Diagnosing Weak Hair
It is often genetic, handed down from a parent, or it can be caused by hormonal factors such as menopause or childbirth, birth control pills or other medications, disease or illness, poor diet, stress, a fungal infection of the scalp or cancer treatments.
Here's the truth: You can't change the size of your hair follicles. If you were born with fine hair, it's genetics, and no product will completely alter that. Of course, there are ways to maintain your hair health, add volume, and keep it from getting any thinner.
Telogen hair, or 'resting' hair, comprises around 15% of the hair on a person's scalp. Periods of elevated stress can lead to this hair being temporarily lost, contributing to a visibly thinner scalp and hairline.
Hair thinning causes can include aging, your genes, shifting hormones, and your diet. Learn what else might be playing a role. Whether you're a woman or a man, it's normal for your hair to thin as you get older, according to Cleveland Clinic.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
If you are experiencing thinning or balding, our Bosley experts recommend washing no more than three times a week.
The bottom line. There's no strong evidence to support using biotin for hair growth or to prevent hair loss in people without a deficiency. Because hair thinning and poor hair growth are sometimes associated with a biotin deficiency, correcting a deficiency can help restore hair growth in some people.
Our best overall pick is the Biolage Advanced Full Density Thickening Shampoo, a reparative formula that works to strengthen thinning strands while removing the follicle-clogging impurities that can prevent new growth.
If you have very fine, thin, or oily hair, wash your hair more frequently. Straight, fine, or thin hair shows oil production more obviously than thicker or curly hair does. In general, aim to wash fine or thin hair every other day. Any more will jumpstart oil production, leaving your scalp slicker than before.
Fine or thin hair: "Fine hair will need to be shampooed as often as every other day to provide it with the moisture it needs to flourish and grow," Courtney says. Cleansing also helps remove buildup and oils that can weigh fine or thin hair down.
Biotin. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates the production of keratin to increase follicle growth. Biotin deficiencies tend to be rare, with those diagnosed with Biotinidase Deficiency being the most common.
Sources of Biotin
Foods that contain the most biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and certain vegetables (such as sweet potatoes) [2,12].
Overall, Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Thinning and Loss is the top choice given the FDA-approved hair growth-boosting ingredient in its formula.
The amount of biotin suggested for hair growth usually ranges between 100 - 1,000 micrograms (mcg) daily, but this number varies based on your body's reaction to biotin.
Effective treatments for some types of hair loss are available. You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatments for hair loss include medications and surgery.
Rinse-out conditioner
However, if you have very oily or fine hair, you may want to condition less frequently because it can weigh your hair down. If you have dry, coarse, curly, or color-treated hair, you may benefit from conditioning your hair more frequently — daily or every other day.
Use conditioner, but sparingly.
Conditioner might sound counterintuitive for really fine hair, but stylists say it can help, especially if you're using a volumizing shampoo.