Does anything really give hair density, thickening, even growth for thinning hair?

[Noshadelamp]

I've had thinning hair on the top part of my head for about 5 years (started with covid in 2020 but also menopausal.

It's only the top part of my head, and the rest of my hair is as dense as it always has been.

In some light such as bathroom light, I can see my scalp and it's upsetting.

Has anyone used any products apart from minoxidil that actually made a difference, I'd love to see new growth but if that's a pipedream, then styling products to make the hair look thicker.

I have the thinning at the crown thing but not menopausal yet. I had blood tests done and everything was normal thankfully apart from iron so I have been taking iron supplements and I am seeing improvement and new growth, it's been 4 months. I also have been taking vitamin D3 sprays and tried to get sun on my skin during the summer. I'm normally covered up and indoors. So I know they say it's genetic hairloss, but it's worth checking if there is a deficiency of some sort that's making the inevitable worse.

I tried thickening powders but ended up applying eyeshadow to hide my scalp a bit. Start lighter in shade and application and add more later. Some people had good results with coloured dry shampoo (eg for brunettes).

Years ago I used coconut oil on my hair and I noticed that my hair and nails (as I used my bare hands to apply it to my hair) were growing faster in length and health but I can't truthfully remember if coconut oil actually helped with density. It definitely helped me with length and strength of existing hairs.

I started taking collagen about a year ago for creaky joints. I don’t think it’s made much difference with my joints but my hair is much thicker (also my nails are so strong!) so I would definitely recommend a collagen supplement

Nizarol shampoo & minoxidil, I was using regaine, now I’m on hair & me capsules. If you live in a hard water area there are special shower heads on Amazon to soften the water. Hair & me discount code if you are interested ANNIEFA9X 😊

Oh& pumpkin seeds (I eat a handful a day) & saw palmetto supplements help.

My hair is much thicker from taking collagen. It's actually thicker, shinier and longer now as a peri menopausal 50 year old than it was in my 20s. My hairdresser comments every time I go.

I've also heard NMN is good for hair regrowth but haven't looked into it so not sure if its just anecdotal

Plantur shampoo and the tonic lotion helps hair loss and encourages new growth but it takes about 2 months to see new hair. You can buy it online or in most places that sell shampoo.

I could see new hair round my temples and also along the parting. I was losing hair and this did help with new growth. Also worth having your iron levels checked.

Those advocating collagen, what brand/type?

Yes I too have been using Nizoral (along with iron and D3). They say it encourages hair growth, I've been using it to keep my scalp clear off flakes and it definitely worked for the flakes.
Op I also recommend frequent hair washing, I used to wash my hair once every 5 days (dry ends, curly/wavey) because that was the hair advice then, but really I was fooling myself that my scalp wasn't getting oily and frankly smelly. I now wash my hair every day or two days at most and my hair is better for it. It definitely looks thicker when it's freshly washed and not greasy. I also shampoo twice then condition.

Bovine collagen. Currently using Wellguard gold standard. It's tasteless and I just dissolve in my coffee every morning.

HRT for me, obviously not the main reason I take it but my hair is so much thicker since starting HRT around 6 months ago. I had thinning at the roots and could see my parting getting wider, now it looks 'normal' again.

I had some success with biotin supplements and am now doing hair and me, I am starting to get new baby hairs. Check your iron levels too!

I swear by biotin.

I use Healthspan marine collagen as it includes Vitamin C which you need for absorption. And iron tablets and Vitamin D. One of those is working to make my hair fuller. I suspect the Vitamin D as your hair and nails always grown faster and stronger in sunshine on holiday!

I’ve been taking Kollo collagen which contains 10000mg collagen plus B and C vitamins. I also take vitamin D spray. My hair is so much thicker now previous to this I was shedding lots of hair and could see my scalp when I looked in the mirror after and during final stages of menopause.

My family has a history of balding women so when mine began falling out in clumps and thinning drastically, I didn't want to waste my time. I asked to be referred to a dermatologist scalp specialist. My doctor took bloods to determine if it was a nutritional deficiency or underlying health problem. The derm asked me to collect all hair fall in individual ziplock bags from hairbrushes, clothes, car seats, pillows, etc for one week, and performed a couple of scalp biopsies. (Not fun, but not the worst thing in the world either.) The hairfall was counted and examined to see if my hair was falling at a particular part of the growth cycle and if my hair bulb showed signs of deformity/weakness. The punch biopsy looked at the hair roots, thickness and depth. It was determined that I had two kinds of alopecia (Androgenetic and Telogen Effluvium) and I was given medication to treat both. (In my case, spironolactone and oral minoxidil.) That was three years ago. Between that and learning new ways to baby it when styling, washing, etc, my hair is almost as good as when I was teenager. It is growing past my shoulders now, the density is "normal" (Not quite what it was when I was a kid, but SOOOOO much better than most of my adult life) and I have no bald spots.

One thing the dermatologist told me to be mindful about is that hair grows very, very slowly. If something is working, you won't know for about a year. If it's not working, that's a long time for your condition to potentially get worse.

Anyone who's bought the woollen jumpers from Community Clothing - what are they like next to the skin?

I think there are things that can help.....but at a certain point you have to realiese that everybody is going to have a set point in middle age and beyond and your hair quality does deteriate.

Im same as OP. Lost almost half my hair as a stress response to covid and perimenopause meant it never really came back.
Ive tried various shampoos, topical treatments, vitamins, collagen and HRT and its better but still very thin.

oops, wrong thread!

Hasn't heard of this, just been looking it up and might be worth a go, I'll keep researching.

Thanks so much everyone!
I'm going to look into all the suggestions, it's good there seems to be solutions out there.

Another vote for collagen here, I get the boxes of liquid shots from costco. My hairdresser was amazed at the difference it made.

Minoxidil (regaine) absolutely works. It’s proven. The men’s is supposed to be cheaper than the women’s.

I use Regaine (minoxidil). You have to be consistent every single day but I’ve got hair growth now around the edges where I was losing my hair.

My hair is the thinnest of anyone I know ☹️. I have tried rosemary oil (6 months), collagen (year), thickening shampoos, Champo (3 months), vitamin D (every day), iron tablets (daily) - nothing has made any difference.

I'm currently on month 3 of Regaine and have noticed no difference as yet, but will keep going