Stylish Solutions for Thinning Hair

If you have noticed extra clumps of hair on your brush or in the shower cubicle, don’t shrug it off or think you have to live with it. There are so many ways to add volume to thinning hair, so you can sail through life with confidence!

Image:pexels.com

What causes thinning hair in women?

From genetics to severe stress, women may experience hair loss for a variety of reasons, including:

·         Alopecia: The most common type of alopecia (hair loss) is androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss. One of the first signs is when the hair parting becomes noticeably wider. This is because the hair follicles are producing more wispy, colourless hair instead of thick, coloured hair. Over time, this results in thin or patchy hair all over the scalp.

Although there is no cure for female pattern hair loss, early treatment may be able to slow or stop it so it’s worth seeking medical advice. And if it turns out that it’s not alopecia, thinning hair may be a sign of another health condition so book an appointment with your doctor today if you haven’t already done so.

 

·         Pregnancy-related: New mums who enjoyed lustrous hair during pregnancy sometimes will notice greater hair loss once the baby is born. This is called telogen effluvium, or excessive shedding, and is triggered by the hormones returning to pre-pregnancy levels. It is usually not permanent. By the time the baby is one year old, hair growth at the roots has usually returned to normal.

·         Menopause: Thinning hair in older women is rarely spoken about although it is relatively widespread with around half of all women noticing hair loss by the time they reach 50. This is largely due to the changes in estrogen levels, and fluctuations in other hormones, during menopause.

Best solutions for thinning hair

Living with hair loss as a woman can be daunting but help is at hand. Below, we have outlined some great hair solutions so you can choose the one that is best for you.

Hair Toppers: As their quirky name implies, hair toppers sit on top of the head and are attached to your existing hair with lightweight clips. They are excellent for adding body to wispy hair and concealing patchiness.

You will be surprised what a difference a high-quality topper can make to your appearance. Once you’ve selected a topper in a colour to match your hair, the result can be extremely natural – especially if you choose a silk topper (also called French tied) where the hair is attached to a fine silk filament that closely resembles the scalp.

Hair toppers are surprisingly versatile. They can be swept into updos or straightened and curled as you like (just make sure the heat is no more than 130-140 degrees Celsius).

Plus, they are relatively easy to wash and maintain with the right products.

If you don’t have enough hair to clip the topper on, you can remove the clips and use wig tape instead. 

One of the advantages of choosing your topper at a wig salon, is that the staff should be able to guide you through the process of putting it on and gently taking off the clips. Practice makes perfect, and most people become comfortable with the process quickly.

Elegant Extensions

In the romantic comedy The Ugly Truth, Katherine Heigl, a lovelorn TV producer goes from dull to desirable thanks to hair extensions and some sassy outfits. This ‘new look’ snags her handsome neighbour’s interest and a dinner date. This light-hearted but exaggerated example shows how effortlessly hair extensions can transform your image and appeal!

Since hair extensions are clipped or taped to existing hair, they are not suitable for everyone. Clip-in extensions may be too obvious for those with very thin hair. In such instances, sew-in extensions are another possibility. Sew-in extensions are made from high-quality human hair and usually last for around three months. They are more costly and can be harder to keep clean (vigorous cleaning at the roots can loosen the extension).

Fibre Sprays

Cotton fibre sprays are generally considered more suitable for women than keratin-based ones. Fibre sprays adhere to existing hair, giving the appearance of thicker, fuller locks. Once you master the skill of applying the spray (less is recommended) it is great for disguising gaps on the scalp. Sprays come in a range of colours and are affordably priced, from around $40. They last until you next wash your hair.

Treatment

Unfortunately, the effects of alopecia cannot be reversed but with treatment, further hair loss may be slowed down or stopped with the aid of a prescribed lotion for your scalp or anti-androgen tablets such as spironolactone or cyproterone acetate. These can take 6 to 12 months to take effect, so you will have to be patient!

If you've noticed your hair is thinning, don't despair. As outlined above, there are many possibilities to enhance your appearance and feel great about yourself. With a little persistence, you will find the hair solution that suits you best.