Help! Save my hair.

[ToadRage]

Help! I am at my wits end with my hair. It's so thin, it won't grow and always looks awful. I have a bald spot and a rapidly receding hairline. I don't do anything that could be considered damaging, I don't dye it, I don't use heat, no harsh chemicals, I try not to wash it too often cos I seem to lose a good deal during washing. I cannot afford any costly lotions and potions. Thickening shampoos/conditioners don't help. I have tried scalp serum which has had no effect. I just want thick, beautiful hair is that too much to ask?

your hairline is receding you could have Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia. You need to make an appointment to see a dermatologist as things can be done to help.

Where is the bald spot? I’ve seen people have create a bald spot unintentionally by wearing their glasses /sunglasses on top of their head and rubbing the hairs there! Agree with PP you need to see dermatologist or trichologist so check things, also try tk maxx for Pureology shampoos- it’s costly but they often have it in there for much less, and the hydrate range could suit you .

It does sound as if you might be lacking sufficient amounts of some vital vitamin / hormone / etc.

Have you had a blood test recently? I would do that before paying for specialist investigation. Ask about supplementation for anything at the lower end of ‘normal’ as well as treatment if needed.

Presumably you’ve already considered diet, sleep, stress and environmental factors? (Though that’s probably easier to type than to do.)

I agree with the others, I don't think this is about hair treatments. I would be looking for physical health concerns that could lead to this, diet, lifestyle, supplements. Is it different to the other women in your family?

I used rosemary oil once (but you need to dilute with a carrier as I think it can burn) which seemed to help me and I lose tons in the shower. Also I use a satin/silk pillow case and use detangling spray (that prevents breakage), plus no hair bands as they tug at the hair. Hope some of that is helpful. I did also go to the doctors to get vitamins checked and I think my thyroid too.

I admit I don't have the best diet, been trying lose weight for years but love my junk food. I take a few vitamin supplements, have been trying to drink more water and had a blood test earlier this year which said everything was fine. I suffer from PCOS which I know can cause hair loss.

Have you had your iron levels checked? Mine were very very low and my fine hair thinned so much I was honestly worried I was going to go bald. After a few months of GP iron supplements I’m no longer losing hair at anything like the same rate - DH was threatening to make a voodoo doll out of what was on my pillow of a morning before! Blood tests are free and would be my first stop but I do also take a biotin supplement.

As I said i had a blood test recently and all my levels are fine.

Have you had any illness or vaccinations lately @ToadRage ? Any stressful situations? Definitely fill out a form for your GP explaining all this and when it started. I developed a scar on my head after a particular vaccine in 2022 and was given a topical corticosteroid to apply whenever I feel symptoms again, because it’s supposed to stop an autoimmune reaction, which I’d had to cause it. It took one GP visit, blood tests, a referral to a dermatologist, some scalp injections and this fluid.

Generic all panel blood tests don't screen for things like trace metals. Think zinc and selenium and a few others. You can also have good iron levels too but still be low on ferritin. Usually these tests are ordered by specialists and aren't considered in primary care due to poor general practice understanding.

You really need to see a specialist if your hair is receding and balding. There will be a reason for it. It just hasn't been found yet.

I had an accident last year that involved 2 operations & I was incapacitated for 4 months which in turn caused me a great deal of stress. My hair dropped out in handfuls! My hairdresser put me onto B12 Methyl activated tablets from the chemist/Health food store and a year later my hair is growing back and in great condition.
However as others have stated, I would recommend visiting a dermatologist for their opinion, just in case there are underlying reasons for your hair loss.

Good Luck.

it sounds like you might possibly have androgenic alopecia. See a dermatologist (even better a trichologist) , as it will be more difficult to treat as time goes by.

First thought is it’s genetic with little you can do, second thought are you on metformin for the pcos? It has a hair loss side effect as does binge/fast type diets.
See a dermatologist then go from there.