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Style & beauty

Thinning hair

(114 Posts)
Pigma Sat 18-Jun-22 14:04:41

I saw a photograph of me taken from the back yesterday and my hair looked very thin on the crown, to the extent that I could clearly see my scalp through it. I’m in my seventies (just!) with dark hair that I currently colour every 6 weeks or so. Hubby confirmed that I am ‘looking a bit thin on top’. I’ve looked on the internet and there are several products I can try but just wondered, before I go shopping, if anybody has any recommendations for shampoos/treatments that they have had success with? Or is this just another age thing I have to live with? Many thanks.

SporeRB Mon 15-Apr-24 23:37:50

My daughter uses a serum made of natural ingredients for her eyelashes bought from a company called UKLash.

I am surprised that the serum really works and how long her eyelashes are.

UKLash also sell hair growth serum. If it works for eyelashes, it may also work for hair on the scalp?

Kate1949 Mon 15-Apr-24 23:47:34

Nothing works for hair loss. Take it from someone who knows. Losing your hair as a woman ruins your life.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 16-Apr-24 01:39:28

Kate1949

Nothing works for hair loss. Take it from someone who knows. Losing your hair as a woman ruins your life.

Only if you allow it to!

My hair is very thin on top - looking at photos of me as a young mum it was gloriously thick and shiny but always very fine.

Now at 78 I fully accept it is very thin and that there is nothing that can be done, but it definitely does not define me or ruin my life. I get a decent cut, try not to frighten the horses, by making sure it is clean and tidy, and forget it. Life at 78 is definitely for living and that is what I do.

Que sera sera.

Lollin Tue 16-Apr-24 09:12:16

Kate1949

Nothing works for hair loss. Take it from someone who knows. Losing your hair as a woman ruins your life.

I understand how you feel kate1949 My hair started to thin from my late 40s it was a shock to see the balding patch at my crown. I struggle. There is not a lot left now as it continues to recede and is now a very thin layer at best, bald areas at it’s worst I won’t continue just wanted to say I understand.
The only thing that helps me is having to go outside and reminding myself I’m lucky, could be a lot worse, etc, etc.

Kate1949 Tue 16-Apr-24 09:56:00

Whitewave I admire your attitude. However, that's not how I look at it. I have no hair, although covered by a 'system'. Qué sera sera doesn't come easily to me, perhaps because my mother took me to a dentist aged 11 and let him take all of my teeth out.

Lollin It's not easy that's for sure and yes I have to keep reminding myself that at least I'm not ill and people are going through worse.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 16-Apr-24 10:53:26

I think if we had suffered what Kate has we would feel that our lives had been ruined. There’s a huge difference between going thin on top yet being able to get a decent haircut, Wwm, and having no hair whatsoever to cut and keep clean and tidy. If you had suffered from total hair loss for many years as she has I doubt you would be happily saying ‘que sera sera’.

Kate1949 Tue 16-Apr-24 10:56:39

Thank you GSM.

Gin Tue 16-Apr-24 11:39:58

I have been taking biotin for about five years and my hair had not got any thinner but cannot see any regrowth

RunaroundSue Tue 16-Apr-24 11:50:16

I am 81 and have a full head of thick hair, it takes me ages to dry and tong it but I do dye it a Natural Brown. I went grey at 30 years of age when I was in hospital for three months having our youngest son as there were complications which thankfully turned out well in the end. My natural hair is strong so I wonder if that is why I still have thick hair. Our eldest son started going bald in his early 30's and tried every trick in the book and bought every product going but in the end he shaved the lot off, sadly, we women can't do that.

I do know that if I had thinning hair, I would definitely buy a wig.

pably15 Tue 16-Apr-24 11:55:40

I've never had thick hair, but years ago it got quite thin that's when I had blood tests which found I had an underactive thyroid....I've been on thyroxine since then, and my hair has improved, but it took a long time...

MissAdventure Tue 16-Apr-24 12:13:32

I've almost given up hope of mine improving.
I have wide partings and bald patches, and round sections of completely white hair.

Just to add insult to injury, my hair has also started to twist at the roots, so it sticks out here, there and everywhere.

It's not much fun, and is hard to just shrug off as "one of those things".

It really knocks my confidence.

The last time I went out, I wore a topper, and when I came home I saw that far from looking natural, it was more like a dead (run over) cat on my head.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:16:35

Germanshepherdsmum

I think if we had suffered what Kate has we would feel that our lives had been ruined. There’s a huge difference between going thin on top yet being able to get a decent haircut, Wwm, and having no hair whatsoever to cut and keep clean and tidy. If you had suffered from total hair loss for many years as she has I doubt you would be happily saying ‘que sera sera’.

I do take your point, and appreciate that everyone is different.

I sort of have a rule for myself over stuff that happens in my life - I ask myself if this is the worse that can happen, and if the answer is “no”then I force myself to get a grip, and deal with whatever the issue is as best I can. I have always been pretty hard on myself tbh.

But as I say everyone is different, and of course their answer to my question will be different.

Kate1949 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:20:38

Our hair is our crowning glory so they say. Losing it is like losing part of your identity. I for one no longer feel like a woman. Yes, I have found a solution and no one would know, but it's had a devastating effect on my mental health. If that seems over the top, I apologise but that's how it is. Sorry to harp on again.

crazyH Tue 16-Apr-24 12:21:13

Kate49 - just curious and appalled - why would your mother do that - have all your teeth taken out !! Perhaps the trauma of that, led to your hair-loss .
MissA - hair loss can’t be much fun

Kate1949 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:22:31

I agree there are worse things - far worse obviously but this was a final straw for me after many, many straws.

Kate1949 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:25:18

Why indeed crazyH. I had two rotted teeth (parental neglect). The dentist told her it would be better if he took them all out. She always did what medical people told her to do. I believe I was an experiment or something for that dentist.

MissAdventure Tue 16-Apr-24 12:28:20

I think the repercussions of removing all of someone's teeth weren't considered years ago.

I have even heard of parents going along with it as a 'treat' for their children/teens.

Kate1949 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:28:43

Really?!!!

Susan56 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:30:49

Kate I am so sorry for what you have been through.You have my total sympathy 💐
I am at the start of hair loss and it is never far from my thoughts.It is ruling my emotions at the moment.
It started with a medical error which caused the initial hair loss.Dr said I needed to see a consultant but 3 year wait on NHS so I paid to see a consultant.Now need biopsies from my head.Could be something sinister but may not be🤷‍♀️hoping to get the biopsies done back on the NHS if not will have to pay.
I have had an appointment to be fitted for a topper which I honestly don’t know what I will feel about when I get it but will have a nasty looking head after the biopsies.
Depending on the results of the biopsies the consultant will know if he can prevent the hair loss getting worse or not.The hair loss won’t grow back due to scarring.
Sorry for the long post.The first time I have said what is going on to anyone outside family and close friends.
Kate and Whitewave in different ways you will both inspire and help me to deal with this horrible situation.Thank you.

MissAdventure Tue 16-Apr-24 12:32:08

Yes, honestly, Kate.
I suppose the nearest equivalent today would be paying for a teen to have veneers done.

I worked as a dental nurse when I left school, and my boss (the dentist) told me this, so I researched it.

Kate1949 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:38:31

Oh Susan. I'm sorry you are going through this. I am guilty of self pity and 'poor me' thinking I'm the only one. I think you will be surprised how good the topper looks and feels. When I was told that my hair system was ready for fitting, I was afraid to go for fear of what it would look like. I even went on holiday to Venice with my horrible balding head while my system sat in the salon. I was so wrong. I would challenge anyone to know it's not my own hair. I hope this thread has helped you in some way and I wish you luck.

PinkCosmos Tue 16-Apr-24 12:41:48

MissAdventure

I think the repercussions of removing all of someone's teeth weren't considered years ago.

I have even heard of parents going along with it as a 'treat' for their children/teens.

A work friend of mine had all her teeth taken out as as 21st birthday present - to herself!! She would be 76 now.

I think it was quite common back in the 1950's-60's.

MayBee70 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:44:48

PinkCosmos

MissAdventure

I think the repercussions of removing all of someone's teeth weren't considered years ago.

I have even heard of parents going along with it as a 'treat' for their children/teens.

A work friend of mine had all her teeth taken out as as 21st birthday present - to herself!! She would be 76 now.

I think it was quite common back in the 1950's-60's.

It was. They told us that on a visit to Beamish. It made women more desirable for marriage as prospective husbands wouldn’t have to worry about having to pay for dental treatment.

MissAdventure Tue 16-Apr-24 12:46:21

It particularly was done to females.... sigh...I suppose dentures were seen as the new "must have", at one time.

MayBee70 Tue 16-Apr-24 12:50:38

My hair has always been thin but it’s almost non existent on top now. It does make me miserable and I wear hats or headbands all of the time. I do have a couple of wigs but I’ve never worn them as they make me hot and itchy. I’d have it cut short but my hairdresser charges me the same for a trim as she does for people with lots of hair and short hair means more regular trips to the hairdresser. Minoxidil did seem to stop it getting worse for many years but I stopped using it for a while ( it’s so expensive) and it did fall out unfortunately.