Thin ratty hair ! What to do!??? Ideas please

[Sjlx9]

Hello,

I have always had very thin and ‘ratty’ hair. Here is a photo of what it looks like from behind. (I think years of extensions didn’t help) I last had it cut 8 weeks ago it never really helps the ends always seem so thin and horrible ! Would cutting my hair into a short bob help this? I hate having it down it’s so thin even in a pony tail ! I just feel like cutting it short but unsure what kind of style could help? Advice pleassse (this was brushed and straightened an hour before this photo)

Also had a baby a year ago and was very I’ll from long covid so had chunks falling out for months. I feel like I’m stuck with this now!

Yes, get it cut! Mines exactly the same and I'm so much happier with it as a jaw length bob. I blow dry it with mousse and I also love the bumble&bumble spray.

Nioxin shampoo, conditioner & scalp treatment is fab, takes a while but keep going with it really helps

I have hair a bit like yours. Very fine and oceans of it but it grows to a point of long and is definitely not ‘because I’m worth it’ hair. I have a long bob which m fakes me much happier than hair I could almost sit on ever did and requires no maintenance other than a cut and dry every 8 weeks (so wash, run a brush through it wet and let it dry naturally on the way to work).

Mine is similar OP. Blunt shoulder-length cut (or shorter) looks 1000x better!

@Gamechanger2019

Nioxin shampoo, conditioner & scalp treatment is fab, takes a while but keep going with it really helps

I've been using nioxin for a few weeks now and my hair is not really thicker but very "floofy". Is this normal?

NIOXIN is awful. Don’t recommend. It’s just a normal shampoo & conditioner but it has cooling ingredients which are supposed to stimulate the scalp, but has no discernible long term effect.

OP, it looks like your hair needs a good wash. I think the products you are using are too heavy for your hair. You need a clarifying shampoo asap. I wouldn’t use much conditioner either, your hair seems really weighed down. This will stop it looking as clumped together at the ends and not as stiff at the roots where your ears show through

You need a good hair salon as you will need regular trims every 2-3 months. I think the problem with you is that when your hair was first damaged years ago, you didn’t cut enough off. So now the breakage has gone further up the hair shaft giving you hair of differing lengths. I know you had a cut recently but let’s be honest, you could have done with a few more inches off.

It’s time to cut off the damaged hair and start afresh. A long bob would be great, then from there get regular trims to maintain the thickness? It seems like you want to hold onto your long hair but at this point, it’s not the best option for you. You should aim for your hair to be as full as possible root to tip.

This time next year, your hair could both be long and thick as it becomes more healthy

Never brush fine hair when wet! That’s when the most damage is caused!
Use a no ‘POO’ conditioner. Superdrug’s do a lovely own brand one.

My hair is very thin and fine, it looks much better short. I have it in a short graduated bob at about chin length

A couple of ideas for you from someone with the same issue… Firstly, the Bob is a fabulous idea. I have done the same and it’s much better. Secondly, invest in a Dyson hairdryer. It doesn’t fuck your hair as much as other dryers. (Also always use a thermal heat protectant spray - you can get leave in conditioning sprays that do all of it, so your hair isn’t weighed down. I use one by Pureology, but there are others. Just comb through with a wide-tooth comb first and then style with dryer and brush. This minimises damage.)
Also high strength biotin tablets. The highest ones available are from a company called Solgar. I live in Aus and the cheapest way for me to get them is via iHerb, but they’re also available via Amazon. They are 10000mcg capsules. (The highest available here are 15mcg.) Biotin helps you absorb nutrients better amongst other things.
Thirdly, if you can get a referral to a dermatologist who specializes in scalp issues, you may be prescribed meds for your hair. (I was prescribed oral minoxidil and Spironolactone) it’s SOOOOO much better.

Cut and blow dry using a round brush and hair protector spray. I know it’s old fashioned but popping in a few strategically placed rollers and brushing out can help with achieving longer lasting volume too.

Thanks everyone definitely going to get a bob! I did ask the hairdresser when it was last cut and she refused to do it as she thought it would be to much of a change. Going to book in this week just want it gone even having it in a pony tail annoys me as it’s so thin it looks like I’ve tied one strand of hair up

I feel your pain. Mines no bigger than a 5p piece when it's in a pony tail!

Me too… I have cat hair, not human. Meanwhile, the meds have helped.

Aveda do a lovely hair thickening range, it’s not magic but it does make a noticeable difference to my hair.

Same here, most toddlers have better hair than me. Mine's always been pretty long but heading into menopause and it seems to be getting thinner and thinner, Neil from the Young Ones is NOT the look I am going for, but sadly that's who my hair is reminding me of.

I went for a proper consultation with a new hairdresser last week and she's recommended chopping it all to collarbone length and balayage to make it look healthier and thicker.

Either get it cut to a chin length bob, or bulked out with extensions. I'd go with the second because they would look very natural with the length of hair you have, and I do like long hair.

Hey op I’ve always had lovely hair, one of the only lovely things about me!! And 2 years ago it got so flipping ratty, in the end it was low ferritin (4!!) once that was sorted my hair started to grow back thicker. I think some if it is a bit of age with me so I’ll never have my lustrous locks back completely but worth a check if you haven’t already!

Oh and yeah I chopped mine off into a shoulder length style which seemed to help a lot!

@mrsmigginswiggins at the Neil comment

Please share a pic when you've had it done! It will feel fabulous and I bet you get so many compliments.

Mine is like that when it gets any longer than shoulder length. I cut mine into a pixie cut, best thing I ever did.

My hair was exactly like yours until I got this, honestly it's an absolute game changer!

@DaisyDreamerr

My hair was exactly like yours until I got this, honestly it's an absolute game changer!

I keep reading good things about the Revlon One Step. I am very tempted.

I have the Babyliss Big Hair which is very popular on mumsnet but I hate it. Constant tangles and hair breakage.