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[Dottie’s mumz]

Hello, lovely ladies
I am sure I’m not alone in being devastated at the change in my hair since menopause started.  Over the last ten years, my thick, glossy, wavy hair has turned into strands so fine they are almost invisible.  I have to have a pixie cut, because when I try to grow it, the hair that comes through is just pathetic.  I have been reading about vitamin supplements to promote hair growth and wondered if anyone had tried any that actually worked?  Is biotin worth trying?  I would be grateful for your advice.  Thank you!

[CLKD]

There's lots of threads on this, apparently one reason is due to the hair not regenerating at the same speed as when we were younger.  Any1 who has treated their hair over the years with colouring, perming may find that they have problems as they age.

Browse round. Do U like your pixie cut? Mine is thinning without appearing obvious - yet.  I would probably have a complete shave for Charity if push came to shove  . 

How do U feel overall?

[Dottie’s mumz]

There's lots of threads on this, apparently one reason is due to the hair not regenerating at the same speed as when we were younger.  Any1 who has treated their hair over the years with colouring, perming may find that they have problems as they age.

Browse round. Do U like your pixie cut? Mine is thinning without appearing obvious - yet.  I would probably have a complete shave for Charity if push came to shove  . 

How do U feel overall?

Hi, lovely
Well, I am lucky that I suit the pixie cut, but I would love to be able to just grow it a little bit longer.  My haircut is very short, purely because my hair is like fine silk LOL.  I have just ordered collagen, zinc and a vitamin B supplement on Amazon.  Maybe that will help! 😁

[CLKD]

Let us know?

[Dottie’s mumz]

I will update in a few months.  I am taking zinc, iron and b vitamins, and using Plantur 39 shampoo 👍

[Terri123]

Hi

I can empathise having completely lost my hair several years ago because of chemo (for breast cancer). It never really grew back as thick as before and continued to thin as I underwent 10 years of endocrine treatment.

Thinning hair can also be a symptom of thyroid issues (which I also have).  So, if you haven't had them recently it might be worth getting TFTs (blood test) in order to check whether this is a contributory factor.

It's also worth consulting a suitably qualified trichologist.  Mine suggested Minoxidil but I didn't proceed with this as I am very wary of mucking about with hormones unless clinically necessary.  Minoxidil has to be used permanently as once discontinued the hair simply returns to how it would have been anyway, so it's basically a lifelong commitment.  She also recommended a private hair transplant surgeon so that's obviously also an option.  Not cheap options though.

Fancy shampoos, conditioners and supplements probably won't do any harm but, sorry, in my experience they don't make a huge difference and they certainly  don't reverse hair thinning.  I am very sceptical of claims of "promoting hair growth".

I disguise the thinner areas by using hair thickening spray by Aveda when drying my hair and sometimes Label M texturising volume spray once my hair is dry.  Both contain products which basically coat the hair shaft to give an illusion of thickness.  They wash out easily so just need reapplying next time you wash and dry your hair.

I'm sorry there's no easy magic bullet to reverse hair thinning.  I know it's upsetting especially on days when one feels self-conscious.

[bombsh3ll]

I've had alopecia since my teens and just wanted to give a shout out for artificial hair.

It may not be what you want to hear but there are some really beautiful women's wigs and toppers, and I have been far happier since I started wearing wigs than when I was trying to cover it up with hats and hairbands, combing it this way and that and putting expensive goop full of false promises on my head.

I can recommend looking into Rene of Paris and Jon Renau, and watching some of the YouTube videos by hair loss ambassadors such as Denise Sheets.

The best thing about it is it doesn't go grey either, and now my friends are having to put chemicals on their heads every 4 weeks to colour their roots, or look like grandmas.

[Dottie’s mumz]

Thank you to everyone who has replied.  I am so grateful to hear from you, and it helps to know I am not alone.

[Evie606]

Hello, lovely ladies
I am sure I’m not alone in being devastated at the change in my hair since menopause started.  Over the last ten years, my thick, glossy, wavy hair has turned into strands so fine they are almost invisible.  I have to have a pixie cut, because when I try to grow it, the hair that comes through is just pathetic.  I have been reading about vitamin supplements to promote hair growth and wondered if anyone had tried any that actually worked?  Is biotin worth trying?  I would be grateful for your advice.  Thank you!

Hi there,

I’ve had hair loss on and off since Peri and thyroid issues haven’t helped.
However, I recently visited a trichologist who scanned my scalp.
Thankfully scalp ok, no signs of disease or inflammation.

I’m taking Vit B complex, Vit C plus zinc, Vit D and Omega 3 fish oil daily.
She said supplements were just what she recommends BUT marine collagen is what she takes herself and says it feeds the skin. As many daily units as you can afford as it’s not cheap.  She didn’t try to sell me any so trust she was genuine in advice.
I was on bovine collagen for over a year and it made no difference, I’ve now switched to marine. Will post if any improvement.
Hope this helps. 😊

[Terri123]

I've had alopecia since my teens and just wanted to give a shout out for artificial hair.

It may not be what you want to hear but there are some really beautiful women's wigs and toppers, and I have been far happier since I started wearing wigs than when I was trying to cover it up with hats and hairbands, combing it this way and that and putting expensive goop full of false promises on my head.

I can recommend looking into Rene of Paris and Jon Renau, and watching some of the YouTube videos by hair loss ambassadors such as Denise Sheets.

The best thing about it is it doesn't go grey either, and now my friends are having to put chemicals on their heads every 4 weeks to colour their roots, or look like grandmas.

Great post bombsh3ll.   I used a wig to great effect during chemo, it was comfortable and looked good. 

I've also seen friends use toppers and wigs due to hair thinning resulting from long term treatment for cancer and for rheumatoid arthritis.  In both instances their self-esteem was really boosted.

Yes, "expensive goop full of false promises" is a very good way of describing many hair (and other beauty) products!

[bombsh3ll]

Yes, a wig or lace front topper is something that you can do that's immediate, actually makes a difference, has no potential side effects and is reversible (although I now shave my head as it is more comfortable and I haven't been out without a wig for years so there's no point for me keeping straggly bio hair as well).

I am open about the fact that I have hair loss and wear wigs, but it always amazes me how people genuinely do not realise unless I tell them.

I had a skin check once with a dermatology nurse and she even started inspecting my "scalp"  . I had to say to her shall I remove my wig first?!

[Dottie’s mumz]

Hello, lovely ladies
I am sure I’m not alone in being devastated at the change in my hair since menopause started.  Over the last ten years, my thick, glossy, wavy hair has turned into strands so fine they are almost invisible.  I have to have a pixie cut, because when I try to grow it, the hair that comes through is just pathetic.  I have been reading about vitamin supplements to promote hair growth and wondered if anyone had tried any that actually worked?  Is biotin worth trying?  I would be grateful for your advice.  Thank you!

Hi there,

I’ve had hair loss on and off since Peri and thyroid issues haven’t helped.
However, I recently visited a trichologist who scanned my scalp.
Thankfully scalp ok, no signs of disease or inflammation.

I’m taking Vit B complex, Vit C plus zinc, Vit D and Omega 3 fish oil daily.
She said supplements were just what she recommends BUT marine collagen is what she takes herself and says it feeds the skin. As many daily units as you can afford as it’s not cheap.  She didn’t try to sell me any so trust she was genuine in advice.
I was on bovine collagen for over a year and it made no difference, I’ve now switched to marine. Will post if any improvement.
Hope this helps. 😊

Hi lovely
I started all the supplements you mention on Monday, and I have a diet packed with fruit and veg.  I eat meat and fish as well.  Surely in a few months my thin hair will be a bit thicker?  Good luck to both of us!