You might be able to reverse
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.
Hair loss (alopecia) can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men.
The individual thickness and density of hair is largely genetic and cannot be changed.
Minoxidil (Rogaine).
To be most effective, apply the product to the scalp skin once daily for women and twice daily for men. Many people prefer the foam applied when the hair is wet. Products with minoxidil help many people regrow their hair or slow the rate of hair loss or both.
Other common causes of hair loss include overuse of damaging hair products, or tools such as dryers and other devices that heat the hair. Underlying illness, autoimmune conditions such as lupus, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances may also cause hair to shed.
Medication: Over-the-counter medications you apply to your scalp (such as minoxidil, or Rogaine®) are usually the first course of treatment for thinning hair. A prescription oral medication (finasteride, or Propecia®) is approved only for men with male pattern baldness.
Despite its popularity in the media and amongst consumers, biotin has no proven efficacy in hair and nail growth of healthy individuals. Only 1 study has shown decreased levels of biotin in healthy individuals, though this data was confounded by multiple factors, including patient history.
No Visible Pattern. With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.
Thinning shears can be a godsend for those who often find themselves wondering how to style thick, coarse hair without too much effort—but as with anything, balance is key. If you thin out your hair too much, it could leave your mane looking frayed or uneven.
Understanding Stage 1 Hair Loss
At this stage, hair follicles begin to weaken, leading to a gradual reduction in hair density, especially around the crown, temples, or part line. Early recognition and treatment at this stage significantly improve the chances of reversing hair loss and restoring hair health.
Rogaine is one of the most popular hair restoration treatments known today, and for a good reason — it works. In a clinically controlled study, 84.3% of men deemed minoxidil effective in regrowing hair. You will likely experience greater results if you use topical Rogaine, which includes anti-DHT additives.
A natural supplement designed to boost hair growth can help. For example, biotin and folic acid supplements are common hair-loss treatments. 8 Even multivitamins can strengthen hair growth, Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, told Health.
Biotin use has caused the misdiagnosis of hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease, a serious autoimmune thyroid disease. 8 This is due to biotin's impact on thyroid lab work. Check with your healthcare provider before starting a supplement regimen. They may suggest that you stop taking biotin before getting your labs done.
There is no evidence that taking biotin causes kidney stones or leads to chronic kidney disease. However, high doses of biotin can produce false results for certain lab tests, including those for thyroid function and for hormone levels. Consult your doctor when you're considering taking biotin or any supplement.
Most of the time when people are chatting about the big 3 for hair loss, they are referring to Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo. Although, there are some who feel like the third component of the big 3 should be microneedling in place of Ketoconazole shampoo.
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.
While there is no way to change the texture of the hair follicles, there are many ways to make the hair appear thicker and reduce breakage and hair loss, such as eating a nutritious diet and scalp massage. Thin or thinning hair is common and can affect anyone.
Low iron levels can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which increases hair shedding and limits hair growth. Iron deficiency hair loss can be reversed if you get your iron levels back to normal. Oral iron supplements can help replenish your body's iron stores.
A visible scalp through your hair can be a sign that it's thinning (but not always). The factors that contribute to thinning hair (and thus a visible scalp) include stress, diet, vitamin deficiency and ageing.