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Health

Thinning hair

(62 Posts)
Quokka Wed 14-Aug-24 13:42:44

I’m nearly 80 and just recently I’ve noticed my hair is much thinner. I’m worried it’ll eventually all disappear!

I’ve tried supplements like biotin and collagen to no effect. I’ve tried washing it less often. Used that German shampoo advertised on TV to prevent hair loss. I’m too old for HRT. Sprays do give an appearance of thickness but don’t stop the underlying problem.

Any suggestions that others have found to work please. Are there any products you have found that stimulate new growth or ar least preserve what I have left?

MissAdventure Sun 18-Aug-24 14:08:13

I cantfind the right coloured topper.
I did have some silvery blonde bits in my hair, but it's s been cut, and they've all but gone.

LiliWenFach44 Sun 18-Aug-24 11:01:19

I read the other day that Rosemary Oil is excellent for thinning hair.. haven’t tried it but am going to. I have had a bald spot on my crown which hairdresser cleverly cut with layers which hides it until wind blows! I have PMR and angina so on drugs like Methotrexate and Prednisone which are hard on hair & heart meds too. I also take Folic Acid (Vit B9) which Dr recommends to prevent hair loss. 5 mg -can buy it online or OTC. Hair shedding is very upsetting and the more one frets the worse it gets I find. I think hair topper is a good idea. I think Jennie Bond has one now too.

Quokka Fri 16-Aug-24 20:19:53

Firstly Kate1949 I’m so sorry to read this. It’s especially hard for women isn’t it?

Allsorts yes I understand. Extreme stress or chronic stress is soul-destroying - and it doesn’t do our bodies any good either. I must try to be more proactive in tackling it but the home situation is pretty dire so……

Jennajim Fri 16-Aug-24 14:31:34

BOLDIFY,,,,,hairline powder,fills in the spreading gaps,, on Amazon all colours, not cheap,and quite small, but, I like it and it works.

MissAdventure Fri 16-Aug-24 12:12:52

My mum always put Bay rhum on my hair when I was little.

PinkCosmos Fri 16-Aug-24 12:09:24

Cateq

Many years ago when my gran started to loose her hair, she started rubbing some Laphroaig malt whiskey through her hair, as someone told her that people who worked in the whiskey distilleries didn’t suffer from thinning hair due to rubbing their hands through their hair after handling the whiskey. Her brother was raging at her for wasting good whiskey especially as it didn’t help her.😂😂

Years ago a friend of my mother had thinning hair due to illness. She was only in her 30's and had quite thick hair previously

She was told to rub Bay Rum onto her scalp. I don't know whether it worked or whether her hair just grew back well when she recovered anyway.

I suppose anything is worth a try. Since the menopause my hair is still OK but it is much thinner than it used to be.

Kate1949 Fri 16-Aug-24 12:03:24

Thank you Allsorts. I'm glad you managed to find a solution and that things are better now. Yes I believe stress plays a big part. I have been through a lot of severe stress. I will try to take your tips on board.

Allsorts Fri 16-Aug-24 11:49:58

Kate I so sorry you have such bad hair loss. . I found that for me extreme stress caused hair loss. People don't understand the harm that severe stress does to your body and immune system.I noticed at the very beginning, what it was doing to my body I developed dark circles under my eyes, skin looked sallow through lack of sleep, then after a few months my hair started to come out in my hair brush. I can’t switch off from the stress it was was putting my body through but with short walks and not allowing myself to keep going over things 24/7 plus cutting out all processed food and including the seven foods that help develop strong hair my hair is nearly back to normal, plus my skin has improved. You may not have stress now but if at any time you have experienced it I do wonder if it triggers something in your body to cope. I don't think any of those things you apply to your scalp work for most people, just costs a load of money.

Kate1949 Fri 16-Aug-24 11:15:58

That's great 4allweknow. Minoxidil didn't work for me.

4allweknow Fri 16-Aug-24 11:02:04

Minoxidil as prescribed 5 years ago by my consultant dermatologist works. I have frontal fibrosing alopecia and was initially prescribed this in liquid form to rub on scalp. This is the ingredient in all the products initially targeted at men for treating baldness, now on the market for women too. Do not buy them, minoxidil can be bought online from pharmacies and is much much cheaper. I used tge luquid for just over 4 years but then found my scalp began itching. Dermatoligist recommended minoxidil in tablet form which had just been approved by NHS then. Would recommend the liquid as had really good results.

Kate1949 Fri 16-Aug-24 09:57:47

It was me who said it depends on the cause. Losing my hair has been a nightmare and I have researched every possible cure that I could find. Nothing worked for me. I hope others can find a solution because it's tough. Yes of course there are worse things but it really is horrible, especially to lose it all as I have.

Quokka Thu 15-Aug-24 21:44:15

Skydancer

Stress can make hair fall out. I know because it happened to me.

I’ve read everything carefully and thank you. Followed up your suggestion of stress skydancer and found I have many of the symptoms associated with high cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and hair thinning is way up there.

I can’t remember who said it depends on the cause but spot on.

Trouble is there’s no easy way to reduce my stress levels. Going to lie down in a darkened room for 10 minutes and meditate perhaps.

petra Thu 15-Aug-24 19:54:27

I’m very pleased for those who have found a solution.
For myself the best I’ve achieved is that my hair has practically stopped falling out.
I went to see this woman. She is hailed as the best Trichologist in the country. She examined my hair and scalp with a high resolution lens.
My diet was talked about. She gave my Dr a full list of all the blood tests she wanted done.
I take the supplements that she developed www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jul/23/the-trichologist-who-lost-her-hair-i-learned-it-isnt-about-how-you-look-its-about-how-you-feel

Nana56 Thu 15-Aug-24 19:32:13

I take Biotin and vitamin B complex. I think it helps. Good luck

welshgirl2017 Thu 15-Aug-24 19:21:09

No idea if it works as I have never used it - but it seems to have great reviews. Link below.

www.uklash.com/products/uklash-hair-growth-serum

MissAdventure Thu 15-Aug-24 18:46:45

Also,depending where the worst areas are, you can get buns or ponytails, which literally go onto your hair like a hair bobble would. Very easy, very cheap, and very realistic.

MissAdventure Thu 15-Aug-24 18:17:41

I wore a thick headband for a while.
It covered up my worst bald patches.

Then my grandson said I looked like a singer in an 80s rock band. grin

Primrose53 Thu 15-Aug-24 17:19:30

My cousin now wears a topper but I would not have known if she didn’t tell me. Prior to this she used some little shake in fibres and they made it temporarily look thicker.

She saw the leading Consultant at one of Europe’s largest hospitals who told her not to waste her money on shampoos, thickeners, lotions and potions as there is nothing on the market that will do the trick or he would be prescribing it.
He recommended a healthy diet, not washing hair more often than it needs, avoiding very hot hair dryers and avoiding stressful situations if she could.

Greciangirl Thu 15-Aug-24 16:53:20

Constant dying of hair has made mine thinner, unfortunately.

I notice it not on the hairbrush, but in the bathroom plug hole.

I never had thick locks anyway.

Nicky7of7 Thu 15-Aug-24 16:22:41

I have been using Viviscal for some time . I also take Vitamin D and have Flaxseed on my breakfast every day. I don’t know which works but combination seems to!!!

pably15 Thu 15-Aug-24 15:15:51

I have an underactive thyroid and take thyroxine for it , my hair has never been thick, but it did get thinner with the underactive thyroid, another thing that I found caused my hair to get thinner, was statins. I stopped them years ago, I also take vit E which is good for hair nails and skin, I have heard of a product called Nanogen, it's keratin thickening hair fibres, there's also Nanogen shampoo and conditioners, I've never tried them, I've seen them advertised on Allbeauty website...

Kate1949 Thu 15-Aug-24 15:12:06

It depends on the cause. Before I was diagnosed with alopecia, I tried everything. Some of the treatments/old wives' tales I tried were -
Regaine
Zinc
Every vitamin under the sun
Hair and nail supplements
Caffeine shampoos
Various products supposedly to add volume
Head massage
Rinsing my hair in ice cold water
Drinking beetroot juice
Drinking diluted cider vinegar
Drinking cherry juice
Rubbing an onion on my scalpconfused

I still have alopecia (no hair).

BettyBoop49 Thu 15-Aug-24 15:03:35

I have recently tried a product called Thickening Cream by Windle Lab. I was despairing of my thin, flat straight hair but this cream has made such a difference. You squeeze about 1” out of the tube, rub it between your hands and apply through your hair then style as usual ( it’s large rollers and a hair dryer for me) I recommend it - it’s the only solution I have found after trying various products.

Cateq Thu 15-Aug-24 15:02:19

Many years ago when my gran started to loose her hair, she started rubbing some Laphroaig malt whiskey through her hair, as someone told her that people who worked in the whiskey distilleries didn’t suffer from thinning hair due to rubbing their hands through their hair after handling the whiskey. Her brother was raging at her for wasting good whiskey especially as it didn’t help her.😂😂

grandtanteJE65 Thu 15-Aug-24 14:58:53

Nothing works, unfortunately. All you can do is choose a hair style that makes the most of what hair you have.

Don't go throwing money away on vitamins, supplements, specail shampoo or other aids you see advertised. They are all scams basically.