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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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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

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

Thank you GSM.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

crazyH Mon 15-Apr-24 23:00:34

I’m dark. Colouring my hair not only covers the grey, it also makes it look thicker

LadyGaGa Mon 15-Apr-24 22:55:02

Reassuring to see that this is a common problem. I’ve been using Plantar 39 since November and have definitely noticed an improvement. When I washed my hair my fingers were always tangled in hair - but now there’s hardly any. It won’t suddenly make your hair get thicker, but I think it does help slow down the loss. I wash my hair first in the shower and leave it on while I do everything else. I still style my hair but make sure that I always use a heat protection spray, and I also take a biotin hair supplement. Goodness knows if it helps but it’s worth a try. I spend so much more time ‘grooming’ than when I was young! I have a cream for every different part of the body, products, special brushes, supplements….. I’ve just packed my case for a holiday and there’s hardly room for any clothes 🤣

UlisesChang Mon 15-Apr-24 22:09:30

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Daisydaisydaisy Tue 17-Oct-23 14:30:24

*watching

Daisydaisydaisy Tue 17-Oct-23 14:29:51

Hi My hair is also thinning now ..I have recently found a u.k company called Beautiful Betsy who do toppers (which aren’t full wigs)which look really good …I think I will order one next year .I think so many of the stars have helper hair …Ruth Lansford has been open about her extensions .I’ve been eating the American series called the Morning show and the ladies def have help imo🙂🩷

Guesswhat Sat 14-Oct-23 20:38:54

Like Meryl, I’ve been seeing a trichologist who has suggested a blood test. I’ve just booked one at my health centre. The receptionist I spoke to was dismissive but my doctor was lovely and very understanding.

I strongly advise anyone suffering from hair loss to consult a specialist as we have done. It’s pricey, but I’ve been making economies elsewhere so that I can justify it.

The blood test will check my ferritin levels amongst other things. In the meantime, the trichologist urges me to eat more red meat!

aromaticgarden Thu 12-Oct-23 07:26:21

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M0nica Mon 25-Sept-23 09:01:44

My hairdresser tells me that my hair has got thinner because the individual hairs get thinner and finer as you get older. So their is little you you can do to make it thicker again.

All you can do is adjust your hair style and colouring regime to disguise it.

EmmaStar12 Mon 25-Sept-23 07:52:17

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Llamedos13 Thu 26-Jan-23 23:54:40

My hair went through a thinning stage a few years ago, my doctor discovered I was quite anemic and advised me to take iron tablets. Within a few months the thinning stopped and my hair grew back.

MerylStreep Thu 26-Jan-23 21:05:53

MayBee70
I’m seeing a Trichologist. 6 months is the life cycle of hair growth.
She examined my scalp with a camera
From that she contacted my Dr and told him what I needed to be tested for ( blood test)