Which (probably) overpriced over-hyped supplement should I buy to help my thinning hair grow?

[ForeverTipsy]

Please help me choose?! I've always had fine hair, not much of it. But I'm 43 now, entering peri menopause I think, and looking to try either a collagen supplement like Ancient + Brave:

https://ancientandbrave.earth/products/true-collagen-powder?variant=16401984028706

Or a dedicated hair loss support supplement with biotin, like Feel:

https://wearefeel.com/products/hair-support?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0bEEgNbyLTj2XIs4I4nXg5PwsOFXcJ0KVNCPhCmknu_pi2Pv5m-DUQNpQ_aem_zOcZcRC114MRORzBvXUrpA

Has anyone tried either for hair growth and strength?

Just to add, I am following a healthy diet and exercise regularly, do all the right things, hardly drink alcohol any more etc. I also take iron, B12, Vit C, Vit D and Magnesium every day, and have the Rheal Balance Tonic I take most days (which all help with the tiredness, low mood, mood swings etc). I'm also cutting right back on using heat and hair clips in my hair to try and look after what I have left.

Thank you!

Currently taking ancient and brave collagen, can’t comment on whether it’s working or not yet, but will say that it’s tasteless and dissolves well in a cup of coffee, in case anyone else was thinking about it and worried it would taste horrible!

Ferrous sulphate one tablet a day. You need to get your iron over 50 and then 70

Here for tips on a sagging jaw-line though now my hair is thicker 😐

I have used a biotin supplement in the past and it made me grow lots of “baby” hairs - like the ones you get postpartum - so it obviously worked. I think I shed a bit less too. I’m about to start again because I think my hair has started falling out a bit more again! (Also perimenopausal!)

I took the Solgar ones.

D'oh, I must have meant something else. Apologies.

@Breastreduction6 ooh, this is a great suggestion - thanks. After trying many high strength iron supplements, inc Nutrition Geeks, Solar 20mg iron is the best imo. I have been anaemic on/off in my life (have a blood test almost annually) and donate blood when I can. Solar are the only ones that really help.

Looks like the Solgar biotin supplements are on offer on Amazon atm too

Solgar Biotin 5000 mcg Vegetable Capsules - High Strength Formula - Supports Hair Growth, Glowing Skin, Energy & Vitality - Health Supplement - Sugar Free - Suitable for Vegans - Pack of 50 https://amzn.eu/d/3G2NT4f

Ho onto a F B group about Boron or PM me and I will tell you how I use it. Hells teeth, it's cheap and the difference it has made to my hair, skin and nails is amazing.

I imagine using a very gentle brush or comb is best, pull out fewer of the hairs you have. Don't tie it back (also pulls out hairs).

@NutellaEllaElla thanks but I don't really want to go to the doctors. Might be good for anyone else/men reading this though.

@LivingDeadGirlUK oh wow, you have tried a few a the things I'm considering. Sorry you've wasted all that money, it's such a gamble isn't it 😕 Glad the biotin tablets seem to be helping now.

@Insidenumber09 I shall have a look at Regaine from Amazon.

@Luluem thanks re reassurance about the Ancient + Brave bovine collagen not tasting horrible. I don't drink coffee tho! I stir my Rheal Balance Tonic into a little multi vitamin juice and water.

My jawline is quickly dissapeearing...no idea where my face ends and my neck starts! I would love a jaw lift if I was rich, didn't hate pain and wasn't generally against most beauty industry things like this haha!

Thank you. I said to my hairdressers (yes, two! One does the colour every 8-12 weeks and the other cuts it as I prefer the way she does it) that my head and hair is now officially a Conservation Project...! I need to protect every strand as best I can. I did have it a bit shorter last time, but exercise (kickboxing) a couple of times a week and need to tie it back...then I needed clips to pin up the stragglers and noticed they were then pulling out hairs when I tried to gently remove.

So I'm going to treat my hair like it's a newborn baby now and handle with care 😊

Have you looked at Viviscal? I use this and it genuinely does work. It also makes my eyelashes grow which is a bonus.

The Champo Pitta range definitely has reduced hair loss for me. I've tried other things including consultations at Philip Kingsley, but their drops irritated my scalp, although I know they are great for some people. I've been using Champo Pitta range (including the drops) for about 2 years. Recently stopped for a couple of months and the hair loss increased really noticeably - went back on it and it's stopped again. It's not cheap but I highly recommend. Also use Philip Kingsley elasticizer when I remember, two or three times a month, and that helps to make hair feel less dry and stronger, too.

HRT was the only thing that helped. It was the main reason I took it, along with the health benefits. Everything is so much better and I have very healthy hair that's not thinning at all.

Morning @ForeverTipsy I've tried most of the above PP suggestions and only now that my Oestrogen is being absorbed properly have I seen new hair growth. I was also having a monthly Biotin injection which did zilch, it was also painful 😑
I massage rosemary hair oil into my scalp before washing and it's helped the condition. X

Don't do minoxidil unless you want to be on it for life.

I've been using rosemary oil, massage, scalp scrubs, deep conditioners and perfectil. I've also been covering my hair at night and abandoned hair ties.

I'm.finally seeing results.

im about to add in biotin, collagen and rosemary water. I've also heard silica is recommended. Good luck.

Yes as I said in my post - once hair had regrown with minoxidil you have to continue it for the results to remain. Game changer for me though, totally worth it.

i can put my hair up with no white flashes of scalp showing through and can have more of a side fringe as hair has gotten longer 👍

@Insidenumber09 i also use Regaine. Was recommended by the dermatologist as the only thing that is effective for female pattern hair loss. I put off starting it for a couple of years as didn’t want to be tied to something, but really wish I hadn’t as for me it seems to have stalled the loss and generated a small amount of re growth. If I had started it two years before it would have stalled things at a much better stage!
My understanding is that if you stop, you will notice a loss but it is only the hair that you would have shed in the time you have been on minoxidil.
if supplements work for others that’s great though. I think it depends on the cause. As mine is female pattern hair loss it’s basically the female equivalent of men going bald, and is not really down to nutritional deficiencies. I do take spatone though as I struggle to keep my iron up.

So do we need to be massaging up the jawline with a gua sha type thing and hope for the best or get some electrical device to help 🤷‍♀️

I've read great things about rosemary oil, applied topically.
I'm lazy and just put it in my shampoo but I think you are super to rub into scalp. It's very cheap to buy. Studies found it as good as monoxil for hair loss

Is that the same with nyoxin do you know?

I dont like the idea of being limited to one type of product for life

Hi OP,

If you bleach or dye your hair and use heat (well - even if you didn't actually), I highly recommend a silk pillowcase!
Cotton is very absorbent and takes away valuable moisture from the hair and skin, which causes dry and brittle hair.
Obviously it's not going to magically regrow hair that's been lost but it will at least help you to retain the length and hair that you do have!
I've slept on a silk pillowcase for 10+ years and I would never look back!
I hope you find what you're looking for 🤗

I’ve been using the Nioxin 3 step system for a few months. I have definitely noticed less hair falling out. It is quite drying so I also use a little hair serum or light oil on my ends after I’ve used the scalp treatment.

only product that I have had any success with regrowth is a brand called Montibello Hair-Loss.

Hairdresser recommended it and I did get quite a lot of regrowth using shampoo/conditioner & then the serum.