Looking Good, Feeling Great - Thin Hair

I have been on this healthy lifestyle for over a year now. I have not during the whole time been consistent with what I was eating and what not but I have for a good chunk of it. And I have taken a one a day multivitamin the entire time. During this time, my hair has gotten increasingly thin on top..as in I can see my scalp :o.

Barring any type of procedures, treatments, surgeries or pricey products...are there any tips or tricks to make it appear fuller or to grow it back? :|

I am very ashamed of this but will post it anyway, here is an overhead shot. Overlook the fact my hair is nappy..it is post workout, pre shower hair :|

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/shelspray/balding.jpg

Have you tried Nioxin shampoo and conditioner?Kinda spendy but works very well.Do you know a hair stylist?I have my mom pick it up for me at Peels and then I get her discount.

I don't know a hair stylist but I will look into it, thank you :hug:

Hi, Onderchic. Just a thought...have you had your thyroid checked recently? I was surprised to learn that one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is hair loss. It has been a problem for me and I notice it particularly when my thyroid hormone replacement med needs to be adjusted. Once my medicine is adjusted, my hair loss almost completely stops.

Cheers,

J

I had that checked a couple years ago and everything was okay. I don't want to be bald :( After looking at the pic I posted, I have been sitting here crying :(

don't cry girl...it's not as bad as you are thinking it is. What is your hair care routine in the week to give us an idea? How often you wash, what products you use etc., what would you say your natural hair type is (wavy, loose curls?)

Onderchic,

Hey, just wanted to say congrats on the weight loss...... you are in inspiration. I just read on another thread that you are from Tennessee.... I am from across the river in Arkansas.

anyway, I had very thick hair when I started. I have pretty much been a mirror image of how you lost weight........ and I am thinning too. My OBGYN said unless I am losing 300 hairs a day the dermatologist won't do anything...... and if he does, it will be prescribing Rogaine.... However, my beautician said to increase the vitamin Biotin.....

Hope this helps.

also are your hormones in balance?

I generally condition my hair every day and shampoo it every other day though I just recently started doing that. Use tobe I would shampoo and condition it everyday. My hair is curly/nappy/frizzy. It is the top/bangs that are so bad and I dunno, it is really embarrassing to me. I have enough self esteem issues without trying to do a comb over to hide my scalp :(.

My horomones are okay as far as I know and I can not at this time in my life afford to go to a doctor or anything cause well..I am poor with no health insurance.

I can totally relate to thin or thinning hair. My bad diet over the years (coupled with an eating disorder and meds) has left my hair very thin and nearly bare in small patches. My hairdresser assures me that if I continue with the healthy eating it will improve and that it can take well over a year to see a real difference in regrowth rate. In the meantime she gave me a few tips:

1. Conditioner makes hair limp and appear thinner so only use it every 3 or 4 hair washes. When you do apply it, apply only to the very ends.

2. Use shampoo specifically designed for thin, fine or limp hair as it will be lighter than other hair products.

3. Use the minimal amount of hair products necessary as anything like hairspray or gel flattens the hair.

4. Examine the amount of stress in your life if you are experiencing continuing hair loss. Even a healthy diet and lifestyle cannot compensate for the effects of stress on hair loss.

5. Massage your head (either when shampooing or just with dry hair) using your fingertips (not nails!). Apart from being really really soothing it helps boost blood circulation to the hair follicles.

6. I often tease (or backbrush) the hair gently with a comb in my thinnest areas. you just brush backwards towards the roots a little. It works really well to disguise thin areas and give the illusion of volume.

7. Any pretty little hair clips can be great to cover particularly thin areas and draw attention away form the actual hair.

I'm sure I can think of more random tips but I hope these might help a little!

See your doctor? me too, since the age of 16 my hair has seriously thinned. Completely different styling required. A good stylist will give you bangs with a short underlayer to disguise this. I got a haircut (and many since) that rocked my world, thin hair and all.

I have chalked it up to hormones, being on birthcontrol (Diane one year, then yasmin for a few more) and maturation. I have to see my doctor about it too.

I can totally relate to thin or thinning hair. My bad diet over the years (coupled with an eating disorder and meds) has left my hair very thin and nearly bare in small patches. My hairdresser assures me that if I continue with the healthy eating it will improve and that it can take well over a year to see a real difference in regrowth rate. In the meantime she gave me a few tips:

1. Conditioner makes hair limp and appear thinner so only use it every 3 or 4 hair washes. When you do apply it, apply only to the very ends.

2. Use shampoo specifically designed for thin, fine or limp hair as it will be lighter than other hair products.

3. Use the minimal amount of hair products necessary as anything like hairspray or gel flattens the hair.

4. Examine the amount of stress in your life if you are experiencing continuing hair loss. Even a healthy diet and lifestyle cannot compensate for the effects of stress on hair loss.

5. Massage your head (either when shampooing or just with dry hair) using your fingertips (not nails!). Apart from being really really soothing it helps boost blood circulation to the hair follicles.

6. I often tease (or backbrush) the hair gently with a comb in my thinnest areas. you just brush backwards towards the roots a little. It works really well to disguise thin areas and give the illusion of volume.

7. Any pretty little hair clips can be great to cover particularly thin areas and draw attention away form the actual hair.

I'm sure I can think of more random tips but I hope these might help a little!



Thank you so much.

I will explain why I have just been using conditioner mainly...it is because I have super frizzy hair :(.

I also been using a hairdryer everyday and flatiron to try to tone down the frizzies. Should I stop those and if yes, how do I get rid of my frizzies?

Thanks again for all the advice :hug::hug:

Onderchic,

Hey, just wanted to say congrats on the weight loss...... you are in inspiration. I just read on another thread that you are from Tennessee.... I am from across the river in Arkansas.

anyway, I had very thick hair when I started. I have pretty much been a mirror image of how you lost weight........ and I am thinning too. My OBGYN said unless I am losing 300 hairs a day the dermatologist won't do anything...... and if he does, it will be prescribing Rogaine.... However, my beautician said to increase the vitamin Biotin.....

Hope this helps.


I was born and raised in Dell, Arkansas :)

I was just reading an article about biotin and was thinking maybe I could try that.

Thanks so much for the response :hug::hug:

Ok so I feel for you! I not only feel for you I sympathize with you because my hair started thinning after I started losing weight. I think the biggest part was that the multi-vitamin I was taking wasn't a good one. So I went to a health food store & picked up a really GREAT multi-vitamin. I also researched that ginseng & horsetail helped hair to grow so I got a pill for that. I have a bunch of little hairs all over my head! The place that was thinning is rapidly growing back hair. If you want I can send you the links, but this is also working for my husband, & another mutal friend of ours so we believe in it. :) Just PM me if you're interested. ;)

Small world! I used to drive through Dell to go to Blytheville to work. I don't know.... I live in Trumann and work in Jonesboro.

Make sure your scalp isn't greasy also- that is a hindrance to hair growth.

As far as I can tell, my scalp isn't greasy.

We must have twin hair types.... mine is of the wild untameable Irish type!

In response to your questions, yes it is better to avoid the flat iron and hairdryer entirely. Realistically I find them impossible to survive without. My hairdresser said if I was to dry my hair with the hairdryer to hold it a bit further away from my hair so the heat doesn't damage it and also to use a ventilated metal hair brush as this dries the hair quicker (and I find if you use a big round metal brush it really helps to smooth the hair if you point the hair dryer down in the direction of the ends of your hair).

With the flat iron it's really important to ensure all of your hair is dry before starting. I use a light styling spray that protects hair and is heat activated so you lock it into your hair as you straighten it. Also, move the flat iron down your hair as fast as you are able to get it straight. The less time heat is near your hair the less time it can do damage and ultimately break away leading to thinner looking hair.

As for advice for the general frizzies (which I find create a 'beautiful' halo effect around me in shadows!) use the lightest/thinnest feeling product that works for you. In otherwards, experiment with random brands until you find the one spray or serum that weight down the little frizzy fellas without flattening all of the other healthy hair down too.

Have you ever tried a silicone product for frizzies? I used to have really frizzy hair (somehow it calmed down) and lived on frizz-ease. It helps tame your hair without weighing it down.

This is the product I currently use for frizzies -

Frizz Ease (http://www.johnfrieda.com/products/products.asp?pid=53&section=products&subSection=frizzEase&lineID=4)

But I am more worried about thinning hair than I am the frizzies at the moment :o :(

Do you have plenty of omega 3 in your diet? That seems to be helping my hair a lot. I have new hair growth going on.

I eat some tuna everyday..is that omega 3?

Nobody has mentioned diet (okay, I was slow at typing, someone just did), which can make a big difference. The only time I had real problems with thinning hair (talking tons every time I washed it) was when I was doing a combination of low cal / low fat (probably low protein as well). I wasn't tracking specifically, but I was doing low-fat vegetarian. I was also exercising a ton, which adds to body stress. At the time more than one person told me that I wasn't getting enough protein. Since this time I'm eating higher cals, higher protein, higher fat, it's hard to say which made the difference, but it really has.

I looked at your 'my journey' post and if you're eating lower fat, you might consider adding in some (say even 100 cals a day). Your range of 1400-1600 is low enough that adding that shouldn't be a big deal. It could just be that your body is having a hard time adjusting to what is an excellent rate of loss. When you deprive your body of full calories (which we all do to lose weight) it can play havoc with the rest of your systems. Think of it as running a car without gas, or too little oil, eventually it may affect the vehicle.

The good news is that if you can stop of slow the hair loss, once you reach maintenance it is likely your hair will thicken up.

Well, just to clarify, my funds are very very limited so my groceries are really cheap basics that I eat every day. I do have 1-2 tbsp country crock butter every day..is that fat or no? I just ask cause honestly I haven't a clue.

My hair was thinning a bit a while ago which made me really concerned because i do not have huge hair to start with! But then i talked to my doctor and she said that when you go through something stressful, your body holds on to the hair because it is sort of "worried" and wants to hang on, whereas usually everyone loses a little bit of hair all the time. A few months before i had moved abroad which obviously was really stressful, so once i had adjusted a bit and gotten less stressed, my scalp "relaxed" and let all the hair go at once it seemed like! But after a while it stopped falling out so much and went back to my normal (thin, limp :-) ) hair. Not sure if this is applicable but thought it was kind of interesting. Otherwise the ideas about diet sound like good ones to me... Good luck!

I eat some tuna everyday..is that omega 3?

tuna is ok, but salmon would be better. you only need to have it 2-3 times a week to get the health benefits from it or you can buy fish oil capsules. look through sale fliers, Walgreens, Riteaid, CVS usually have buy 1 get 1 free sales on vitamins, and sometimes there are coupons in the Sunday papers so you can get a good deal.


I also second the vitamin biotin and scalp massages, if you don't mind the smell of essential oils, doing a scalp massage with them could help.. here's an article that tells which ones to use and how much to mix with jojoba oil, etc.. you would use it the nights before you shampoo. if you can't get them all, rosemary would be the best one to try.

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Alopecia.htm

Awww, Onderchic. It makes me feel bad to hear that you were crying about your hair. I honestly think that aging can also contribute to some hair loss. I am a bit older than you (not much) and I have noticed more of a change in texture and thickness as I age. It is depressing. But, I promise you, nobody else notices it the way you do.

Cheers,

J

Thanks so much rosiem and ringmaster :hug:

Awww thanks J :hug:

You're welcome! :hug:

Alright, lol this might be a long post but hopefully it's helpful;

I've always had thin-errr hair. lol. I, too, have long, curly, frizzy hair. My soon-to-be mother-in-law has thin hair too and she told me to buy Mane & Tail shampoo & conditioner. I'm not sure if this works, I bought it but I have been really busy and haven't been paying attention to how it looks. I'm about to do a work out and then take a shower, so it doesnt look as good as it could right now, and I wanted to post this now because I'm a complete procrastinator. Explains why I'm about to do a work-out at 12:30am, haha.

However, it's like 6 bucks for the Shampoo at Wal Mart, so I will keep using it a little more and let you know the results.

Also, I've noticed over the years that condition does weigh hair down, so I put a tiny bit on my hands, rub them together so its spread out, and lightly put a little on the top of my head. Then I put more in my hand for the rest of my hair (not touching my scalp or even the bottom back of my head).

Especially that you're working out and sweating, that plus the conditioner, minus the shampoo on the every other day, just weighs it down, and probably groups hairs together, it does that on my head. So the more shampoo and less conditioner, the better.

Also, since you have curly hair, what kind of brush do you use to comb it? like a round brush, a flat brush, or a comb? and how often do you brush it? Wet or dry? And how often do you blow dry it? and flat iron it? I have found some steps that may help with thining hair, but it depends on the answers to those questions. I will try to check back on your page as soon as I can, but like I said, I'm a procrastinator lol, so drop me a comment if I don't get back to you for a few days, to remind me. :]

I've said in my other comment, you're an inspiration and I just joined 3FC and I'm loving it, I feel like I can talk about things I cant even tell my close friends. I feel like it's alright if it's embarassing because there are people going through the same trials. Thanks for everything! and I hope I can help you out too!! :]

Well, just to clarify, my funds are very very limited so my groceries are really cheap basics that I eat every day. I do have 1-2 tbsp country crock butter every day..is that fat or no? I just ask cause honestly I haven't a clue.

Yes, it is fat. I'm assuming that other things you are eating will have it as well (meats, cheese, eggs, milk, yogurt, etc.). It's very easy when dieting to cut calories by eating lean meat, low-fat yogurt/milk/cheese, etc. It sometimes does affect our bodies. I might do what the Ringmaster suggested, look for sales on fish oil and add capsules to your diet. They might be more expensive though than you can afford (hope not). The other option would be to avoid the low fat yogurt/milk/cheese - which are often more expensive than the full fat versions.

Onederchic, :hug: I feel your pain. Something to try while you wait for results from diet/supplements - Toppik or Boom Boom Hair. These are tiny microfibers you sprinkle on your scalp, it takes the shine away and makes any thin areas less noticeable. I'm in Canada, but I'm sure if you Google those names you'll come up with local suppliers. They come in a variety of colours; a container costs about $30 but lasts for a long time. Good luck, and more :hug: .

I know other people mentioned it but have you seen a doctor/had blood tests done?

I know fats/diet have been mentioned but for me personally, I eat a low fat vegan diet, no fish supplements and I haven't had an issue with dry skin/thin hair. I know a lot of people in the 80s had issue because they were eating a lot of nonfat processed foods and indicators were dry skin/losing hair.

Is your skin dry as well?

Alright, lol this might be a long post but hopefully it's helpful;

I've always had thin-errr hair. lol. I, too, have long, curly, frizzy hair. My soon-to-be mother-in-law has thin hair too and she told me to buy Mane & Tail shampoo & conditioner. I'm not sure if this works, I bought it but I have been really busy and haven't been paying attention to how it looks. I'm about to do a work out and then take a shower, so it doesnt look as good as it could right now, and I wanted to post this now because I'm a complete procrastinator. Explains why I'm about to do a work-out at 12:30am, haha.

However, it's like 6 bucks for the Shampoo at Wal Mart, so I will keep using it a little more and let you know the results.

Also, I've noticed over the years that condition does weigh hair down, so I put a tiny bit on my hands, rub them together so its spread out, and lightly put a little on the top of my head. Then I put more in my hand for the rest of my hair (not touching my scalp or even the bottom back of my head).

Especially that you're working out and sweating, that plus the conditioner, minus the shampoo on the every other day, just weighs it down, and probably groups hairs together, it does that on my head. So the more shampoo and less conditioner, the better.

Also, since you have curly hair, what kind of brush do you use to comb it? like a round brush, a flat brush, or a comb? and how often do you brush it? Wet or dry? And how often do you blow dry it? and flat iron it? I have found some steps that may help with thining hair, but it depends on the answers to those questions. I will try to check back on your page as soon as I can, but like I said, I'm a procrastinator lol, so drop me a comment if I don't get back to you for a few days, to remind me. :]

I've said in my other comment, you're an inspiration and I just joined 3FC and I'm loving it, I feel like I can talk about things I cant even tell my close friends. I feel like it's alright if it's embarassing because there are people going through the same trials. Thanks for everything! and I hope I can help you out too!! :]


Thanks so much! I would love to be kept updated on your experience with the shampoo.

I use a vented flat brush. I normally brush it while I am blow drying and I do blow dry and flat iron everyday :o

Any and all tips are greatly appreciated :hug::hug:

Yes, it is fat. I'm assuming that other things you are eating will have it as well (meats, cheese, eggs, milk, yogurt, etc.). It's very easy when dieting to cut calories by eating lean meat, low-fat yogurt/milk/cheese, etc. It sometimes does affect our bodies. I might do what the Ringmaster suggested, look for sales on fish oil and add capsules to your diet. They might be more expensive though than you can afford (hope not). The other option would be to avoid the low fat yogurt/milk/cheese - which are often more expensive than the full fat versions.


Thank you very much! I will definitely look into the oil/capsules. I have already decided I am getting biotin as well so wish me luck :o :hug:

Onederchic, :hug: I feel your pain. Something to try while you wait for results from diet/supplements - Toppik or Boom Boom Hair. These are tiny microfibers you sprinkle on your scalp, it takes the shine away and makes any thin areas less noticeable. I'm in Canada, but I'm sure if you Google those names you'll come up with local suppliers. They come in a variety of colours; a container costs about $30 but lasts for a long time. Good luck, and more :hug: .


Awww thank you so much! I will definitely check em out :D :hug::hug:

I know other people mentioned it but have you seen a doctor/had blood tests done?

I know fats/diet have been mentioned but for me personally, I eat a low fat vegan diet, no fish supplements and I haven't had an issue with dry skin/thin hair. I know a lot of people in the 80s had issue because they were eating a lot of nonfat processed foods and indicators were dry skin/losing hair.

Is your skin dry as well?


No, my skin was very dry before I changed my eating and switched to drinking water but now it is pretty soft and nice :D

As for the doctor, I have not been to one in about 1.5 years. I do not have any money or health insurance but the last time I did go, I was just told I was morbidly obese with high blood pressure and elevated sugar levels which I have managed to knock all 3 of those out :D

Good for you!

I'm sorry to hear about lack of insurance :( I try to get a checkup every year to make sure my blood work is on track.

I am wondering if you could try going without blow drying/flat ironing for a short period of time? I know it would be tough.

I can try it. I just hate my curly/frizzy locks so badly, lol :mad:

I'm having the same problem. Although I can't see my scalp yet I fear it may lead to that soon. I've always had very fine/thin hair and have always bee insecure about it because everyone else in my entire family has very thick hair except for my grandma on my dad's side. I must have gotten the thin/fine hair gene from her.

Anyway, I've noticed that while I shower gobs of it seems to be falling out and more comes out when I brush my hair and stuff. I started taking a multivitiman, so hopefully that will help but I'm realy worried. I can feel the difference when I put my hair up....it's much thinner and the usual chips I use aren't holding the hair as secure has they used to (I use large hair clips to put my hair up because they don't pull my scalp and hair as much as rubber bands).

I've seen in this post a few people mention suppliments the took to help with regrowth. Were can I find them????

Onederchick...I really hope you find a solution as well. I know how embarrassing/depressing it can be. :(

Thank you, MLM.

I think my plan of action for now is getting biotin and trying out the Mane and Tail shampoo/conditioner.

I'll keep everyone posted once I get the products and start using them.

Wish me luck!

I commend you for your bravery at seeking help for this, my cousin has thinning hair and it is devastating for her. These are some tips she's clued me into.

-Go to your local hardware store, they sell these little filters that filter out the chlorine from your showerhead. Chlorine is the worst thing for hair loss. A cheap little filter will help a great deal.

- Eat plenty of nuts, legumes, salmon, and use olive oil. That margarine stuff you're eating is not real food, better to eat real butter than what you're eating. Don't believe me? Leave an open tub of it sitting outside over night, you'll see that even bugs won't touch it my friend. Don't let bugs be smarter than you. Switch to pure green olive oil (not refined which is sometimes labeled "light"). Lentils, yankee beans, garbanzos, hummus, yellow split peas, they're all great. I have some super simple and cheap recipes if you're interested.

- Fish oil supplements. It's not terribly expensive but well worth every penny.

- Avoid fried foods

- Give your hair a rest - no styling products, hair dryers, and especially flat irons for at least a month, preferrably longer.

- shampoo every few days. Do this gradually and your hair will adapt to this schedule. Wash every other day for now, then wash every 3 days for a couple of weeks and gradually put more days between each washing until you're only doing it once a week. Condition only after shampooing, and never on the scalp.

I hope these help, let me know if you need recipes for those legumes. They're very inexpensive but carry a wealth of nutrition.

Mane and Tail doesn't do a darned thing for me but make my hair even dryer. Your results may vary.

My hair used to be extremely thick. Now I am thinning all over and see daylight at my forehead and crown area. Its so depressing. You may be having this problem due to your dramatic weight loss so far. I went through this in my twenties when I lost a bunch of weight in short order. At that time it grew back in thicker. Now that I am securely in my forties my hair will not come back, in my case its genetics that are working squarely against me. You may wish to try shampoos that add volume to your hair and also there is a product called dermmatch. Dermmatch is basically scalp makeup that works really well to disguise thin spots. I started using it a few weeks ago and it really makes a difference. Good luck to you.

Good luck! Let me know if it helps!

Thanks TamiL :hug:


MLM - Will do :D

How about olive oil to add more fat in your diet? Like cooking your meat with a bit of olive oil (not sure how you cook your meat)? Olive oil is one of the good fats (in moderation of course).

Mane and Tail I love that stuff- sure it's like $6 a bottle but then you need like 1 bottle every 6 months? It's HUGE!

As for meats, the only meat I eat is chicken breast...well and tuna but not sure that qualifies in meat but anyway..I could try getting some olive oil..it is normally pretty costly though, right? Like 7 or 8 bucks? I dunno...bnever bought it :|

Like some people said... I'd try changing multi-vitamins. Also, you definitely need to get some fats into your diet more, like olive oil, etc. A little bit of olive oil definitely goes a long way! Also, try using some flaxseed with your cereal or oatmeal, etc. Tons of Omega 3's. I love it! :) Fish oil capsuls too have been said to be good for Omega 3's!

Also... when it comes to hair products... you get what you pay for. After a few years of being extremely broke and just buying the store bought stuff, my hair was paying for it. Near bald spots, thin, coarse, etc. Finally I gave up and my personal monthly splurge went back to my hair and although I spent about $50 every month for my Aveda shampoo and conditioner... I have NOT regretted it. My hair is so much thicker, shinier, and healthier it's not even funny. Those store bought brands are just the PITS for hair... especially ones like Panteine (sp?) that have waxy bases. If you must buy store brand, try Nexus or Paul Mitchell as they're also used and sold in salons.

Thank you, Amanda :) I just added Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules to my list of things to get :D

Hi, I have PCOS and my hair has gotten thinner over the years.

If you go to sephora.com you can look at Rene Furterer products, which have worked well for me. More specifically, I use the RF80 which has worked well for me. I recently purchased the Complexe 5 but have only used it once. The up front cost can be pricey BUT you are getting several months worth of product so it's not really that bad if you divide it over a period of time.

Other good stuff:

-fish oil, in large quantities (I take Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, 4-6 capsules daily)
-prenatal vitamins, even if you are not TTC
-biotin and a B complex, especially if you are doing low carb (whole grains have B vitamins)
-I don't blow-dry my hair, mostly because I am lazy.

I have never used Nioxin but I've heard good things about it. I think it just depends on the individual. I use Infusium 23 which smells great and makes your hair super soft.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much, Annie :hug:

Nioxin also has daily vitamins. They're good for hair and skin.

http://www.hairenergizer.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/nioxin%20vitamins.jpg

:hug: to you for crying. :)

Thank you so much Sunshine!! :hug::hug::hug:

Thanks so much! I would love to be kept updated on your experience with the shampoo.

I use a vented flat brush. I normally brush it while I am blow drying and I do blow dry and flat iron everyday :o

Any and all tips are greatly appreciated :hug::hug:


I just typed this whole thing, then my internet closed :[ lol.
so here we go :]

I'm going to tell you this story to lead into what I did with the shampoo for today's shower and etc.

I haven't been to sleep since last night, and I wanted to work out this morning before I showered so I could see how thin it was before and after I showered.
I surprised myself though, I got on my stationary bike and put the towel over where the digi screen is that shows the distance, time, workout info and such. I selected a 30 minute work out of different resistances, I also kept going for 1 1/2 hours extra on the lowest resistance at different speeds and while leaning back here and there. So sweat in my hair was a definate, along with oil from my skin.
Like I said, I haven't been really paying attention to how my hair looks as to how it did before I started using Mane & Tail... however now, with the sweat and oil and such, it deffinately looks thicker than it used to. It's not all greasy and spread out. It actually dried quickly from the oil and sweat, instead of looking like it has grease in it till I wash it.

After I noticed these result changes, I got a shower, this is step by step exactly how I used each substance;
Mane & Tail Shampoo- I used enough to lather my whole head and then I used my fingertips to rub it into my scalp, not my nails though.
Mane & Tail Conditioner- I put a small ammount onto my palms and rubbed them together so that it became a very thin coat, I applied it very softly and cautiously to all the parts that are the closest to my scalp (top of the head, back of the head, and both sides) without directly touching my scalp with it so it didn't make my skin greasy. I only used enough to make my hair not feel so rough from the shampoo.
Then, I put more conditioner onto my hands and applied it to the rest of my hair (approx. 4-5 inches from my scalp, all the way down to the tips).

Afterwards, I put my hair up, loosely, in a towel. A.- to keep it wet because the air dries my hair quickly. B.- loosely because if the towel is tight, it is very possible it will tug on strands of hair/stretch them and pull out hairs.

Then I took my flat brush and brushed my hair starting from the bottom, working my way up to the top. If you brush from top to bottom, it pulls on more groups of crossing hairs/tangles.. and is more likely to pull out larger groups of hair.

I've found it to be less intense if I brush it while it's still wet, than after it dries. The wet helps seperate the hairs as they go through the bristles of the brush, instead of tugging on them and breaking them.

I let mine air dry. Flat irons and blow dryers are both harmful to hair, especially thin hair because they both have intense amounts of heat and can cause breakage and/or cause strands to become really weak. Flat irons are the most harmful out of the two. If you must use your flat iron, in need of a straight-hair look :], I would let your hair air dry then do it in bigger chunks so the heat isnt focussed on a small piece. The least often you do either/both of these, the better.

I used to flat iron my hair every day for like a week or two then not do it for a few days then do it again... Now, I rarely straighten my hair. I rarely put anything in it actually. I just brush it when its wet the either put it back up in the towel nd let it curl really cute, or I fluff it with my hands. If I put anything in it, it's a small ammount of mousse.

As I looked at it after it dried, and I'm looking at it now, it does look thicker and fuller. I'm not sure if this works for everyone, but they're less than $10 each. You can look for them online, they have them at Wal Mart carries them. I'm pretty sure they were like $6-$8 a piece. So, they're not too expensive.

I will keep you filled in, I just figure I'd let you know that since I've started to pay attention to it. :D

[[I wrote this last night, lol, I thought I hit submit but apprently I fell asleep. Sorry!! lol.]] :dizzy:

Thank you so much Sunshine!! :hug::hug::hug:

You're welcome! ;)

TamiL.. I'm not trying to say this to be rude, just to explain why Mane & Tail doesn't work for you. It doesn't make hair grow. It strengthen hairs already in place, so that they are fuller and don't break as easily, and don't get tied to other hairs so easy. If you're already having hair loss due to genetics, Mane & Tail wouldn't help you grow it back.

Also, Mane & Tail is for humans and animals (pets). This goes along with the explanation of why it has made your hair dry. It's PH is neutral, for both skin types, humans & pets, [note: if you have a pet and you bathe it with human shampoo, or any human hair products, it could damage the animals skin.] M&T isn't to make hair silky and smooth, it thickens, not quickly, but I'm noticing that it does work. Yes, my hair is dryer than it used to be.. but that has helped my hair out very well with not being greasy/oily, therefore it isn't weighed down. :]

I'm sorry if that offends you, it is deffinately not intended to.

Onederchick... BTW I forgot to mention that M&T was used for both humans & pets. It wasn't in the shampoo aisle of my Wal Mart, it was where the pet shampoo is. It sounds funny but I'm actually going to keep using it.. I am noticing difference. Let me know [if you use it] if there is progress for you. I'm sure it doesn't effect everyone's hair exactly the same way. I will let you know in about a week or two the update of my usage and changes/lack there of, with M&T. :]

SailorWife,

No rudeness taken in your tone :) Mane and Tail doesn't do a thing for me. I do not have oily or greasy hair. I have very dry overprocessed hair. No it won't help hair to grow back, I know this because if it did, people would be falling over themselves to purchase it, LOL My point was, what works for one may not work for all. My daughter loves Mane and Tail. She is 16 with really thick, long hair.

BTW- Mane and Tail is Buy one get one free at Walgreens this week with the coupon in the Sunday ad (page 12).

Thanks again ladies!

I will be sure to post my experiences :D

I have biotin, fish oil capsules and mane n tail shampoo/conditioner on my list and hopefully my bf buys them or else http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/shelspray/Smilies/thsmiley_kicknuts.gif :rofl:

Suggestion for fish oil capsules, I've read a large percentage are actually rancid. When you get them, cut them in half and smell them. If they smell bad, take back to the store/don't use them.

Thanks for the heads up, nelie! :hug:

Also...freeze your fish oil tabs and take them frozen.My patients complain of burping up fish oil.This will solve the problem!!

Thank you, harris. I will do :D :hug:

Couvre makes a great scalp concealer. It's about $25 a tube. Sometimes, you can find your shade on Amazon for a little cheaper (beware of shipping charges). I work out and Couvre does not sweat off, yet it doesn't clog the pores either. Some people have complained of it being hard to apply. It isn't really. You dampen your scalp and rub it in rather than using the sponge that comes with it (which I think if just a marketing tool). This stuff will give you your life back.

My bf picked me up biotin and fish oil capsules today. I am gonna start taking them tomorrow. I will keep ya'll updated on any results I may get. Wish me luck!

Onederchic.....Definitely keep us updated on how the biotin and fish oil capsules work out. I also have thinning hair near my hairline (and very thick hair everywhere else), so I would love to know how it works for you.

I surely will :D

My hair is also thinning at the top but is thick in the back. I have been taking fish oil for a while but haven't seen any difference. I also tried Nioxin and still no difference. I do color my hair (ammonia free) every few months as I have lots of freakin' greys in the front...as if I didn't have enough problems there to begin with. So, yeah, please keep us posted on your results. It will take few months to show any changes so I hope you have positive results.

Someone once mentioned to me evening primrose...not sure how effective that is.

Chicks, I have been using minoxidil and spironolactone for about a year. The spironolactone tempers excess testosterone that might be influencing hair thinning (has side effects, not bad for me... also studies vaguely linked to monkeys and stomach cancer...FYI) and minoxidil (rogaine) helps it stay in my head.

I have pcos which is why the spiro works. Funny, I tried minoxidil several times and had to stop due to scalp sensitivity but this last time I was able to continue it. The lady who cut my hair a few weeks ago said she would not have known my hair was very visibly thinning 6 months prior (noted by another haircutter)

just some more info.....

Thank you pintobean and kittycat :D

I have been using the biotin and fish oil capsule about 2.5-3 weeks. Thought I would post a progress picture.

Here is the before picture -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/shelspray/balding.jpg

And this pic I just took a few minutes ago -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/shelspray/hair2weeks.jpg

It's been 2 months since I started the biotin/fish oil and though my hair is shinier and healthier looking and feels softer, the thickness has not changed :(


Here's a pic from today -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/shelspray/hair-2months.jpg


It makes me sad to look at this picture :(

I went through this, and it is absolutely brutal, so you have my sympathy. I had really thick, long, beautiful hair, and sure enough, a few months into my weight loss, it started falling out, particularly around the crown of my head. I freaked out. Oh, did I freak out, because it seemed so unfair. I mean, here I was, losing all this weight, and the one physical thing on which I hung my self-esteem for so long -- my beautiful hair -- was being taken from me.

I was able (I think) to pinpoint the big problem, which is that I wasn't getting enough iron or good fats, so I've been taking very good care to make sure I get those, by adding a decent daily multivitamin, and actually, you know, eating some fat, calorie-dense though it is. It took a little while, but once I started doing that, the appalling daily hair-fall slacked right off, and a couple of months after that, my hair started growing back in. During my last visit to the hairdresser a couple of weeks ago, she told me she could see baby hairs growing in all over my head. Hang in there!

Thank you very much :hug:

Hang in there, it can take a few months. And when it does start to grow back, like Catherine said, it starts with baby hair. I had that almost a year ago, and I'm going through that again. Those baby hairs take a long time to become as long as the rest of your hair!

Thanks Julie, I feel better now :hug:

4 months in and here is what I see, no change

beginning pic
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/shelspray/balding.jpg

Today pic

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/shelspray/bald2.jpg

I dont know if anyone mentioned it, as I skimmed through this kind of quickly - but be sure you aren't pulling your hair back in a really tight pony tail. I try to alternate with it pulled back loosely with a clip, than with a band. I wasn't getting thinning hair, but a lot of breakage from the constant pull with the pony tail.

And with olive oil - it seems expensive, but when you portion it out, as I'm sure you would :) it lasts a long time. And you can usually buy the store brand for less too.

Its hard to tell with your pictures, but it seems a little thicker. It may take a few more months for it to start growing back in.

And I've always heard that pre natal vitamins are really good for hair growth. I've never taken them, as I dont have children, but I've heard that from various people.

Thanks Lizzy :)

I never wear ponytails cause my hair is pretty short. I have been taking biotin and omega3 capsules for about 4 months. I will look into getting some olive oil.

Hi Onederchic,

I hate to be pessimistic - but do you think you may have female pattern baldness (https://health.google.com/health/ref/Female+pattern+baldness)? Unfortunately, I do. My hair is very thin on the crown and bangs, and my mom's hair is the same way. Thankfully, my sisters don't seem to have the problem. My hair was very thick throughout my childhood and my 20's, but started to thin when I was in my 30's. I'll be 52 in February and though the hair I lost hasn't come back, things seem to be holding steady for now.

I considered minoxidil but chose not to go that route though I know others who are very happy with it. My dermatologist doesn't believe that shampoo type or frequency of shampooing has much to do with FPB, though he cautioned about over processing and rough brushing/combing because breakage will make thin hair look even thinner.

A good hair cut makes a huge difference. I saw your hairstyle thread and the styles you're thinking of going with. Both look great, but be sure to talk about your concerns with your stylist and see what he/she recommends. My hair looks best when it's quite short on top and when I have no visible part. It fluffs up and covers my scalp well that way. When it gets a little weight it starts out nice in the morning but by mid day has flattened out and I've got shiny pink/white scalp showing through....

Good luck to you! I'll be anxious to hear (or see) how you look after your visit to the stylist tomorrow! :)

Thank you very much Heidi. I will be sure to post a picture after I get my hair styled tomorrow :) :hug:

Heidi -

Wanted to add, I very well could have female pattern baldness though no one is my family has ever shown any signs of it including my momma or 7 sisters. I keep begging my bf to buy me a wig but he is a cheapskate and won't :(

I think a good haircut will be a much better solution than a wig anyway.
I'll be thinking about you tomorrow - sending good thoughts your way! :)

Wonderchic...:)

Please forgive me, but this is worth the copy and paste

(from the Mayo Clinic)

"Causes of specific types of hair loss -
Telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss is usually due to a change in your normal hair cycle. It may occur when some type of shock to your system — emotional or physical — causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state. The affected growing hairs from these hair roots fall out. In a month or two, the hair follicles become active again and new hair starts to grow. Telogen effluvium may follow emotional distress, such as a death in the family, or after a physiological stress, such as a high fever, sudden or excessive weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, surgery, or metabolic disturbances. Hair typically grows back once the condition that caused it corrects itself, but it usually take months."

And YOU, my friend, have had an excessive weight loss! NOT a bad thing...but your body is responding to that. And your hair is stuck in the "telogen" or resting, phase. It normally will last three to four months.

All good advice on the prenatal vitamins, iron, omega3 capsules, I even take vitamin D.

I had a very stressful incident back in July, and noticed my hair falling out in huge quantities September. Freaked me out as well. Even knowing what caused it, it was still awful. Dreading washing, or combing my hair, and seeing ALL that hair in my hands.

Went to my stylist a month ago, and he noticed new growth, and also noticed little bumps on my scalp. Like little zits. He said my oily scalp was causing break-outs on my head! Sheesh...as if losing my hair wasn't bad enough, now the follicles trying to regrow my hair are getting clogged...

He recommended the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo. The Lavender Mint. Now, it's not going to regrow my hair. But it's suppose to clean the scalp and help clear up the little bumps. (I'm sure any good shampoo will do that) Shampoo...massage your scalp...let the shampoo sit in your hair for a good minute...rinse. But, this lavender shampoo is THE BOMB, just for the smell alone! It's like some aromatherapy in the shower every day! ;)

So please...don't stress over the hair loss, stress will only make things worse. You have accomplished so much over this past year. I'm sure, once your body hits a weight you're happy with, things will balance out. In the meantime, the fish oils and vitamins will make your new hair growth healthy and shiny.

And, just to be safe, it's always a good idea to have blood work done, to rule out thyroid problems.

Thanks you very much Suzy for the info and support. I try very hard to not stress about my hair but I have such very low self esteem already that really seeing my scalp doesn't help it any, heh. I will keep holding out and not give up hope though. At my bangs area, there's some new growth..like significantly shorter hairs there..that my bf and I have noticed so I just keep praying and hoping :) :hug:

Heidi - you rock! Thank you :D :hug:

Suzy - I had to go google telogen effluvium and also read this

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/hair-loss-news/article225.php


I am feeling somewhat more calm about it but I just wish if that's what has happened, my hair would grow back already, heh :| :hug:

At my bangs area, there's some new growth..like significantly shorter hairs there..that my bf and I have noticed so I just keep praying and hoping :) :hug:

That's what happened to me when my hair started regrowing. It takes a long time for hair to regrow, and all the follicles can't restart at the same time. I first noted those little short hairs maybe a year ago, and they've grown out a bit now. They helped but I still felt a little sparse at the temples. Recently I've had another batch of those short hairs, and *now* it feels like my hairline is really filling back in.

Julie, it is very comforting to have you always fill me in on your progress, thank you so much. It means a lot to me :hug:

wanted to know if anything's changed. My hair started thinning three months after I started my weight loss. Even during this pregnancy it's still falling out. I fear what it will look like after I have the baby and the hormonal low hits where you lose that pregnancy hair. Since I don't have much now...heck I would think I'd need a wig when that takes place. :(
I'm taking Biotin and Vit E, along with Super B-complex and magnesium. My midwife took me off the prenatal early in my pregnancy. I was losing hair prior to the prenatal and while on it so it didn't do much for me.

I will take a picture tomorrow, I am too tired atm but for myself, I really do not notice a difference and I have been taking Biotin, Folic Acid and Omega 3 daily.

I don't know how old you are, but I am facing a hair thinning issue probably due to age (premenopausal with associated symptoms). Your issue may be hormonal due to weight loss if not age. There doesn't seem to be a good solution, but here is what I am doing.

First of all, I switched to Nizoral shampoo 3x/week (normal shampoo other days). It's a little pricier than my usual Suave (or whatever is on sale). It isn't intended to treat hair loss, but for dandruff. However, the active ingredient is also a mild anti-androgen (negates the effect of testosterone/DHT which is what causes hormonal hair loss).

I have also read that research has determined that caffeine topically applied promotes hair growth and there is at least one pricey shampoo that contains it. Rather than pop for another pricey shampoo, some folks on the net suggest buying caffeine powder (which is pretty cheap) and mixing it with your own shampoo.

Rather than go that route, I just leave a little of my morning coffee sometimes and pour it into a bottle. I mix in a tiny bit of the Nizoral and apply the coffee mix to my scalp using a long dropper. Yes, I do smell a little like coffee, but that doesn't bother me. I mix in the Nizoral to prevent the coffee from going moldy since I sometimes use the same batch for days and I'm just guessing that it might make it a little more effective. Again, I'm just telling you what I do -- this isn't an accepted medical treatment.

I hear that they are experimenting in Europe with topical estrogen. If it works well, I expect to see product here too. In the mean time, there's the possibility of using soy extracts which have phyto-estrogens. Some folks have suggested applying the contents of soy extract gel caps to the scalp. I haven't tried that for a few reasons. I tend to avoid soy mainly bc one of the other side effects is that it seems to literally shrink your brain.

You might also consider topical minoxidil and Retin-A. I think these both stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow to the follicles which helps compensate for the effect of DHT.

Like you, I also take supplements. I take the folic acid and fish oil since they are so good for health as well as hair. I take biotin too but not regularly. I don't take saw palmetto, but I've seen it suggested as a supplement for the anti-androgen property (which is why men take it to help reduce the odds of getting prostate cancer). I think I'd rather stick with more localized topical solutions rather than trying to get to my scalp through my digestive system.

I've really only been doing this for several weeks (except the supplements). I'm not really good with reliability either. I do think there is some improvement, but I would not be able to claim a thick head of hair has resulted.

Unfortunately I no longer have the first picture I took for this thread, somewhere along the way, I deleted it, it seems but here is one I took a few minutes ago

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/shelspray/hairmay2010.jpg

Onederchic,

You are such a huge inspiration to me. Before I get to my response regarding thinning hair, I just want to say thank you for sharing your journey here on 3FC! :)

My hair has been quite thin for the last 10 years, and I completely empathize with how it can affect one's self-esteem and how very self-conscious it can make a person feel. There have certainly been occasions when I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry (and did), or not leave the house. I am so sorry you, or anybody, has to deal with this!

I have tried so many topical tonics and shampoos, as well as curling my hair and using a messy, colored hair powder, to no avail and much expense.

Well, at the beginning of the year I had my naturally brown hair (very similar to yours) lightened in order to dramatically lessen the color contrast between my pale scalp and dark hair. People were skeptical, but it is one of the BEST decisions I have ever made!

Lightening my hair made a tremendous difference in how thin it appears, and I have received a ton of compliments on both the color and, from those close to me, the difference in *apparent* thickness. (Even my stylist was wowed!)

For a while, it was a very dark strawberry blonde/rust orange color, and now it is light golden blonde. I have loved them both.

As a brunette, I could really let my fast-growing roots grow out for well over a month with the dark strawberry blonde/light redhead color, so it was the easier and cheaper of the two colors. And though I had it done in a salon, I would be confident to have used a box do-it-yourself dye with this color. (And I have to say I loved how really retro and sexy, especially with brown eyebrows filled in with eyebrow powder, and cat-eye style top lid liquid eyeliner, this color looked.)

The light golden blonde is extra-great at masking the thinness, is so much fun, and everyone tells me I look summery and so much younger, but it requires a lot more upkeep and money, and I wouldn't recommend trying to do it oneself. But if you can swing it, I would say go for it!

If you do lighten your hair, I really recommend John Frieda's Sheer Blonde Color Renew shampoo and especially the conditioner. I have used so many shampoos and conditioners, many of them very expensive, out of desperation (if my thin hair grows beyond my ears, which it has, it get tangled and rips out very easily), and the aforementioned is so much better; instantly detangles and smooths my hair, as well as decreases brassiness, and it is relatively inexpensive to boot. Also, John Frieda's clear glaze is great for increasing shine. The "nice" thing about not having a lot of hair, as you must know, is that at least you don't go through hair products really quickly. ;)

Lastly, you probably already have first hand experience of this, but now that my hair has grown past my chin, I find wearing it in updos look best (thin hair doesn't hang that well, but curls tend to look nice).

Once again, thanks for the inspiration and good luck with your hair situation! I am hoping myself that a nutritional solution will help, so I look forward to hearing what is found to work.

Satu

I also have been losing hair over the years. It started around 2002, the year before I went to Hawaii on vacation. I remember this because if I was out in the sun it seemed that I had more hair loss. I remember that I could actually feel the hair follicles popping out (this drove me batty). I remember that my scalp felt warm all the time too. I took prenatal vitamins, Omega 3, and used Nioxin for a couple of years. When it first started, I would count the hairs that came out after washing my hair. I went to the dermatologist and all he could recommend was Rogain, which I bought but did not use. I wanted hair on my head, not on my face. I was just too afraid too use it for that reason. I read every forum that I could find. I cried and cried. I looked at wigs online. I didn't buy one, but would have.

I read on one forum that someone used Neurogena T-Gel shampoo with coal tar and it helped soothe their scalp. I started using it a few years ago and I have noticed that while I still have some hair loss, it's not quite as bad as it was. I have noticed that I have not had any scalp problems at all. The shampoo doesn't smell so great, but I don't care. I also use a small dime sized amount of John Freida's conditioner, the one for straight hair, just because it makes it easier to take a pick through my hair.

I know that I still lose more hair during the summer and during the winter it gets thicker. I have also started coloring my hair a lighter color. Well, I don't but my beautician does. The lighter color is for my gray not the hair loss.

I am of the mind, that if any of these products that we use or are on the market really did regrow hair, that they couldn't keep them on the shelves. So, I don't put much faith in anything regrowing my hair. I am happy that my scalp feels better and that I am not bald yet. If I go bald, I'll buy some really nice wigs and start wearing them.

Onederchic,

You are such a huge inspiration to me. Before I get to my response regarding thinning hair, I just want to say thank you for sharing your journey here on 3FC! :)

My hair has been quite thin for the last 10 years, and I completely empathize with how it can affect one's self-esteem and how very self-conscious it can make a person feel. There have certainly been occasions when I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry (and did), or not leave the house. I am so sorry you, or anybody, has to deal with this!

I have tried so many topical tonics and shampoos, as well as curling my hair and using a messy, colored hair powder, to no avail and much expense.

Well, at the beginning of the year I had my naturally brown hair (very similar to yours) lightened in order to dramatically lessen the color contrast between my pale scalp and dark hair. People were skeptical, but it is one of the BEST decisions I have ever made!

Lightening my hair made a tremendous difference in how thin it appears, and I have received a ton of compliments on both the color and, from those close to me, the difference in *apparent* thickness. (Even my stylist was wowed!)

For a while, it was a very dark strawberry blonde/rust orange color, and now it is light golden blonde. I have loved them both.

As a brunette, I could really let my fast-growing roots grow out for well over a month with the dark strawberry blonde/light redhead color, so it was the easier and cheaper of the two colors. And though I had it done in a salon, I would be confident to have used a box do-it-yourself dye with this color. (And I have to say I loved how really retro and sexy, especially with brown eyebrows filled in with eyebrow powder, and cat-eye style top lid liquid eyeliner, this color looked.)

The light golden blonde is extra-great at masking the thinness, is so much fun, and everyone tells me I look summery and so much younger, but it requires a lot more upkeep and money, and I wouldn't recommend trying to do it oneself. But if you can swing it, I would say go for it!

If you do lighten your hair, I really recommend John Frieda's Sheer Blonde Color Renew shampoo and especially the conditioner. I have used so many shampoos and conditioners, many of them very expensive, out of desperation (if my thin hair grows beyond my ears, which it has, it get tangled and rips out very easily), and the aforementioned is so much better; instantly detangles and smooths my hair, as well as decreases brassiness, and it is relatively inexpensive to boot. Also, John Frieda's clear glaze is great for increasing shine. The "nice" thing about not having a lot of hair, as you must know, is that at least you don't go through hair products really quickly. ;)

Lastly, you probably already have first hand experience of this, but now that my hair has grown past my chin, I find wearing it in updos look best (thin hair doesn't hang that well, but curls tend to look nice).

Once again, thanks for the inspiration and good luck with your hair situation! I am hoping myself that a nutritional solution will help, so I look forward to hearing what is found to work.

Satu


Thank you so much for the support and information :D :hug:

Hi All ...I too have been experiencing thinning hair since I was about 28 ( am now 36 ) ...It is no coincedence with me ( or my endocronologist ) that I started having the thinning hair as soon as I gained about 60 pds ...the heavier I have gotten the worse the thinning has become...my testosterone was off the charts when I first went to the endo a few years back...I do take spiro for that now and even though it is still a little high it is so much better than it was...my endo keeps telling me that I probably wont see any hair regrowth unless I lose alot of my weight...and even though I cry over the hairloss it hasnt motivated me to lose any ...until now...I have recently lost 17 pds and am trying to make it work this time and just do it ... I also have insulin problems as well so need to get the extra weight off anyway for health reasons...

I started noticing that alot of the women I see with thinning hair are quite overweight and I asked my endo if there was a connection and she said yes, more fat cells cause more testosterone when you have insulin problems...so I am hopeful, but I guess I will have to see what the future brings. I have always heard that if the hairloss was hormonal like mine seems to be that it is reversable, but like I said - I will wait and see ...

I also take 5000mgs of Biotin daily and am going to start taking a good vitamin...I have heard good results about women and Rogaine but like others have said I am afraid of the side effects of the hair other places ( face, chin ).

I wish all of you luck ( and myself ) with your thinning hair, I know from experience that it is one of the most devastating things we can go through with our looks.

Take Care

Carri

I posted this in another thread, but thought it would fit here too :)

I've had problems with hair loss too and am currently being treated by an endocrinologist for hormonal imbalance and nutritional deficiencies. I haven't regrown all that I've lost, but I've regrown enough that I feel confident and was able to ditch my wigs (yes, it was that bad).
Your first step would be to determine what is causing the hair loss. Iron deficiency is the leading cause of hairloss in women, so I would definitely get your iron levels checked, especially the feritin level--this is a measurement of a protein in the blood that stores iron. Many women may have "normal" blood iron levels, but their feritin levels are depleted, so the body robs what would normally be used for hair growth and uses it for more essential bodily functions.
Another nutrient deficiency that is common with hair loss is Vitamin D deficiency, especially for those (like me) who live in northern states. Vitamin D is essential for many body functions, including hair growth AND metabolic function.
Sadly, weightloss can contribute to hairloss, so making sure that your diet is being properly supplemented is very important (and not all vitamins are the same--some brands are more effective than others).
Other common causes are hormonal imbalances (hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, use of hormonal contraceptives, etc).
The biggest thing is that the vast majority of hairloss is caused by internal reasons, not external (misuse by overstyling may cause breakage, but if your hair is shedding excessively and not growing back, then it's an internal problem), so I would definitely advise seeking a doctor's assistance in determining the cause of your hairloss.
Sorry for the long reply--it's obviously something that's been a sensitive issue for me and something I feel strongly about spreading the word on!!
Good luck and keep us posted.

Wow, I don't remember this thread. It is going to take me a long time to read it all. I take biotin and I think that has helped. I had never heard the things that Satine said and always thought if you had a lot of testosterone you would also have a high sex drive which I don't have. I am 61.

Hi Carrie,

Your hair difficulties sound a lot like mine--I was diagnosed with PCOS 3 years ago and am taking 200 mg of spiro for the elevated testosterone. I have IR too, and that makes it challenging.

I would definitely ask your endo to check your iron (feritin) and Vitamin D levels...I'm not sure if you're a PCOSer or not, but a lot of women who are seem to have inadequate iron and Vitamin D stores and that can contribute greatly to hair loss. And even if you're not a PCOSer, it's still a good thing to check.

As for hormonal hair loss being reversible..it depends on how early you start treatment for it. With hair loss caused by elevated testosterone, eventually the hair follicles simply crap out and won't start reproducing hair under any circumstances. But the good news is that many forms of hair loss (even hormone related) is treatable and you can experience regrowth. I have had great success with a combination of Spiro, exercise, Vitamin D3, and iron supplementation. When I was first diagnosed, I was wearing a wig...I've grown enough back that the wig is no longer necessary :) My hair isn't as thick as it was when I was 16, but at least it covers my head now :) So there is hope...and even if your hair doesn't grow back, there are a ton of cosmetic options that can help and will definitely make you feel better. Good luck!

Hi All ...I too have been experiencing thinning hair since I was about 28 ( am now 36 ) ...It is no coincedence with me ( or my endocronologist ) that I started having the thinning hair as soon as I gained about 60 pds ...the heavier I have gotten the worse the thinning has become...my testosterone was off the charts when I first went to the endo a few years back...I do take spiro for that now and even though it is still a little high it is so much better than it was...my endo keeps telling me that I probably wont see any hair regrowth unless I lose alot of my weight...and even though I cry over the hairloss it hasnt motivated me to lose any ...until now...I have recently lost 17 pds and am trying to make it work this time and just do it ... I also have insulin problems as well so need to get the extra weight off anyway for health reasons...

I started noticing that alot of the women I see with thinning hair are quite overweight and I asked my endo if there was a connection and she said yes, more fat cells cause more testosterone when you have insulin problems...so I am hopeful, but I guess I will have to see what the future brings. I have always heard that if the hairloss was hormonal like mine seems to be that it is reversable, but like I said - I will wait and see ...

I also take 5000mgs of Biotin daily and am going to start taking a good vitamin...I have heard good results about women and Rogaine but like others have said I am afraid of the side effects of the hair other places ( face, chin ).

I wish all of you luck ( and myself ) with your thinning hair, I know from experience that it is one of the most devastating things we can go through with our looks.

Take Care

Carri

Lots of great advice in this thread.

I too have had thinning hair, most likely due to PCOS, but possibly from hormonal birth control or weight loss. I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost 2 years now and have been off birth control for about the same. The hair loss has definitely slowed, in fact I believe it has stopped altogether.

It was definitely heartbreaking to have to deal with hair loss while losing weight. I remember going shopping and being excited to try on new clothes, only to end up feeling terrible seeing the lights in the dressing room reflect off areas of my scalp :(

I can't say I've necessarily noticed regrowth, but I've found a cosmetic solution that works quite well - a product called DermMatch. It goes on the scalp and helps color the skin that shows through, and coats the thinning hairs to help them appear thicker. I've been using this for over a year, and I love it. Instead of feeling self-conscious about my hair, I pretty much don't give it a thought at all.

Thanks for the info, I will check it out :)

Dermmatch is a great cosmetic solution to hair loss--I used it in combination with Toppik when my hair was at its worst and they did wonders for my self esteem.

One other note for ladies dealing with thinning hair--if you live in an area that has hair salons specializing in hair loss and hair replacement, I would definitely recommend going there for your hair cuts. We have a salon here in Seattle that makes custom-made hair systems (wigs, toppers, etc that look amazingly realistic) and they also do hair styling for clients with thinning hair who weren't ready to use a hair piece. Since they work with these issues on a daily basis, they know all the tricks on cutting hair to give it optimal fullness and help mask the thin areas. Plus, it really helped me not feel so self-conscious since I knew that it was normal for them to see bald spots and thinning areas on their clients' heads.

Lots of great advice in this thread.

I too have had thinning hair, most likely due to PCOS, but possibly from hormonal birth control or weight loss. I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost 2 years now and have been off birth control for about the same. The hair loss has definitely slowed, in fact I believe it has stopped altogether.

It was definitely heartbreaking to have to deal with hair loss while losing weight. I remember going shopping and being excited to try on new clothes, only to end up feeling terrible seeing the lights in the dressing room reflect off areas of my scalp :(

I can't say I've necessarily noticed regrowth, but I've found a cosmetic solution that works quite well - a product called DermMatch. It goes on the scalp and helps color the skin that shows through, and coats the thinning hairs to help them appear thicker. I've been using this for over a year, and I love it. Instead of feeling self-conscious about my hair, I pretty much don't give it a thought at all.

I found Dermmatch on Amazon.com for like 30 bucks. I can't get it until next month or July but I am definitely gonna get it and try it out. Thanks ladies.

Thanks for the info Blu - I have been checked for pcos by my endo and I dont have that, but I do have alot of the symptoms I know...I will check with her to see if she checks my feratin levels, I am about to have my annual blood work done and I want to make sure that gets checked.

I am lucky in the fact that mine is not real noticeable right now to the naked eye as I part my hair on the side, but each year gets worse and worse, so it is very worrisome, especially if someone is up over me and can see on top of my head, I hate that I have to worry about it.

Luckily my hairdresser is also a friend and she schedules my hair cuts for when no one is in her shop, but I still feel really uncomfortable and pittied by her ( which I dont like ) but anyway , that is where I am at.

I usually dont think about it when I am not styling or washing it, which I guess is a good thing, but I do have those pity me moments once in a while where I wonder "why me? what did I do to deserve this?" it sucks, it really does...so I feel for all you ladies :hug:

Awww big big :hug::hug: to you too, Carri

That's so great that you have a friend who's a stylist--that was and still is the hardest thing for me, having someone touch my hair and (eek!) wash it.

I'm glad your hair loss isn't too noticeable right now. That's the best time to start treatment--when you first start noticing it--because the longer you wait, the lower the chances of regrowth. And being proactive and doing something about it takes a lot of the anxiety away.

Best of luck with your labwork and keep us posted!

Thanks for the info Blu - I have been checked for pcos by my endo and I dont have that, but I do have alot of the symptoms I know...I will check with her to see if she checks my feratin levels, I am about to have my annual blood work done and I want to make sure that gets checked.

I am lucky in the fact that mine is not real noticeable right now to the naked eye as I part my hair on the side, but each year gets worse and worse, so it is very worrisome, especially if someone is up over me and can see on top of my head, I hate that I have to worry about it.

Luckily my hairdresser is also a friend and she schedules my hair cuts for when no one is in her shop, but I still feel really uncomfortable and pittied by her ( which I dont like ) but anyway , that is where I am at.

I usually dont think about it when I am not styling or washing it, which I guess is a good thing, but I do have those pity me moments once in a while where I wonder "why me? what did I do to deserve this?" it sucks, it really does...so I feel for all you ladies :hug:

I am wondering if any of you that use Dermatch could either post pics here with and without the product or send to me in a private message? I am curious as to how it actually looks and the difference it makes. Thanks!

I never took pics, but you might try joining or visiting a hairloss forum. Lotsa before and afters posted. I can PM you the one I used to visit if you'd like.

I am wondering if any of you that use Dermatch could either post pics here with and without the product or send to me in a private message? I am curious as to how it actually looks and the difference it makes. Thanks!

Please do, thanks :)

I just sent it. Good luck!

Thank you :D :hug: