Having thin hair does not necessarily mean you're losing it, though. All types and textures of hair can become thinner and having thin hair to begin with doesn't mean you're more prone to hair loss.
Thinning hair also referred to as reduced volume or follicle miniaturisation is a gradual reduction in the diameter of individual hairs overtime. It happens very slowly, and is not always accompanied by increased hair shedding, which means it often goes unnoticed in the early stages.
Having thin hair does not necessarily mean you will go bald faster than others your age. Hair thickness and hair loss are influenced by various factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, health conditions, and environmental factors.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we shed an average of approximately 50-100 hairs per day. Curly hair is most prone to shedding when compared to other hair types. Remember; we have 100,000 hair follicles on our heads!
East Asian men (such as those of Chinese and Japanese ancestry) are next on the list of those least likely to experience hair loss. For example, while around half of Caucasian men will experience some degree of androgenetic alopecia, a 2010 study of Chinese men found only about 13% did.
The average person loses around 50-100 hair strands every day, but that amount can go up to 200 strands for those with very thick and long hair.
While thin hair is the most prone to breakage (about 10 times more, in fact), it can happen to any hair type. Fine hair is a bit more vulnerable as it has a smaller inner core and thin cuticle layer, containing about 50% less protein than thick hair. In short, if your hair is fine or thin, it will need even more TLC.
Whilst thinning hair caused by Male Pattern Baldness will not 'get thicker' again of its own accord, where Telogen Effluvium is the only issue, normal hair growth can resume without intervention so the hair should return to its previous density within approximately six months.
Mannes found that men who chose to shave their heads were perceived as being more masculine, and even taller and physically stronger than those with a full head of hair, however they were deemed as being less attractive. Men with thinning hair were viewed as the least attractive, and oldest of the three.
Hair loss is a common and progressive condition in men that stems from genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors. It often stops or slows between the ages of 30 and 50. Although male pattern baldness is inevitable for most individuals, lifestyle changes and medical treatments provide potential ways to stop hair loss.
So now that we know how we get straight or curly hair, does a particular type of hair type make you more susceptible to hair loss? All things being equal, there's no evidence that there's any difference in the natural cycle of hair loss for people with either straight or curly hair.
Having thin hair does not necessarily mean you're losing it, though. All types and textures of hair can become thinner and having thin hair to begin with doesn't mean you're more prone to hair loss.
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.
And you wouldn't be wrong in worrying a little about how much hairfall is normal. On average you will lose 60 to 100 strands of hair every day. This is inconsequential when you realise that you have approximately 100,000 strands on your scalp.
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.
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.
Does thin hair look better short or long? As a general rule, anything past the shoulders can make thin hair look thinner, which is why most experts would recommend shoulder-length and shorter.
Fine hair is the most fragile of the hair texture types as the individual strands of hair are very thin. This texture type may not hold style well and it will likely get oily easily. A common need for fine haired folks is more volume, but too much product will weigh the hair down and ultimately cause breakage.
Hair thinning does not mean a stoppage of hair growth. It is a condition that slows down the hair growth process as a result of a lengthened gap between the telogen (shedding) and anagen (growing) phases of the hair cycle.
It's perfectly normal to lose a few stray strands when running your fingers, or a comb, through your hair. But if you notice increased hair being pulled out when you are being gentle, this can be a cause of concern that you should get checked over.
Vitamin D is essential for creating the cells that develop into hair follicles. It also supports healthy bones and your immune system. If you have hair loss and low vitamin D levels, your doctor may recommend vitamin D supplements.