How to stop thinning hair

Thinning hair can occur for many different reasons but usually when the follicle is constricted, making it more difficult for hair strands to grow.⁴ 

Age and stage of life can affect our health hugely and cause a change in the condition of our scalp. These include: 

During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the number of hairs in the active growth phase, known as anagen, increases.  

After the birth, hormonal changes can lead to follicles moving to the catagen or telogen states, resulting in post-pregnancy hair shedding.⁵ 

A sustained level of emotional stress after a serious life event, such as bereavement, can cause hair follicles to shift from the growing phase to the resting phase.⁶  

After two to three months, this can often become more noticeable, even if it is temporary, with more hair thinning and fall out. 

Many people experience hair thinning during the ageing process. The rate of hair growth slows as your body ages, and each hair strand becomes smaller with less pigmentation – which is why people begin to develop grey hair.⁵ 

The four phases of the hair growth cycle: 

Anagen – which lasts two to eight years. This first phase of the cycle is where hair is actively growing. The cells in the root of the hair add to the hair shaft. At any time, 80-90% of the hairs on a head are in the anagen phase.⁷ 

Catagen – usually four to six weeks long, the catagen phase is a short phase which occurs at the end of the anagen phase. The hair strand detaches from its blood supply.⁷ 

Telogen – lasts two to three months where the hair is neither growing or falling out. 

Exogen – happens where the hair sheds and falls out, which can last two to five months. On average, people lose between 50 to 150 hairs each day.⁸ 

Thinning hair and hair loss can happen during illness. This is called Alopecia areata, a disease that develops when the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles as part of its defence system, causing hair loss. This can happen anywhere on the body. 

Thinning hair and hair loss can occur during treatment for illness too. The main example includes cancer treatment, specifically during chemotherapy.⁹ 

One established reason for hair loss is genetics, where hair loss isn’t the result of a disease, but a natural combination of hereditary genes, hormone levels, and the ageing process.¹⁰

The hair cycle and hair follicle structure are highly affected by various hormones.¹¹ These include androgens, growth hormone, estradiol, thyroxin, prolactin, and melatonin. 

Things you can do to promote hair growth include: 

• Eating a healthy and balanced diet. 
• Staying active to reduce stress and stimulate endorphins.  
• Embracing relaxation techniques such as meditation. 
• Improving the balance of your work and personal life.  
• Enjoying scalp massages to promote blood circulation and stretch the cells of hair follicles. 
• Using supplements such as Vitamins A, C, D and E with the minerals iron, zinc and biotin.¹²

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. 

There are many shampoos that 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 reviews for proven results. 

If you continue to use these products and follow the routine and advice they suggest, you may see long-term results or a reduction in hair loss.  

If your hair continues to thin, there are a range of options to consider that can help hair appear thicker and fuller. These include: 

• Blow drying hair in an upwards motion  
  
• Wigs and artificial hairpieces  
• Hair transplants 
• Scalp reduction surgery 
• Immunotherapy 
• Steroids¹³
• Light therapy¹³
• Tattooing your hairline¹³

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. From vitamin supplements, a change in nutrition and staying active, to medical support and specialist advice from your GP.