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Style & beauty

Thinning hair - am I going to go bald?

(71 Posts)
granoffour Wed 28-Sep-16 11:55:48

And do I have to set aside a huge portion of my pension for hats?

I happened to spy my head from the back yesterday. There is definitely a bald patch emerging at my crown. What to do?? Any advice gratefully received.

Or jaunty hats...

petitpois Wed 28-Sep-16 12:46:39

Get to a good hairdresser pronto! Get them to restyle your hair and make suggestions. Do an occasional olive oil treatment. Without photos can't really comment but sure it's not as bad you think smile.

rosesarered Wed 28-Sep-16 14:39:37

Or lovely wigs/hairpieces? A friend of mine had this problem and bought herself an amazing wig, you can't tell it's false and she looks years younger.

rosesarered Wed 28-Sep-16 14:41:40

What you can do right now, is use hair products to thicken the hair and try and cover the small bald patch, or look online as there is a colour spray that matches hair colour and disguises a white patch of scalp.

merlotgran Wed 28-Sep-16 15:00:10

A friend of mine has thinning hair and swears by dry shampoo to add volume. She uses it every day even if her hair has just been washed.

cornergran Wed 28-Sep-16 15:44:59

A friendly and good hairdresser will be a big help. He/she would not only advise on style but the best products to use. It's also worth seeing your GP, there are many causes of hair loss, not all to do with the ageing process. I understand totally, have a similar problem. Try not to worry to much, it's likely to be much less noticeable than you fear and there is help out there whether medical or more cosmetic

Sparklefizz Wed 28-Sep-16 16:20:44

I am taking powdered collagen (Great Lakes brand, available from Amazon) for another health problem, and much to my surprise my painful arthritic joints are loads better, and my thinning hair seems to be regrowing and thickening up! I have been taking the collagen for 2 months so far.

merlotgran Wed 28-Sep-16 17:07:45

Thanks for the tip off about powdered collagen for painful joints. I've just ordered some from Amazon to see if it helps.

Maggiemaybe Wed 28-Sep-16 17:24:19

A GP visit is definitely in order, as it could be lack of iron or vitamin B12, or perhaps a thyroid problem. None of them the cause of my awful fine, thin hair, which is genetic, but you need to rule out medical causes first.

I must have spent a small fortune on various pills, potions, specialist extensions, creams and powders over the years.

Currently I use Batiste dry shampoo (lots of Batiste), buying in bulk when it's on half price offer, Fibrology shampoo, Viviscal supplements or similar, and the occasional false hair messy bun, which cost a fiver or so and pin on with a couple of hair clips. I hope I never have to go down the wig route, as I imagine they're uncomfortable - has anyone experience of this?

TriciaF Wed 28-Sep-16 18:28:08

I hope you find a solution granoffour - I've always had strong thick hair, but even so it's becoming thinner.
Good advice already, but I would add, keep it cut fairly short. Long hair puts more strain on the roots.

Falconbird Wed 28-Sep-16 18:28:24

I have the same problem. I think mine is hereditary because my mum had the same pattern of thinning. I had blood tests recently and they were all normal so it isn't thyroid.

I have styled my hair in a short bob so the length at the sides and top takes attention away from the baldie bit. My hair is a greyish blonde so that takes attention away from the scalp, dark colours make the patch more obvious.

Do visit your GP if you're worried just to set your mind at rest.

Rosieroe Wed 28-Sep-16 21:25:34

There is a light directly above the bathroom mirror and my hair is so fine now that my scalp is very visible when I under it. My parting is much wider. I remember my aunt wearing a wig in later years and my older sister has very fine hair since her 30s so I guess it's genetic. Recently I've been thinking about trying something like Regaine for Women or a similar treatment. Has anyone used it?

Deedaa Wed 28-Sep-16 21:51:03

One of my old schoolfriends has always had rather thin hair, but lately it's been looking very thick and healthy. I'm probably really dim but, until she told me, I didn't realise she had started wearing a wig. The stress caused by her DH's illness had started to make what hair she had fall out.

Falconbird Thu 29-Sep-16 06:34:32

When hair becomes thin and fine don't over wash it There's a movement afoot saying that hair doesn't need to be washed more than once a week and to avoid harsh shampoos. I use baby soap and that works well on my thinning hair.

Boolya Thu 29-Sep-16 07:25:59

I started to get bald patches 46 years ago. I have worn wigs (how I hate that word, it is so ugly) since 1986. Worse is the loss of 'facial furniture'. Wigs can be a bit uncomfortable, but they can look stunning.
Go and see your GP to start with. Supplements might help e.g. Zinc. also a good hairdresser can help with styling.
I don't know your age but it seems to me that many women have thinning hair post menopause.
Minoxidil (Regaine) might work, but you would have to carry on using it and it is expensive.
If in the far future you have to go down the wig route, pm me and I will recommend the place I go to.
Best of all, don't worry about it and live life!

J52 Thu 29-Sep-16 09:29:37

It is so distressing to see hair falling out, on the hairbrush and around the shower plug hole!
It seems to happen to many of us, hair definitely thins as you get older and if you already had fine hair it appears much worse. Overhead lighting makes it appear worse because white and grey hair allows the light to travel down the shaft, showing up the scalp. Dark hair blocks the light.
I too have been losing hair over the last couple of years, also the condition of my nails has been getting worse.
I switched to organic shampoo and conditioner, more gentle, stopped having a whole head colour, just highlights and had a good chin length cut.
I have also started taking daily Biotin and cod liver oil capsules alongside feroglobin. After a month these have definitely improved my nails, better than ever and I think have improved the hair fall. It might not work for everyone, but might be worth a try.

KatyK Thu 29-Sep-16 10:07:22

I would avise a trip to your GP to rule out anaemia, thyroid problems etc. As I have mentioned many times on here, I have lost allmy hair. It's a nightmare. I have a 'hair system' as wigts have to be taken off and I can't bear to look at myself with no hair. sad

KatyK Thu 29-Sep-16 10:22:56

Apologies for repeating your advice Maggiemaybe GP should be first port of call.

Rosieroe Thu 29-Sep-16 10:42:43

Thank you J52. I'll certainly look up your recommendations and start taking some supplements. I usually get a base color every six weeks and highlights and don't feel ready to give up just yet. My hair is in a chin length bob with a fringe and I really don't suit my hair shorter than that. I can't imagine myself with a wig as I apparently have been blessed with a larger than 'normal' skull and I can't even find a hat that fits. This is why I wondered about something like 'Regaine' - has anyone have experience of this and does hair really start to grow again?

P.s. Gloria Hunniford was on Loose Women yesterday with such a shock of hair. Surely a wig.

KatyK Thu 29-Sep-16 10:47:48

Gloria said her hair has always been her pride and joy and a while ago when she was on medication, her hair started thinning. When she came off the meds her hair grew back even thicker. She says it's her own. Incidentally, I tried Regaine. It didn't work for me but that doewsn't mean it won't work for other people.

inishowen Thu 29-Sep-16 11:03:24

I have the same problem, in fact all the women in my family have it. I was found to be low on B12, but after being on injections for several years my hair is no better. Perhaps the damage is already done and can't be fixed.

Rosina Thu 29-Sep-16 11:17:45

I noticed this a while ago (already have fine hair and it's grey/white on top so looks worse). I started taking Evening Primrose Oil capsules.'Bought them from Healthspan as they are pure and a good price, and although this may be coincidence the hair loss seems far less now. I got really frightened by the amount of hairs on the brush and round the shower plughole - not a nice sight, is it?

I have also started using 'Aussie' shampoo and conditioner for fine hair, on a strong recommendation from several people, and my hair seems calmer, has a bit more body and is a little easier to style. With all the tips here, granoffour, you shouldn't need too many hats!

Legs55 Thu 29-Sep-16 11:22:11

I have very fine hair, definitely heredity as my Mum has been wearing wigs for over 40 years (she is 87) due to thinning hair. Haven't gone down that route yet, mine is quite long as I don't think I would suite really short cut, wish I could, might eventually go down wig route but am perservering for now grin

MinniesMum Thu 29-Sep-16 11:24:44

Sparklefizz - Help - there are several products on Amazon by Great Lakes. Is it the one in the green tub with gold bands round the top?
Help would be appreciated. Sounds like just the thing for my arthritis.

wilygran Thu 29-Sep-16 11:28:10

DH used Regaine for years .Still does (ever the optimist!). All the while losing hair at a regular pace. Now almost completely gone, but he is in his seventies & claims it might have been worse if he hadn't used it. I used his too (without telling him) when my hair started thinning years ago. I didn't find it made any difference & resorted to the good hairdresser solution! To be honest nothing else I tried made any significant difference & it was just wasted effort, time & money.
I've just tried to resign myself to it now, though it isn't good when you catch sight of yourself under the merciless light of a shop changing room!