I don’t think that anyone would argue that as we get older a host of less than desirable things begin to take place in our body. One that is particularly unpleasant, right up there with weight gain and sagging skin, is thinning hair.
Now I’m not complaining about aging. I am thankful every day for the chance to grow a day older, but as women, our hair often impacts how we feel about ourselves and to some degree our confidence. Maybe you first notice it when you pull your hair back into a ponytail only to notice the gaps in the sides. Or maybe it’s when you part your hair in the morning and notice that the part just keeps getting wider. So why does this happen to us, and is there anything we can do about it?
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Hair Products I use and Love:
Nioxin Shampoo and Conditioner for Color Treated Hair
Nioxin 3D Intensive Deep Protect Density Mask
Aveda botanical repair strengthening leave-in treatment
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean dry shampoo
“Those aren’t gray hairs. They’re strands of glitter growing from my head.” – Anonymous
Reasons For Female Hair loss
Short disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The information below is simply based on my own research and trial and error as a middle-aged woman. You should always seek the advice of your doctor.
A couple of years ago I started to really notice a receding hair line when I pulled my hair back. Not only was it receding but it was also getting thinner overall towards the front of my head. I started looking into what the causes of this could be to determine if there was anything I could do.
Some of the recurring themes in my searches were: aging, because of the change in hormones that takes place in our bodies as we get older, especially through menopause; thyroid disorders (which is why you should talk to your doctor about this); genetics play a role to some degree; then a lot things that can be summed up by calling them “lifestyle choices”. These included stress and lack of sleep, poor nutrition, as well as smoking and high alcohol consumption.
Ways to Improve Hair Health
Since several of the above causes of hair thinning are within our control those are the easiest things (in theory) for us to address.
- Improve your diet. The same things that are good for our over all health and well being are also good for our scalp and hair health. It is important that we are getting enough protein and Omega 3s in our diet from foods such as eggs and avocados, nuts and seeds. Leafy greens and berries are also an important source of antioxidants. At this point we probably all know what a healthy diet should look like, and the better we eat the better we feel, and hopefully the better our hair will grow as well.
- Exercise. Exercising improves our circulation, which improves blood flow to the scalp. Blood flow to the scalp is critical for healthy hair growth. So work up a sweat and both your heart and your head will thank you.
- Try to avoid over washing your hair. Well into adulthood I thought that by washing my hair every single day I was practicing good hygiene. However, we know now that washing our hair every day with shampoo is not what’s best for it. Try to wash your hair less frequently, even if it’s only by a couple of days in a week and see if you notice it feeling and looking healthier.
- Break unhealthy habits. If you smoke or drink alcohol often try to replace these things with healthier lifestyle habits that align with wellness.
- Try to reduce stress in your life. Don’t we all wish it was as easy as deciding not to be stressed. This is a whole subject in itself. It’s so important to find ways to cope with stress. Stress affects every part of us so it’s no surprise it can cause hair thinning. Seek ways to find balance. Prayer, meditation, and journaling are all good ways to start finding peace.
- Practice scalp massage. Massaging your scalp improves circulation and as I mentioned earlier, circulation is key to scalp and hair health. There are a lot of fun scalp massaging gadgets on the market now. I got a scalp massager off of amazon for a few dollars and I simply massage my head with it when I am shampooing my hair in the shower. It feels amazing and really lathers my shampoo. I also have one that looks like a science experiment that I use when my hair is dry. Usually at night before bed. It has a lot long metal extensions that and you just move it up and down. Delightful!
- Try some holistic remedies
- Aloe Vera Gel applied directly to the scalp can help condition it.
- Coconut Oil is good for the scalp and hair because it contains fatty acids that can help reduce breakage. Side note on this one—when I do this I make sure its on a weekend because my hair generally looks a bit greasy even after I wash it.
- There are a host of supplements that are recommended by different people but Fish oil and Pumpkin Seed Oil seem to be two of the most promising and safest bets.
- Try applying rosemary oil in a carrier oil. This can be rubbed into your scalp and is said to stimulate hair growth. I have tried this in lieu of expensive hair serums, but I’m not consistent enough with it to say for sure one way or another. My husband does not like the smell so it’s inconvenient, but if you’re motivated and on a budget it’s worth a try.
8. Red Light Therapy. Red light therapy has been proven to work in everything from wound healing to fighting the signs of aging and hair growth. It’s safe, effective, and somewhat cost-effective. They sell hair helmets and headbands now that emit the light therapy right onto the scalp where you need it. I would recommend doing some research on this to find a reputable company before you invest.
9. Micro-needling with PRP. PRP stands for Platelet-rich Plasma. This is when a doctor/dermatologist/esthetician micro needles the area where your hair is thinning to create little tiny wounds that then signal your body to repair. The “with PRP” part is when they take your blood, spin it to to separate out the plasma. Then they either inject the plasma into the area that needs it (if you are not having micro-needling done at the same time) or they spread it over the area that has been micro-needled. This comes with a higher price tag so do your research before considering and when picking out your provider.
Honorable mentions
I have taken, and love, Nutrafol Vitamins. I always see good results when I have taken these consistently. Usually the first thing I notice after I start taking them again if it has been a while is that my hair is shedding less. They have many ingredients that are beneficial for hair as well as overall health. The list includes vitamins A,C, and D, Biotin, Iodine, Zinc and Selenium, as well as Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen, Ashwagandha, and the list goes on. I will link their website here so that you can check them out yourself. Their science is pretty amazing.
If you have a problem with thinning hair then you have probably seen Minoxidil suggested in your search for solutions. This is an over the counter medication that has been proven in studies to help prevent hair loss. You can purchase hair care products such as shampoo that contain Minoxidil in them. I did not include it in the above because I have not personally had any luck with it and I have not enjoyed the minoxidil products I have used. That is probably the fault of just the product itself, and I probably did not use it consistently enough to give it a fair chance. I also tend to prefer more natural solutions over medication. However Minoxidil is widely recommended for hair loss so worth the consideration.
I hope that the above information was helpful to you as you begin your hair journey. You are not alone in this. In fact there is a whole segment of the beauty market based around it now. There are powders and colored sprays from all kinds of brands that help us to cover up those sparse areas on our hair line. I often use these when pulling my hair back or if I have some grays peaking out in between colors. I really believe that the thing that has helped me the most in my personal journey has been eating healthy and getting a healthy amount of exercise. I wish you the best of luck.
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