What Should I Eat For Thick Hair
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Is Your Hair Thin Or Thinning How To Tell The Difference
Whether you have thin hair or not, were all guilty of getting up close and personal with the bathroom mirror, analyzing our strands to see how theyre holding up. But how do you actually figure out if your hair is thinning or if its just naturally thin? Kind of a stressful investigation, but no worries we did the work for you. Heres our guide to differentiating between hair types, and how to make the call on thin or thinning hair.
Fine Hair
First things first, lets get clear on how fine and thin hair are defined. Fine hair actually refers to the width, diameter, or circumference of the individual hairs on your head. If you have fine hair, the individual strands of hairs on your head are smaller roughly 50 microns in diameter. Its important to note that just because the individual hairs might have a small diameter, it doesnt affect how many hairs you have on your head. You can have fine hair and still have a lot of it! Coarse hair, on the other hand, is typically about 120 microns in diameter.
Some other characteristics common to fine hair include silky softness, lack of volume, sometimes fragile and prone to breakage, and easily greasy. Heres the crazy thing about fine hair, because it has nothing to do with the amount of hair on your head and everything to do with the kind of strands on your head, you can still have fine hair made up of course strands and it doesnt mean the overall density of your hair is thick. Still with us?
Thin Hair
Thinning Hair
What Shampoo Should I Use For Thinning Hair
Because thinning hair can happen for a number of different reasons, you might have to go through a trial-and-error period to find the shampoo that works best for you.
Some shampoos are aimed at reducing hair loss, while others aim to thicken existing hair.
Prescription-strength shampoo for thinning hair is also an option that you can speak with your doctor about.
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Solution: Get To Know Your Hair
Educate yourself on your own hair so you have a better idea of its limits, advises Smart. Get a good grasp of its physical characteristics such as density and diameter . As well as how it behaves, for example, its porosity levels and elasticity. By learning more about your hair, you can learn to avoid doing things that it doesn’t like.
Then, be mindful of how you handle your hair, which means once it’s in that ponytail, loosen it just one last time to ensure it isn’t too tight and avoid doing any intricate styling when you are in a rush,” continues Smart. “Insist that braids, extensions and weaves are installed loosely and if they prove too tight, remove them without hesitation. Resist the urge to constantly ‘slick’ hair tightly into a style and finally, change it up. One of the key issues with traction is the repetitive tension so attempt to avoid this by varying styles.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Hair Loss
It can be hard to tell if youre losing hair especially if your hair loss happens gradually.
Instead, you may notice that your ponytails dont feel as thick, or that your scalp is more visible.
If youre unsure, ask your stylist if they have noticed any differences. This is especially important for women who are experiencing hair loss in areas that are difficult to see without someone elses help, such as the top of the scalp.
If you or your stylist suspect hair loss, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Generally, the sooner you act, the more hair you can save.
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Can You Measure Hair Loss
Yes. Doctors use the Savin scale. It ranges from normal hair density to a bald crown, which is rare. The scale helps document female pattern baldness, a condition your doctor might call androgenic alopecia. You probably know it as male pattern baldness, but it affects about 30 million American women. Experts think genes and aging play a role, along with the hormonal changes of menopause. Your hair could thin all over, with the greatest loss along the center of the scalp.
Is There A Correlation Between Vitamin D And Hair Loss
One small study found that patients with alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss, had lower levels of vitamin D compared to those without alopecia areata. While the research is still developing, we are seeing more evidence that there is a correlation between hair loss and vitamin d deficiency, even in those without an underlying condition. If you believe your hair loss may be due to a vitamin d deficiency, consult with your doctor or contact us for a hair consultation.
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Does Stress Cause Hair Loss
In short, it can. stress affects everyone differently, but the presence of stress does not guarantee you are going to lose your hair. According to the mayo clinic, âmany people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock.â It also states that sudden hair loss from stress is temporary. We should also note that prolonged stress can increase your chances of hair loss.
But What If I Dont Want To Wear My Hair Out
We know how it is. Most women wear protective styles because theyre convenient. Wearing your hair out is a process and can be time consuming. The good news is Dr. Aguh understands how lifestyle plays a role in how we choose our hairstyles, and has an approach to ease women off of hairstyles that might be damaging. Part of that approach comes from a study she conducted, which looked at how risky the different types of hairstyles we wear are because, as the study is titled, not all hairstyles are created equal.
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How Can I Stop My Edges From Thinning
If youre part of the larger portion of women with subtle to moderate thinning edges, you can stop the thinning simply by taking a break from hairstyles that place tension on your scalp. That includes, braids, ponytails weaves, cornrows, or wearing wigs. Also watch out for brushing your edges too much. Sleep with a satin scarf at night and/or pillowcase to reduce friction on your hair. Consider wearing your hair out for a little while. Taking a break should allow your hair to come back. If it doesnt come back on its own, thats when you should seek medical treatment.
How Can I Stop Losing My Hair In My 20s
First things first: Turn back the clock about three months and see if anything major happened in your life. If youve experienced a huge amount of stress or had a significant change in diet, theres a good chance itll line up with your hair loss. The good news? Diet and stress-related hair loss are both relatively easy to correct if you catch them early enough.
That aside, Burg recommends seeing a professional who can help identify next steps. Usually, patients are prescribed topical solutions and medications , although theyre known to have side effects and should always be used under medical supervision.
Just keep in mind that those viral hair-growth vitamins youre seeing all over your Insta feed are not a solution to hair loss. Dont buy into the hype of these miracle pills that promise a change overnight, says Burg. Hair growth takes timethink: half an inch a month. Even hair-loss treatments that work take time, so you usually wont see results for three to four months.
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Are There Complications/side Effects Of Treatment
Minoxidil may irritate your scalp and cause dryness, scaling, itching and/or redness. See your dermatologist if this happens.
With Minoxidil you might also see hair growing in other places other than your scalp . Wash your face after you apply Minoxidil and make sure you avoid other areas when you apply it.
A Dermatologists Diagnosis Is Best Before Treating Hair Loss
If you think you have FPHL, its important to see a dermatologist for a diagnosis. Women develop hair loss for many reasons. Other common causes of hair loss in women can look a lot like FPHL. Each of these causes requires different treatment. Without the right treatment, hair loss often continues.
You can find a dermatologist in your area by going to Find a Dermatologist.
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Your Hair Doesnt Hold Its Style
Lets face it, there are only two reasons why your hair isnt styling the same way it used to: youre putting relaxers or different hair care products in it, or youve lost so much hair that it sits differently on your head.
If youre having problems getting that hairstyle that youve always had, you may be losing more hair than you think.
Learn about hair-loss friendly hairstyles.
Solution: Use The Right Tools
“Look for a brush with rounded, plastic prongs and a vented, cushioned base,” such as the Philip Kingsley Vented Paddle Brush, suggests the trichologist Anabel Kingsley. This will help to detangle your hair and give you control as you brush without the need for excess force.
You should alsoalways comb from the ends, using your hands to secure your hair as you do so to avoid pulling, and then move slowly upwards. If you are struggling, use a detangling spray alongside a wide-tooth comb to minimise breakage. This technique can be especially useful for curly hair that tends to frizz when overly brushed, as you can counteract the knots and tangles that cause breakage without compromising your style. A moisture-boosting shampoo and conditioner, such as Waterman’s GrowMe range will also help the process.
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Other Factors Of Hair Thinning
There are a host of factors that cause hair thinning. Consider if you have recently experienced any of these triggers:
- Hormonal or Chemical Imbalance — hair thinning can occur when your hormones are being produced in different quantities. Think: new medicine, cessation of prescription, etc.
- Thyroid Problems — if you have also noticed memory loss, depression, sudden weight gain, dry skin, or fatigue and frequent muscle aches, your hair thinning might be due to a thyroid problem.
- Vitamin B or Iron Deficiency — hair thinning can happen when you’re not getting enough of certain vitamins.
- Dramatic Weight Loss — hair thinning is normal when you have dramatically lost a lot of weight.
- New Hair Product — if you are using a new hair product, it might be too harsh for your hair.
Remember, hair grows in cycles, so if you are only noticing heavy hair loss now, the catalyst might have happened up to three months prior.
If you can attribute one or more of these factors to your hair loss, your hair is probably just thinning, and you’re likely not going bald.
Signs Of Balding In Women
Balding in women can begin anywhere between the ages of 12 and 40, or even later.
Signs of baldness in women are classified using the Ludwig system. This system has identified two major types of balding:
Thinning on top
You might notice thinning across the entire top of the head and not on the sides.
Widening part
Widening of the part on the top of the head is also a common sign of balding in women.
Here are some other signs of balding in women to look out for:
Thinning across the whole head
This is the most common type of balding pattern in women, as opposed to the receding M-shaped hairline in men.
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Why Is My Hair Thinning
Remember, the vast majority of time about 95% thinning hair is the result of male pattern hair loss. Thats caused by DHT , a sex hormone known as an androgen.
Androgens contribute to adult male characteristics, such as muscle mass and a deeper voice. But for reasons researchers dont entirely understand, although DHT is essential for the growth of body hair, it can attack hair follicles on the scalp and cause them to shrink.
Hair follicle shrinkage is called follicular miniaturization. This process causes the follicle to produce shorter, thinner hairs known as vellus hairs instead of the more robust terminal hairs that youre used to on top of your head.
Less common reasons for thinning hair include:
Use A Scalp Serum Or Hair Oil
Fonte recommends using a scalp serum to help encourage the ideal environment to promote the appearance of less hair fall and more hair growth.
Bumble and bumble stylist Reanne Mistretta agrees and says that different types of oils are known to make a significant improvement in hair thickness by preventing breakage. âAdding an oil to your routine, like Bumble and bumble Hairdresserâs Invisible Oil, can help moisturize hair strands and keep them healthy,â says Mistretta.
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Hair Loss Trigger: Childbirth
You might notice your hair seems fuller during pregnancy. Thatâs because high hormone levels keep resting hairs from falling out. But after the baby comes, things go back to normal and those strands will fall out quickly. You could lose a lot of hair at once. It could take up to 2 years for your locks to return to normal.
When To See A Doctor For Thinning Hair
Although its common to lose hair throughout the day, its a good idea to speak with your doctor if youre losing more than 100 hairs per day.
You should also talk with your doctor if youre worried about persistent hair loss or a receding hairline, or if you notice sudden patchy hair loss. Patches of hair loss could signify an underlying medical condition.
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When Does Male Pattern Baldness Start
If youre genetically destined to go bald, theres no specific age when it becomes noticeable. Traditionally, it has been stated that baldness comes from the mothers father, since male pattern baldness genes have been identified on the X chromosome . However, hair loss can be more complicated than a single gene and involves other factors as well, possibly including some genes inherited from dad. All of this is to say that your hair loss might happen at a different rate than what your other male relatives experience.
Just know that its extremely common . By age 35, almost two-thirds of American men have lost hair because of male pattern baldness. After age 50, more than 85% of men experience it. And about 25% of men begin losing hair before the age of 21.
Hair loss can occur for several reasons. But 95% of the time in men, its due to male pattern balding . Some men are totally fine with that and embrace the smooth look. If youre not, there are things you can do to slow down and potentially reverse hair loss and the sooner in the process you start, the greater chance you have of success.
But first, its important to know how to identify hair loss. Here are some of the most common signs of balding.