If you notice more hair growing on your shower walls and less on your head, the first thing you’ll likely do is pull out your phone, fire up Google, and stressfully type in “how to make hair thicker” or “why hair is falling out.” You’ll then be presented with a list of scary medical articles. Many of us have experienced this, 80 million people in the U.S. alone, to be exact. Consider this one of the less scary articles.
Hair loss can certainly be stressful, but it’s also informational. Hair loss is one of your body’s ways of letting you know that something’s not right. From genetics to environment, here are some of the most common reasons you might notice thinning hair: It’s natural to panic for a moment, but remember that hair loss is a trigger to go deeper with the help of a healthcare provider.
Reasons for thinning hair
Genetics
I can thank my mom for my perfect smile and my dad for my funny legs, Really Do you need to inherit a hair loss gene? In fact, one of the most common causes of hair loss is male pattern baldness, or hereditary hair loss. “Patients usually have a family history of hair loss and notice thinning extending to the frontal hairline,” says board-certified dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd. “One of the first things female patients notice is a widening part.”
stress
“Major stressful events, like a car accident, hospitalization, the sudden death of a loved one, surgery, or childbirth, can disrupt the hair growth cycle and cause temporary hair loss, also known as telogen effluvium,” says Dr. Woolie Lloyd. (She points out that occasional stress isn’t likely the cause of your hair loss.) But if you get regular blood tests and find that your cortisol levels are consistently high, it may be worth making some lifestyle changes to lower your stress levels, if possible.
Hormonal imbalance
“Hormonal changes such as perimenopause, menopause and postpartum can lead to hair thinning due to a drop in oestrogen levels,” says certified trichologist Helen Levy. This can also happen with conditions such as PCOS, which often leads to elevated testosterone levels. Hormonal imbalances can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as mood and skin changes. If you suspect something is wrong, tell your doctor or dermatologist, who can help you check your hormone levels with a blood test.
aging
There’s a lot to look forward to as you get older (wisdom! laugh lines! retirement!), and while thinning hair probably isn’t one of them, it’s totally normal. “As you get older, hair growth naturally slows,” says Dr Woolley Lloyd. She explains that this can lead to hair becoming finer, silkier, and less overall hair density.
Medical conditions
“Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disease and autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata and lupus, can contribute to hair loss,” says Dr. Woolie Lloyd. If you have any of these conditions, work with a specialist to develop a care plan. If you think you have an underlying medical problem, make an appointment with your primary care doctor, who can refer you to a specialist.
Malnutrition
Deficiencies in protein and certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids can contribute to hair loss, says Levy. If you let your doctor know you’re concerned, they may order blood tests to check your levels. Knowing what you’re deficient in before you turn to supplements can save you a lot of time and money.
styling
Frequently wearing your hair slicked back, in a high ponytail, or in a protective style can cause traction alopecia. Plus, excessive heat styling, coloring, and chemical treatments can also make your hair brittle and thin over time, says Levy.
Understand the real world consequences
Outcomes vary depending on the cause of hair loss. “Postpartum hair loss will resolve within a year without treatment, but hair loss due to illness can be more difficult,” says Dr Woollie Lloyd. Age-related and hereditary hair loss can be improved with treatments such as topical or low-dose oral minoxidil, she says, but it can be very difficult to completely reverse, says Levy. Levy points out that stress-related hair loss, and any form of telogen effluvium, usually resolves on its own, but may be improved with lifestyle interventions that reduce stress-related inflammation, such as meditation, enough sleep and regular exercise.
It’s important to understand that what works for someone else’s hair may not work for yours (yes, even if it’s the 1,000th influencer who says they got mermaid hair with colostrum!) That’s why the first step is to determine what’s causing your hair thinning and get realistic about potential solutions and outcomes.
Short-term treatments that produce immediate results
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Hair care products for adding volume and thickness
“Many people focus so much on regrowing their hair to make it look thicker that they forget to care for the hair that’s still growing,” says celebrity hairstylist Jeanetta Walker Rogers. “For immediate relief from thinning hair, use specific hair care ingredients to enrich the feel and look of your hair.” She suggests looking for formulas that contain proteins to strengthen hair, lightweight moisturizers to add volume, and starches to add texture and make hair look thicker.
On days when you don’t wash your hair, Levy recommends using a volumizing dry shampoo: “Put it into your roots and let it sit for 30 seconds, then massage your scalp in circular motions to distribute the product throughout your hair, creating lift and volume from the roots,” she says.
To add volume and texture to your hair and make it look thicker and fuller,Joico Rise Up Powder Spray “It’s great for spreading it from root to tip,” says Walker Rogers, who works at Joico.
Styling Techniques
To prevent your hair from breaking while you sleep, order that silk pillowcase you’ve always wanted. It will help prevent friction (and frizz). Leavey recommends drying your hair upside down with a hairdryer or using this Simple Brush Hacks While drying, apply a thickening mousse to damp hair, then blow dry it quickly – the heat will “activate” the styling products, helping to create lasting volume. Luxy Hair’s new scalp hair fill-in Hair care products that hide spread (and leave less visible marks) can also help you feel more confident in your hair while you think about long-term solutions.
Long-term solution
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Medicines and supplements
Depending on the cause of your hair loss, there are a few clinically proven prescription options your dermatologist may suggest. “Topical minoxidil 5% is effective but needs to be continued to maintain results, and low-dose oral minoxidil is also an effective treatment for hair loss,” says Dr. Woolley-Lloyd. However, minoxidil is not recommended if you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Shown to cause birth defectsAn alternative is rosemary oil, which has been shown to be just as effective as minoxidil 2% in promoting hair growth. In a small experiment“Dr. Woolie Lloyd explains, noting that ketoconazole shampoo has demonstrated clinical improvement in male pattern baldness.
Certain hair vitamins, such as Nutrafol, have also been shown to improve hair density in clinical studies, but taking too much of certain vitamins and minerals (such as iron, selenium, and vitamin A) can do more harm than good, so hold off on purchasing supplements until recommended by your doctor.
“It’s important to remember that patience is key with these treatments,” she says. “It can take a while to see results, so it’s best to wait at least six months before determining if a hair loss treatment is effective.”
PRP and Hair Transplants
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) has been used for years to treat tendons, ligaments, and muscles, but in recent years it has also shown promising results for hair regrowth. Essentially, the procedure involves injecting plasma taken from your blood into your scalp. The nutrient-rich plasma can rejuvenate hair follicles in some cases. “PRP is a good option, but more research is needed to better understand the durability of this procedure,” says Dr. Woolie Lloyd. Needless to say, it’s very expensive and not covered by insurance as it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. “PRP can work for some people if done consistently, but if not done properly, it can cause scar tissue and permanent damage to hair follicles,” says Levy. So, if you choose PRP, make sure you get the treatment from a qualified dermatologist or nurse practitioner.
Dr Woolie Lloyd also points out that hair transplants are an established long-term solution: this surgical intervention involves taking small skin grafts from an area of the scalp that has healthy, thick hair (usually the back and sides) and transplanting them onto bald or thinning areas of the scalp.
Proper scalp care
“We recommend incorporating a peptide-rich daily scalp treatment into your routine. Act+Acre 3% Stem Cell Peptide Treatment“This not only helps with advanced stages of hair thinning and loss, but also adds instant volume to hair,” says Leavey, founder of Act+Acre. Walker Rogers also recommends using a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep hair and scalp moisturized and strong. Leavey also recommends using a gentle scalp exfoliant or rinse to remove product, oil, and other dirt buildup on the scalp and keep hair follicles clean.
Try a weekly (or daily) scalp massage: “Massage is known to increase blood flow to the scalp, aiding the natural growth cycle and improving hair follicle health, not to mention being extremely relaxing,” says Levy.
Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, who can guide you through your hair growth process and help you find a solution tailored to your individual needs.
