How Can I Tell If My Hair Is Thinning
How to Tell if Your Hair Is Thinning
- Your Hair Feels Lighter. …
- You Start To See More Of Your Scalp. …
- Your Forehead Is Bigger. …
- You Experience More Scalp Sunburns. …
- You Wake Up With More Hair On Your Pillow. …
- Your Hair Doesn’t Style Like It Used To. …
- Your Hair Is Coming Out In Clumps. …
- You Can See Bald Patches.
Can Thinning Hair Grow Back
Thinning hair can grow back depending on what caused it to thin in the first place. Individuals who experience thinning hair due to nutrient deficiencies, stress, pregnancy, and other non-genetic reasons could experience regrowth.
If youre experiencing new hair loss or hair thinning, its best to consult your doctor. Some medical conditions can be associated with thinning hair.
The Hair Growth Cycle Explained
You need to have a general understanding of the hair growth cycle in order to visualize how your ends become thin. The hair growth cycle is a 3-phase process. It starts with anagen, moves to catagen, and ends with telogen.
Anagen is the growing phase of the hair growth cycle that typically lasts 4-7 years. Some people have longer anagen phases, which is why they can grow longer hair than others. During anagen, your hair is obviously growing and will continue to lengthen unless you cut it.
Catagen is a transitional phase. Once the hair follicle stops growing, it transitions into this short, two-week phase, where it prepares to move into telogen.
Telogen is the resting phase, where the bulb begins to detach from the follicle and prepares to fall out. This phase lasts around three months or 120 days. Intriguingly, most people will experience a temporary hair loss condition called telogen effluvium. In this condition, a stressful event forces a significant portion of their hair into telogen, where it then sheds after 3 months. A normal amount of shedding is between 50-100 hairs a day, but people with telogen effluvium can lose up to 300 strands per day.
Recommended Reading: Can Sleep Apnea Cause Hair Loss
Can I Prevent My Curly Hair From Shedding
Not entirely. Its important to keep in mind that shedding isnt a bad thing. Excessive shedding is.
A few things you can do to prevent shedding are:
- Invest in a quality product line
- Use a heat protectant
- Protect your hair while you sleep
- Take a collagen supplement
- Use a non-damaging hair tie
- Use a deep conditioning treatment
- Incorporate a scalp treatment into your weekly routine
- Clarify once per month
- Do a daily scalp massage using a quality oil
Can Hair Grow Back After Thinning
That totally depends on whats causing your thinning in the first place . And, like, not to sound like a broken record here, but this is just another reason why you should always, always see a professional to diagnose your hair loss before you make any decisions. At the end of the day, early prevention is key with any form of hair loss, so book an appointment if youve noticed thinning and want to get ahead of it.
Read Also: What Is Good For Thinning Hair
You May Like: Does Laser Treatment Work For Hair Loss
Restore Your Hair: Restore Your Confidence
Many men wonder whether they need to pursue treatment to reverse the effects or if they can grow the hair back on their own. Although hair re-growth may be possible, you should also know when to seek professional help.
If the reason for thinning hair is genetics, it will not grow back on its own. To grow back a healthy, full head of hair, you’ll need to take action, and that involves reviewing different hair loss options.
We recommend seeking out proven, FDA-approved treatments to remedy the situation, instead of looking at shortcuts. Propecia, which is a prescription medication that restores hair follicles to their former glory, is a popular option.
At the Helendale Hair Center, we offer a line of topical solutions that can regrow hair with continuous use for a less invasive approach to hair revival. We also offer treatment options such as light therapy, prescription medication, injections, and follicle transplants.
Other options include light therapy that stimulates hair thickening, platelet-rich plasma treatments that promote hair regrowth, and in advanced cases hair transplants that will restore your hair. 75 percent of men in the United States suffer from hair loss to some extent. You can reverse the effects by scheduling a consultation at The Hair Center at Helendale.
Related: Balding Heads Buzzwords Biotech Execs Refine The Art Of The Pitch
Researchers then analyzed skin samples from the scalps of women aged 22 to 70 years old. They found that older womens hair follicles were, on average, more shrunken, and that this was correlated with genetic mutations in the follicle stem cells. The findings were published Thursday in Science.
Once stem cells go, theres no getting them back, said Elaine Fuchs, a professor of cell biology and development at the Rockefeller University in New York, who was not involved with the study.
Once the hair growth cycle goes, it goes, she said. Once hair loss is triggered, its a self-propelling event.
But a related study offers a way to possibly intervene to save stem cells before they lose their growth cycles.
Researchers at the University of Colorado studied how hair follicle stem cells go dormant. They report in a companion paper in Science that a protein called Foxc1 keeps them dormant when this gene is deleted, the follicles stay permanently on.
We discovered that these cells know when to stop, said lead author Rui Yi, associate professor at the University of Colorado.
That may present a treatment opportunity. If we can interfere with that factor, or take that factor away from the stem cell, we can shorten the dormant stage and instead induce the cells to continue dividing and stimulate hair growth, Yi said.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Hair Dryer For Thin Hair
Does Thinning Out Hair Damage It
This is a big question, and its one that many folks ask. People worry if thinning out their hair might damage it. The answer isnt so black and white.
For example, those who decide to use chemicals to thin their hair could cause damage if they dont follow the directions perfectly.
It doesnt end there either. Those who work with a stylist that doesnt know what their doing could suffer damage. If the stylist cuts too close to the edge or makes other mistakes you learned about, then youll experience damage.
Now, if everything is done right, then your hair is going to look perfect, and there will be no damage. This is the reason choosing the right hairstylist is of the utmost importance if you value your hair and dont want to see any damage.
These are some pros and cons linked to thinning out your hair plus so much more. Ask all the questions you need to ask before deciding on this.
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 trichologist Kingsley. This will help to detangle your hair and give you control as you brush without the need for excess force.
You should also always 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.
Also Check: Can Thin Hair Become Thick Again
What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider
- What is the cause of my hair loss?
- How many strands of hair am I losing per day?
- What type of hair loss do I have?
- Will my hair loss be permanent?
- Whats the best treatment for me?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Hair loss may cause you distress whether it happens because of genetics, a disease, or even stress. Know that there are some treatments you can try, and expert dermatologists are there to help you. Your hair loss may be able to be reversed. See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice something wrong because the sooner you start treatment, the better.
Thinning Hair Following Pregnancy
Other hormonal imbalances can also lead to hair loss, especially the wildly fluctuating hormones that occur following pregnancy and childbirth. It takes time after pregnancy for hormone levels to return to normal, so it’s not at all uncommon for post-partum moms to notice thinning hair or even patches of baldness. This often occurs about three months after babys arrival. Don’t worry as the rest of your body recovers, so will your hair follicles. The hair loss is only temporary your hair will grow back.
Don’t Miss: What Is Dht Hair Loss
The Different Types Of Hair Loss: Genetic And Reactive
Genetic hair loss:
There’s a chance you’re genetically predisposed to hair thinning, which means you may see a progressive, gradual reduction in hair volume. “In these instances, certain hair follicles are sensitive to male hormones and this sensitivity causes follicles to gradually shrink and produce slightly finer and shorter hairs with each passing hair growth cycle.” Explains Anabel Kingsley.
Reactive hair loss:
This means your hair loss is the result of a trigger. “Excessive daily hair shedding is not reliant on having a genetic predisposition, it occurs as the result of an internal imbalance or upset, such as a nutritional deficiency, severe stress, crash dieting or an illness” says Anabel Kingsley.
Physical Trauma: A Shock To Hair Follicles
When your body is under serious physical stress, the natural cycle of hair growth and resting can be disrupted, resulting in hair loss, often in the form of thinning hair strands may come out in clumps. Any shock to the system, such as being in a severe accident, undergoing surgery, experiencing burns, or becoming very ill, can also shock the hair follicles, resulting in up to 75 percent of your hair falling out, sometimes months after the fact.
Don’t Miss: How To Prevent Hair Loss At Early Age
Signs Of Menopausal Hair Loss And Thinning Hair
Everyone loses hair every day, but there are a few signs to look out for which indicate your hair is thinning or you are losing more than before. These include:
- You find that you’re having to clean your hairbrush more frequently
- More hair is trapped in the shower drain than there used to be
- You may find that there’s more on your pillow or your clothes, or that you seem to be picking up a lot more hair when you’re hoovering
- You find more hair on your pillow, clothing, around the house, in the hoover
- If you’ve got long hair, you notice that your ponytail is getting thinner
- Your hair is not growing as long as it used to
- You might find that you’re getting a lot of split ends as well
- You might find that your parting is getting a bit wide, so especially if you have dark hair, you can see more of the scalp
- You may also find that it gets thinner around the crown of your head and your temples
- Your hair is flatter, with less body and fullness to it.
Why Your Hair Is Falling Out
You might start seeing more hair loss than normal thanks to the following:
- Hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause.
- Certain hairstyles.
- Damaging haircare like perms or bleaching.
- Medications like chemotherapy.
- Medical conditions like fungal infections or thyroid disease.
Working with a dermatologist, you can begin identifying what might be causing your hair loss. Your doctor will ask about your health, your medications and your family history.
I tell the patients to keep track of events that are unusual for them, for instance, a heavy menstrual period, says Dr. Bergfeld. So when we go back to look for triggers, well have some hint at what it could be.
Your doctor will also look at other areas on your body like your eyebrows, lashes, underarms, pubic area, legs and arms to assess if theres hair loss.
Many times, hair loss is an indicator that something more serious is going on.
Hair loss, particularly shedding, is just a sign that something has happened to the body, says Dr. Bergfeld. The hair follicle is one of the three fastest turning over cell lines in your body. Anything that affects your body and throws it out of balance will affect those systems. So shedding hair is an indicator that somethings wrong.
You May Like: How Long Will Postpartum Hair Loss Last
Ready To Get Your Hair Back
Youre a special, unique individual, and the underlying factors that are contributing to your hair thinning are unlike anyone elses. In order to suggest treatments that may work, our provider performs a thorough evaluation and talks to you in-depth about your health, your life, and your goals.
If youre ready to find out how we might help, book an appointment at our office in Rockville, Maryland.
You Might Also Enjoy
Menopause And Your Hair
Today on A.Vogel Talks Menopause, I take a look at signs of menopausal hair loss and what you can do to help yourself.
They say our hair is our crowning glory. And it’s true, isn’t it? When you have bad hair days, oh my goodness, that can affect the way that you feel for the whole day. It can affect your confidence. It can affect the way you feel about yourself and also, how you interact with other people.
The problem in menopause is that a lot of things can happen that can affect your hair and that in turn will affect your mood and how you feel about everything in the world around you.
Recommended Reading: Does Minoxidil Stop Hair Loss
Where Is The Hair Loss
If you are noticing a receding hairline or loss specifically in the crown area, these can be signs of balding. A more random pattern or evenly spread loss of hair is usually an indicator of hair thinning.
If your hair seems to be falling out in patches, you could have alopecia, a condition that causes a person to lose patches of hair. Consult a doctor if you think this to be the case.
Read Also: What Are Some Causes Of Hair Loss
What Causes Hair To Thin
Any number of lifestyle factors, genetics, recent life events , or medical conditions can cause your hair to thin.
Lifestyle factors could include using certain hair products, wearing your hair up too tightly, experiencing high stress levels, or not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet.
People who have immune system deficiencies could also have thinning hair.
You May Like: Is Vitamin B12 Good For Hair Loss
Styling Could Be Harder Or Easier
I took for granted how easily my natural hair texture styled. It held curls without any spray, and I could put it in a braid or a bun and instantly get texture and movement without any heat, but once I thinned it out? Not so much. It was harder to style, and when I did get a style, it fell flat much quicker. However, it’s not always the same for everyone. “For some people who have extremely thick, course hair it can make styling easier, or at least cut down on blow dry time,” Streicher says. “But sometimes over thinning can change the shape of the haircut making styling more difficult.”
Hormonal Changes: The Most Common Reason For Thinning Hair In Older Women
As women age, the levels of estrogen they produce begin to decline. Estrogen does several things that promote thick hair. Therefore, the loss contributes to thinner hair in several ways as well. First, estrogen lengthens the growth stage of hair. This means more follicles of hair are growing at a given time when estrogen production is at an ideal level. It also stimulates the growth of new hair, after the old hair has shed.
Estrogen plays an important role in the overall appearance of hair. It is easy to see why an imbalance could cause hair to begin to look thinner over time. There is very little that can be done to increase the natural production of estrogen once menopause has started. However, phytoestrogens, bioidentical, or synthetic estrogens can be utilized to support estrogenic activity in the body.
Read Also: Does Keeps Hair Loss Treatment Work
Make An Appointment With Your Doctor
If you cant easily explain your hair thinning with the answers to the questions above, your doctor can run several tests to figure out what is going on. They will likely order a blood test to see if you have hormone imbalances or underlying medical conditions.
Your doctor may perform a pull test where they gently pull on a section of hair to see how many strands come out from the roots. This test will let them know your current stage in the shedding process. They may perform a scalp biopsy to check for skin infections and also examine your hair roots under a microscope to determine hair shaft abnormalities.
If your hair thinning has a medical cause, your doctor can prescribe medication to treat it. For conditions that arent treatable with a prescription, there are sometimes surgical options that can help.
Whats Actually Causing Your Thinning Hair
The first thing to know about hair loss is that its actually a bit complex. Your hair grows in three stages, SELF explained previously. These include a growth phase from a root in the hair follicle, a transitional phase when the growing stops, and a resting phase, after which the hair falls out and the follicle takes a break before growing another hair.
Its totally normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology , which you might notice on your pillow in the morning, on your hairbrush, or in the shower. If you go a few days without showering, you might notice more than a single days worth of hair in the shower, which may be a little disconcerting, but is still totally normal.
Youre born with about 100,000 follicles on your scalp, and youll never gain or lose any, the AAD says. However, as you age, some follicles may stop growing hair and you may experience hair loss . When and how this happens is influenced by a bunch of factors, including our genetics and the natural hormonal changes we experience as we age, Shilpi Khetarpal, M.D., dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF.
Once you know what youre up against, there are some easy ways to help manage thinning hair at home or with the help of an expert. Here are the top tips we learned from dermatologists and hair stylists on how to protect your hair and restore some of its fullness and shine.
Recommended Reading: Can Hair Grow Back After Hair Loss