Your first instinct is probably to grab your phone, fire up Google, and stress-type in “How to get thicker hair” or “Why is my hair falling out?” when you notice more hair on the shower walls and less on your head. Eighty million people in America alone have been there. Consider this to be a harmless read.
It’s stressful to lose hair, but it’s also functional. Your body uses it to tell you something is incorrect. The most common causes of thinning hair range from genetics to your surroundings. You can freak out for a second, but remember that hair loss can inspire you to dig deeper with the help of a doctor.
How to Grow Thicker Hair?
Why does hair become thinner?
Genetics
You can credit your parents for your unique feet and flawless smile, but did they need to pass on the gene that causes hair loss? It turns out that androgenetic, or inherited, alopecia is one of the most prevalent causes of thinning hair. Board-certified dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd states, “Patients typically notice thinning that extends to the frontal hairline and have a family history of thinning.” “One of the first things female patients notice is the part becoming wider.”
Stress
“Temporary shedding, also known as telogen effluvium, can be caused by major stressful events like a car accident, hospitalization, sudden loss of a loved one, surgery, or childbirth,” explains Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. (She points out that hair loss is probably not caused by sporadic stress.) If, on the other hand, your cortisol levels continually show elevated levels after routine bloodwork, it can be worthwhile to make lifestyle adjustments to lower your stress levels whenever feasible.
Hormone Imbalances
According to board-certified trichologist Helen Reavey, “hormonal changes, such as during menopause, perimenopause, or postpartum, can lead to hair thinning due to a reduction in estrogen levels.” They can also occur with diseases like PCOS, which frequently cause elevated testosterone levels. A hormone imbalance can also cause mood swings and skin abnormalities, among other symptoms. Inform your dermatologist or primary care physician if you suspect a problem, and they can assist you in obtaining blood tests to measure your hormone levels.
Aging
As you age, there are many things to look forward to (wisdom! smile lines! Retirement!), yet it’s widespread for thinning hair not to be one of them. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd states, “hair growth naturally slows down as we age.” According to her, this may result in less overall hair density and finer, silkier hair.
Medical Conditions
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says that certain medical conditions, like thyroid conditions, and autoimmune diseases, like alopecia areata and lupus, can cause hair loss. If you have these conditions, work with your specialist to develop a care plan.
Insufficient Nutrition
According to Reavey, deficiencies in specific vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and proteins may contribute to hair loss. If you discuss your worries with your physician, they could request a complete blood panel to check your levels. Before going for a supplement, find out what you’re lacking. They will save you a tonne of money and effort.
Hair Styling
You may have traction hair loss if you routinely wear your hair in a protective, high ponytail or slicked-back slicked-back style. Furthermore, according to Reavey, overuse of heat styling, coloring, and chemical processing might eventually cause hair to become more delicate and thin.
Recognizing Practical Results
The results depend on the cause of hair loss. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says that postpartum hair loss resolves within a year, even without treatment, while hair loss from medical conditions can sometimes be more challenging. She says that hair thinning from aging or hereditary hair loss can improve with topical or low-dose oral minoxidil, but Reavey says it’s difficult to reverse entirely. Reavey notes that stress-related hair loss and any form of telogen effluvium can be assisted with lifestyle interventions to soothe stress-related inflammation, such as meditation, good sleep, and regular exercise.
Understanding that what works for someone else’s hair might not work for yours is crucial. Even when the one-thousandth influencer tells you Colostrum gave them mermaid tresses. You can get a realistic view of potential solutions and results by figuring out the root of your hair thinning.
Quick Solutions for Immediate Effects
Products for thickening and volumizing hair
Jeannetta Walker-Rodgers, celebrity hairstylist, says many people are focused on regrowing hair for more density and forgetting to also care for the hair that is still present. For instant gratification on thinning hair, make the hair you have to feel and look fuller with specific hair-care ingredients. She suggests looking for formulas that include protein to strengthen hair, lightweight hydration to plump the hair strands, and some starch to provide texture and make the hair appear thicker.
On non-wash days, Reavey suggests using a volumizing dry shampoo. She says to apply it at the root and wait 30 seconds for it to set, then massage it through your scalp in circular motions to distribute the formula throughout the hair, lifting at the roots to create volume.
Joico’s Rise Up Powder Spray adds further volume and texture to your hair while styling for the appearance of thicker, fuller hair.
Style Methods
Remember to order that silk pillowcase you’ve been wanting. It helps reduce friction and minimize hair breakage and frizz while you sleep. Stylist Reavey suggests using a simple brush trick or blow-drying your hair upside down to achieve a longer-lasting volume. You can also apply thickening and plumping mousses to damp hair and rough-dry it with a blow dryer to enhance volume. Heat can “activate” your styling products, making them more effective. Additionally, confidence-boosting hair extensions like Luxy Hair’s new Scalp Hair Fill-Ins can hide a widening part without a visible track, boosting your self-esteem and providing long-term fixes.
Long-Term Treatment
Medications and Supplements
A dermatologist may suggest various clinically proven prescription options based on the cause of your hair thinning. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says, “Topical minoxidil 5 percent is effective but needs to be used consistently to maintain results. Low-dose oral minoxidil is also an effective treatment for hair loss.” However, minoxidil will not recommended if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it has not been shown to cause congenital disabilities. An alternative is rosemary oil, which is as effective as 2 percent minoxidil for hair growth in a small trial. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd also points out that Ketoconazole shampoo has improved androgenetic alopecia clinically.
Specific hair vitamins, such as Nutrafol, have been proven to improve growth in biological studies. Excessing particular vitamins and minerals (like iron, selenium, and vitamin A) could do more harm than good.
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd emphasizes, “Patience is key with these treatments. It’s best to wait at least six months before determining if any hair loss treatment is effective, as it can take a while to see results.”
Hair transplantation and PRP
Platelet-rich plasma has also shown promising results with regrowing hair in recent years. The procedure involves plasma drawn from blood not injected into your scalp. In some cases, the nutrient-dense plasma can rejuvenate follicles. The longevity of this procedure needs more research to understand better, says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. It is also expensive and not covered by insurance, as it is an aesthetic procedure. Reavey says that PRP can be successful for some people if done consistently, but if not done correctly, it can cause scar tissue that permanently damages the follicle. Ensure you receive the treatments from a licensed dermatologist or nurse practitioner if you opt for PRP.
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd adds that hair transplantation has been around for a long time. The procedure involves removing tiny skin grafts from a part of your head with thick, healthy hair (often on the back and sides) and transferring them to a bald or thinning area.
Taking Care of Your Scalp
The Act+Acre 3% Stem Cell Peptide Treatment, which supports the advanced stages of hair thinning and loss and instantly adds volume to the hair, is one of the peptide-rich daily scalp treatments I recommend. Walker-Rodgers also recommends using a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment once weekly to keep your hair and scalp hydrated and firm. Reavey also recommends using a gentle scalp exfoliant or rinse to ensure you get product build-up, oil, and other gunk out of your scalp to keep the follicles clear.
Try giving yourself scalp massages every week (or daily) instead of every day. According to Reavey, massages benefit the natural growth cycle and improve hair follicle health.
By scheduling a visit with your dermatologist, you can find a solution.
