Thin hair destroying confidence

[Thinhairhelp]

Hi all

I'm really struggling with hair thinning. I no longer feel confident wearing it down as it's so thin and areas of my scalp are often visable.
I'm not sure what to do to make it look better, I'm already using a good shampoo and conditioner (redken volume injection). I also use the philip kingsley elasticizer mask once a week.
I'm getting bloods done next week to check if I'm lacking in anything but I already take a multi Vitamin every day plus a biotin supplement.
I'm late 30s so maybe an age thing? I've always had fine hair but never as bad as this, I've been on the contraceptive pill for the last 5 years so came off it 4 months ago in case thats caused the thinning but too early to tell.
I'm reluctant to get extensions as had them in the past and find them quite itchy and uncomfortable plus nervous they cause more hair loss. I've also had hair cut a bit shorter in past and makes no difference as looks just as thin.

Help and advice appreciated.. I've attached pic to show level of thinness!

Thanks in advance

I have no specific advice sorry, but a friend of mine has a bad case of hair thinning, since she was really young, she struggled a lot with that, and only recently decided to invest in a high quality wig, and she's a different person! Not physically (although her new hair looks amazing) but in terms of confidence.

For her, it was a hard pill to swallow but eventually her only regret was to not do it earlier.

Hope you'll get your confidence back!

How about a halo?https://www.secrethairextensions.co.uk/halo-hair-extensions/

I've just been to see a dermatologist OP for the same rewinds as you. I've gone for a hair topper to disguise the scalp. Highly recommend a blood test and high iron supplement.

Wait for the blood test and print out the results at home, normal ranges will be listed beside the results so it’s easy to tell if your low in any nutrients.

I take iron for my hair too, 2 ferrous fumarate as tea interferes with absorption I know I won’t have had tea for ages.

I used to have dreadful heavy periods (before an ablation). I was very low in iron. My normally thick hair - well it is fine but I normally have masses of it - thinned out a lot particularly round the front. Once I got my iron levels back up it thickened up again over a few months.

Thanks all, i did look at halos earlier, do they look natural when on? Would the string bit be noticeable?
A wig may also be option, im just worried it will be really noticeable. I need to do something though as it's making me not want to arrange to go out and do anything. I'm fine at work as prefer hair up then anyway but just feel self conscience if out with friends etc.
Not to sound shallow but when I look good I feel good and my hair is just getting me down so much.

Ask for your ferritin level to be checked. Forewarning. They may tell you it's 'normal' even if it's in the 20's say but actually your levels need to be above 80 or so (around that, don't quote me) for new hair growth.

Hi op. Your hair does look fine, but it also looks shiny and healthy. Lovely colour.
Anyway, I've had the same problem recently as a result of stress (but probably aging in my case too - I'm mid forties), and I went to see my hairdresser in a bit of a panic. She recommended a targeted supplement called Viviscal, and I really think it is helping me. I noticed my hair loss calmed down very quickly. She told me not to expect regrowth straightaway though, as you have to wait for the regrowth cycle, which can be a few months. But she said I ought to notice regrowth in the spring.

Concentrate on your health, physical and emotional. As if you are lacking in anything, the hair is pretty much the first thing to be affected, as the body knows it isn't 'necessary'!

After my hairdresser recommended viviscal, I did a fair bit of research, and from what I can gather, research-wide, and anecdotally, it does seem to be the best one. I'm no expert though, but it seems to get highly rated.

Also, a good cut can really help, cutting the hair to its thickest point.

P. S. Would you consider cutting your hair to about chin length, perhaps a chin length bob? The top half of your hair looks a lot thicker, and would probably look great on you, from the little I can see.

My hair is the exact same as yours @Thinhairhelp Is yours greasy? Mine gets limp and greasy within hours of washing. It’s a nightmare.

Do you find your hair falls out a lot? I felt I had thin hair but have realised it’s from a lot of breakage and I wonder if yours is the same as looks very good condition at the top. I’ve been using kerastase genesis anti hair fall serum and I think it’s helped how much I lose. There is a L’Oréal cheaper alternative but I’ve not tried that yet, I plan to alternate once I’ve finished 6 weeks of kerastase.

Your blood tests will be the thing, but I do think massaging with rosemary oil helps a bit.

www.nioxin.com/en-GB/products/leave-in

This is meant to be good. Recommend by hair dressers

Have you had your thyroid levels tested? An underactive thyroid can cause thinning hair, along with dry skin and fatigue (hypothyroid). It's quite common. In the pic your hair looks pretty good, though an inch or so off the ends would make it appear thicker. Weleda rosemary hair tonic helps a bit, and Morrocan oil.

I have thin hair too. At the beginning of December, despite me not having it coloured for a good 5 months so it had had chance to grow, it was the worst it's ever been. So I spoke to my hairdresser who gave it a good "one length" cut to get rid of all the wispy ends (ended up being about 3" off! I felt naked!) and recommended I use L'anza shampoo and conditioner. It isn't cheap but it's done wonders for my hair

May just be pill related.

however ask for your iron levels as they need to be over 70 for regrowth but the nhs will tell you anything above 12 is fine

a dry shampoo can help make hair seem thicker.

Cutting hair to a lob and getting a few light layers may help the hair feel thicker too

.

My hair is thin. I got it chopped to a short Bob. Looks loads better.

I was also going suggest that you get your hair cut
As another poster said, your hair is lovely and a great colour but thins out at the ends.
A couple of inches off will make the hair look thicker
Try to eat healthily too

Thanks for all the replies, given me loads to think about. I have the hairdressers this week so I think I'll start with taking a bit off the length.
Perhaps a change of shampoo then I'll wait to see if blood tests show anything.

Thanks x

A couple of people have suggested that iron levels need to be around 70 but how do you achieve this, particularly if yours have always been low, like no higher than 25 and possibly down to 5 or 6. Is it even possible or are you required to take 3 ferrous fumarate for the rest of your life? Op will you update with your blood test results? I’m not convinced that any fancy shampoo helps much (similar issues here).

Mine is thin too. I recently cut into a blunt bob (just above shoulders so it doesn't flick out) and I Love it. I think your hair would be similar to mine, feels bouncier and so much nicer. Had always had long hair prior to this but I wouldn't go back!

Yes ill def update, i get bloods taken end of next week. I'm not convinced fancy shampoos help either, tho to be fair my hair feels in nice condition but just so little of it (like 2 strands lol)

Last time I had mines cut shorter it just flicked out.. Maybe it was at an awkward length tho. I don't think I suit short hair but maybe it's what my hair needs. Glad you love your new cut, makes such a difference when your happy with your hair.