Thinning Hair - is there any hope?

[ThinHairDoCare]

Hi.

I have never had the thickest hair in the world, but 7 years of being pregnant and/or breastfeeding has not been kind to the hair I did have (still breastfeeding - just - but it's petering off significantly now so am hopeful will be stopping altogether by the end of the year)

I'm now also 39 so I guess getting to an age where age-related hair thinning becomes a factor too.

I am just really wondering if there's anything I can do that may help?

I treat my hair (reasonably) well. I don't really heat style at all (except for my fringe but that is trimmed regularly). I use very gentle shampoo, or co-wash. I don't use styling products with silicone/product that builds up on the hair. I wash it once a week (roughly) as it is very dry. I treat it with Olaplex occasionally if it feels particularly dry. I do heatless curls fairly frequently using silk ties. I wear it up in a claw clip often and use gentle ties if I do tie it up and I don't pull it back tight ever.
I am NOT very good at having regular haircuts (lots of bad experiences and my lovely hairdresser left my local salon during Covid) and we also have hard water which I don't think does my hair a huge amount of good (but can't afford a water softener at the moment).

I am just wondering if there are any products out there that can help reduce the thinning or if I am doomed to just get balder and balder?

My hair is quite long (almost waist length although have just had about 2" cut off so a bit shorter now) and I know going shorter would probably help as my poor ends are very thin and it feels thicker further up. But I would like to keep it longer if possible as it's so much easier to deal with than shorter hairstyles (I have had all different lengths over the years).

Help Mumsnet, am I doomed or are there options that could help?

You're not doing your hair follicles any good by not washing more often. Shampoo does not exacerbate hair loss and keeps the follicles clean and stimulated.

If you have long hair, thinning temples are going to look more obvious when contrasted with the fuller volume further down. And long hair with thin ends does not show it at its best, so you need to lop off more of the thinning ends.

How is your diet? Do you take any supplements?

Try super complex vitamin B & L'Occitane strength & volume shampoo. It will take approx 2 months before you see a difference but your hair will start feeling nicer very quickly.

Worked for me. I lost a lot of hair & had to have it cut a shorter than previously. My hair has continued to get thicker & 8 months later I am happy with it.

I read something about rinsing hair in rosemary water.

How are your iron levels and that sort of thing? Peri menopause? I have HRT also late 30s.

I actually had full blood work done recently and all normal.
I guess I am the right age for Peri menopause though.

This kind of sounds too good to be true, but actually would be pretty straightforward and inexpensive to do, so I might just give it a go!

Taking a high dose Biotin ( vitamjn B7) supplement really helps. You'll see the difference in your nails as well.

Agree with taking Biotin. I've had 2 periods of hair loss and it stopped it and reversed effects both times. Now I just take it constantly and have no problems (touch wood).

Thanks for the responses.

I've started with rosemary water on my scalp twice a day (I figure if nothing else it's easy to make and apply, inexpensive and can't hurt - and I love the smell of rosemary!) and also biotin (I actually found a load in the medicine cupboard, win!). I'll check out B vits too.

I've also found a water conditioner thing for my shower (a legit one not one of those "strone stream" things that do bog all), that should significantly soften water. I am hoping that might help with how brittle my poor hair is. I used to think I had overdone the protein on my hair, but having cut out most protein from my haircare for a long time now, I wonder if the hard water is what's making it more brittle.

I've also got some hair oils (some penetrating and some sealing) to try and improve the condition of my lengths (which I know won't help the thinning but I figure a good idea to do what I can for the length I do have).

Thanks again for the responses. I'm feeling a bit less disheartened now at least!

Minoxidil (regaine) is very good for age related thinning but you do have to keep using it

I'm 44 and the thinning hair is my far the most depressing thing about ageing. Has anyone tried Nioxin?

I think you need to fix things from the inside rather than external treatments. I'm early 40s and had very noticeable thinning hair. Six months ago I started taking liquid chlorophyll each morning and collagen supplements, and it has totally transformed my hair (and skin which was a bonus side effect!). I take this chlorophyll and this collagen

PS I started noticing the effects about 4 months after starting these supplements, so you do need to stick with it and think long-term rather than a quick fix. Good luck! x

Yes, I found it’s very good and I must order more as I’ve run out.
A satin pillow will help your hair too OP.
Conversely I also found my hair to be in much better condition once I stopped using Olaplex. It really seemed to dry out my hair and I’m sure it contributed to it breaking. Haven’t used it for nearly a year and hair is much better for it.

Conversely I also found my hair to be in much better condition once I stopped using Olaplex. It really seemed to dry out my hair and I’m sure it contributed to it breaking.

Too much protein can make your hair brittle. You need to alternate protein treatments with moisturising ones. Or buy an expensive shampoo and conditioner like Kerastase Genesis that manages to do both (whilst giving you a heart attack at the price).

Hi @ThinHairDoCare try eating nuts, almonds, cashew, you'll see a difference xx

@ThinHairDoCare and walnuts! x

I'm 27 and in the last 2 years I've lost a lot of hair and now have very thin patches thst are very obvious.
I've taken Biotin for 12 months, which helped baby hairs grow but not fix my balding areas.
I've tried different levels of washing, I don't use heat etc. Don't wear it tight. I don't know what the solution is but it gets me down a lot.

Rosemary oil
Black seed oil
Flax seed Oil

All fantastic for thinning hair. Mine use to be thin but it's noticeably thicker now, and I'm no longer embarrassed by it. It did take around 6 months to notice the change though. NO expensive shampoos or conditioners worked and I spent a small fortune.

I either massage small amounts into my scalp and wear a wrap 3 x week, or massage in and leave in for an hour before washing. Put soap in your hair before adding water, otherwise, it will leave your hair greasy. Stop using conditioners, and find natural non-silicon, no paraben shampoo.

There are lots of specialist salons now who offer various hair replacement and volumiser systems. Toppers are quite good if your hair is thin but not enough to justify a wig. Not the cheapest option and maintenance is required every few weeks but they look really good. Sometimes the combination of genetics, hormones, age, health conditions and lifestyle can't be improved enough with shampoos and supplements to give some people good hair, but it can be faked

I’d say definitely definitely have a bit more cut off. It still sounds extremely long.

(and very long hair looks way thinner and stragglier and more ageing than medium-long blunt cut hair )

I had massive hair loss when i had covid post menopausal at the time. Still recovering now have tried so many products and supplements. Time is the only answer i think