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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Help with my mum's thinning hair!

49 replies

Cantstandtherainydays · 21/06/2021 00:43

My mum is in her early eighties and her grey hair is very fine and thinning. Her hairline has receded and she has an almost bald patch on top. She's very self conscious about this. She doesn't want to wear a wig.

Any suggestions of what she can do to disguise this? I've suggested a hair piece but there's not much to attach it to, as her hair is so fine. Also suggested a head scarf hair band, but she worries it's too young a look for her.

My guess is it's male pattern baldness, as it's not breaking off or coming out in clumps.

She has always worn her hair short.

Any suggestions very welcome, as she's really quite upset about it. Thanks

OP posts:

3Britnee · 21/06/2021 08:23

You can get topper kind of things attached to an alice band.

BusterGonad · 21/06/2021 08:26

Maybe a really nice silk scarf that she can use as a wrap/turban type of thing. I know she wasn't keen but maybe if she trued one she might like it.

HeadNorth · 21/06/2021 08:35

Female hair loss is more common than many realise - my mum gets wigs via the NHS. I know you say your mum doesn't want to wear a wig, but it is that or a hat or a scarf. There isn't much else you can do. I think you get used to wigs.

M0rT · 21/06/2021 08:45

Have a look at the bamboo hats for chemo patients.
When I was completely bald I wore one with a stick on fringe that has a bit of velcro to attach to the hat and a lady who didn't know I was on chemo told me she loved my retro style.
I don't know how to attach pics but if you search bamboo hats for hair loss/chemo you will find loads.
I'm recommending bamboo because it is comfortable in warm weather. You can get heavier ones for winter.
I don't blame her for the wig aversion, I had two lovely wigs but they are uncomfortable.
If she does decide on a wig for occasions I actually found my synthetic cheaper one more comfortable than the real hair one.

Original poster

Cantstandtherainydays · 21/06/2021 11:56

Thank you. Can you recommend a good site for wigs? And what are the best sort to wear? I've seen lace capped, capless etc.

OP posts:

HeadNorth · 21/06/2021 13:34

As I say, my mum has her wigs through the NHS and they supplied her with a network of retailers, but I am sure you can find these online. They are usually connected to hairdressers. It is a good idea to go in for a fitting and see what is right/works for your mum. The hairdresser my mum gets her wigs from lost her hair due to alopecia, she is really informed and helpful about the wig process and can advise on styles and types. There are far more women wearing wigs than you realise.

Original poster

Cantstandtherainydays · 21/06/2021 22:29

As I previously said, she doesn't think a wig will work, so I want to surprise her with something and hope it'll look good. I've found a top hair piece that I think might help on Simply Wigs.

We also don't live near any large cities with wig shops and she still doesn't like to go out much.

OP posts:

NonsensicalHair · 21/06/2021 22:48

I can recommend products such as Toppik Hair Fibres (other brands are available!). You sprinkle them over the thinning patch and they conceal the sparse area. I've been using them for years and wouldn't be without them. They come in a range of colours, including white/grey. They do need some hair to cling to, so don't work on truly bald patches. They're available from Boots and places online, including ebay where you can normally get them cheaper. They do very small pots so you can try before committing to full size.

Has your mum had blood tests and so on in case there's a specific cause for her hair loss?

Ozanj · 21/06/2021 22:57

A good multivitamin with Omega 3,biotin and Vitamin D3 can help to an extent. As can eating more protein. What is your Mum’s diet like? My DH’s aunt is 80 and after it started to fall at 75 she developed amazing thick hair by eating a handful of nuts and dried fruit everyday plus a lot of protein through a varied diet.

Is your mum diabetic? If so metformin and insulin can both sometimes cause hair loss by depleting certain vitamins. Usually fixable through a good quality multivitamin

QueenBee52 · 21/06/2021 23:02

@3Britnee

You can get topper kind of things attached to an alice band.

Yes Toppers are great .. light weight too... also the Alice band type thing.. have a look for human pieces online...

great options OP

Original poster

Cantstandtherainydays · 21/06/2021 23:55

Thanks for the suggestions. She takes lots of various vitamins, and eats fruit and veg. She hates nuts, so no chance of her eating them! Her diet isn't bad, although she eats a lot of ready meals, but not a lot of sugar or caffeine, no alcohol. She hasn't seen a gp about it yet, although I've suggested it. She's not diabetic.

I'll look at the fibres, thanks.

OP posts:

QueenBee52 · 21/06/2021 23:57

Im looking at a fringed Topper @Cantstandtherainydays

for a wee change ☺️

3Britnee · 22/06/2021 00:17

I want one on an alice band but I can only find crappy ones on Ebay 🙄

QueenBee52 · 22/06/2021 00:21

try Amazon.. they have a massive sale on right now too and you check the reviews 🌸

Original poster

Cantstandtherainydays · 22/06/2021 00:56

@QueenBee52 I hope you find one you like

I've now purchased a sample pot of Toppik on Ebay for her to try out.

OP posts:

MrsCrosbyNRTB · 22/06/2021 01:02

This happened to my Mum when she was late 60s. She had a whole raft of bloods done by her GP and was found to be deficient in a few areas. Thyroid function was normal. The GP prescribed vit B complex and folic acid which made a bit difference. Her hair has grown back, not quite as think but it looks lovely.

I’d definitely suggest a visit to the GP. Good luck, hope it resolves.

QueenBee52 · 22/06/2021 01:34

[quote Cantstandtherainydays]@QueenBee52 I hope you find one you like

I've now purchased a sample pot of Toppik on Ebay for her to try out.[/quote]

Im looking now lol

Original poster

Cantstandtherainydays · 22/06/2021 02:03

@MrsCrosbyNRTB

I’d definitely suggest a visit to the GP. Good luck, hope it resolves.

Thanks, I'll definitely recommend that she go for tests then. She's very much the sort who won't bother her gp unless she's at death's door!

OP posts:

3Britnee · 22/06/2021 14:49

I just ordered this.

3Britnee · 22/06/2021 14:50

Could something like that be an option? On the website the showed it with a hair wrap but I'm going to pull my hair out and over it.

Original poster

Cantstandtherainydays · 22/06/2021 15:23

Possibly. She has short curly grey hair and I'm struggling to find one that will match. Her hairline has receded and she's not got a lot of hair on top, but plenty at the back.

OP posts:

3Britnee · 22/06/2021 15:27

Ahh ok, the toppers sound best then. Maybe email them and see if they will make what you want.

QueenBee52 · 22/06/2021 17:15

@3Britnee

thats really cool... I love that 🥰

3Britnee · 22/06/2021 17:46

@QueenBee52 I hope it's a good match and not really obvious/cheap looking. Have you ordered from simply wigs before? I've only ever had fun wigs but I've noticed recently that my forehead is looking bigger on facetime, I had a proper look last night and it looked very sparse at the temples and very see through at the front. It looked better when it was dry, but I think I need some fringe help now. I coloured it in with powder today and it looked fine but I want to get used to a solution as it will only get worse.

QueenBee52 · 22/06/2021 19:31

Ive not used Simply Wigs but I do use dry shampoo on cheaper looking hairpieces.. it kinda humanises the texture.. leaving it looking like my own hair.. it works a treat 🌸

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