Thinning hair

[sentientpuddle]

My already very fine hair has become even finer in recent years. I'm sure hormones have a lot to do with it as much as natural aging. I'm 44 & it's getting to me a bit. I think my hair looks awful. Has anyone tried anything - hair products, supplements, diet etc. that have genuinely helped thicken their hair?

I've tried the Grow Gorgeous serum I think it's called, haven't noticed huge changes I've also tried biotin and sea kelp again not sure if it's helped.

What about a good cut that can help bulk your hair out a little?

Depressing isn't it. Mine started with menopause. I tried plantur but it was too drying. I now use pantene root awakener. Regrowth takes time and goes through cycles. I went through 2 bottles before I saw tiny hairs. Boots do half price offers I buy mine then £4.99 per bottle so not too expensive. You might also benefit from a good vitamin tablet..

Regaine (Minoxidil)
Initially you will lose a little more as it stimulates the hair growth cycle, but after about three weeks you will see lots of regrowth. You do have to keep using it though.

Plantur 40 also do a version of their shampoo for delicate hair, and also a scalp tonic

I have heard hairdressers swear by Nioxin

But Regaine is what I know works

Apparantly we all should be taking vitamin d supplements in winter. Vitamin d defficency is also related to hair loss.

Not using conditioner is also suppost to be useful- maybe you could just apply it ti your ends

Ive heard that bleaching your hair can roughen up the cuticle and make your hair look thicker.

The blood pressure meds I have started taking have recently caused this to happen for me. Pretty devastated as I had v thick hair until now which hadn't seen to have been affected by Menopause. I tried Plantur 39 but like a PP I found it very harsh. I have found Pantene menopause shampoo seem to stop it falling out when washing, I noticed much less in the plughole. To disguise, I have found Tigi Bedhead Queen for a day thickening spray really good. I also try to let it dry naturally as much as possible and just finish it with the hair dryer. Now off to Google Pantene root Awakener.

I would ask your GP to check your bloods-thyroid bloods and ferritin.
I think minoxidil is the only licensed treatment that will increase hair growth. The hair on your head is already dead so shampoos really only work to plump existing hair.

Have you seen your gp, two thing off the top of my head that could be causing it are thyroid issues or peri menopause?

I've used Nioxin and it's made a big difference.

Please see your GP, hair loss can be caused by low iron, low b12, thyroid problems, among others.
Alternatively, have you had covid in the last few months? Hair loss is a common post viral symptom and so it may resolve itself.

My hair thinning seems to be down to low iron and B12 so I’m now taking supplements. I like the bassets woman gummy vitamins.

I noticed mine thinning aged 40 ish around the temples and was quite worried.

I immediately started grow gorgeous serum, perfectil hair and nails and nioxin shampoo and conditioner.

Now post-menopause and still have a good head of hair

The shampoo is a topical treatment and contains no special ingredients, so I don't think that is the secret. Do not fall into the trap of associating hair-fall in the shower with net hair loss: You need to keep your scalp clean to allow the follicles to work efficiently, so wash as often as is needed.

Perfectil does work as a good daily supplement for women's health anyway and is pretty cheap, so that was easy enough.

Grow gorgeous is not cheap, but you don't need much. I only use it after washing my hair, as it's so much easier to apply when damp and I only put it on the parting and temples. I have recently switched to the Ordinary version, as it's cheaper and contains more active ingredients. I also purchase the active ingredients myself (Bristol Botanicals/Naturally Thinking) and add a small additional amount with a pipette and funnel. (I did try to formulate my own, but could not get the consistency correct)

I have always taking 1000mg EP oil daily and eat oily fish 1x per week

I should say I do have an underactive thyroid (not Hashimotos) & I've been taking a low dose of Levothyroxine for a few years now which keeps it stable, and slight hair changes were a sign then, but it's definitely more noticeable more recently.
Also, I really do feel like I can see perimenopause on the horizon and I'm not ready!!
I take vitamins but not consistently, really only when I remember so I really need to make that a habit.
I'll have a better look at the product suggestions too, thanks all.
I abandoned conditioner a while ago after cutting my hair to jaw length & conditioner just makes it look lank. I've tried to break the cycle of daily washing but can't cope with greasy hair & an itchy scalp!

I’d visit the drs.

It's probably due to your hypothyroidism I would guess. I would ask your GP for a thyroid function test to check you are on the optimum dose of Levothyroxine and also for ferritin. Those with hypothyroidism often have low ferritin due to many factors. My ferritin was 44 (I have Hashimotos too) and while this is classed as 'normal' by UK labs, for hair growth lots of references recommend a ferritin of over 70 and ideally 100. I started taking 1 ferrous fumarate tablet daily as well as applying topical minoxidil in September last year and these have both really helped thicken my hair. Also I have lots more energy since starting iron.

It's probably due to your hypothyroidism I would guess. I would ask your GP for a thyroid function test to check you are on the optimum dose of Levothyroxine and also for ferritin. Those with hypothyroidism often have low ferritin due to many factors. My ferritin was 44 (I have Hashimotos too) and while this is classed as 'normal' by UK labs, for hair growth lots of references recommend a ferritin of over 70 and ideally 100. I started taking 1 ferrous fumarate tablet daily as well as applying topical minoxidil in September last year and these have both really helped thicken my hair. Also I have lots more energy since starting iron.

My hair thinned a lot after menopause and having covid in the summer made it worse. In October I started taking Viviscal every day - morning and evening - and I have noticed I am losing much less and I can see lots of new growth.

I wouldnt do anything at all until you've had your iron levels, thyroid, and hormones checked. Vitamins wont do anything if the root cause isnt addressed. Go and see a derm/trichologist and get bloods done then go from there. Theres no point in doing things/spending money without knowing what is causing this.

I had my thyroid checked recently and results were normal, but that's interesting about ferritin too. I'll have to look at that.

It's a bit frustrating (and yes, depressing) that I've been taking Levo for years now & it seems to be doing the job since bloods are still normal, but the hair changes are more recent so it makes me think there's something else going on.

I do have more greys since lockdown 1 when I stopped dying my hair and noticed a couple of greys coming through. The grey hairs are actually thicker than the rest. Maybe I should be happy to be going grey!

I'm really heartened by the posts talking about new growth following treatment too.

I know what you're saying re getting checked first.
I thought there was something going on with my cycle a couple of months back and tried to get a GP appointment to no avail. I can't afford to go private.