For younger women, thinning hair is usually a result of poor nutrition, stress, disease, or changes in medications, like birth control. Crash diets, weight loss, and low iron levels are all reasons why you may notice hair falling out or changes to hair growth.
Few people expect hair loss to happen as early as their 20s or 30s. When it does happen, it is usually caused by a specific trigger that can be reversed. The three most common triggers for hair loss in young women are stress, dieting, and hormonal changes.
Can thinning hair grow back? Thinning hair can grow back depending on what caused it to thin in the first place. People who experience thinning hair due to nutrient deficiencies, stress, pregnancy, and other nongenetic reasons could experience regrowth.
It happens a lot. The American Hair Loss Association estimates that two out of every three men will start to lose at least some of their hair by the time they're 35.
As you age, your hair may continue to grow, but the growth will become slower, and the follicles that were once coarse and thick will often become finer, thinner and lighter in color.
If you are experiencing thinning or balding, our Bosley experts recommend washing no more than three times a week.
Can thin hair become thicker again? A person cannot change the texture of their hair. However, the hair may grow back after chemotherapy or pregnancy, for example.
Biotin. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a complex B vitamin that is often touted for having hair growth benefits. And some of that hype may actually be worth it. Biotin has functions in “creating red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles,” says Dr. Green.
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. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Many men wonder whether they need to pursue treatment to reverse the effects or if they can grow the hair back on their own. 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.
When to see a doctor. See your doctor if you're concerned about how much hair you are losing every day. A gradual thinning on the top of your head, the appearance of patchy or bald spots on your scalp, and full-body hair loss are signs that there may be an underlying health condition.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth.
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.
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.
Losing your hair isn't the same as going bald. Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition whereas hair loss per se can be caused by a variety of factors.
Wearing your hair too long will make it look thinner
"Ironically, with thinning hair it's important to make sure you get your hair cut regularly," says Julie Hensman, from Hensmans in Northampton. "Thinning hair can get out of shape more quickly, making it look more obvious".
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.
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.