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?

Have you considered Minoxidil? I've had terrible thinning recently, which is down to both early female pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium because of stress and Covid. I've been recommended this by a dermatologist and am planning to start it soon. I've been putting it off because of the possible side effects (unwanted hair growth and an initial hair fall) but I feel so horrible that I think it's worth a try! I had lovely, long, thick hair before the pandemic!

I've just lost 3 stone and seem to be shedding hair all over the place. Biotin is really helping .

My hair became thin after one pregnancy and then grew back with the next. Have another baby!

I went to the GP when I had hairloss in my 30s - she rolled her eyes but referred me to a dermatologist (luckily I had private health care at the time). The dermatologist determined that I had lichen sclerosis and a fungal infection. He prescribed betacap, a steroid, and it helped a lot!

minoxidil is scientifically proven to work. I see a lot of new hair growth since I started.

Orangello, how long did it take to see improvement? Have you noticed any side effect? My 23 year old daughter is considering taking minoxidil. Thanks

If you can afford it I would strongly recommend seeing a tricologist. They will give you advice on the reasons and suggest ways to help.
You said bloods are normal - but normal and optimal are two different things. Ferritin for example needs to be over 100 for good hair growth. Folate, b12 and vitamin d are all important for good hair growth as well.

Haha. No thanks. I have had two and that's MORE than enough kids for me. I'd rather shave my head. 😂

Thanks for all the responses.
I already do a few of the things mentioned (silk pillowcases and scoffing nuts for example!).

I will look at all the supplements mentioned too. Chlorophyll is intriguing...

For those who take biotin, and find it helpful, what sort of dosage do you take daily? I have 500mcg tablets and have been taking two.

I'm going to persevere with the rosemary water (there's some evidence it acts like minoxidil, enough to make me think I have nothing to loose giving it a try), biotin, and add some other supplements.

I'll update if I notice any definite changes, but I guess will take a while to know if it's helping.

Olaplex isn't a protein treatment though.

But I agree too much protein makes my hair really brittle. I need moisture, moisture and more moisture.

I got some Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner this week and after one use noticed quite a bit difference in the condition of my lengths and ends. My hair definitely looks infinitely better when it's well conditioned. It's just so incredibly dry! The greys don't help either as they're seemingly even more brittle and wiry. 😂

For those who take biotin, and find it helpful, what sort of dosage do you take daily? I have 500mcg tablets and have been taking two

Do you mean 5000mcg?

I take one 12 000 mcg tablet daily.

We have hard water. Before washing my hair I apply coconut oil sparingly from root to tip, then wash as normal. It's been a game changer.

Yes I meant 5000!

Thanks!

Coconut oil really doesn't agree with my hair unfortunately.

But I have a water conditioner on order, so hoping that will help.

ah sorry missed this - in about a month. I'm using it topically though, not pills.

Thanks, Orangelo.