Before we get to the main topic, we need to unclog some confusion between fine hair and thin hair. Fine hair is a single hair strand that has a small diameter. On the other hand, thin hair is all about volume, and how many hair strands there are.
Now that we have cleared things up, let’s step into the main causes of thinning hair and the main treatments for this issue.
01. What are the causes of thin hair?
One of the most common causes is genetics, referred to as male androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness, caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that shortens the life-cycle of the hair follicles and gradually shrinks resulting in thinning hair. In some cases, it shuts down the follicles causing no hair production.
Stress and hair loss are related to each other but don’t worry it is not permanent as the hair can grow back again once the causes of stress are faded. You need to always remember psychological issues reflect negatively on the health of your body.
Also one of the other causes is smoking, which not only decreases the blood flow to hair follicles but can lead to damage to the DNA cells in your hair follicles. Smoking can also develop complications during hair transplants like the death of skin tissues on your scalp.
Last but not least is your unhealthy diet, and lack of the right nutrients that can result in thinning hair and can lead to hair loss.
02. What are the treatments for thin hair?
- Hair Transplant: this is a treatment that transfers hair from a thick area to an area that may be balding or thinning on your head, and they are more successful over hair restoration products, but you need to know hair transplant cannot stop future hair loss. Additionally, they are not advisable for some people, like those with thick scalp scars or who lost hair due to chemotherapy or other medications.
- Laser treatment: this is a treatment that uses laser light to stimulate cell growth and energize hair follicles, which assists hair to grow stronger, thicker and improves the appearance of the hair, and reduces hair loss. However, you need to remember that laser treatment doesn’t work in cases where baldness has existed for years, because it works only on active hair follicles.
- Plasma treatment: this is a treatment that uses the patient’s blood to extract a substance called plasma that contains platelets that encourage hair growth, and prevent hair loss. This treatment is also used to energize hair growth after a hair transplant.
- Finasteride: it is an oral medication used to treat male pattern baldness, it works by decreasing the amount of DHT to increase hair growth. The good part of this medication is that it doesn’t affect hair growth in other parts of your body.
- Minoxidil: is a medication that increases the supply of blood and nutrients to your hair follicles, strengthening the existing hair and promoting hair growth.
- Shampoo: It is essential to choose the right shampoo that contains the most natural ingredients possible. Give yourself time while shopping to look for these ingredients in your shampoo: plant oils (argon oil – jojoba oil – castor oil, etc), aloe vera, shea butter, seaweed collagen, biotin, honey, saw palmetto. On the other hand, try to avoid these harmful ingredients that damage and weaken your hair: mineral oil – artificial fragrances – parabens – isopropyl alcohol – propylene glycol – synthetic colors – dimethicone – triclosan.
- Healthy diet: try your best to have a diet that includes vitamins, nutrients, and more water intake. You can also consider vitamin supplies like omega 3, B vitamins, Biotin, protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D, and E.
- Saw palmetto: some call it “the miracle”, it is a palm plant that produces berries, you can get it from dried berries or supplements. It is often used to fight hair loss by reducing the uptake of DHT in hair follicles and balancing hormone levels as well.
In the end, hair loss is natural as we age, nothing can permanently stop hair from falling in the future, but these treatments mentioned above can guarantee you strong hair for some time.