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Why Has My Hair Gotten So Thin

Why Is My Hair So Thin

THIN. NATURAL. HAIR. | The REALITY of Thin 4C Natural Hair

Take a look at your relatives. Thatâs right⦠If your relatives are a little thinner on top, itâs likely your hair loss is genetic, and the answer to your question âWhy is my hair getting thinner?â is just that – genes. What happens during genetic hair loss is that some of your hair follicles are sensitive to male hormones, which means that those affected will shrink a little and produce finer and thinner hairs, as well as shedding them more often.

If, however, everyone in your family has a pretty full head of hair and has never found themselves raking through theirs under a bright light wondering âWhy has my hair gone so thin?â, there could be other causesâ¦

⢠Pregnancy. Everything can go a bit haywire during pregnancy, including how thick your hair is. Some women notice that their hair is especially thick during pregnancy. The thing is, this is only temporary hair gain . After giving birth, hair sheds because of a dip in oestrogen levels. This can make hair appear thinner, or less full. But the effects are only temporary and your hair should return to normal after a year or so.

⢠Taking medication. There are a few medications that affect hair growth, including beta-blockers, antidepressants, and Accutane. If youâre concerned that these might be the cause, book an appointment to see your GP.

*strength against styling damage vs. non-conditioning shampoo**hair loss due to breakage vs. non-conditioning shampoo

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Losing Hair In Your 20s And 30s

Thinning hair, hair loss, and other hair-related issues can affect people as young as in their teens and early twenties. Some cannot begin to imagine what this must be like, as it is discouraging enough to think about hair loss as we get older, but hair falling out and hair loss at a young age is more common than you might think.

In fact, an estimated 40% of men will have noticeable hair loss by age 35, and an estimated 40% of women will have visible hair loss by the time they are 40.

While hair loss at a young age can be alarming, its important to remember that the earlier thinning hair is noticed and any potential issue is diagnosed, the easier it may be to treat.

The solution may be as simple as a minor adjustment in diet or it may be part of a bigger health problem. Regardless, identifying the issue early is crucial when battling hair loss.

Whether or not there is a hair loss cure for your particular situation, you can discover how to take better care of yourself and your hair by knowing what to look for early on, gathering the facts, and taking any preventative measures to help minimize future damage.

Read on to learn about how you can help overcome hair loss, and the emotional toll that comes with it at a young age

What Are The Types Of Hair Loss

There are three: anagen effluvium, telogen effluvium and FPHL.

  • Anagen effluvium: This is caused by medications that poison a growing hair follicle .
  • Telogen effluvium: This is caused by an increased number of hair follicles reaching the telogen phase, which is the stage where hair falls out.
  • Androgenetic alopecia/female pattern alopecia/female pattern hair loss /baldness: This type is the most common. Hair thins over the top of the head and on the sides.

Recommended Reading: What Causes Excessive Hair Loss In Women

Avoid Dryness By Reducing Heat Styling

Heat styling inevitably irritates dry and breakage-prone hair. If you find your hair is thinning or youd like it to look thicker, opt for air-drying as an alternative. Chances are itll grow at a quicker rate . And when it comes to your natural texture, investing in a few really helpful leave-in products to apply post-shower will let you have an entirely new lease on the hair you were born with. If you must, always apply a heat protectant before using hot toolswe love Morrocanoil’s Perfect Defense Heat Protectant for this step.

You Don’t Pay Attention To Purse Straps

Hair Breakage: 10 Common Causes and How to Fix Them

You may do it without thinking, but throwing your purse on so the strap sits over your hair, and pulling your hair out from under that strap can cause some breakage. Especially if you do this on a regular basis, and tend to wear your purse exclusively on one side, you may even notice that the hair on one side of your head is thinner than the other. To prevent purse-strap damage, try to make sure your hair is out of the way before hanging your purse from your shoulder. If you happen to drop it on your locks anyway, lift up the strap before pulling your hair out from under it so as to avoid any damage caused by friction.

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You’re Getting Too Much Vitamin A

Overdoing vitamin A-containing supplements or medications can trigger hair loss, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Just FYI: The Daily Value for vitamin A is 5,000 International Units per day for adults and kids over age 4 supplements can contain 2,500 to 10,000 IU. So any more than that and you could risk some strands falling out.

The good news: This is also a reversible cause of hair loss, and once the excess vitamin A is halted, hair should start growing normally again.

The First 10 Things You Should Do When You Notice Your Hair Is Thinning

  • See a Doctor – It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day. If you’ve noticed your ponytail getting thinner or you’re beginning to see more scalp, don’t ignore the signs. Visit a dermatologist to determine the cause. It is best to rule out any underlying causes, such as malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, or autoimmune diseases. Medical advice regarding health conditions can only be determined by a physician.
  • Eat More Protein – Increase your protein consumption. Adding more fish and meats to your diet is excellent for your hair.
  • Wear Loose Hairstyles – If you’re constantly pulling your hair into a tight ponytail, stop! Putting your hair in tight ponytails and braids puts a ton of stress on your hair. This type of styling puts a strain on your follicles. In some cases, this can lead to traction alopecia. Choose a loose hairstyle to give your hair a break.
  • Listen to What Your Body is Telling You – Your hair’s condition can tell a lot about your health. In some cases, it may be indicative of a medical condition. If you skipped step 1 and haven’t seen a doctor, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment.
  • Check Your Vitamin Levels – Vitamins D and B12 are essential when it comes to your hair. Low levels or deficiencies in these vitamins could slow your hair growth rate or cause thinning. Ask your doctor to test your vitamin levels before taking any supplements.
  • Read Also: What Causes Thinning Hair In Older Females

    You Have Female Or Malepattern Baldness

    You might already know about malepattern baldness, a type of hair loss caused by a combo of genes and male sex hormones that usually makes the hair on a man’s head recede at the temples, leaving an Mshaped hairline.

    But hormone-related hairloss for femalesor femalepattern baldnessis also a thing, according to the US National Institute of Health. This type of hair loss occurs when the hair follicle shrinks so much over time that it doesn’t grow new hair. In women, the symptoms of femalepattern baldness includes a widening of the center hair part, and, sometimes, coarser hair on the face.

    The only FDAapproved treatment for female and malepattern hair is minoxidil , but if that doesn’t work, your doctor may prescribe oral medications such as finasteride that can halt hair loss or even cause some to grow surgery to transplant or graft hair is also an option.

    Up Your Intake Of Healthy Fats To Prevent Hair Loss

    HOW I MAKE MY THIN HAIR LOOK THICKER & FULLER! | Melanj Hair

    Your diet dictates so much of how you feel, what you look like, and what goes on inside your brain, and no one understands this better than Byrdie’s former wellness editor, Victoria Hoff. She even convinced me to eat two avocados a day to see if it improved my hair health.

    In fact, one study concluded that in the context of a healthy diet, avocado consumption can fit into a full range of healthy eating plans, as it houses significant levels of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, and vitamin B6. Plus, a healthy diet rich in fatty acids aids in hair growthit not only prevents hair loss and breakage but also encourages new hair growth and reduces scalp inflammation. So, go for avocados, salmon, and whole eggs as well as any others that offer up healthy fats and omega-3s.

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    What Is Thin Hair

    Fine hair and thin hair can easily be confused, but while fine hair refers to the thickness of the actual hair shaft, thin hair is about the density. In short, its how much hair you actually have. In most cases, having thin hair means that the hair follicles on your scalp have a greater distance between them than other hair types, according to Hall. Additionally, most hair follicles contain more than one hair in thin hair, there could be fewer per follicle than other hair types. All of this comes down to genetics, since how much hair you have is really a matter of how many hair follicles you have naturally.

    What Wine Glasses Do Restaurants Use

    Sommeliers Pick the Best Wine Glasses for Every Scenario

    • The Inalto Uno collection from Bormioli Rocco Bormioli Rocco.
    • Schott Zwiesel glasses from the Pure collection William Sonoma.
    • Rastal Teku glasses Rastal.
    • Glasses from the Schott Zwiesel Tritan collection Schott Zwiesel.
    • Glasses from Riedels Vinum collection Riedel.

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    Itchy Scalp Skin Conditions

    Did you know an itchy scalp could cause your hair to become thin?

    Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can sometimes cause hair loss, either by creating conditions for excessive itching or for compromising the follicle from which hair grows. Treatments for these conditions, such as salicylic acid, can also cause thinning hair or excessive breakage.

    Most people scratch their heads when it’s itchy without realizing they are snapping off the hair follicles. Thats why when most people scratch their heads you can find them using a rat-tail comb or some other object. Using something other than your hands is best because youre more aware of what youre doing and dont want to hurt yourself. However, when you use your fingertips, youre just scratching away at your scalp.

    So next time you have a terrible itch, be mindful of how you scratch your head, so you avoid thinness.

    Hair Loss Trigger: Cancer Treatment

    I Hated My Hairline, So I Got a New One

    Chemo and radiation therapy, two of the most widely used therapies, can take a toll on your hair. In their quest to kill cancer cells, both can harm hair follicles and trigger dramatic hair loss. But the damage is almost always short-lived. Once your treatment is finished, hair usually grows back.

    Read Also: Can Drinking Cause Hair Loss

    What To Do To Combat An Oily Scalp:

    Now that you know the oily scalp causes responsible for the grease on your head, we can help you clear them up. In addition to steering clear of these behaviors, a solid product lineup can work wonders on the de-greasing process. “I suggest finding a clean shampoo and conditioner with no parabens and sulfates,” says Wood. He’s a fan of FEKKAI Super Strength Shampoo and FEKKAI Super Strength Conditioner , while we love SACHAJUAN Scalp Shampoo . “Remember the cleaner your products the more your hair can do what itâs naturally supposed to do. Your scalp will be able to regulate and create natural oils at a normal rate without added chemicals,” he says. Morales suggests only using conditioner on your ends, rather than applying it to your entire head, and extending the life of your wash with a dry shampoo, like Garnier Fructis Invisible Dry Shampoo .

    And one more thing to keep in mind as your ridding yourself of these everyday oily scalp causes? “It wonât happen overnight,” says Gillen. “If you have active sebaceous glands it will take three to four weeks of using the proper shampoo to turn it around.” So time to start on those good hair health habits now.

    These nighttime hair routines will have you waking up with your healthiest hair ever. Plus, how to deal with overgrown hair when heading to the salon for a cut simply isn’t an option.

    Don’t Wash Your Hair Too Often

    Try to wash your hair less frequently. I usually manage to only wash my hair twice a week. This allows the natural oils to condition your hair and keeps breakage to a minimum.

    Since your hair is thin, it probably becomes greasy as well. Washing your hair too often will only encourage your scalp to produce even more oil, thus making it greasy faster. Having said that, also try to not let your hair become too greasy. I find if my fine, thin hair is too dirty, it starts shedding more than usual. So, it’s all about keeping some balance. Try this process for washing your hair:

  • Mix sunflower oil, rosemary oil, and jojoba oil together and really soak your hair with it. Sunflower oil is brilliant for damaged hair. Also, both rosemary and jojoba oil stimulate cell division and dilate blood vessels which, in turn, stimulate hair follicles and blood flow to the scalp.
  • Leave the mixture in your hair for an hour and then rinse it out with organic apple cider vinegar . The vinegar balances out your natural pH levels, and it wont dry out your scalp like most shampoos will. ACV revitalizes your hair and leaves it soft and shiny.
  • These ingredients are cheap and available at any supermarket or pharmacy.

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    How Will A Healthcare Provider Diagnose Hair Loss In Women What Tests Are Done

    The tests performed to diagnose hair loss in women can be simple or complicated:

    • Gently pulling on your hair to see how many hairs come out.
    • Blood tests. These check for vitamin and mineral levels and hormone levels .
    • Scalp examination under a microscope and trichoscopy.
    • Scalp biopsy to remove and examine a very small piece of scalp skin.

    You Skimp On Moisture

    Fine Hair Problems: The Naked Truth About Why I Hate My Hair! ( Before/After Pics)

    Conditioner helps replace moisture that was lost from shampooing. If you don’t let your conditioner sit in your hair long enough , your hair could be missing out on some much-needed nourishment. âJust like your skin, your hair needs moisture so itâs important to find a nourishing conditioner,â says Tang. If you regularly get your hair colored, reach forTangâs #MyConfidant Conditioner, which was specifically made to maintain the health of color-treated hair. Every so often, you should also opt for a deep conditioner. Need some extra love? Try something a little more hydrating. âDo hair masks more regularly,â says Polko.

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