes my hair a bit dry-looking and is a bit itchy.

I really feel for you as it makes you feel so self-concious and unfeminine.

Much as I’d like to believe this kind of thing, hair grows from under the skin, so I don’t see how putting oil, or anything else into your shampoo can make you grow more hair.
it could thicken the actual strands of hair that you have though, so that it looks thicker, even though it isn’t.

I'm guessing a little bit gets into the skin of the scalp while it's on there, but I agree that something that isn't rinsed off would be more effective.

OP, it's a long process of trial and error and maybe it isn't worth it as there's no guarantees and it's a lot of effort and expense. I've tried more or less everything over the last decade. Most of it hasn't worked but the most effective things have been 1) getting my iron levels over 50 (I'm aiming for 70 as this is best for hair growth), 2) using Regaine and 3) best of all and BIG surprise as I thought it would be a gimmick, Pumpkin seed oil. My hair looks almost normal now.

You can get minoxidil tablets from Hair +Me. Its really working for me -I also take pumpkin seed oil and biotin/collagen, but since taking the minoxodil you can really see the new growth

Yeah, that’s how essential oils work. Absorption! By PP rationale there’s no point putting anything on your skin/scalp as it just sits on top of it 🤦🏻‍♀️