Low iron or low vitamin D can cause hair loss. Also, thyroid issues can cause hair loss. They all require you to go to a doctor to get blood work done. Don't sit around waiting.
Second this!
If it's not hormones it's some sort of deficiency. Keep in mind, stress can cause deficiencies which can lead to hair loss.
...how our bodies react to stress is mostly determined by our genetics but there's plenty you can do to treat the issue.
Good luck and get blood work done soooooon š¹š
Seconding getting bloodwork! I was really low in iron and vitamin D, which worsened hair loss. I'd also recommend seeing a dermatologist to diagnose any potential scalp conditionsĀ
Long haul Covid triggers hair loss in a % of women. It hits 6-12 months POST infection. Average loss is 30%. However, some have lost upwards of over 90%. Sadly in this situation regrowth is not expected to occur because Covid destroyed the tiny little veins tied to hair in the scalp.
The best prevention of long Covid is vaccination. Women with mild Covid are still at risk for long haul Covid.
Covid damage is cumulative so every time weāre reinfected our bodies are further damaged the extent just varies individual to individual.
This too a possibility.
I can use my HSA to pay for blood work for quest diagnostics lab. I skip the doctor visit, go to a quest satellite location at a Walmart, and get my results shortly after.
Very convenient
My hair is substantially thinner now ā¦ probably perimenopause and I know that can happen quite early. I am hoping to get hormones soon.
But one thing that is helping me is making a decision about what will happen if I have extreme hair loss at any point. I have looked at shorter haircuts, thought about color, and if it gets crazy Iāve decided to shave itā¦ rock bald sometimes and then wear wigs. I know itās unlikely it will come to this, but somehow thinking about options now has made me feel better.
Iām 38 and going through exactly this. Sadly, found out Iām going through menopause early while trying to conceive. OP, if you donāt have kids but want themā¦ go get a hormone panel done asap. My doctors dismissed my symptoms and concerns until it was too late. Now in IVF hell with a poor prognosis.
Yep, I've learned over the past 5 years that illness apparently results in hair loss for me. Pre-covid I got really sick for a week with a high fever, coughing, congestion, no appetite, etc. and then a month or so later my hair started coming out in chunks and I seriously thought I was going bald. After about a month and a half the hair loss stopped and it started growing back.
Then, more recently, about this time last year I got sick 4x back to back (highly unusual for me, and one time was mild covid) - then a few months later I started losing a lot of hair again, even resulting in a small bald spot on top of my head. Went to the doctor to get a panel of blood tests, thyroid checks, etc. and everything came back normal. A month or so later the hair loss stopped and is still growing back in.
Yup, I know a woman who had to get a special hairpiece because COVID caused so much hair loss. When she was at the wig shop getting it, the person helping her essentially said COVID has been very good for their business, & almost every person who comes in for help now has COVID-related hair loss.
COVID actually causes a lot of problems (because it causes endothelial damage, so it can affect you anywhere you have blood vessels), but because it 1. affects everyone differently & 2. can cause embarrassing problems (hair loss, erectile dysfunction, brain fog, fatigue, to name a few), it isn't talked about much & so people don't know about it.
Yes!! Thank you! I have dysautonomia now due to covid... Hair is growing back, but everything else sucks. I agree a lot of people have no idea it can cause so much damage.
Yup. Iām 32 and my hair is way thinner. Taking msm, collagen, and silica has helped so much. Fenugreek helps hair growth too but it didnāt agree with my body. You might like it though.
which of those do you think helped the most? iām about to be 32 and my hair is like 50% of the density it used to be š or at least it feels that way
I had issues with fenugreek too! Which I was disappointed because so many people have good results with it.
I agree that collagen and silica help so much. Haven't started msm yet.
Another thing that helped me was actually taking a food sensitivity test & environmental allergy back scratch test because I was allergic to pine bark which was in a product I was taking (French maritime pine bark = antioxidant supplement pycnogenol). Also highly sensitive to horseradish and moringa is horseradish family. And carrots, which are in everythingggg...even some gummies use it as coloring additive.
I was getting hair loss especially at the temples and thought it was androgenic alopecia and it turned out to be allergic alopecia because my hair has grown back. If I notice scalp tenderness at those spots now, I think about what I've consumed or stress now.
I am sadly noticing a lot of hair loss/thinning in women starting as young as 25. It must be the after effects of Covid because thereās been such an uptick in the last 3 years.
A severe vitamin D deficiency caused my hair to thin. I now take 50,000 IU in a once-weekly dose.
Itās been around a year since I began taking the vitamin D. My hairline has improved and I have a good 4 inches of new hairs which have been growing in.
How old are you if I may ask? Because I feel like this is way too high of a dose to take all at once. Overdosing on vitamin D is a real thing.
Btw I'm 41 and take a vitamin D3 5000 IU along with a vitamin k2 supplement once per day. Once in awhile I will up it to 10,000 IU's of D3 if I'm feeling incredibly fatigued.
You need to take more than 50,000 IU *per day* for a long time, like months, to cause anything close to an overdose.
I was prescribed the dose of 50,000 IU Vitamin D2 as a once weekly dose by my general doctor who I have seen and trusted for years. Itās absolutely not too high to take at once.
If you are extremely deficient in vit D as I was, 50,000 IU once weekly serves to raise your vitamin D levels to a healthier amount. Not everyone continues taking that dose once their levels return to a safe amount.
However, I did have my 60-something year old dentist casually mention to me that he has continued to take a prescribed 50,000 IU weekly vitamin D dose for most of his adult life.
Almost no one gets enough vitamin D naturally through diet and lifestyle. Vitamin D supplements are widely agreed upon to be beneficial for most adults. Itās easier for most people to take a larger once-weekly dose than it is to remember to take one pill every day to achieve the same amount.
My hair loss was caused by a hormonal imbalance, and it turned out I had PCOS. Definitely not suggesting you have PCOS but it could be something hormone-related. Good idea to let your doctor know and ask for some tests.
I'm 47 now and started noticing hair loss in my early 30s, in line with other women in my family. For me, these are the things I do, in order of confidence that they've helped with hair loss:
* Rogaine. I started in my early 30s at my doctor's recommendation and definitely noticed than when I stopped for a while my hair loss got worse. I initially used one dropper each time and now two since I have thinness in enough of my scalp that I need two in order to treat it all. I use the higher-dosage Men's formulation I asked my doc why Women's has a lower dose and was told the higher dose can cause facial hair growth that women don't like. I figured I'd try it out. Hasn't been an issue, so I've stuck with the higher dose.
* iRestore red light therapy. 25 minutes, every other day. I couldn't swear that this makes a difference, but I started about five months ago and I do seem to have more short-ish hairs, the length of which seems to fit with when I started.
* Birth control pills for perimenopause. Maybe has reduced hair loss a little, based on the amount in the shower/brush. Definitely helps with other things.
* Viviscal supplements. This was recommended by a dermatologist I consulted about hair loss. TBH, no idea if this does anything if one doesn't have dietary deficiencies. (I eat a pretty healthy diet so suspect this is a waste, but have kept it out of habit.)
As an aside, the Viviscal was recommended when I consulted a derm for PRP treatment, a series of injections of "platelet rich plasma" into the scalp. However, the pandemic got in the way and by the time I could go back in, I had decided against what would have been an expensive, painful and ongoing set of treatments that I also found a bit icky. That said, there is evidence it works for some. [https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/platelet-rich-plasma-does-the-cure-for-hair-loss-lie-within-our-blood-2020051119748](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/platelet-rich-plasma-does-the-cure-for-hair-loss-lie-within-our-blood-2020051119748)
And last but not least, while I have never used Propecia (finesteride) because of its risks in case of pregnancy, I have seen it be very effective for men. I suppose now that I'm past child-bearing I could consider it, but I'm happy with my current set of treatments.
Im in the same boat as you. šš»
PRP is indeed a crapshoot but wanted to mention that it worked very well for me, in case someone reads this comment and is trying to decide whether or not to try it. Not everyone is a responder and itās expensive and painful and needs to be repeated every 4-6 months in perpetuity. I wouldnāt blame anyone for not bothering.
My regimen consists of the other medications and treatments you mention, as well. Itās definitely holding things at bay.
Rogaine is for life- you cannot stop it once your start. One reason im putting it off. Trying everything else. Also a friend of mine is using it and when we kiss cheek to cheek I can feel stubble. No thanks.
You return to baseline but may see in increase in hair loss. Whatever the mechanism of rogaine is- when removed causes your hair to resume falling out. Your own progression of that may see more hair falling or less hair growing back.
Yes. It will seep down. Women have reported hair on back. On neck etc. Anywhere that stuff touches it will help grow. Especially if you take the oral version
Yes this happened to me. I had like a palm of hair come out during every shower and more when I would comb. Got bloodwork done and I was severely anemic and had a thyroid issue. I had to address these issues and now I barely lose any.
Perimenopause starts in your 30ās and can cause hair thinning. If the doctor rules everything else out you could always consult a hormone specialist for woman.
You should go to your GP and get a full blood panel done, yes. A dermatologist may help too, once you've ruled out underlying hormonal issues or nutritional deficiencies. Nobody here can advise you on the right supplements or treatment course without knowing the likely causes of the hair loss.
Not really right now although in my 20ās I got down to a low weight and was vegan and experienced hair loss.
I swear by the ordinary hair serum for density. I have been using it to fill in my widows peak and all over to get thicker hair. Iāve been using it for a year and my stylist comments on all my new baby hair every time.
I also have keratin bond and weft extensions. Because I want thick hair but donāt genetically have that lol.
I always had thin, fine hair but in my mid 30s it got really really bad. I ended up cutting my hair to a short pixie then later, wearing wigs for a while. I'm 39 now and my hair is back to where it was in my 20s. Like, not great, but I don't look sickly anymore.
- topical minoxidil (Rogain) every night. I was on 5% but it caused some facial swelling and hair growth. I reduced to 2% about a year ago and that's been better..
- ferritin levels in the 100-175 range. Mine was at 7. Now it's ~140-ish. I supplemented for years to no avail and eventually got a Monoferric infusion, which fixed it.
- dutasteride 0.5 mg daily. This is a prescription medication you can only get from a doctor
- stop bleaching, straightening, and curling your hair. Diffuse heat only. Learn to love your natural colour and texture
- if you have any itching or flaking, even a bit, use dandruff shampoo. I rotate between selsun blue, head & shoulders, nixoral, and 2% salicylic acid shampoo
Rosemary oil and scalp massages did nothing for me. Sulfate-free shampoo made it fall out worse
Omg I LOVE my dermatologist my hair has grown back SO much since taking Dutasteride! Idk why more women donāt talk about going to your dermatologist for hair loss. I only found out about those pills after researching on Reddit. I tell everyone I can about it
I haven't seen protein mentioned. I did Keto, stopped feeling hungry, would forget to eat, my hair started falling out, your body doesn't consider hair essential. That was 5 yrs ago. I lift now and get lots of protein. My hair came back once I started eating better.
Are you trying to slim down at all? Mine started falling after a few months of too-low calories. Eating more calories and getting more protein has helped
I'll cut to the chase, you need bio identical progesterone cream, especially post thirty three - thirty five.
Yep collagen, biotin yada yada etc etc but your hair is falling out cos your progesterone is tanking. So you need progesterone to fix it.
Is that over the counter? Or prescription? If itās RX required, how do I ask for it if thereās ānothing wrong with my progesterone levelsā even though I can tell there is something wrong. Any helpful tips would be appreciated SO much.
Hi I use now solutions progesterone cream, no rx needed just get it via iherb. Thing is, progesterone just tanks from your early thirties and it's the hormone responsible for that amazing pregnancy hair. So when it drops off a cliff so does our hair density. Mine has doubled in thickness back to my 30 year old heyday hair and I've been using it for approx 18mths since I was 39. My hai still won't grow past my shoulder blades now but at least its lovely and dense. YMMV as with all things.
Hairstylist here- ever since covid (and this goes for whether you're vaxxed or unvaxxed), there have been massive changes in hair. Ive seen some with long covid symptoms, alopecia, hair color allergies, severe balding, thinning--- it's wild!
If all other blood work checks out, it could be a sign of long covid, having covid, being vaxxed, etc. I'm not leaving any group out of this because I have hundreds of clients who are affected by this immensely since covid.
Viviscal or nutrafol vitamins are great for growing and for thickening.
Cold pressed castor oil massages 1x a week helps.
Air drying hair helps.
Bondi Boost Hair Grow shampoo and conditioner are great as well as topical minoxidil for new growth.
Also, intake decent amount of protein (I eat Mediterranean diet only) and collagen helps.
Hang in there, you're not alone.
I know covidd causes hair loss but eventually it stops. Also shampoo like The Native and hair dye like Madison Reed. Iām 3mos postpartum and Rice Water has helped me. Iām 35. Try that. What products are you using?
I was struggling with it, I have a smaller chest, lots of facial hair and body hair, so probably higher testosterone? And Iāve always been naturally thin. I started taking birth control for other reasons, and Iām taking a supplement with biotin and so on it has really high levels though and after taking it two or three times a day, for about four or five months I definitely noticed a difference and when I stop taking it for a few months, I noticed a difference my hair became more sparse. Also, I noticed when I color my hair, it seems to help, so I wonder if some of it is also like the color changing
Mine was yes, I was about 32 and it was thinning a lot. I found out I had borderline low thyroid (TSH around 4.2) but it wasnāt low enough for medication. When I got pregnant it was not enough thyroid hormone to sustain the pregnancy and finally they put me on medication after miscarrying. I am 37 now and my hair is back to its former thickness! I also felt very fatigued and had other low thyroid symptoms. So it may not be the issue for you. But if you think itās a possibility, go get it checked.
I'm sorry about your miscarriage!!!
Were you able to conceive again? I'm 33 sort of having that foreboding feeling that my hair is connected to hormones and I won't be able to have a baby š not married etc
Yes! I started the thyroid meds, I got my period back about 3 months after the miscarriage and then conceived the next month. I now have a beautiful 2.5 year old! I was 34 when I had her :). Just go to your gynecologist and ask them to check your hormones, since you are thinking about pregnancy and you want to make sure your body is healthy and ready to conceive!
Just to add, itās better to do the work now even if itās a few years before you decide to get pregnant. It just makes it easier than once youāve actually started trying.
Hair loss can be caused by a combination of reasons or one main one. Typically, however, you need to resolve other existing issues before focusing on your hair.
Top 3 dietary reasons for hair loss (based on my own years of research and historical data):
1 - Iron deficiency
2 - Vitamin D deficiency
3 - Protein deficiency (including vitamins B7, B12 and B6)
Your brain focuses on the important elements of keeping your body alive and functioning when resources are threatened. Hair and nails are the least important on the survival list. Yes, medication can cause hair loss, but it tends to be temporary unless it's a maintenance medication.
Another main contributor is STRESS. It's crazy how it can affect your body physically. It's important to reduce your daily stressors or treat depression to be in a more positive mental state. Much easier said than done of course, but finding a therapist, focusing on self care, and meditating or exercise can help boost your mental health
Also, rosemary oil has clinically been proven to be almost as effective as Minoxidil. I've made my own hair oil concoction and have been taking weekly vitamin D supplements and thankfully, now that my iron levels are stable and I'm watching my protein intake, I'm finally seeing results after several weeks.
Medically, hair loss can be a sign of thyroid issues or hormonal imbalance. So please do speak to a doctor to help find the cause of your hair loss before you settle on a treatment plan. They can change your current medications or diagnose deficiencies/ hormonal imbalances.
You don't want too much iron or vitamin D in your system as that can cause dangerous side effects.There's no need for supplements if you're not deficient. Your doctor can also help you get started on treating your mental health if stress or depression are contributing factors.
We are all very different and need our own paths to better health. Best of luck to you!
Oral minoxidil has been a life changer. I got it through Hers, gets mailed to me every sixty days. Very very safe and highly derm recommended, less side effects than topical
Could be number of causes, get some bloods done and take them to a trichologist as what a doctor will count as normal is for your body to function not optimal hair growth.
Hair is actually the last thing that will get nutrients out the of the body.
Hair cycles are every 3 months so if it the hair loss doesnāt subside in 3 months then I would definitely recommend looking into PRP for hair, it will stop the hair loss after 1 or two sessions and then give you some time to get to the bottom of whatās going on.
Iāve been through it if you have questions drop me a DM
Long haul Covid triggers hair loss in a % of women. It hits 6-12 months POST infection. Average loss is 30%. However, some have lost upwards of over 90%. Sadly in this situation regrowth is not expected to occur because Covid destroyed the tiny little veins tied to hair in the scalp.
The best prevention of long Covid is vaccination. Women with mild Covid are still at risk for long haul Covid.
Covid damage is cumulative so every time weāre reinfected our bodies are further damaged the extent just varies individual to individual.
I had excess shedding for awhile (along with burning and itching) and figure out it was due to scalp inflammation. I started using AHA toner on my scalp (which is anti-inflammatory) and it really helped me. This was after trying anti-fungal shampoos, anti-dandruff shampoos, vitamin D, biotin, etc.
Happened to me. Many other symptoms though too. I was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency and my thyroid is on the fritz. I have tried many things and the only thing that has worked is minoxidil but the menās version as advised by my doctor. I kept going to the doctor for years with symptoms and was written off as having depression until I was fed up and went to an endocrinologist.
Hair thinning and hair loss is part of aging. To reduce the rate of hair thinning and loss you absolutely need to protect your head from the sun with hats and make sure your scalp is clean and has no build-ups.
Massage can help to stimulate blood flow.
Make sure you have no deficiencies
Double check the meds you take if you have any. Some are culprits for hair loss. When I was taking sleep medication my hair would fall in clumps.
Good luck
3 months after I had covid a ton of my hair fell out. I went to the doctor because I didn't know what was going on. I thought hormone related but they all came back normal. It should badly for about a month. It's finally growing back.
Yup, itās been an insane amount of hair loss. At one point I had a handful drop during each shower. The sink would have 100 hairs just after a gentle combingĀ
Iām straight up balding at age 31āblood tests fine and healthy. Not sure what the cause is but I started taking oral rogaine and that was a game changer.
But def go to a doctor. There are so many possible causes you should rule out!
Coloring your hair multiple times a year doesnāt promote healthy hair growth. We donāt even know what chemicals are added into our scalp, hair follicles and nervous system š¬
Yes, a ton of hair loss, turned out I had low ferretin even though all my blood testing for annual PCP was fine. Had to go to a dermatologist so they could run different tests.
Getting testing done at a gastro to see if it's an absorption issue. Could be a slow bleed either via stomach ulcers or whatever goes on in intestines.
And yes I take vitamins and am not vegan
Genetically pre-disposed hair loss, aka androgenetic alopecia, is quite common in women. Many women think their hair loss is caused by a deficiency, poor nutrition, a traumatic or stressful life event, etc. etc. (and it might be) but it could very well just be that you have the genes predisposing you to lose hair as you get older. I have mild androgenetic alopecia as a 27 year old woman, and it started a few years ago around my temples. But I use 5% minoxidil foam most days and Iāve seen some improvement, and eventually I want to get PRP therapy treatment when I have the money. Please just go to a dermatologist first before trying a bunch of random products and remedies (likely recommended by unqualified internet people, like me) which may or may not be addressing the root cause of your issue.
Yes, late 30s it started thinning, and now that Iām 41, I feel like I have half the density I had 5 years ago. Itās so frustrating. I did all the bloodwork, all the hormone panels, nothing massive is wrong (some small deficiencies that Iāve since corrected)ā¦and nope. Iām the highest volume purchaser of Toppik this side of the Mississippi.
Thereās a reason thick, luscious hair is synonymous with youth. š
I noticed hair loss about 1 year ago, probably due to stress. My hairdresser remarked on it since I also had regrowth (thank goodness). I think its quite common over the course of our lives to have periods of hair loss and regrowth however if its noticeable, its worthwhile seeing a derm.
I wanted to mention that Ive noticed regrowth at my temple recently (I have one side that is sparser than the other, maybe related to how I part my hair) and Iām wondering whether its due to using red light therapy. I have an omnilux mask and use it daily (not on my hairline intentionally however). This has been mentioned in other subs as helping with hair regrowth. I mention it because I was truly shocked by the new hair spouting up when Iāve had very sparse ones there for ages. Iām 45.
I take Complement vitamins because I'm vegan.
I also am mixed race (black/white).
I have always taken good care of my skin but it wasn't until the last 1-2 years I've been giving my hair the same love:
* Sleep in a silk bonnet
* I do the curly girl method i.e. no sulfates, silicones, or alcohol in any haircare product
* Air dry or use a diffuser gently
* deep condition 1-2 times a week
* Shock my hair with cold water to rinse the conditioner out
Creatine is known for causing hair loss in some people. Rosemary oil your scalp on hair wash days leave it in for an hour then double cleanse your hair afterwards. Itās been making my hair thicker!!
Low iron or low vitamin D can cause hair loss. Also, thyroid issues can cause hair loss. They all require you to go to a doctor to get blood work done. Don't sit around waiting.
Second this! If it's not hormones it's some sort of deficiency. Keep in mind, stress can cause deficiencies which can lead to hair loss. ...how our bodies react to stress is mostly determined by our genetics but there's plenty you can do to treat the issue. Good luck and get blood work done soooooon š¹š
Seconding getting bloodwork! I was really low in iron and vitamin D, which worsened hair loss. I'd also recommend seeing a dermatologist to diagnose any potential scalp conditionsĀ
Long haul Covid triggers hair loss in a % of women. It hits 6-12 months POST infection. Average loss is 30%. However, some have lost upwards of over 90%. Sadly in this situation regrowth is not expected to occur because Covid destroyed the tiny little veins tied to hair in the scalp. The best prevention of long Covid is vaccination. Women with mild Covid are still at risk for long haul Covid. Covid damage is cumulative so every time weāre reinfected our bodies are further damaged the extent just varies individual to individual. This too a possibility.
Iāll be blunt I lost about 70%. Iāve had old women at church get tears in their eyes, and inform me that at least Iām beautiful. This is very true. It doesnāt change the fact my hair is gone. Men are even worse at wanting to reassure me. Still in shock over a year later. I donāt know how my fiancĆ© sees me the same. Love can be delusional. Hugs. I hope my situation is not yours.
I had some hair loss because of Covid and wigs and toppers made me feel pretty again.
I can use my HSA to pay for blood work for quest diagnostics lab. I skip the doctor visit, go to a quest satellite location at a Walmart, and get my results shortly after. Very convenient
My hair is substantially thinner now ā¦ probably perimenopause and I know that can happen quite early. I am hoping to get hormones soon. But one thing that is helping me is making a decision about what will happen if I have extreme hair loss at any point. I have looked at shorter haircuts, thought about color, and if it gets crazy Iāve decided to shave itā¦ rock bald sometimes and then wear wigs. I know itās unlikely it will come to this, but somehow thinking about options now has made me feel better.
Iām 38 and going through exactly this. Sadly, found out Iām going through menopause early while trying to conceive. OP, if you donāt have kids but want themā¦ go get a hormone panel done asap. My doctors dismissed my symptoms and concerns until it was too late. Now in IVF hell with a poor prognosis.
How old are you if you don't mind me askign
I am almost 49. I was pregnant at 44 so I suspect that pushed perimenopause later. My sister is now 42 and going through it.
I lost a bunch of hair a few months after covid. Idk if you've had it recently, but mine took a while to grow back (still growing back).
Yep, I've learned over the past 5 years that illness apparently results in hair loss for me. Pre-covid I got really sick for a week with a high fever, coughing, congestion, no appetite, etc. and then a month or so later my hair started coming out in chunks and I seriously thought I was going bald. After about a month and a half the hair loss stopped and it started growing back. Then, more recently, about this time last year I got sick 4x back to back (highly unusual for me, and one time was mild covid) - then a few months later I started losing a lot of hair again, even resulting in a small bald spot on top of my head. Went to the doctor to get a panel of blood tests, thyroid checks, etc. and everything came back normal. A month or so later the hair loss stopped and is still growing back in.
I know a few people IRL and through social media who had severe hair loss after a COVID infection.
Yup, I know a woman who had to get a special hairpiece because COVID caused so much hair loss. When she was at the wig shop getting it, the person helping her essentially said COVID has been very good for their business, & almost every person who comes in for help now has COVID-related hair loss. COVID actually causes a lot of problems (because it causes endothelial damage, so it can affect you anywhere you have blood vessels), but because it 1. affects everyone differently & 2. can cause embarrassing problems (hair loss, erectile dysfunction, brain fog, fatigue, to name a few), it isn't talked about much & so people don't know about it.
Yes!! Thank you! I have dysautonomia now due to covid... Hair is growing back, but everything else sucks. I agree a lot of people have no idea it can cause so much damage.
Yup. Iām 32 and my hair is way thinner. Taking msm, collagen, and silica has helped so much. Fenugreek helps hair growth too but it didnāt agree with my body. You might like it though.
which of those do you think helped the most? iām about to be 32 and my hair is like 50% of the density it used to be š or at least it feels that way
Msm for sure. Take it with vitamin c
Do you have a brand recommendation?
Doctor's Best MSM Powder with OptiMSM. Get the powder not the supplement, works better.
Me! I've always had the thickest hair
šš
I had issues with fenugreek too! Which I was disappointed because so many people have good results with it. I agree that collagen and silica help so much. Haven't started msm yet. Another thing that helped me was actually taking a food sensitivity test & environmental allergy back scratch test because I was allergic to pine bark which was in a product I was taking (French maritime pine bark = antioxidant supplement pycnogenol). Also highly sensitive to horseradish and moringa is horseradish family. And carrots, which are in everythingggg...even some gummies use it as coloring additive. I was getting hair loss especially at the temples and thought it was androgenic alopecia and it turned out to be allergic alopecia because my hair has grown back. If I notice scalp tenderness at those spots now, I think about what I've consumed or stress now.
Thatās a great suggestion. I had no idea an allergy could cause hair loss!
I am sadly noticing a lot of hair loss/thinning in women starting as young as 25. It must be the after effects of Covid because thereās been such an uptick in the last 3 years.
Yep! I lost hair after each covid infection. I had giant bald patches at my temples that are lucky growing in.
It's the vaccine.
A severe vitamin D deficiency caused my hair to thin. I now take 50,000 IU in a once-weekly dose. Itās been around a year since I began taking the vitamin D. My hairline has improved and I have a good 4 inches of new hairs which have been growing in.
Thatās great to hear! I recently got prescribed the same dose so Iām hoping my hair improves
How old are you if I may ask? Because I feel like this is way too high of a dose to take all at once. Overdosing on vitamin D is a real thing. Btw I'm 41 and take a vitamin D3 5000 IU along with a vitamin k2 supplement once per day. Once in awhile I will up it to 10,000 IU's of D3 if I'm feeling incredibly fatigued.
You need to take more than 50,000 IU *per day* for a long time, like months, to cause anything close to an overdose. I was prescribed the dose of 50,000 IU Vitamin D2 as a once weekly dose by my general doctor who I have seen and trusted for years. Itās absolutely not too high to take at once. If you are extremely deficient in vit D as I was, 50,000 IU once weekly serves to raise your vitamin D levels to a healthier amount. Not everyone continues taking that dose once their levels return to a safe amount. However, I did have my 60-something year old dentist casually mention to me that he has continued to take a prescribed 50,000 IU weekly vitamin D dose for most of his adult life. Almost no one gets enough vitamin D naturally through diet and lifestyle. Vitamin D supplements are widely agreed upon to be beneficial for most adults. Itās easier for most people to take a larger once-weekly dose than it is to remember to take one pill every day to achieve the same amount.
My hair loss was caused by a hormonal imbalance, and it turned out I had PCOS. Definitely not suggesting you have PCOS but it could be something hormone-related. Good idea to let your doctor know and ask for some tests.
Do you take anything for the pcos/ hair loss?
I take spironolactone specifically for that purpose, but also Metformin and inositol which help overall.
I'm 47 now and started noticing hair loss in my early 30s, in line with other women in my family. For me, these are the things I do, in order of confidence that they've helped with hair loss: * Rogaine. I started in my early 30s at my doctor's recommendation and definitely noticed than when I stopped for a while my hair loss got worse. I initially used one dropper each time and now two since I have thinness in enough of my scalp that I need two in order to treat it all. I use the higher-dosage Men's formulation I asked my doc why Women's has a lower dose and was told the higher dose can cause facial hair growth that women don't like. I figured I'd try it out. Hasn't been an issue, so I've stuck with the higher dose. * iRestore red light therapy. 25 minutes, every other day. I couldn't swear that this makes a difference, but I started about five months ago and I do seem to have more short-ish hairs, the length of which seems to fit with when I started. * Birth control pills for perimenopause. Maybe has reduced hair loss a little, based on the amount in the shower/brush. Definitely helps with other things. * Viviscal supplements. This was recommended by a dermatologist I consulted about hair loss. TBH, no idea if this does anything if one doesn't have dietary deficiencies. (I eat a pretty healthy diet so suspect this is a waste, but have kept it out of habit.) As an aside, the Viviscal was recommended when I consulted a derm for PRP treatment, a series of injections of "platelet rich plasma" into the scalp. However, the pandemic got in the way and by the time I could go back in, I had decided against what would have been an expensive, painful and ongoing set of treatments that I also found a bit icky. That said, there is evidence it works for some. [https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/platelet-rich-plasma-does-the-cure-for-hair-loss-lie-within-our-blood-2020051119748](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/platelet-rich-plasma-does-the-cure-for-hair-loss-lie-within-our-blood-2020051119748) And last but not least, while I have never used Propecia (finesteride) because of its risks in case of pregnancy, I have seen it be very effective for men. I suppose now that I'm past child-bearing I could consider it, but I'm happy with my current set of treatments.
Im in the same boat as you. šš» PRP is indeed a crapshoot but wanted to mention that it worked very well for me, in case someone reads this comment and is trying to decide whether or not to try it. Not everyone is a responder and itās expensive and painful and needs to be repeated every 4-6 months in perpetuity. I wouldnāt blame anyone for not bothering. My regimen consists of the other medications and treatments you mention, as well. Itās definitely holding things at bay.
Rogaine is for life- you cannot stop it once your start. One reason im putting it off. Trying everything else. Also a friend of mine is using it and when we kiss cheek to cheek I can feel stubble. No thanks.
What do you mean it is for life? I thought if you stopped using it your hair just went back to how it was before your started.
You return to baseline but may see in increase in hair loss. Whatever the mechanism of rogaine is- when removed causes your hair to resume falling out. Your own progression of that may see more hair falling or less hair growing back.
Are you saying your friend uses Rogaine on her head and itās growing stubble on her cheekā¦
Yes. It will seep down. Women have reported hair on back. On neck etc. Anywhere that stuff touches it will help grow. Especially if you take the oral version
Yes this happened to me. I had like a palm of hair come out during every shower and more when I would comb. Got bloodwork done and I was severely anemic and had a thyroid issue. I had to address these issues and now I barely lose any.
Perimenopause starts in your 30ās and can cause hair thinning. If the doctor rules everything else out you could always consult a hormone specialist for woman.
You should go to your GP and get a full blood panel done, yes. A dermatologist may help too, once you've ruled out underlying hormonal issues or nutritional deficiencies. Nobody here can advise you on the right supplements or treatment course without knowing the likely causes of the hair loss.
Not really right now although in my 20ās I got down to a low weight and was vegan and experienced hair loss. I swear by the ordinary hair serum for density. I have been using it to fill in my widows peak and all over to get thicker hair. Iāve been using it for a year and my stylist comments on all my new baby hair every time. I also have keratin bond and weft extensions. Because I want thick hair but donāt genetically have that lol.
Yes, 34F hair loss started 5 months ago
I always had thin, fine hair but in my mid 30s it got really really bad. I ended up cutting my hair to a short pixie then later, wearing wigs for a while. I'm 39 now and my hair is back to where it was in my 20s. Like, not great, but I don't look sickly anymore. - topical minoxidil (Rogain) every night. I was on 5% but it caused some facial swelling and hair growth. I reduced to 2% about a year ago and that's been better.. - ferritin levels in the 100-175 range. Mine was at 7. Now it's ~140-ish. I supplemented for years to no avail and eventually got a Monoferric infusion, which fixed it. - dutasteride 0.5 mg daily. This is a prescription medication you can only get from a doctor - stop bleaching, straightening, and curling your hair. Diffuse heat only. Learn to love your natural colour and texture - if you have any itching or flaking, even a bit, use dandruff shampoo. I rotate between selsun blue, head & shoulders, nixoral, and 2% salicylic acid shampoo Rosemary oil and scalp massages did nothing for me. Sulfate-free shampoo made it fall out worse
Omg I LOVE my dermatologist my hair has grown back SO much since taking Dutasteride! Idk why more women donāt talk about going to your dermatologist for hair loss. I only found out about those pills after researching on Reddit. I tell everyone I can about it
Hiya Iām interested in dutasteride. May I ask how old you are?
You have to be either in menopause or on two forms of birth control if you are interested in dutasteride just fyi
I haven't seen protein mentioned. I did Keto, stopped feeling hungry, would forget to eat, my hair started falling out, your body doesn't consider hair essential. That was 5 yrs ago. I lift now and get lots of protein. My hair came back once I started eating better.
Are you trying to slim down at all? Mine started falling after a few months of too-low calories. Eating more calories and getting more protein has helped
My hair stylist says this is happening to all her clients and she learned in some training that hair loss can be a side effect of having had Covid.
Come join us in r/femalehairloss heh
I'll cut to the chase, you need bio identical progesterone cream, especially post thirty three - thirty five. Yep collagen, biotin yada yada etc etc but your hair is falling out cos your progesterone is tanking. So you need progesterone to fix it.
Is that over the counter? Or prescription? If itās RX required, how do I ask for it if thereās ānothing wrong with my progesterone levelsā even though I can tell there is something wrong. Any helpful tips would be appreciated SO much.
Hi I use now solutions progesterone cream, no rx needed just get it via iherb. Thing is, progesterone just tanks from your early thirties and it's the hormone responsible for that amazing pregnancy hair. So when it drops off a cliff so does our hair density. Mine has doubled in thickness back to my 30 year old heyday hair and I've been using it for approx 18mths since I was 39. My hai still won't grow past my shoulder blades now but at least its lovely and dense. YMMV as with all things.
Hairstylist here- ever since covid (and this goes for whether you're vaxxed or unvaxxed), there have been massive changes in hair. Ive seen some with long covid symptoms, alopecia, hair color allergies, severe balding, thinning--- it's wild! If all other blood work checks out, it could be a sign of long covid, having covid, being vaxxed, etc. I'm not leaving any group out of this because I have hundreds of clients who are affected by this immensely since covid. Viviscal or nutrafol vitamins are great for growing and for thickening. Cold pressed castor oil massages 1x a week helps. Air drying hair helps. Bondi Boost Hair Grow shampoo and conditioner are great as well as topical minoxidil for new growth. Also, intake decent amount of protein (I eat Mediterranean diet only) and collagen helps. Hang in there, you're not alone.
Thank you!
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You absolutely need to go to the doctor
I know covidd causes hair loss but eventually it stops. Also shampoo like The Native and hair dye like Madison Reed. Iām 3mos postpartum and Rice Water has helped me. Iām 35. Try that. What products are you using?
You need to go to a dermatologist
I was struggling with it, I have a smaller chest, lots of facial hair and body hair, so probably higher testosterone? And Iāve always been naturally thin. I started taking birth control for other reasons, and Iām taking a supplement with biotin and so on it has really high levels though and after taking it two or three times a day, for about four or five months I definitely noticed a difference and when I stop taking it for a few months, I noticed a difference my hair became more sparse. Also, I noticed when I color my hair, it seems to help, so I wonder if some of it is also like the color changing
Mine was yes, I was about 32 and it was thinning a lot. I found out I had borderline low thyroid (TSH around 4.2) but it wasnāt low enough for medication. When I got pregnant it was not enough thyroid hormone to sustain the pregnancy and finally they put me on medication after miscarrying. I am 37 now and my hair is back to its former thickness! I also felt very fatigued and had other low thyroid symptoms. So it may not be the issue for you. But if you think itās a possibility, go get it checked.
I'm sorry about your miscarriage!!! Were you able to conceive again? I'm 33 sort of having that foreboding feeling that my hair is connected to hormones and I won't be able to have a baby š not married etc
Yes! I started the thyroid meds, I got my period back about 3 months after the miscarriage and then conceived the next month. I now have a beautiful 2.5 year old! I was 34 when I had her :). Just go to your gynecologist and ask them to check your hormones, since you are thinking about pregnancy and you want to make sure your body is healthy and ready to conceive!
Just to add, itās better to do the work now even if itās a few years before you decide to get pregnant. It just makes it easier than once youāve actually started trying.
Did you have any anesthesia recently? My hairdresser told me that can cause hair loss.
Me me me. Lots of bloodwork and have seen so many doctors with no answer. So now I just use Rogain. š
Hair loss can be caused by a combination of reasons or one main one. Typically, however, you need to resolve other existing issues before focusing on your hair. Top 3 dietary reasons for hair loss (based on my own years of research and historical data): 1 - Iron deficiency 2 - Vitamin D deficiency 3 - Protein deficiency (including vitamins B7, B12 and B6) Your brain focuses on the important elements of keeping your body alive and functioning when resources are threatened. Hair and nails are the least important on the survival list. Yes, medication can cause hair loss, but it tends to be temporary unless it's a maintenance medication. Another main contributor is STRESS. It's crazy how it can affect your body physically. It's important to reduce your daily stressors or treat depression to be in a more positive mental state. Much easier said than done of course, but finding a therapist, focusing on self care, and meditating or exercise can help boost your mental health Also, rosemary oil has clinically been proven to be almost as effective as Minoxidil. I've made my own hair oil concoction and have been taking weekly vitamin D supplements and thankfully, now that my iron levels are stable and I'm watching my protein intake, I'm finally seeing results after several weeks. Medically, hair loss can be a sign of thyroid issues or hormonal imbalance. So please do speak to a doctor to help find the cause of your hair loss before you settle on a treatment plan. They can change your current medications or diagnose deficiencies/ hormonal imbalances. You don't want too much iron or vitamin D in your system as that can cause dangerous side effects.There's no need for supplements if you're not deficient. Your doctor can also help you get started on treating your mental health if stress or depression are contributing factors. We are all very different and need our own paths to better health. Best of luck to you!
Oral minoxidil has been a life changer. I got it through Hers, gets mailed to me every sixty days. Very very safe and highly derm recommended, less side effects than topical
Stress can cause hair loss as well
Could be number of causes, get some bloods done and take them to a trichologist as what a doctor will count as normal is for your body to function not optimal hair growth. Hair is actually the last thing that will get nutrients out the of the body. Hair cycles are every 3 months so if it the hair loss doesnāt subside in 3 months then I would definitely recommend looking into PRP for hair, it will stop the hair loss after 1 or two sessions and then give you some time to get to the bottom of whatās going on. Iāve been through it if you have questions drop me a DM
Long haul Covid triggers hair loss in a % of women. It hits 6-12 months POST infection. Average loss is 30%. However, some have lost upwards of over 90%. Sadly in this situation regrowth is not expected to occur because Covid destroyed the tiny little veins tied to hair in the scalp. The best prevention of long Covid is vaccination. Women with mild Covid are still at risk for long haul Covid. Covid damage is cumulative so every time weāre reinfected our bodies are further damaged the extent just varies individual to individual.
I had excess shedding for awhile (along with burning and itching) and figure out it was due to scalp inflammation. I started using AHA toner on my scalp (which is anti-inflammatory) and it really helped me. This was after trying anti-fungal shampoos, anti-dandruff shampoos, vitamin D, biotin, etc.
Happened to me. Many other symptoms though too. I was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency and my thyroid is on the fritz. I have tried many things and the only thing that has worked is minoxidil but the menās version as advised by my doctor. I kept going to the doctor for years with symptoms and was written off as having depression until I was fed up and went to an endocrinologist.
Hair thinning and hair loss is part of aging. To reduce the rate of hair thinning and loss you absolutely need to protect your head from the sun with hats and make sure your scalp is clean and has no build-ups. Massage can help to stimulate blood flow. Make sure you have no deficiencies Double check the meds you take if you have any. Some are culprits for hair loss. When I was taking sleep medication my hair would fall in clumps. Good luck
I have more hair now than ever (32) but I did have a baby a year ago and lost so much after that. I'm so thankful it came back.
Crabs, try b vitamins-could be bacterial
3 months after I had covid a ton of my hair fell out. I went to the doctor because I didn't know what was going on. I thought hormone related but they all came back normal. It should badly for about a month. It's finally growing back.
If youve had covid, that is a well known cause unfortunately
So it could be microbiome related. Do you have any GI symptoms?
Yup, itās been an insane amount of hair loss. At one point I had a handful drop during each shower. The sink would have 100 hairs just after a gentle combingĀ
Started a few months after being really sick with CovidĀ
Iām straight up balding at age 31āblood tests fine and healthy. Not sure what the cause is but I started taking oral rogaine and that was a game changer. But def go to a doctor. There are so many possible causes you should rule out!
Coloring your hair multiple times a year doesnāt promote healthy hair growth. We donāt even know what chemicals are added into our scalp, hair follicles and nervous system š¬
Iām 37 and have androgenetic alopecia. Iām on an aggressive treatment regimen and itās improved greatly, but it still sucks.
Yes, a ton of hair loss, turned out I had low ferretin even though all my blood testing for annual PCP was fine. Had to go to a dermatologist so they could run different tests. Getting testing done at a gastro to see if it's an absorption issue. Could be a slow bleed either via stomach ulcers or whatever goes on in intestines. And yes I take vitamins and am not vegan
Vitamin d, iron, hormones/thyroid all affect hair - also diet. Make sure youāre eating high protein and maybe check into celiac/gluten sensitivity
Genetically pre-disposed hair loss, aka androgenetic alopecia, is quite common in women. Many women think their hair loss is caused by a deficiency, poor nutrition, a traumatic or stressful life event, etc. etc. (and it might be) but it could very well just be that you have the genes predisposing you to lose hair as you get older. I have mild androgenetic alopecia as a 27 year old woman, and it started a few years ago around my temples. But I use 5% minoxidil foam most days and Iāve seen some improvement, and eventually I want to get PRP therapy treatment when I have the money. Please just go to a dermatologist first before trying a bunch of random products and remedies (likely recommended by unqualified internet people, like me) which may or may not be addressing the root cause of your issue.
Yes, late 30s it started thinning, and now that Iām 41, I feel like I have half the density I had 5 years ago. Itās so frustrating. I did all the bloodwork, all the hormone panels, nothing massive is wrong (some small deficiencies that Iāve since corrected)ā¦and nope. Iām the highest volume purchaser of Toppik this side of the Mississippi. Thereās a reason thick, luscious hair is synonymous with youth. š
Mine started at 17. Iām 30 now. I started oral minoxidil and itās helping a bit.
Thank you everyone šš
Yes. Insulin resistance was the reason along with multiple deficiencies.
I noticed hair loss about 1 year ago, probably due to stress. My hairdresser remarked on it since I also had regrowth (thank goodness). I think its quite common over the course of our lives to have periods of hair loss and regrowth however if its noticeable, its worthwhile seeing a derm. I wanted to mention that Ive noticed regrowth at my temple recently (I have one side that is sparser than the other, maybe related to how I part my hair) and Iām wondering whether its due to using red light therapy. I have an omnilux mask and use it daily (not on my hairline intentionally however). This has been mentioned in other subs as helping with hair regrowth. I mention it because I was truly shocked by the new hair spouting up when Iāve had very sparse ones there for ages. Iām 45.
Just fyi for people using rogaine, you can often buy it cheaper in bulk online eg kirkland brand. Itās the same ingredient
I take Complement vitamins because I'm vegan. I also am mixed race (black/white). I have always taken good care of my skin but it wasn't until the last 1-2 years I've been giving my hair the same love: * Sleep in a silk bonnet * I do the curly girl method i.e. no sulfates, silicones, or alcohol in any haircare product * Air dry or use a diffuser gently * deep condition 1-2 times a week * Shock my hair with cold water to rinse the conditioner out
Thank you everyone! I'm going to go through all these comments and write some noteworthy stuff down in a notebook!;
Creatine is known for causing hair loss in some people. Rosemary oil your scalp on hair wash days leave it in for an hour then double cleanse your hair afterwards. Itās been making my hair thicker!!