Female hair loss.

I phoned up my hairdresser on Tuesday and made an appointment to have it cut shorter on Wednesday; then phoned her up to cancel it. She said to come in and have a chat and throw some ideas around. Result, she's cut it shorter [but I can still tie it up at the back] and she's cut my fringe back [I was trying to grow it out to give me more hair at the front]. Said that, although it had got terribly thin since she last saw me there was some hair growing back through. I feel soo much better [but still going to go to a wig shop to see what they have that could help]. She did agree when she saw me that I was sporting the 'Wild Woman of Borneo' look . I'd gone for a walk one day wearing a hat and, even though I was far too hot I couldn't face taking the hat off and everyone seeing my hair; I think that's what made me phone her.

I haven't read all the comments but I appreciate how traumatic hair loss might be , I would be devastated if it were to happen to me. i have commented before about hair products but they are probably not suitable for such a serious condition. For anyone considering the wig solution, I would advise you to speak to your hairdresser. When a dear friend of mine lost her lovely long hair through chemotherapy, my daughter visited her at home and cut her nhs wig to suit her as an individual. She has also seen women in the salon when it has been closed to others in order to offer a private wig cutting service. I think she could almost do this full time! I suspect wigs are not a solution for everyone, I think they probably do get hot and irritating. I look awful in hats so I wouldn't want that either but if you are unfortunate enough to suffer hair loss, it takes a brave soul to go bald - as someone else has said, others assume you have/have had cancer and that alters the whole dynamic of the conversation. If hair loss is anxiety related, and it can be for some, I thoroughly recommend hypnotherapy.
Good luck ladies in your search for a solution and remember what you see is not what others see and a beautiful smile works wonders.

Laurie as someone who sometimes used henna (brown) in the 80s - I think the problem is that henna really does soak into the hair shaft permanently and so it can be difficult for hair dye to take hold. But it's not a given that you can't colour hennaed hair - all depends on how strong the henna was.

There's no chemical danger of using hair colour over hennaed hair as far as I'm aware, just that the hair might be resistant.

I certainly use to be able to dye my hair even after having used henna.

I'm sure a good hairdresser could advise you on your tri-colour hair.

Did you buy it from a chemist or get it on prescription? I made a terrible mistake a few years ago by having quite dark low lights put in my hair [and it was a lot 'thicker' then; thicker not realy being the most accurate word to use ]. Have you tried the Batiste dry shampoo Laurie? I'm going to buy one with a bit of colour added tomorrow. I've realised that a lot of the problem is the fact that the hair I've got is getting much thinner as well as sparser. Just had an invite to a wedding next year, so need to look semi decent, especially as my ex's new partner will probably be going and she's one of those people that had my share of hair plus a bit more . My hair doesn't seem to be growing, either [unless it just breaks of when it reached a certain length]. In student days me and my husband had a competition to see who could grow their hair the longest, and it wasn't me that won....

Hi, it's been interesting reading this thread. I have been suffering hair loss for about one year. Initially it was severe but has stabilised with the use of topicAl steroids. It is so distressing. My consultant told me to use henna instead of hAir dye. It did give a good colour but was so messy to use that I gave up. Only then did I discover. that you cannot revert to the usual hair dye. Now I have to wait for it to grow out. So now I have dreadful looking tri- coLoured hair: brown, henna red and very grey. This does not bode well for my thinning hair. I cannot say how awful it makes me feel especially after a stressful and complicated menopause. I am using minoxidil but not seeing much improvement. Just can't see things improving ....

Also Hot Hair which have a site and are also on sale in some larger stores. They do wigs, extensions, add-ins, fringes etc (as mentioned before on this thread).

I once helped a friend choose wigs prior to her chemotherapy - can't remember the company but the wigs were lovely and something like this

short wigs

I know that hair loss through chemo is a different mindset from thinning hair but the trauma is similar.

Modern wigs are very lightweight and fit snugly and securely and not too expensive. I think short wigs with a bit of a curl/wave look the most realistic, as opposed to a bob with an unrealistic looking parting.

Tegan Styling makes as much difference to the age you look as hair colour or thickness. Have you asked your hairdressers advice on that? He/she will know of styles which make the most of your hair and flatter your high (intellectual!) forehead.

Also Tegan if you have at least some hair there are bits you can get to 'mingle' with your own hair I think. It would probably have to be done professionally but may not be too costly. As said previously on this thread I would imagine there are very few 'celebrities' who don't have some assistance (added hair).

Aw tegan [hug]
Most hairdressers seem to offer a free fringe trim these days without an appointment if you have had your hair cut there. They do a better job than me and my nail scissors...

I've realised that it's the one thing in my life that makes me feel 'old'. Maybe letting it go white hasn't helped in the way I thought it would but has actually made things worse.

Tegan. I agree that in the scheme of things it seems an insignificant thing to worry about as there are some awful things going on, but hair loss and thinning hair is devastating for a woman. It almost ruined my life to be honest. I hope this doesn't sound terrible but women who lose their hair through illness usually say that hair loss is one of the worst aspects of it. There is always a lot of empathy with these women (quite rightly) but when they hopefully recover their hair will grow back. Women who lose their hair for no known reason get little help. Mine is not going to grow back and I have to live with that. I have a good hair system but the psychological effects are still with me - sorry if that sounds dramatic. I hope you find something to help you.

Everywhere I look there's hair [made worse by the fact that I wear a lot of black]. Have been trying to grow my fringe [or what's left of it ] out but it's hardly growing [haven't been to a hairdressers for about 4 months] so it's too long to be a frings but too short to do anything else with [and I have a high forehead so I need a fringe]. Do need to have it trimmed in some way but it will cost me the same as everyone else and will take about two seconds to cut [and I might be tempted to ask for the fringe to be cut again]. It's made worse by the fact that it's such an insignificant thing to be upset about, on the grand scale of things. I might buy some minoxadil and just try it on a very small area. lucy; have you tried the dry shampoo? It certainly thickened my hair a lot, but it does make my scalp itch a bit so I only use it for special occasions. The whole thing has really knocked my confidence.

My hair began thinning after I stopped taking HRT. It's the lack of oestrogen I guess, but after 12 years on HRT (which was brilliant in m case) I felt it was time to stop.

My hair is now thin on top and at the front and for about 18 months in fell out as soon as I touched it. My ex husband kept complaining about finding my hair everywhere.

I think stress also had a huge part to play in my hair loss. Hate that it's now thin.

My hair looks much better if I have some colour put in but, with it being so thin on top I felt that letting it go grey/white would make it less obvious. Hair hickening shampoos seem very drying and I'm scared to use an all over dye as I'm allergic to so many things. Hair does have a growing and resting phase but I fear that the resting phase, with me is lasting longer and longer . The minoxadil preparation I saw at Boots might help you [it's milder than the prescription one] and you don't have to use a lot of it.

GrannyMilly - I hope that shampoo helps you. From what I can gather some people's hair thins a bit approaching the menopause (if that is what is happening to you). Some people find it is just temporary and with others (like me) it was almost total loss never to return. There are various hints and tips on this thread, including the tip about Batiste dry shampoo making hair look thicker. That used to help with mine when it was getting thin.

Well just to add my comments - hair loss is very painfull to admit. I am 48 and this October my hair is at its worst - is is seasonal? I have or did have a lot of fine hair now I just have fine hair and not a lot.

I have been lured by marketing to use a caffine shampoo Plantur 39 so I will give it a go. first wash yesturday - not much differance yet :0).

I have found that using an off the shelf ( boots own actually) all over hair dye does help thicken my hair and make if hold a blow dry for longer too. So I do reccomend trying it may be semi permanent first.

I guess I must be heading in to menapause manor but any tips greatfully recieved.

rosesarered yes I agree talking about it is really helpful. I felt embarrassed and ashamed of my hair loss. Knowing others are struggling is a great help. We used to wear wigs in the '70s just for a change.
Stansgran. The chap who runs my hair replacement salon provides wigs/systems free of charge to children who have lost their hair through
cancer or alopecia. He's fantastic.

I think I've mentioned this before but my kind hairdresser willingly goes with chemo patients and helps them choose the right wig and styles it for them . I doubt if he is alone and as he is Durham I think he takes people to Newcastle. I believe he pops into hospital to "do" his customers hair when they need.

Doesn't this kind of forum help with our problems? So nice to be able to talk about things naturally. My hair still looks alright, I have always had fine hair [but plenty of it] until after the menopause, when it did start thinning.Because people were used to me having fine silky hair, don't think anyone even noticed [except me!]I also had blonde highlights almost all my life, and that helps as well. If it got worse I would go straight for the wig option , there are some lovely ones out there, and as people say have it styled and thinned a bit to suit you. I have a friend with a great short wig, nobody would know and she looks wonderful.It's easy to spend a small [or a large] fortune on all sorts of remedies, and most of them don't really work. View a wig as a chance to have a colour or style that you could not have before [buy a couple if you can afford it.]

They tested me for a hormonal problem - it wasn't.

What seems to happen is that the growing phase gets less and less and the dormant phase gets more and more, so, a hair breaks off or comes out it gets replaced less and less. At least, that's whats happening in my case. Cold water rinses do help [again stimulating blood supply]. It is hormonal as well which is why HRT can help [annoying now that it's not deemed to be as safe as it was]. But once a hair follicle dies it's gone for good. I don't think hair transplants help either when you've got thinning hair like mine, as I'd just be replacing thin hair with more thin hair. But there are a lot more things on the market than I'd realised. I'd imagine that, during pregnancy the dormant phase doesn't happen [although a lot of women find their hair falls out when the baby is born].

I have often heard it said and noticed it myself that hair is in good condition during pregnancy. Is there a hormonal answer to this problem?

I don't know if this can help but during menopause I noticed my hair thinning. I did research and started taking dried jam root powder from the health food shop (I already regularly took starflower capsules) and daily I bend from the waist and with my head down massage my scalp vigorously to encourage good blood circulation. After some months I noticed for me that there was some improvement.
I don't use hairdressers often, but from the discussion here and from observations of my friends it seems to me that most hairdressers do not have an awareness of working with hair for a more mature client, maybe hairdressing schools and academies could look at this as we are constantly told we are becoming an aging society ...

I think there are some very good wigs out there. As my hair is apparently never going to come back, I wanted a more 'fixed' system. I looked at wigs and yes some are lovely.