Biotin And Low Level Laser Therapy
Biotin is a B vitamin that is essential for your health. You most likely get plenty of it in your diet in egg yolks, yeast, liver, and other foods. Thats good news because too little biotin can cause hair loss. Does that mean that taking mega-doses of it will give you more hair? Probably not. No scientific studies have shown biotin to prevent or treat hair loss. Learn more about biotin and hair loss.
You may have heard that laser combs, brushes, hoods, and caps can help halt hair loss. The theory is that when hair follicles absorb laser light at a certain level, it stimulates hair to grow. But theres not enough evidence that any of these devices restore hair or prevent balding.
Get Layers Cut Into Your Hair
Another great option for thinning your hair is to change your hairstyle. Cutting layers into your hair works well, especially for people with thick hair. It is also a great option for people who have short hair, as the thinning process is often a bit trickier.
When you have layers cut into your hair, youll reduce the volume to create a less full appearance. Make sure that you stay away from blunt cuts, as they will make your hair appear even thicker. Consider asking your hair stylist to cut layers in to reduce the thickness of your hair.
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How Can I Restore My Thinning Hair
Does your hair growth seem stalled? Your scalp may be oily. Humidity triggers sebaceous glands on the scalp to release excess oils that can build up and clog follicles, halting new hair growth. Whats more, research shows that hot temperatures can cause hair follicles to prematurely enter the telogen phase, contributing to slowed growth and increased shedding for a thinner-looking head of hair.
To help thicken and regrow your thinning hair, try apple cider vinegar. Its alpha-hydroxy acids dissolve oil buildup on the scalp and in pores, while its acetic acid stimulates blood flow to follicles to encourage growth. Plus, the vinegars astringent properties help tighten pores to reduce the amount of oil that is secreted.
To make an apple-cider vinegar hair solution: In a small spray bottle, combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water and shake. Spritz onto hair and scalp, and massage in circular motions. Let sit for 15 minutes, rinse with cool water, then shampoo as usual. Repeat twice a week for results in four weeks.
This article originally appeared in our print magazine.
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Nutrients And Supplements For Hair Loss
Eating a nutrient-rich diet can keep your hair healthy, too. And while hair supplements wont cause hair growth, they can help your strands grow stronger. The combination of fish protein, vitamin C, zinc, biotin, and niacin in Viviscal supplements encourages the body to produce healthier, thicker strands, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
Nutrafol is another hair supplement to consider, according to Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City. This uses highly concentrated botanicals to address every stage of the growth cycle. It has excellent clinical studies to support its efficacy. I recommend it daily to my patients,she recently told Prevention.
OLLY Hair, Skin & Nails supplements also contain a blend of biotin, vitamin C, E, and keratin protein to help you fight free radicals that damage hair follicles. You can also take a biotin supplement alone, which helps the body break down fats and carbohydrates to grow stronger strands.
Don’t Rely Solely Shampoo
‘It is important to note that shampoo will not grow your hair. This is because it is not left on the scalp for long enough to have an effect. You must use drops or tonics that are left on the scalp and not rinsed away,’ explains Kingsley.
However, regular shampooing is important as it keeps the scalp environment healthy and this is key to healthy hair growth.
‘Shampoos, conditioners and styling products can certainly give the appearance of more body and volume. To add immediate body to fine hair, or hair that lacks volume, use a body building shampoo. Containing proteins, these temporarily plump the hair shaft,’ advises Kingsley.
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Solution: Change Your Style
If you are struggling with very fine hair or areas of sparseness, how you wear your hair can help minimise its appearance. In general, if you have finer hair, don’t grow it too long,” suggests Moodie. “The longer it gets, the weaker the hair gets and so it can tend to look lank, straggly and not healthy. Instead, focus on creating layers within shorter styles, to get a bit more height. I wouldn’t recommend really short layers though because they can highlight the fineness of the hair.”
Less is also more on fine hair. You might assume that using lots of volumising products will help but it can actually show how fine your hair is by lifting it up. Instead, keep styling to a minimum and focus on adding moisture to your regime to maintain the elasticity of each hair. Plus, if you feel you’ve lost hair, try changing your parting, or use a tinted product, such as Color Wow’s Root Cover Up, to fill in any gaps.
Give Your Hair The Nutrition It Needs To Thrive
Diet should always come first, so, select whole grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, which are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids to nourish your hair roots.
Meats and dark green leafy vegetables are good sources of iron. If your hair is thinning, however, then a multivitamin and mineral supplement is also a good idea to guard against nutrient deficiencies.
Before taking supplements, see your doctor to rule out related problems such as iron-deficiency anemia, malabsorption of nutrients, and hormone imbalances, including type 2 diabetes and thyroid problems which may need further investigation.
Garlic has beneficial effects on circulation by dilating small blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the peripheries such as the scalp and nail folds by as much as 55 percent. Platelet clumping is significantly decreased after a dose equivalent to half a clove of garlic and lasts for three hours. Some of the ingredients in garlic are as potent as aspirin in this respect.
You can also stimulate circulation and increase the flow of nutrients to hair follicles by massaging your scalp regularly with your fingers, at least once a day. Concentrate on areas where your scalp seems tightly bound down to the underlying bone, to help improve any constriction to blood flow.
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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.
Solution: Get A Holiday Trim
“It’s always best to get a trim before summer,” Moodie recommends. “The sun will do extra damage to hair that is already dry, so remove those dead ends. Spray some water on your hair before you go into the pool or ocean too, as it adds an extra layer of coating. This means, when you go swimming, your hair isn’t as likely to absorb 100 per cent of the chlorinated water.”
Having regular trims will also keep your hair healthier in general as the longer you leave it between cuts the more likely it is to split and break, especially at the ends. This can make fine hair appear even more so, while taming your ends through even an ‘invisible haircut’ can ensure your hair looks healthier.
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Seven Ways To Reverse Thinning Hair In Women
Just like what has been said earlier, thinning hair in women is a condition that you can reverse. Here are just some ways for you to reverse that problem, which usually affects the female population:
#1 Have a regular scalp massage
Note that an unhealthy scalp may be the culprit for your thinning hair. With that said, you can stimulate your scalp and make it healthier by giving it a regular massage. This type of massage is similar to massaging your body, neck, or back. However, you need to do it a lot gentler when used on your scalp. Just use your fingertips to apply pressure on your scalp gently. Doing so can encourage blood flow.
You can also further enjoy more benefits from a scalp massage with the aid of a handheld scalp massager. It contributes a lot to getting rid of dead skin cells. You can also find brushes that mainly serve as scalp massaging tools. The only thing you have to do to use the handheld massager and the brush is to let them work over your entire scalp similar to when you are applying pressure on the area gently using your fingertips.
You can also further improve the benefits of your scalp massage by using essential oils and serums. Among those that promote hair growth are peppermint and lavender oils. In that case, you may also want to take advantage of a massaging serum applicator. With the aid of such an applicator, you can use a hair and scalp serum designed to fortify your hair and deal with age-related thinning.
#2 Improve your diet
Possible Causes Of Thinning Hair
One of the major causes of thinning hair in women is aging. It is normal for your hair to start thinning as you hit middle age. The following may also cause the problem:
You have to pinpoint the exact cause of hair thinning in your case, so you can choose a treatment or remedy that works for you. This means that thinning hair is something that you can still reverse. In other words, there are several home remedies and treatments for it. The next section of this article will tell you what you can do to reverse thinning hair.
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When To See A Doctor
In most cases, thinning hair is not linked with overall health problems. If a person is concerned about hair loss, or if it affects their mental well-being, they can see a doctor.
If a person loses a lot of hair with no known cause, they should see their doctor. This is especially important if they have recently made dietary changes or started taking supplements.
The doctor may recommend that a person sees a skin specialist, or dermatologist, to determine the best ways to treat thinning hair.
What Are The Signs Of Balding
There are several different signs that you might be starting to experience hair loss .
From thinning hair all over your head to a receding hairline, male pattern baldness comes in many forms.
Recognizing the signs of male pattern baldness is an important part of the treatment or prevention process.
Because male pattern baldness occurs in stages, it may be possible to recognize the signs early enough to reverse hair loss or prevent any further damage to your hairline.
Below, weve listed three warning signs that you should be aware of, as well as simple but effective ways that you can take action to prevent your hair loss from getting worse.
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How To Stop Thinning Hair
If youre experiencing male pattern hair loss, there are several strategies you can take to stem the loss and increase hair growth. Hair loss treatments include:
- Minoxidil . This liquid or foam is rubbed onto the scalp twice a day. About 60 percent of men who use minoxidil see hair regrowth. If you stop using it, the new growth will reverse, and hair loss will continue.
- Finasteride . This oral medication is known as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT in the testicles and prostate. When 5-AR is inhibited, DHT cant shrink hair follicles. Studies show finasteride can stop baldness from progressing and result in hair regrowth in about 80 percent of cases.
- A red light therapy device. Low-level laser light therapy is an FDA-cleared way to treat hair loss. These devices might come in the form of a wand you point at the scalp or a cap you can wear. They emit a constant red LED light that is believed to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to the hair follicles.
According to a 2017 meta-analysis of studies published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, minoxidil, finasteride and LLLT were found to be superior to placebo in regrowing hair . However, the researchers concluded theyre all effective for promoting hair growth in men with male pattern hair loss.Some other therapies for thinning hair include:
My Hair Is Thinning What Can I Do
Noticing more hair in your comb or shower drain lately? Maybe your part seems a bit wider than it used to be. Thinning hair or hair loss, also called alopecia, can occur anywhere on your body, is common among men and women, and is estimated to affect as many as 95% of adult men and more than 50% of adult women each year.
Hair loss occurs for many reasons, in women and men of all ages, but is most common among middle aged and older people. You can lose the hair on your scalp or your entire body. Hair loss can be permanent or temporary. It can also be traumatic. Our hair is often a big part of our identity. Losing our hair is not physically harmful in most cases but the psychological damage can include anxiety, depression and social apprehension. People who have experienced hair loss have reported lower self-esteem, poorer quality of life and body image.
A certain amount of hair loss is normal. Most of us lose 50 to 100 hairs each day, with new hairs taking their place quickly enough that we overlook the ones we’ve shed. The problems start when new hair doesn’t replace the hair that has fallen out.
If your hair is visibly thinning, either in patches or all over, or if you notice unusual hair loss of any kind, it’s essential to see your primary care provider or a dermatologist, to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
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