Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

What to do about thin hair?

70 replies

Diaryprovinciallady · 29/12/2021 12:41

Not sure if you can see in the picture very well, but I've noticed in photos my hair is visibly quite thin. I don't think it used to be this bad but now the parting looks wider and you can definitely see my scalp a bit in pictures. Is there anything I can do to improve its appearance in the short term and also to get it to grow better? I'm only in my thirties and I dread to think how much worse it might get over time! Does castor oil work, or some kind of vitamin supplement?

OP posts:

Beebumble2 · 29/12/2021 13:12

I use Hair, Skin and nail supplements, there are several makes. Also iron supplement. They take a couple of months to kick in and have stopped anything getting worse. It’s probably a good idea to get a blood test to rule out health problems.
I also got my hairdresser to cut and style my natural wave/ curls to a style with more bounce which makes the hair look thicker.

DustyMaiden · 29/12/2021 13:17

My hair improved greatly by taking B12.
You really need to find the cause.
The sprays that cover grey are good at disguising it.

Original poster

Diaryprovinciallady · 29/12/2021 13:42

Thank you. By taking supplements am I likely to be solving whatever is causing this? I'm not particularly optimistic about getting anywhere with blood tests, I've had them before, including pretty recently, as I suffer from fatigue but everything looks normal apparently.

What can cause poor quality hair? I do wash it every day which I know is probably not great but would that make my hair thin?

Are there hair masks or shampoos that can help? I'm anxious not to spend lots of money I can't afford but if something is effective then it's worth it IYSWIM - there are lots of products which make claims and I know half the time they don't do much so I'm looking for good recommendations.

Is scalp massage worth bothering with - one of those bumpy things you can use in the shower?

OP posts:

FoggySpecs · 29/12/2021 13:50

There is a place near me that does these sort of tattoos, tiny dots on the head a bit like eyebrows. I saw a man with it at the hairdressers, it made his thin hair look much better as the scalp wasn't all pink.

BeLessMe · 29/12/2021 13:55

I suffer from fatigue but everything looks normal apparently

Ahh yes. The inability of Drs to listen to women’s symptoms rather than just read the “normal range” lab reports.

Normal is not optimal.
You can still be symptomatic if your B12, Ferritin, Vitamin D levels are the low end of normal. The thyroid range is also a cause for issues of many women.

Are you able to get a printout of your blood test results? You would then be able to see what was tested and where, in your local labs reference range, your results sit.

Luredbyapomegranate · 29/12/2021 14:06

Also - do you have any symptoms of peri menopause or a history of early menopause in your family OP?

Original poster

Diaryprovinciallady · 29/12/2021 14:08

Thanks for the replies. If I ask my GP will they be likely to give me a printout of my blood test results? I'm not sure what they checked but I think it was pretty wide-ranging. I do wonder if it's thyroid related but I also don't have the healthiest lifestyle so it's probably not a surprise I don't look or feel great.

OP posts:

Original poster

Diaryprovinciallady · 29/12/2021 14:09

Perimenopause - I don't think so but is there a way for me to check my hormone levels?

OP posts:

Rummikub · 29/12/2021 14:11

@BeLessMe

I suffer from fatigue but everything looks normal apparently

Ahh yes. The inability of Drs to listen to women’s symptoms rather than just read the “normal range” lab reports.

Normal is not optimal.
You can still be symptomatic if your B12, Ferritin, Vitamin D levels are the low end of normal. The thyroid range is also a cause for issues of many women.

Are you able to get a printout of your blood test results? You would then be able to see what was tested and where, in your local labs reference range, your results sit.

Agree with this Normal range doesn’t mean optimal. I remember my iron was 1 off the lowest number and that’s ok apparently!

LizziesTwin · 29/12/2021 14:15

Mine is much thicker since I started taking a very comprehensive supplement (WellWoman with omegas, probiotics & magnesium). A friend of mine who styles it occasionally comments on how thick it is.

Original poster

Diaryprovinciallady · 29/12/2021 14:18

Thanks LizziesTwin - is it this one?

OP posts:

KittenKong · 29/12/2021 14:23

Does it run in your family?

LizziesTwin · 29/12/2021 14:25

No, there’s one which is even fancier! I get them at Tesco or Holland & Barrett when they are on sale (3 for 2). I had blood tests done which showed me as banging along the bottom for everything but because I was used to functioning at those levels I didn’t realise. I also try to eat a lot of protein to keep feeling full longer.

Original poster

Diaryprovinciallady · 29/12/2021 14:35

Does it run in your family?

I don't know my family history.

OP posts:

Original poster

Diaryprovinciallady · 29/12/2021 14:37

@LizziesTwin is it the 'Max' one? Might pop out to Holland and Barrett this afternoon and get some if so.

OP posts:

jenniferjane21 · 29/12/2021 14:43

Along with thyroid and anaemia blood tests, I would also ask for auto immune blood tests. I have Lupus and for 10 + years my only symptoms were thin hair and fatigue. I was only tested for Lupys when I started joint pain as well and I wish it had been picked up sooner.

I hope you find the cause. Its horrible having thin hair x

BeLessMe · 29/12/2021 15:12

@Diaryprovinciallady

Perimenopause - I don't think so but is there a way for me to check my hormone levels?

If you are under 45 the Dr can do a FSH menopause blood test. Over 45 it’s a given that you will at least have started peri so an alert comes up to not order this test in women over 45, although peri can start in your 30’s.

If you ask your Drs receptionist they should be able to print you off a copy of your blood test results, although I believe some Drs don’t allow patients to have copies of their blood test results.

Swirlywoo · 29/12/2021 15:20

I have thinning hair and since taking Wellwoman Original and Vit D it has improved. What has also helped is some Argan oil shampoo and conditioner from Waitrose which is very volumising.

Swirlywoo · 29/12/2021 15:21

Ps as a bonus, my nails are much better too!

Original poster

Diaryprovinciallady · 29/12/2021 17:16

Thanks for the advice. Just walked into town and got some Wellwoman capsules and healthy hair vitamins so fingers crossed that will make a difference. Going to have a look for the Argan Oil shampoo as well.

Thinking of investing in one of those head massage things and something protective to use before drying my hair. Suggestions welcome!

OP posts:

Swirlywoo · 29/12/2021 18:36

I use the Living Proof hair protector before I dry my hair otherwise it looks flyaway and frizzy because it is so fine. Other ones I have liked are the Aveda volumising tonic or any of their leave in conditioners. John Frieda also do some good products.

I also just bought myself a Babyliss hot brush based on a thread on here

Tutan · 29/12/2021 18:50

@Diaryprovinciallady

Not - likely to - they have to give you a copy of your results. Check your results against the reference ranges.

LondonQueen · 29/12/2021 19:14

I started taking a daily hair skin and nails supplement from Holland and Barrett (I think it was £8 for 60 tablets in the penny sale) and collagen (good for avoiding wrinkles) and my hair has been noticeably thicker. I've taken it for over a year now and it's in much better condition that last year.

SirVixofVixHall · 29/12/2021 20:03

OP I would be interested in what your thyroid levels are. I was fobbed off with “normal” for a decade while i felt far from normal.
The other biggies with hair are Iron, and vitamin D.
I have low levels and my hair is not growing. I am trying to get my levels up.
In my experience GPs will tell you that the bottom of the range is fine, when you need optimal levels for hair.

Djeserkare · 29/12/2021 23:14

I was referred to a dermatologist as my hair was thinning so much. She had asked for my ferritin and Vit D levels from my GP. My GP said my ferritin was fine at 32. The dermatologist said ferritin needs to be 70+ for hair health. She also put me on a high dose vit D supplement and minodoxyl drops to rub into my scalp. I couldn’t use the drops as my scalp is so sensitive but after a year on ferritin and vit D the shedding stopped. I went on HRT in my early 50s and when I tried to come off it one of the first things I noticed was shedding again. I don’t take iron now but take 4000iu daily vit D (a lot lower than the prescription I had) and went back on HRT as the dreadful flushes had started back with a vengeance. I use olaplex 0,3, 4,5 6 and 8 and my hair is the best it’s been. I’m in my 60s.

Flip

1 2 3