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[Mavis]

I have been looking up about different shampoos that help with hair loss/thinning, post menopausal. There are quite a few!
I really am not sure which one really works and which one to try. Although they are more expensive that the usual shampoo it would be worth the extra if it REALLY works.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

[bombsh3ll]

I know this is probably not what you want to hear but please don't waste your money.

I have had frontal alopecia since adolescence and honestly there is no lotion, potion, shampoo or other product that will make a genuine and worthwhile difference.

These commercial products are designed to financially exploit people dealing with a very vulnerable issue.

I am really happy wearing wigs which I have done for years, but if that's too big a step I would highly recommend looking into lace front toppers, by Rene of Paris or jon Renau. They have some really beautiful pieces that can work wonders for your self esteem.

If you do really want to try a product, the only thing worth spending your money on is probably minoxidil. My condition is hereditary and both my sons use minoxidil tablets. It seems to prevent further hair fall rather than making hair that is already lost grow back.

It also comes in a topical solution however this is messy and a lot of faff.

I have a female friend who uses topical minoxidil and feels it helps her but objectively it doesn't appear to have done anything.

[CLKD]

R U losing great lumps of hair or a little and often?  Apparently although each hair has it's own follicle, the hair takes longer to grow back as we age giving the appearance of loss.

I would suggest getting a very good cut, paying perhaps more than 'usual'.  Ask whether they are familiar with menopausal hair loss as well as whether they deal with black hair which is totally different to caucasian.

I think that my hair is thinning but DH disagrees 

[SundayGirl]

You can try a million different shampoos but none of them will stop your hair falling out. If there was one then everyone would be buying it.

Low vitamins and low iron can also contribute to hair loss. Have you had your vitamin levels checked recently? Also an iron panel and ferritin.

I lose much less hair when my D, B12, folate and ferritin are at the right levels.

[CapriCapri]

I have been taking collagen supplements and my hairdresser commented that my hair seems to be a bit thicker but it still seems thin to me (and more floor covered in my fallen hair).

I'll continue with the collagen but I have been reading about the wonders of rosemary oil so will also try that.

[CLKD]

Rosemary oil: would that be eaten or applied?   Where did U read about that idea?

[Dazedandconfused]

Rosemary oil is meant to stimulate hair follicles and you apply it.  Don't know if it works but I dilute it in a carrier oil and massage it into my scalp the night before I wash my hair.  It smells nice and doesn't seem to do any harm. 

I also use Faith in Nature rosemary shampoo and conditioner from the supermarket, nothing fancy.

My view is it's nice to use and doesn't seem to cause any harm to me.  At the end of the day it's personal choice.

[CLKD]

What % of rosemary oil is in the product, which is basically made of chemicals ;-).  I have rosemary in the garden which when pruned is quite oily on the hands and tools. 

Eating well and keeping hydrated is important too as most healing etc. is done from the insides.  I wonder whether hair loss is usual across ethnic groups? 

[CapriCapri]

Rosemary oil for hair loss seems to have cropped up in various publications/on sites over the last few months. 

I just found this:

https://www.healthline.com/health/rosemary-oil-for-hair#uses

I'm willing to give it a go

[SundayGirl]

Before the advent of pharmaceutical products, all remedies were taken from nature. Healers used to combine many different things for different conditions. Some worked, some didn't.

You have absolutely nothing to lose by trying it 

[Terri123]

Hi Mavis,

Hair loss/thinning is upsetting and I very much empathise.  Having suffered complete loss due to chemo, my hair never grew back the same.  It has remained somewhat sparse in areas probably due to a combination of chemo-induced menopause and then 10 years of endocrine treatment for breast cancer plus hereditary factors plus a thyroid issue which I already had.

I agree with bombsh3ll, there are no magic shampoos, potions etc. and the marketing of such is exploitative.

Minoxidil might be worth enquiring about.  Personally I didn't pursue it as it's a hormonal treatment and only works if you continue taking it on an ongoing basis.

To disguise the thinner areas, about which I am very self-conscious,  I use Aveda hair thickening spray (available from Amazon) before I blow-dry my hair and sometimes Label M texturising volume spray.  Both products coat the hair shaft so give an illusion of thickness.

I know how demoralising this has been for me over the past 15 years and I wish you luck with your quest to overcome this.

[CLKD]

Continual use of a hair dryer may well spoil the hair overall.  I gave up that 1 years ago.  Until the age of 23 my hair was almost to my back, washing over the bath followed by a gentle towel rub in front of the coal fire worked well.

I then had it permed a few times - Christaltips and Alastair anyone  .  I can tell women who have over-permed or over-coloured their hair, some who are still doing so.  They will regret it  .   Already their hair looks dry, straggly, the ends are thin ...........

A few weeks B4 C.mas I went to a different salon where I was given the 'whole treatment' - the head massage was lovely  .  When offered 'products' I always refused because my hair won't get those at home.  Also I don't wash my hair often ........

Let us know how you get on?

[Mavis]

Many thanks for your replies to the issue of hair thinning/loss post menopausal. When I wash my hair I notice quite a lot coming out and it has gone very fine. I do keep it short. I have under-active thyroid for over 30 years. From what I am reading from your replies I think I may go down the vitamin route. High strength Biotin was advised by my hair-dresser. I wonder if any of you ladies out there have tried it and did it help?
Thank you once again for your help and support.x

[Wrensong]

Hello Mavis, I'm sorry to know your hair is thinning & as I've been struggling with this too I know just how it feels  .  Like you I'm 30+ yrs hypothyroid &  this post is just to mention in case you don't know, that biotin supplements can unfortunately interfere with TFT results.  If that's news to you, you may like to google for the latest on it.  Advice used to be to stop the supplements for a good few days before tests, but I'm not sure how long is sensible (sources differ, from memory) or whether it varies according to biotin dose.  I'm sure you know that hair loss can be associated with thyroid conditions & if there's any chance your meds are not optimised that could be contributing/causative.  I agree on the importance of ensuring good nutrient levels & I hope you manage to find something that helps.
Wx

[Wrensong]

The British Thyroid Foundation says . . .

https://www.btf-thyroid.org/living-better-with-hypothyroidism

"Biotin can give a false blood test reading

Biotin (also known as vitamin B7) is used in many cosmetic products, as well as supplements, to promote hair and nail growth. Although its benefits are anecdotal, it is understandably popular among people living with hypothyroidism to address these issues. The daily recommended intake of biotin for an adult is 30mcg but many biotin supplements marketed for cosmetic reasons contain much higher doses, ranging from 5,000mcg to 10,000mcg. We recommend you be aware that these mega doses of biotin can sometimes result in false TSH, FT4 and FT3 levels giving a reading which suggests an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). If you are taking biotin supplements the American Thyroid Association advises avoiding these two days before having blood tests to minimise the risk of a false reading. It is also advisable to let your doctor know you have been taking these, or any other supplements, when going for your blood test."

https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/december-2018/vol-11-issue-12-p-3-4/