The best way to understand if you have thin or thinning hair is to look for changes in your hair quality and hairline over time. “If you're thinning, you are going to see areas around your hairline start to recess,” says Hall, and you'll start to be able to see more scalp through the hair.
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.
The most obvious first sign of balding is a noticeable change in your hairline that you can clearly see. Baldness often begins in the hairline, with the flat or mildly receded hairline you previously had turned into a more obvious M-shaped hairline.
Unlike widespread hair loss, thinning hair doesn't necessarily cause baldness. It does, however, give the appearance of sparser spots of hair on your head. Thinning hair typically happens gradually, which means you have time to pinpoint the causes and figure out the best treatment measures.
Hair loss, also called alopecia, can start at almost any age as you enter adulthood. You can start losing your hair as early as your late teens and early 20s. But you might have a full head of hair with almost no thinning or balding until well into your 50s and 60s. There's a lot of variation from person to person.
If you're having a hard time understanding whether you have fine or thin hair (or both), the best thing to grab a handful of hair in your fist, if it's long enough. Then looking in the mirror, look at the roots. If you can easily see your scalp through the hair, it's thin. If you can't, it's medium or thick.
Check Your Iron - Low iron levels can result in hair thinning. Including more red meat in your diet or taking an iron supplement may help resolve the issue. Take Good Care of Your Scalp - Try using products that will exfoliate the scalp. It will help loosen build-up and stimulate growth.
Your Hair Can Look Thinner
But for others — especially those with fine hair — even just a touch of excess oil can have quite the opposite effect. When fine or thin hair goes unwashed, it can start to stick together and look even finer, Richard Mannah, the global artistic director for Joico, tells Bustle.
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.
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.
Understanding hair loss
Some hair loss is normal. Everyone loses hair as part of the hair's natural growth cycle, which occurs in three stages: The anagen stage refers to when a hair strand is actively growing. This stage can last anywhere from two to eight years.
If your hair is as wide, or just slightly under width, as a sewing thread, then you have thick hair. If your hair is much slimmer than the thread, your hair is on the thin side. Another way to test hair thickness, without pulling out any of your strands, is to take a single hair in between your fingers.
The hair around your hairline or temples may be shorter where the hair loss is occurring. This is called hair miniaturization. When a hair follicle is beginning to become inactive, the hair it generates becomes thinner and shorter until eventually, the follicle stops producing new hair.
Sandalwood, lavender, rosemary, and thyme oils have been used to treat hair loss for over 100 years. A compound in them is thought to boost hair growth. You can try rubbing one or more of these oils into your scalp for at least 2 minutes every night. Then, wrap your head in a warm towel to help it absorb.
Potential causes of hair loss in teenagers include genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, and underlying medical conditions. In some cases, hair loss can be reversible with proper treatment.
If you are experiencing thinning or balding, our Bosley experts recommend washing no more than three times a week.
In straight type, thin hair was judged most attractive, whereas in wavy type, hair with mean diameter received the highest attractiveness judgments. In conclusion, there was considerable variation in age, health and attractiveness perception of hair with regard to effects of hair diameter, type, and color.
Is it reversible? While some forms of AFAB hair loss are temporary, female pattern baldness is permanent and irreversible without treatment. However, proper treatment can stop the hair loss and potentially help regrow some lost hair. You'll need to stay on this treatment long-term to prevent losing your hair again.
Research shows that a lack of vitamin D in your body can lead to hair loss. One role vitamin D plays is stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there isn't enough vitamin D in your system, new hair growth can be stunted.
The way you brush your hair is also important in preventing further hair loss. For thin hair, brush softly and gently to prevent pulling out more hair.