Let’s talk about hair thinning/loss

[Brightclementines]

Hello mumsnetters,

please share with me your experiences on hair thinning.

I am in my early 40’s and my hair has thinned so much! It has a history of falling but it was fixable with iron tablets, now those don’t seem to work either. Had a blood test a year ago and was given iron and vitamin D tablets. I am also feeling tired all the time.

My hair is fine, oily at the roots, whispy, and managed to actually get it at shoulder length through air drying it without getting split ends. Which is an achievement actually. I’ve always had new hairs growing, but cannot compensate for the vast amounts I have lost. I am now using a hair serum from Kerastase which seems to help with the hair loss but cannot help thinking about giving my hair a reset with a head shave. Which in turn brings about more problems:do I wear a wig, will it itch? Will it show? Will it come off? I am not brave enough to sport a bald head, however I can be crazy enough so it could feel liberating. But will it actually help? Not to mention that I have combination skin and can only imagine what an oily mess my head would look like.

I am also thinking of booking an appointment at the Philip Kingsley clinic, just not sure it’s really worth it.

I know how you feel as my hair has always been very fine and wispy. Since menopause it has been thinning noticeably. I am really distressed about it as this happened with my mum who almost completely lost her hair in Her later years. I have bought a really good quality Folic Acid from high street Health Food shop. I think it’s working. Fingers crossed. Might be worth a try. The one I have is a capsule 60 capsules in a box - one a day so 2 months worth.
I’m going to continue as don’t feel there’s anything to lose.
good luck

I don’t think shaving your head would make any difference as it wouldn’t address the cause of your hair thinning.

You say you were taking iron supplements, but do you have your current ferritin reading? It’s always the best place to start. You’re never going to have healthy hair growth if this is below 70.

I could write your post OP. It’s so shit, I hate it. I’ve never had brilliant thick hair but it’s really gone to pot over the last couple of years (am 44). I feel it really ages me and massively detracts from any amount of attractiveness I might have left in my face! I constantly notice (and am envious of) other women’s lovely hair.

I had extensions in for a while (for thickness not length) but I suspect they made the thinning issue worse, although they did make me feel better when in.

I haven’t found any magic potions but would be interested in which Keratese serum you use?

I too have low iron and Vit D and am on supplements. Hair has really changed texture too and gone from silky to fluffy/wispy.

I’d have a hair transplant if I could! Annoyingly that seems like more of an option for men than women?? I don’t know if I’ve got the balls to wear a wig.

Hoping someone else has some good suggestion 🤞🏻🙏

What goes on at the Philip Kingsley clinic by the way?

Frankly the clinic is a waste of time. They will just try to sell you some expensive stuff that you can just get from other sources:

• ask your GP to do a blood test to see if there isn't anything medical causing this (lack of iron, thyroid issues...)
• vitamin supplements (Holland & Barrett have a good choice of hair & skin supplements) and they also have some gentle shampoos/conditioners for thinning hair
• Speak to the GP about HRT as well if this is related to your hormones?
• Minoxidil is another thing to try and you can just get it over the counter from places like Boots.

I'm reading with interest my hair is so thin and was literally just falling out. My dermatologist said it was female pattern baldness and recommended the minoxidil, she also prescribed vitamins and a tablet which is for blood pressure but effectively blocks the signal to the top of the head so the hair continues to grow. I've also been using Nioxin no 2 shampoo and conditioner and I have noticed a big improvement my hair no longer gets super greasy, only been 6-8 weeks but it's not falling out as much for sure

What’s the name of the tablet that blocks the signal to the top of your head?

My ponytail is the width of a pencil.

Bloods are all clear. I'm on HRT.
I could cry.

Any thoughts on what I could do?

I had Covid really badly in 2020 and my always fine hair began to fall out in a really noticeable way.
It also changed colour from silver to a horrid yellow colour at the front of my head.

I take Superdrug Hair gummies and use John Frieda

I also take collagen and other supplements and try to eat healthily.
I feel sorry for all of us suffering this hair loss, it is such a part of my self image.

I have been seeing a dermatologist for a while now - for alopecia aeroata ( no idea how to spell it - basically bald patches). Am on minoxidil, vitamins, another medication (can’t remember what) and steroid injections. Was going well and had pretty much cleared up when I decided to try HRT (for other symptoms). My hair fell out again… and am almost back at square one ( in response to PP who said to try HRT). I use Boost N Blend to hide the bald patches - which is pretty effective . Also useful for thinning hair

My hairdresser recommended I use products from Montibello Treat for hairloss and I ‘m noticing quite a bit of new growth.

Can I ask if you've gone private, @whovillewho ? I have suffered from alopecia areata for years, but it had settled on its own in the last few. My GP was little help and tbh I just tried to cover it. I started HRT 6m ago and it's back with a vengeance. I have a large patch at the base of my skull and another appearing right at my parting. So annoying as I have very dark hair and it's very visible.

Do you take your iron and vitamin D at the same time? Because they can inhibit each other.

Take your iron with vitamin C, preferably on an empty stomach and don’t have tea, coffee or dairy for 2 hours before or after.

Also B12 deficiency can cause anaemia.

I'm 33 now but my hair has been thinning for years and is very thin now. I have to use the brown sprinkles to fill in my thinnest areas.

It's so hard as I used to have very thick hair that was my 'thing' that helped me feel attractive. So I feel you OP.

Definitely going to try the vitamins mentioned above and I've heard great things about minoxidil but you literally have to use it forever as once you stop the hair will fall out again.

Hello!

I've suffered with hair loss all my adult life, although it goes through better and worse phases. Minoxidil works and a good tip is that only the 2% is licensed for women. The 5% is only licensed for men but it's better: when you buy it from the pharmacy you just need to say you're buying it for a man or get a man to buy it for you. Other than that, keeping hair quite short and regularly trimmed and talking with a trusted hairdresser about what styles work best, making sure you're getting all the right vitamins and minerals, using a caffeine shampoo or a very soft shampoo such as a baby shampoo all help. Avoiding stress (if possible lol) and trying to maintain a steady, healthy weight all help. I paid £300 to see a specialist doctor and she told me all that so you can have it for free.

@lapsedrdwhoenthusiast doesn't minoxidil have side effects though? I thought it lowered blood pressure or something?

I'm so fed up with having the thinnest hair of anyone other than 100 year olds. I wear hats a lot to help with confidence as I'm so aware of how awful it looks.

@JoeLovesGina I've never had any side effects with it but it's worth a chat with a pharmacist (a different one from the one where you buy the 5%). This makes me sound like a drug dealer I am honestly the most law-abiding citizen!

I wear a lot of hats too. I've tried bits of hairpieces, never full wigs. More like this kind of thing: Messy Hair Scrunchies Hair Bun Extensions Curly Wavy Hair Pieces For Women Updo Ponytail Hair Extensions Hair Donut Hair Chignons Hair Accessories - Coffee Brown to Dark Brown : Amazon.co.uk: Beauty

@Smileandtheworldsmileswithyou it's Spironolactone

@RinklyRomaine I was referred to a dermatologist by my GP. Am in Australia so not under the NHS and so I do pay for the treatment.

Have looked up the second medication- it’s Bicalutamide, with P7 (a selection of vitamins). I believe this is a testosterone suppressant. I also take Vitamin D. As Minoxidil lowers blood pressure, the pharmacist recommended taking just before going to bed. The Minoxidil I take is prescribed, and sublingual (taken under the tongue) as apparently it works better if taken this way.

Hi all,

I am really overwhelmed by the number of replies.

Funnily enough I was looking at a ferritin testing kit at Tesco this morning, so tomorrow will be buying one for sure.

The Kérastase serum is called Kérastase Genesis Serum Anti-Chute Fortifiant and it looks this way. It contains Aminexil. It’s only supposed to be used for one month at a time with a break in between. It smells really nice as well.

I’ve also bought the Philip Kingsley Elasticiser, it does make my hair look better on day 1, but come day 2 it’s still a right freezy, whispy mess.

What actually helped my hair look healthier was the use of either castor oil or black seed oil by Vatika.

Thank you for the tip about not taking Iron and vitamin D at the same time. I also came across Dr Ophelia online who said that it’s very important not to take certain vitamins together. She sells them too for a hefty price of £69.

Regarding minoxidil I am a bit cautious as my blood pressure is low anyway, and have been known to faint when it dropped too much. I’ve also read it was linked to heart attacks??? So will keep away from it. I will have to investigate more thoroughly the aminexil as well, but so far so good. I am
almost finishing my frost bottle so will try and keep up with taking my iron.

I was wondering if anyone has used the latest tik tok sensation ie rosemary oil? I am willing to give it a try but have to be careful as apparently it may not be necessarily good for one’s scalp.

@rainbowoldtrout have you checked the side effects of your HRT? I’ve had thinning hair for the last 5 years. I halved my dose of HRT a few months ago and all my hair is now growing back.

I also use the Kerastase Genesis serum, and the shampoo and conditioner from the same Kerastase Genesis range and they all definitely make a difference. Cheapest to get them from Look Fantastic when there's an offer on.

The serum was actually recommended to me by my hairdresser (who's won British Hairdresser of the Year numerous times) and who usually never recommends products - this is is the first time in 30+ years (!).

I take iron (Ferrograd-C) as my ferritin levels have always been low. The supplement is definitely helping but it's a long slow process.

HRT has made zero difference to my hair.

It sucks. The whole hair thing really sucks.

My hair is also very thin but think it is more breakage and I have a constant halo of new hairs around 2 - 3". Any ideas of what may help with that?

I also use this hairbrush as its very gentle on thin hair

WetBrush Custom Care Thin Hair Detangler, Soft Thin Bristles for Gentle Detangling, Less Bristles for No Snagging or Breakage, For Thin or Fine Hair, Purple : Amazon.co.uk: Beauty

@superstar63 The Kerastase Genesis serum. That;s why my hairdresser originally recommended it. I saw a big difference within a month of using it (not helped by my hair growing at glacial pace due to the low ferritin).

I also use a silk pillowcase and silk hair ties (for the gym) to try to minimise any breakage.