How to stop thinning hair

New Delhi, Jan 08 (IANSlife) Hair thinning or hair loss can be caused by many different factors, including both controllable and uncontrollable circumstances. According to NHS(UK) statistics, around 50% of women over the age of 65 experience hair loss or hair thinning, and two-thirds of all men are affected. Although it’s a common issue – and usually nothing to worry about – thinning hair can be a difficult and upsetting process emotionally, impacting both our confidence and identity.

Rob Smith, Senior Principal Hair Care Scientist, at Dyson, gives a breakdown of the causes of hair thinning and effective ways to combat it.

The four phases of the hair growth cycle: 

Causes of hair loss:

Thinning hair can occur for many different reasons. Age and stage of life can affect our health hugely and cause a change in the condition of our scalp. These include: 

How to reduce or treat thinning hair:

Losing hair can be a difficult experience. Hair loss and thinning can stem from many different reasons, often exacerbated by lifestyle factors including high-stress levels, an unbalanced diet, iron deficiency and sudden weight loss. But there are some things you can do. To maintain healthy, steady and effective hair growth, it’s important to prevent hair thinning from an early age.

Things you can do to promote hair growth include: 

If you’re interested in which shampoo or hair thinning treatment to use, the first step is trying to identify the source of the problem, to establish why your hair is shedding or falling out. 

Many shampoos claim to reduce hair thinning and promote hair thickness, as well as improve the shine and the general appearance of your hair. It’s important to research the formulas and check the science behind them. Caffeine for example has a growing body of evidence14 in promoting hair growth.

There are also scalp treatments available, one of the more common actives recommended being topically applied Minoxidil15, which has been shown to increase hair density for some conditions.

It is worth mentioning however that even proven treatments don’t work for everyone. Can hair grow back after thinning or baldness? In many cases, hair thinning can be resolved or improved by a variety of techniques already mentioned above.

However, if the hair follicle has stopped producing any new hair strands over a long period, new hair is unlikely to grow there especially if the underlying causes remain. 

How to make hair look thicker:

If your hair continues to thin, there are a range of options to consider that can help hair appear thicker and fuller, some of these can be quite invasive so make sure you understand the risks and benefits. These include: 

How to hide thinning hair at the front

Creating an illusion of thicker hair and fuller volume can also be an effective way of approaching the loss, especially if you’re trying to preserve your self-confidence. Hair care products such as styling mousses can help add volume and body to your hair, supporting you to feel more confident.

Creating a middle part to drape hair over both sides of your face will help to create the illusion of fuller hair. A similar technique, used by salon professionals, is to add layers to your hair to add volume and provide definition.

Hair thinning is normal

Hair thinning can be a difficult process to go through, but it is a natural part of life. Depending on the reason for your hair loss and thinning, there are many ways to slow the process and preserve your hair. It is worth talking with a Trichologist for advice in finding a solution that works for you as an individual.

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