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

Hi, if u think the shampoo is the problem and you're considering a change, maybe give Foliprime a shot. I have been using it and it helped me. it's a natural hair follicle detox formula designed to promote a healthier scalp and support hair growth. https://aca7e14ztmio8z96r5lkze1a6y.hop.clickbank.net but i would still consult with a professional before using it, just in case.

Glad to hear your hair has become thicker, it really does effect your confidence when it's so thin. I've ordered hair fibres to try to disguise my scalp!
Had my hair cut last night and my hairdresser noticed my scalps very dry so going to get a more moisturising shampoo.

Im glad to hear that, hope it works out for you :D

Have you tried any natural remedies for stimulating hair growth?

• Rosemary is scientifically proven to stimulate hair growth. Steep some rosemary in water, transfer to a spray bottle and spray your hair every morning. The smell is not noticeable.
• Use a scalp massager every night to stimulate blood flow to the scalp.
• Wear a silk hair wrap at night.
• Use a microfibre towel when drying your hair.

And don’t use olaplex as it can cause hair loss and the company that produces it is currently being sued.

I’m the same op but definitely menopausal & on hrt. I’ve switched to a shampoo with no sulfates or silicones as my scalp was dry. All my bloods were fine, incl ferritin. I was taking biotin but stopped as advised by the gp. I just take collagen & vit D3 now.
Have you considered lightweight extensions or a naked weave? I’m considering this option.

I’m pretty sure that’s what happened to me c because it was after a summer of using it regularly that hair fell out. Doc put it down to stress but I’d worse stress before and hair remained luxuriant.

@Coincidentally https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64662934

I had a similar experience with Olaplex and also stopped using it.

I've just had blood taken today incase it's low iron. I've ordered a new shampoo that my hairdresser recommended, it's gentle and moisturising, I think it does have sulphates tho. The one I was using before was for volume and seemingly volume shampoos aren't actually good for your hair or scalp. I'm hoping once I switch I'll grow some hair back, I've also ordered collagen sachets. I take biotin too, why did your GP say to stop?
I had a naked weave years ago, only for a few months tho as found it very itchy and heavy. I'd be reluctant to put anything on my hair in the state it's currently in. If hair gets worse I'd think about a topper.

I think shampoo can cause hair loss, im hoping that's the cause of mines and that my hair will grow back (perhaps wishful thinking!)

Thanks, great suggestions. I'll definately give them all a try :)

Don't just accept being told your bloods are 'normal' (if they are). Ask what your ferritin level is. The UK is particularly bad at setting a very low acceptable ferritin and then often ignoring it. You want a ferritin of over 50 to prevent hair loss, and over 70 to allow regrowth.

If you do need iron, get fumerate (available on prescription) or bisglycinate. Take every other day, there are studies showing that improves absorption, and take with orange juice or vitamin C. Take away from tea, dairy and cereals.

If you can't tolerate those iron options, try spatone and/or Balance You oral spray iron.

Gp said hair sheds, biotin wasnt proven to work & high doses can be counterproductive & also skew some blood results. To be fair the gp never even set eyes on me, just ordered bloods & spoke to me on the phone. Diagnosed me with TE which is just hair shedding. There’s another thread in menopause where the OP has managed to see a dermatologist & been given some medication.

Just a wee update, got my blood test back today, was told all normal but asked for the amounts anyway.. ferritin is 39 and folate is 20. Do those levels sound low?!

NHS parameters say ferritin over 5 is normal. But it isn’t, I think it needs to be over 70 for hair growth. Not sure about the reference range for folate.

It's good the levels aren't dangerously low and you can build on them - you need to for good hair growth.

Thanks, how do I build them up? Would it be iron tablets? I have made another appointment at docs to find out what I can do.

I tried to answer your questions here ⬆️ as I've been though this a lot. At the GP you will just get prescribed iron sulphate (hardest on your digestive system) or iron fumerate. Although they may not prescribe as you are technically 'OK'.

I've just had the same problem and although my GP said my bloods were within range (about 30 from memory) she said she'd give me some iron tablets to try and get it up to 80, (Ferratin sulphate 200mg-make me feel nauseous and give me diarrhoea) which is what she recommended to try and help my hair. Only been on them a week so no difference to report as of now. I was losing about 70 hairs every other day when blow drying) Yes I'd started counting them!

I’d recommend spatone iron water alongside diet changes. You can get apple flavoured spatone, the original tastes like rusty water. My friend recently got hers up from 2 to 31 using this & diet.

I wanted to add, I’ve decided against all hair extension/weave options & have paid to see a consultant dermatologist privately.

Check iron and thyroid as pp said. As mentioned, you may get told “normal” but you should ask for the actual numbers - if you are towards the low end of the range for iron or top end of the range for TSH then it may well still affect your hair even if supposedly “normal”.

Highlights have helped my thin hair. They aren’t great for hair in lots of ways of course but they do create volume (due to drying out the hair shaft which makes it thicker) and the illusion of volume (due to different colours). Blow drying also helps but I try to keep washing and blow drying to every other day max.

If you take iron supplements definitely use ones that include vitamin C. Ferrograd C were recommended to me by the London Iron clinic.

This may not be an option you want to consider but I solved this problem for myself by shaving my head! It’s amazing. Also means I could wear wigs really easily if I wanted to (I don’t) but I will say I have LOADS more confidence having made a positive choice to share my head (grade 1-3 then off again) than trying to live with hair that made me feel horrible.

Hi Op

I was losing a lot of hair & the actual strands were thinning as well due to illness.
I was already taking a super complex vitamin B. Then was recommended L'Occitane strength & volume shampoo. Within 2 weeks the loss massively reduced. Then after approx 2 months I started seeing regrowth. I had it cut to a chin length bob (really short for me).
A year later I was able to have it cut again. My hairdresser was amazed at the difference. It then grew more in the next 3 months than it had in the previous year.
I am now back to thick healthy hair and absolutely delighted. I am still using the L'Occitane shampoo.

I am not associated with L'Occitane in any way other than being a delighted customer.

Wow that's so brave! I would definately not be able to do that but so impressed by your courage x