If you have thinning hair how are you managing?

[Nowi]

Wrong place to post but style and beauty seems appropriate in a roundabout way. So I wanted to ask others how are you? I’m not managing to ‘be strong ‘ or say ‘this is me’ I’m struggling daily well not quite because I don’t have to go out daily, but it’s increasingly hard. Doctors not interested and my scalp shows so I’m talking thin hair not just thinning but wondering/hoping someone out there is going through the same thing and wants to share.p or has some miraculous tip. I’m dreading the slightly warmer weather when I can’t wear my woolly hats.

Hi @Nowi Didn't want to just pass but totally understand your dilemma. I too have very thin hair and despair in photos where my scalp shines through. Haven't found a solution as yet so look forward to hearing from others.

Viviscal supplements, minoxidil and laser hair therapy.

I use my DHs Regaine for my receding hairline, it works really well for me.

I saw a dermatologist and got help and now it's only really apparent to me. I didn't realise how much it was affecting me in day to day life until it was in a better place again. So my best advice is to pursue it medically if you can. I think you can get Minoxidil (Regaine) without prescription in the UK so read up on that if you can't access any sort of medical specialist.

There are also aesthetic solutions, I've never tried them but the hair fibres are good for masking thinning hair, the nanogen ones are meant to be good and have a spray to really set it in place.

How many laser sessions did you do tomato? I don't think I need them now but potentially in the future, or are you using an at home device?

botemp

I am currently 2/3 through a 6 month treatment, I attend the clinic appointment, for the first two months it once was every week, then once every two weeks.

There has been a marked improvement at the 3 month point, I'm no longer losing anywhere near the amount of hair daily, especially in the shower, lots of baby hairs coming through as well now which my hairdresser commented on and I decided not to tell them about my treatments to get an unbiased pov.

I am happy with the progress and may invest in at home equipment if I can find the right product.
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Thanks tomato, I've looked at the at home devices too but it's such a minefield to figure out the best spend of money on those.

You are right very expensive and I want to make sure I don't purchase the wrong one, if I do go down that avenue I will update and let you know.

I would describe my hair thinning as mild but still bad enough to make me feel self-conscious about it.
Colouring my roots every month, because white roots gives the illusion of more scalp show than is really there (I have very dark hair and very pale skin on scalp).
I love to use a root touch-up spray on the areas of my scalp that are showing. Spray it directly onto the skin itself. Cheap, quick and effective. Experiment with different brands to find your favourite.
I tried Topik and didn't like it. It only clings to existing hair. It doesn't disguise bald patches. And it made my hair feel gritty and dry.
I used to wear a fringe but had to grow it out because, with my hair thinning, it just became very limp and tragic looking, so now wear my hair in a bob.
I haven't gone down the medication route myself, either orally or topically. The results seem to be hit-and-miss and the expense is off-putting. My mum has very thin hair so I assume the same fate awaits me, hopefully not for a long time. I guess if it gets really bad, I will invest in a hairpiece/wig.

I have alopecia and when my patches are visible I literally colour them in using a hair shadow I bought on Amazon. It's like eye shadow but a bigger foam applicator. Maybe not so good with all over thinness but it's good for round the front to give the illusion of fullness.

And the problem with Regain is you apparently have to keep using it or the hair will fall out again, so I didn't bother starting.

I don't know if this will help, but I had clumps and clumps of hair falling out when I brushed and when I washed it. Was a terrible time that lasted for months so I know exactly how it feels.

As it turned out, I gradually felt very tired and more and more unwell, until I was hospitalised with internal bleeding which I didn't realise was happening, that led to anaemia and low haemoglobin. I got blood transfusions and iron infusions, and although it took nearly a year my hair is back to normal now, and if anything is better than it ever was.

Might be worth checking iron levels?

I have androgenic alopecia and I'm on oral minoxidil and finasteride.

What you're saying here gave me some doubts to start with, too until my doctor framed it in this way:

"If you were diabetic, you'd keep taking your insulin so the symptoms didn't come back. This is the same – you have a condition that needs consistent treatment."

I totally get what you're saying, and I don't think I'd have done it either if I had to use it topically, but I now take two tablets each morning with my coffee (the oral option is showing to be more effective than topical in clinical trials), and my hair really is getting better. I'm happy to do that consistently if the alternative is the levels of loss I was experiencing before.

OP – I also use the Nioxin 3D styling products. I don't bother with the shampoo and conditioner, but the mousse and gel really do make my hair look thicker and give it the illusion of much more body.

I've tried everything for my alopecia, and I'm very critical of most products, but the 3D styling stuff they do is actually great.

I had great success with viviscal, it’s expensive but if you can buy in bulk it’s a bit cheaper.

I am now back on it after post partum hair loss and also trying liquid collagen. Other supplements that may help: biotin, MSM

Also look into your thyroid hormones as an imbalance can also cause hair loss

@travelingtortoise yes that makes sense and if my alopecia was worse then I'm sure I'd give it a go too - luckily mine has largely grown back although I still get new small patches regularly.

Champo shampoos are meant to be very good. They do one for thinning hair. I’m going to try it once my current shampoo has run out.

www.champohaircare.com/products/pitta-volumising-shampoo

@wineymummy it's so tricky, isn't it? You just can't tell how it's going to go or when. Really glad to hear yours has improved so well!

Probably not that helpful but I have alopecia and thinning due to medication, and I wear wigs or a topper. I started when I was bald through chemo. It took a long time to get used to but I prefer it now as they require minimal styling and always look ‘done’.

Regaine has made a huge difference. I can wear my hair up and my scalp doesn't show anymore. Ive cut down to applying 4 times a week nd my results are being maintained.

Ive also bought a hair topper that I wear sometimes if I go out. Expensive at 900.00 but its amazing quality and I never go to hairdresser so over the past 10 years alone ive probably saved myself about 4000.00 !

Have you had your thyroid checked? The cause of my thinning hair was a thyroid problem and once medicated my hair is back to normal.

Regaine has transformed my hair. I've been using it for about three years and it's no bother to apply. I buy the men's version, which is exactly the same product only cheaper, and I apply four or five times a week as a maintenance dose. Personally I much prefer a topical solution as there are fewer side effects than oral medication. I had good results with spironolactone tablets several years ago, but had to come off it and all the hair regrowth fell out. Whatever you take/use it needs to be a long term commitment. Worth it though.

Also check thyroid, iron levels and hormones (eg for pcos).

I've had thinning hair since my 20s. It's gone through better and worse times. I'm currently using Nioxin which I think is making a difference but I'm not sure.

Have considered a topper but would have to go and get it done professionally; I don't want it to be really noticeable and no one telling me! Have also wondered about extensions but imagine they can also cause problems.

I have a medicated under active thyroid and was very iron deficient through heavy periods but I'm all right now.

My great grandmother, my grandmother, my mother and I have all had thinning hair, a maternal line.

I was wondering recently about perceptions of female baldness/thin hair. What's the difference between male and female issues? Seems there's more of a stigma for women . Men might not want to lose their hair. People make fun of men's bald heads etc. Overall though it's not a surprise if a man loses his hair. But it's barely discussed for women. But is that for a good reason? Should women not be losing their hair? Are they being let down medically? Or what?

Im. 61 znd I went bald at the front. There was o way of hiding it. Tried everything nothing worked. I started taking the best multi vitamins and minerals I could afford and probiotics and it all grew back.

When I had a combo of stress/hormones and bad diet, I had thin hair and loss of hair. I resorted to a choppy very short hair style and a combination of hats/scarfs/baseball caps.
can you identify the underlying cause (if any) and treat?

Omg OP! I saw a pic of my hair today and almost cried 😫
so much hair loss and bald scalp

I'm 34 and have PCPS, recently had a hair transplant. Would fully recommend as a more permanent option although not cheap.

I am using Regaine, will be getting PRP injections and once I've completed my family I'll be using spironolactone.