Best hairstyle for very thin and lank hair!

[Junibug]

So perimenopause is giving my hair an absolute pounding - it’s always been super fine (and not much of it) but now it’s thinning badly and looks like an absolute straggly mess. I’m having to put it in a ponytail everyday as it’s just too awful to leave down. It’s naturally wavy and years of straightening has also taken its toll. Seriously, the ponytail is the thickness of a pencil, so bad.

I’ve not been to a hairdressers in years and have an appointment booked this week. I’m assuming they’re going to suggest a hard chop. I don’t want it too short though as I like to tie it up when exercising etc. Also worried if it’s short then it’ll just cling to my head. Argh! I’m nervous.

Does anyone have an experience of having very fine, dry and thinning hair chopped into a bob and being happy with the result??

I have thin, curly, perimenopausal hair. Commiserations! Honestly with what you are describing, a chop is probably what you need. It doesn’t need to be too short, but if it’s too short for a pony you could swap to a half pony? My hairdresser always talks about the need for “strong ends” and you will have stronger ends if you cut a bit shorter and blunter.

Have you got any pics of your hair so we can best help?
Would you consider clip in extensions? I’ve used milk&blush and they saved my thin hairs appearance!

My hair sounds the same. I have a just past shoulder length lob with a grown out fringe to add shape round my face. I also get a half head highlights because it adds texture and volume to my hair. No layers!

I started taking a multi vitamin with biotin a couple of years ago for peri hair thinning and it’s a game changer for my hair. (Chewwies brand). Started seeing lots of new growth very quickly.

I also switched to Herbal Essences Volume shampoo after reading a similar thread on mumsnet and it’s brilliant. I dry my hair upside down with a hairdryer - takes 30 seconds 😂 then use Velcro rollers on top to add volume.

I kept my hair long for longer than I should have for me.

It took me to seeing a photo of myself after being outdoors for a couple of hours how bad I looked. It was long, lank and shapeless and as my mum kept saying it looked like rats tails.

It looked good after I had washed and styled it but it didnt last.
12 months ago I had it cut to top of my shoulders. It was long enough to do different blow drying styles with. I have it in gentle waves, or rough dry it and leave it, use straighteners, have it flicked up.
It has been absolutely brilliant.
The number of compliments I have received is amazing.
I would definitely consider it in your shoes.
I was nervous because long hair felt part of my identity. If you do get it cut, have a good hairdresser that can give you a cut that is versatile but easy to manage.

Yes @TheGirlattheBackmakes a good point about highlights! They are almost essential for thin hair. They add volume by swelling the cuticle.

Long hair was always part of my identity too and I always got anxious in hair salons because of the washing and combing. I had it all chopped into a layered bob a few months ago and it’s so much better. I can actually give myself a proper scalp massage, it’s not tangling or getting trapped in bed at night or pulling and hurting. The wind ruffling it doesn’t bother me now because it no longer goes all over my face. Take some time to find a good salon with positive reviews and go for it.

It may be best to have it all cut off in the hope that the regrowth will be heathier especially if you plan on more regular salon trips in the future. Definitely ask the hairdresser what they recommend in terms of products to use/avoid. I was told to have regular cuts if I want it to grow which seems counter productive but my friend will trim it for free. I have sworn off home dye and any kind of heat styling, in hope of improving my hair. I have some of the L'Oréal ultimate growth shampoo and conditioner which had good reviews for reducing hair fall but I have also been told to invest in the serum as well so we will see how that goes.

Also have very fine textured hair, and not much of it.
For 15 years I've had it cut blunt to just below my chin.
I grew out a life-time of bangs at that time.
My stylist doesn't recommend bangs now because it will 'take' hair from my overall amount.
Currently looking for a new stylist.
I've had it cut with, and without, some strategically cut layers.
Both cuts I've liked, but having fine, thin hair cut BLUNT is your friend!
My advice is to not get it chopped, unless you and your stylist agree your face-shape, life-style and hair will be okay with it.
You certainly can say good-bye to hair tie-backs for quite some time if you chop.
Get a well-reviewed stylist, especially for this special first-time cut!

The problem is when your hair goes very thin, it’s not going to look thicker shorter. I’d personally keep it long enough to wear up and put it in a bun - nothing worse than a skinny ponytail! If it still looks decent when you wash it you can still have it down for evens and things. I have fine hair, but I just wear it up mostly. Couldn’t be doing with the faff of styling a shorter style everyday.

Purely as an observer I would say go short. I think stringy pony tails that show scalp don't look good at all and the best cut I've seen on someone with very thin hair was very short and choppy.

I would cut it blunt to the shoulders and no layers! Layers make it look thinner…
Also agree, if you’re fair, have highlights and also let it be wavy and don’t straighten it m. Add thickening mousse when it’s wet.
I’ve just had a think row of (ethical) hair extensions to thicken mine and I’m really pleased.

This might work?

It sounds like that’s miles away from the op’s hair type.

Loads of people use mini toppers these days. Once you see them you can’t unsee, but they’re not obvious to the untrained eye. I’d say at least 50% women in tv / film wear them or extensions.

https://www.perfectfringe.co.uk/

I thought it looked fine and thin

I find now that my hair is piss thin that it needs restrained in some way when it's windy because it blows over like the baldy man in anything stronger than a fart. So I'm reading this with interest but still need it long enough to tie back on the top.

Echoing the advice re no layers and blunt cut

Thanks everyone for replying and for all your advice - it’s nice to know I’m not the only one with annoying hair. Here’s a pic, not great but that’s the view of the back of my head. It’s very straggly as it goes down and has just no substance to it at all. It’s not actually that long. I’m definitely going to ask about product for volume as I think the days of just drying it with a hairdryer and running the straighteners over it are definitely gone. Needs more tlc than that!

Looks a lot like mine. Don't get layers, go for just about long enough to put in a pony tail for the gym is my advice. Mine also stays if I use these very cheap clips (seem to be a knock-off of a much more expensive one I've seen advertised) to make a rough pleat. They don't seem to pull at it. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Grip-Hair-Pins-Good/dp/B0041TDMZ6/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis?th=1

Your hair looks better than mine did at the same length. I now keep it very short. I love it and use volumising powder for a bit of body.
It mostly looks ok but yesterday with my glasses on I think I looked like Alan Bennett.

Your hair looks a lot thicker than I thought OP. I think cutting it into a bob will really suit you.

I can see a definite cutting line there OP. Initially I'd bite the bullet get the wispy ends blunt chopped. Then as a PP suggested, Biotin supplements. They really worked for me.

Something like this blunt cut bob would be good for a new start.

😂

What are you laughing at?

I think a blunt bob would work.

For volume I like TIGI Queen for a Day volume spray, or a volume mousse. Volumising powder for oomph. Dry shampoo before bed if I haven’t time to wash it in the morning.