Thick and voluminous hair seems like an elusive dream for most of us. Thinning hair and hair fall affect both men and women of all ages. Thinning hair or hair loss can occur due to a variety of reasons. Emotional stress, hormonal changes, unhealthy eating habits, side effects of medication and harsh hair treatment are some of the common reasons for thinning hair.
Consultation with a dermatologist can help find the cause of thinning hair and help find the right thinning hair products. Using the most suitable thinning hair products and making appropriate lifestyle changes can help treat thinning hair and hair loss.
Causes of thinning hair
Before moving on to thinning hair products, it helps in understanding the various causes of thinning hair in order to find the right fit. Hair loss not only affects the scalp but the entire body as well. The common causes of thinning hair are as follows:
Family history: People who have a family history of thinning hair are potential candidates for thinning hair or hair fall. Thinning hair usually occurs with aging in men and women. Receding hairline and bald patches in men, and thinning hair in women are very common.
Hormonal changes: Pregnancy and menopause in women are phases where hormonal changes occur. During these phases, women are likely to experience thinning hair. Women with thyroid problems are also likely to have thinning hair.
Scalp infections: Scalp infections such as dandruff, oily scalp or dermatitis also cause thinning hair and hair loss.
Medical conditions: Health conditions like alopecia areata causes hair loss in patches. Scalp infections also cause hair thinning.
Medication and supplements: Side effects of certain medication could lead to thinning hair. Consuming health supplements is another reason for hair loss.
Radiation and chemotherapy: Radiation and chemotherapy are treatments for cancer. Hair loss or thinning of hair occurs during these therapies. For some hair fall occurs in patches, for others it occurs all over the scalp. After the therapy, hair growth will not be as it was before therapy.
Stress: General hair thinning occurs as a result of stress. This is more prominent during and after a highly stressful life event. Thinning of hair due to stress is usually a temporary occurrence.
Excessive hairstyling or treatment: Using harsh chemicals for hair styling or treating causes hair thinning and hair fall. Hot hair treatments or hair coloring weakens the follicles, which causes hair to fall.
Treatment for thinning hair
The choice of thinning hair products should be made based on the cause of hair thinning or hair fall. The right products for hair care help in restoring lost hair and building one’s confidence. Here is a list of thinning hair treatments that help in restoring lost hair:
Shampoos: There are a host of shampoo types available for different hair types. Based on the type of scalp, one can choose a shampoo. Irrespective of the scalp type, one should look for the following in the shampoo:
- Cleans thoroughly, but mild on the scalp
- Doesn’t dry scalp
- Doesn’t strip your scalp of natural oil
- Doesn’t leave oily deposits on the scalp
There are several shampoos available specifically for improving thinning hair. You can choose the right product after consulting a dermatologist and testing it on your scalp.
Dry shampoos: Unlike wet shampoos, dry shampoos are available in the form of powders. These shampoos are sprinkled on the hair and combed through to distribute on the scalp. These help in adding volume to the hair and make it look thick.
Hair conditioners: Conditioners help in restoring moisture and oil balance of the hair. Conditioners are to be used after a hair wash. When applied on the hair, they help to detangle it and make it look voluminous.
Camouflaging products: Lotions, sprays, powder cakes, and hair crayons are camouflaging products that help in making hair look voluminous. Regular usage of hair gels, sprays and pomades must be done with extreme caution as it can damage the hair roots.
Natural oils: Regular application of coconut, olive, castor and sesame oil to the hair and scalp helps in maintaining the oil balance. Massage with warm oil followed by hair wash should be made a weekly regime for good hair health. Regular hair maintenance therapies like scalp massages, hair strengthening oils and eating healthy food help in improving scalp and hair health.
Scalp stimulators: These hair treatments unblock the hair follicles and aid in hair regrowth by promoting blood circulation in the scalp.
Hair growth supplements: These days, a lot of supplements are available in the market that helps in hair regrowth. These are usually packed with vitamins and minerals that target the deficiencies in the body leading to hair loss. A doctor should always be consulted before going for a supplement.
Finding the right thinning hair products is vital to control thinning hair or hair fall. A temporary phase of thinning hair can be ignored, but continuous hair fall or thinning hair can be a sign of a serious underlying issue.
