Thinning hair - YouLookFab Forum

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Thinning hair

elpgal

Veteran

I have been steadily losing hair and have patches hat are almost balding. I an working with a dermatologist but in the meantime, what are your suggestions for dealing with this. I am looking for feedback and suggestions- on the hair-thickening fibers, extensions, PRP, hairstyles to conceal the issue or anything that you feel helped.

Already on supplements, blood-work doesn’t point at anything specific and an trying Rogaine.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Laurie

Sally

Veteran

I have nothing to add but have noticed my hair falling out more than usual. I will be interested to hear what people say. My pharmacist gave me a supplement with biotin. I heard it could be due to a lack of zinc.

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rachylou

Veteran

My hair has thinned incredibly since becoming t1 diabetic. It’s got a natural wave and haircuts that make it into curls help a lot. I feel like covering it - I wear a beanie a lot - doesn’t help. My dd who’s into hair - wigs, weaves, braids, all of it - says that’s true. I’d go for the fibers first.

rachylou

Veteran

Or maybe something like a dry shampoo to increase volume.

elpgal

Veteran

My derm tells me it is usually zinc and biotin doesn’t do much. She also tested me for iron and D levels, both of which could be better. Thyroid was fine.

I need have to experiment with dry shampoo. I tried it once and it was a mess. I used too much and was combing that stuff out for days! I am very curious about extensions but am concerned they might be too much work.

Teresa

Try Nutrafol and minoxidil, those have been the best for me.

Synne

Veteran

You probably already know about root concealer. My tip is to buy one shade lighter than your real hair.

rachylou

Veteran

Extensions pull - and putting them in also involves a lot of pulling. That’s more stress on the scalp. They wouldn’t be my first choice. I’d go for a wig over extensions... one that doesn’t involve glue...

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

elpgal- you could try a clip inextension. I'm going to get one for the wedding. They're not cheap, but they're also not as permanent as sewn in ones, and don't damage you hair as much.

Anonymous

There are a few recent posts and threads about this topic - all in Off Topic . I don’t have the links handy but if you search back a bit you should be able to find them . Lots of good ideas and advice , product recommendations too.

elpgal

Veteran

Teresa, thank you. I’ll look into Nutrafol.

Synne, I don’t have much gray so I haven’t experimented with coloring much but am planning to bring it up at my next visit.

Rachy and Chewy, thanks for those tips.

Lisa, you got me I didn’t even look before I asked. According to my doc, she is seeing a lot of thinning-hair complaints because of the pandemic and associated stress.

Anonymous

Drink milk, don't use shampoo every time you wash it, and you might think about cutting it shorter temporarily.

Gentle, daily scalp massage, just pressing your scalp with your fingertips to encourage blood flow.

If you color your hair, stop, at least for now and maybe be extra cautious with cosmetic suggestions as you would be introducing new ingredients that might be irritating.

elpgal

Veteran

Phoebe, I am dairy intolerant but have been upping protein. That’s good advice about not adding new ingredients.

Bijou

Veteran

If this were me I would think about getting a wig. I would not go with extensions or anything that would pull or add weight to your hair as you don't want additional hair loss or breakage.

Laurie

Veteran

This is a thread I started a long time ago about a product I use called Harklinikken. I updated it 3 months ago at the bottom of the thread. I'm so sorry you are going through hair loss. It's very difficult emotionally. Hang in.

elpgal

Veteran

Hi Laurie, I read your post and have ordered some of their products. Losing hair combined with the pandemic hit me hard I am glad for the support and solutions you all have offered.

elpgal

Veteran

Bijou, I think I am going to start with a haircut and explore a wig when I have to go back to work full-time in the fall and it is not so hot.

shiny

Veteran

I'm with Rachy on this.

Elpgal, I apologize, I forget your age. I had massive hair loss back around age 40 when I abruptly had to go off the pill. We're talking large clumps coming out in fist fulls, clogging the shower drain, empty patches, etc. Oddly enough the gray/silver hairs didn't fall out so I looked like I was quickly graying. They were unruly and coarse and curly.

For about a year I stopped brushing my hair entirely. I would just use my fingers. I also stopped blow drying and just let it dry naturally, which meant it would curl. Curling made it look thicker. I did get frequent cuts (this was the first time I went to chin length), and learned to part my hair in a zig zag part.

The hormonal freakout passed and my hair grew back in again-- thicker than before.

In my case it wasn't any sort of vitamin deficiency, it was straight up a sudden hormonal change going off the Pill abruptly.

I did try Rogaine during that time but it was gross and I just couldn't deal with that.

elpgal

Veteran

Shiny, I am 42. It’s very befuddling because there is no obvious medical reason but yet here I am with hair falling out all day. The only big thing I did last year was stop anti-depressents. Glad you got it all sorted out!

Anonymous

I a. dealing with this with.hormone therapy. Since I have been on estrogen too long I am now taking an estrogen vaginal pill 2-3 times a week. My doctor justifies it by claiming it will help my bones, osteoporosis. It also keeps my hair from falling out. I have been told by two old fab women that a scalp massage in the shower really helps. Move your whole scalp back and forth. Stimulate blood flow.

elpgal

Veteran

Joy,yes. My doctor gave me the same advice about scalp massage. Also, counter-intuitively to me, recommended daily or at most alternate day scalp cleansing.

Laurie

Veteran

I attribute my bouts of hair loss to `1) hormonal change (complicated by being on 100% thyroid replacement) and 2) general anesthesia. @elpgal keep me posted about Harklinikken! Anything hair related takes so long to see a change, so try to have patience. It's so challenging.
You get scalp massage and daily scalp cleansing with the H. protocol, so that's consistent with other advice.

@shiny - that sounds like a terrible year, but you'd never know you went through it. the zig zag part is a good suggestion.