Why Your Hair is Thinning & How to Fix It

Have you noticed your hair becoming thinner over time? I know firsthand, it can be so discouraging especially when it seems like we have no control over it and nothing works.

In this post, I’ll cover how to tell if your hair is actually thinning, the most common causes, and some things I have been doing to try and improve my density and re-grow my hair.

Signs of Hair Thinning

It can be so hard to tell if your hair is thinning or not because it typically happens gradually over time. It’s more obvious when there are significant bald spots, but when there is overall thinning it’s harder to tell. Curly hair, especially, can be hard to discern what is normal shedding or not because the loose hairs get stuck within the curls until detangling on wash day.

We normally lose an average of up to 100 hairs per day, so if you only detangle/wash every 5 days, that’s 500 hairs you’re seeing all at once. Check out my post here for more info on shedding. If you’re noticing a significant increase in the amount of shedding than you normally have, or if you’re seeing clumps come out, that is a cause for concern. Also, you may notice excess shedding at every stage of your wash day in addition to detangling, such as while styling and even while refreshing.

Other signs of thinning:

• Loss of density/fullness in your hair or more transparent
• Hairline receding or looking sparse
• See more scalp overall
• Widening of part
• Bald patches

Comparing photos is a great way to tell and one of the main ways I noticed my thinning. You can also measure your hair’s density:

1. Put your hair in a low ponytail, ideally product-free
2. Use a measuring tape and wrap it around the base of the ponytail.

Causes of Thinning

Thinning and hair loss can be permanent or temporary. It’s typically caused by internal factors since our internal health contributes to our scalp health and hair growth cycle. 

• Age and genetics
• Stress or trauma
• Illness or hit to the immune system, such as COVID-19
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Pregnancy, childbirth
• Menopause
• Medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders
• Autoimmune diseases
• Medication side effects
• Starting or changing hormonal birth control
• Poor nutrition
• Nutrient deficiencies:
  • Iron
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin B12
  • Zinc
  • Protein

How to Slow or Stop Hair Thinning

Most important, you have to fix the underlying cause, if it’s caused by something other than genetics and basic aging. See a doctor and get bloodwork done to determine if you have any deficiencies or other health concerns. A trichologist is another option.

• Determine the root cause of your thinning through bloodwork. If deficiencies are determined, take those specific supplements or medications as directed by your doctor.
• Take extra care of your hair
  • No aggressive detangling
  • Maintain a healthy scalp by clarifying to prevent buildup
  • Reduce manipulation and brush styling
  • No high heat
• Use topical scalp & hair treatments
  • I’ve been using the Curlsmith scalp serums: Curlsmith Full Lengths Density Elixir & Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Biotic Primer
  • Other options include topical minoxidil (I have never tried this but know it’s an option)
  • Hair growth shampoos (I have never tried this but know it’s an option)
• Take hair growth supplements
• Use laser hair growth devices
• Be patient, and track your progress using photos. It will take time for new growth to fully grow out to the same length as the rest of your hair in order to see more fullness.
• Get a trim. Avoid layers if you have very thin hair for a fuller look.

If you’re looking for more tips on how to style your hair so that it looks fuller, watch this video.

Has your curl pattern also changed over time? Check out this video next to learn more.

Disclaimer:
I am not a medical doctor and this is not medical advice. I am sharing my experience with hair thinning and compiling info for you from sources online on the causes of hair loss.

Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-diet-affects-hair-loss
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3352833/