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

That's great, so happy for you getting your thick hair back! I will need to look at this shampoo as sounds fab!

Thanks so much, I was thinking GP might not prescribe that if they are saying my levels are normal. If I purchase from chemist can I take it alongside my usual vitamins? I take a multivitamin and Angus cactus daily. I wouldn't want to over dose on iron! x

did you get your iron levels back @Thinhairhelp ?

Fingers crossed the tablets make a difference for you x

Yes my ferriton level is 39, which I have been told is normal (I disagree from whats been discussed here and what I've read online!) hoping to get iron tablets. I've made another docs appointment x

Thanks, something else for me to think of trying x

I think that's a smart decision although I often consider extensions too! I just think it would cause more damage in the long run. Where do you find a private dermatologist? Is it expensive and what is it they do? x

My dd started losing a lot of hair on top of her head during her GCSE's. All bloods normal, regularly took multivitamins, I bought iron but no change. Whilst waiting on a dermatology appointment, I bought marine collagen (1000mg) as a last resort. It made such a difference, after 3 months you can't see her scalp now (it was very obvious).

I have always had thin hair but for the last 10 years or more I have had tape extensions for volume added. They are transformative. I have tried everything else. It is the only thing that has made any real difference. Hair extensions do not have to be long and fake looking, but they are addictive (once you have them you’ll never want to give them up) and they’re not cheap. They’re not difficult to look after. I have an appointment every 8/9 weeks and the stylist reuses the hair. I buy new hair every year or so. They will have to be prised off my cold dead head!

But, they’re not cheap. Look for an extension specialist in your area and see what options are open to you. Even a pack of 10 tape extensions (reusable) will make a big difference.

Blood glucose too.

Obviously supplements will get your iron up. (I recommend Floravit if you can't get on with tablets; they upset my stomach), I think, though, that it's good to focus on diet because you want to maintain good levels all your life. I make myself eat liver and onions once a month, and I have red meat every week - with vitamin c-heavy veg which means you absorb it better. You could also drink orange juice with the meal. Mussels (and some other shellfish) have lots of iron in, so I buy those mussel in sauce boxes at Aldi to have with pasta. I eat eggs and I add beans, chick peas and pumpkin seeds to things like rice, soups and salads. If I want a snack I'll have a handful of nuts and dried apricots or figs. I feel tons better for actively choosing to eat food with lots of iron and b vitamins - and my hair is ok now, not amazing but not a noticeable problem.

I have very fine hair and hardly any of it. I started using Minoxidil (Boots sell it) which is proven to improve hair growth and while still fine it is tons better than it ever was before. It was discovered by chance when it was added to a medication and the people who took it found that a side effect was their hair grew thicker!

Oh ive heard good things about marine collagen, I will definately give it a try x

This was my thoughts , your hair looks healthy until below the shoulder , lovely colour aswell

I have thin/fine hair like you OP and it's getting thinner as I get older (I'm 37). I've tried everything and I am taking supplements and it's slightly improved. I've found some scattered highlights add volume and give the illusion of thicker, more dimensional hair, a straight cut as well (but I'm not keen on bobs so I keep my lenght)

I use minoxidil on my scalp and hairline. My GP recommended it as it’s one of the few things clinically proven to work. You have to use it every day for a long time to notice a difference though - my hair was noticeably growing back after 4-6 months use. It does cause your hair to shed more when you first start using it though - something to do with your hair follicles being stimulated into a growing cycle and pushing hairs out.

Thanks, have they caused any damage at all? That is my worry with extensions just because it would be very noticeable in my hair x

I've had mines cut a little bit shorter too and it's a blunt cut but like you, I do prefer to have a little length as I don't suit it too short.

Thank you, is that a shampoo or is it something else? X

Thanks, that's interesting. Is it a shampoo or a gel or something? I've never used it before x

Studies have shown that rosemary oil produces the same results as minoxidil, without the side effects. Sticking a twig of rosemary into water isn't going to do anything though, you need to make a suspension of a carrier oil (olive, almond etc) and rosemary essential oil. Clary sage is also supposed to be a vasodilator. About 20 drops of each in 50 mls of oil is good. Like minoxidil it needs to be applied daily for 6-9 months to see the full effect.

Everyone is different - ferritin over 24 is my “normal” but regularly drops to 6. Gp says this is due to my heavy periods (I don’t have heavy periods but he won’t hear that).

How would you apply the rosemary oil mixture?

I have a bottle with a dropper and I apply to scalp and massage in. The only thing is that it is obviously going to make your hair greasy, which is why my dd didn't keep up with it daily as she doesn't want to wash her hair every day. She does it about 15 minutes before she washes her hair. For best effect massage in, put on shower cap then towel to keep heat it.