Help on making thin hair look ok

Grumpasaurussss

First of all, this is my first post on here, so I apologise if I do anything wrong...

Now to the point of this post. I've recently been experiencing hair loss, and it's now at the point where it looks a little ridiculous... It's always been thin, but it's just getting thinner and thinner (I'm hoping it's related to stress which is getting better so it won't get much worse lol I will be going to the doctor to check at some point when I have time to make sure it isn't anything more serious) This is what it used to look like:

And now it's like this:


sigh

I know the lighting is different etc etc but they're the best pictures I have at the moment.
So... anyone got any suggestions on making it look better? I've had suggestions on getting it cut short, but I'm afraid that this would just make it look thinner... Also I've always hated having short hair so I doubt I would actually like having it any shorter (it used to be quite short when I was younger as my hair really didn't want to grow, but back then I didn't know how to look after it properly so it was just a constant frizzy mess). But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it look better!

Sacatosh

I'm not sure how to help, but a friend of mine has hair as thin as yours, maybe thinner, and she has had it strategically colored with lots of color variations to make it look a bit thicker. That helped her some, and she also began using a powdered shampoo (aka dry shampoo, aka hair powder) to thicken up the roots. Lastly she recently cut it short into a cute pixie cut. You have such a pretty facial structure, you could totally rock a pixie cut!


Started Ouidad June 2012.
Started CG 11/12/12.

curlypearl

I like Sacatosh's idea of a pixie cut! Good idea. Also, try a volumizing mousse which is light so it won't weigh down your curls.

Starmie

I don't know what products (if any) or methods you use but I find using mousse rather than gel helps (gel makes my curls thin and stringy) and also diffusing when my hair is about 3/4 dry. This tends to result in a bit more frizz than I like (frizz is the bane of my hair life!) but it makes it look like my hair is a bit thicker.
I do agree with the others though - you would suit a pixie cut, no problem.

Grumpasaurussss

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I think I'm just going to have to go short, Although having actually googled pixie cuts for curly hair some of them do actually look quite good lol And it would definitely reduce drying time!

As to what hair products I use... I try to use as little as possible. I've started the no-poo thing and using a non-silicone conditioner. Once out of the shower I use a hair serum. If it's a windy or rainy day I would then use a mouse.

And I've just started blow-drying my hair! I did once use a diffuser but I think I used it wrong because I've been doing this for a few days and my hair is so much curlier! Unfortunately it still looks very thin... but has more volume which is good

So... I think when I have some money I'll try and find a good hairdresser and get my hair cut short! I'll post pics afterwards if anyone is interested

MKcurly

I would definitely check with a doctor as it does look noticeably thinner in the second pic. What's your diet like? Maybe you have some deficiency, try taking a multivitamin. Have you gone on or off the pill recently or gotten pregnant? Hormones can screw with your body. It could just be stress... which sucks and hair loss isn't clamming and can starting adding to stress levels. I've never used scalp oils but I've read posts from other women that have. Certain ingredients are suppose to nourish the scalp and stimulate hair growth. The scalp massage with the oil also stimulate blood flow and promotes healthier hair. HTH

CurlyMJ

I agree checking with a doctor but also look into massaging a good oil in your hair/scalp at least twice a week. I just recently started using Jamaican Black Castor oil. I've heard it thickens hair but obviously can't comment on my experience since I've only used it twice so far. Google search essential oils and you'll come across some great info on oils that will stimulate your scalp and help with hair growth.

Also, take a good multivitamin daily and drink lots of water. Hope that helps!

Starmie

Glad you revisited us Grumpasaurussss and glad you're managing to get a bit more volume in your hair.

We love pics here so please post one if you get your hair cut (says she who never posts pics of herself!).

Sacatosh

I cannot believe I forgot this option, but grapeseed extract in capsule form does WONDERS for hair loss. Also Nizoral shampoo (not nioxin) which is a little harder to find. Take the grapeseed as directed on the bottle. I used it while on a chemo medication for autoimmune disease and it stopped the hair loss.

Nizoral is NOT CG approved, but we're talking hair loss and that is the most important thing, I think. Anyway, I used it by spreading it over my scalp, scrubbing VERY gently, and then let it sit on there for 5-10 minutes before you rinse. You can then start your regular curl wash routine. Nizoral works by blocking androgens - in simplest wording, there is a byproduct of testosterone that is in the scalp. Some people have higher levels than others, and it's normal to have some. But if you have a little too much, it can cause hair loss. I was losing my bangs area and sides, they were all dramatically thinner, and I was desperate to try anything. Nizoral worked for me, very well. Here's more about it: http://www.howtoall.com/Menshealthfiles/howtousenizoraltohelpstophairloss1.htm

There are just as many articles saying it doesn't work as there are saying it works. All I know is I have baby hair growing back in. It's finer than the rest, but it exists!

Best of luck. Please do report back how you're doing. :-)

Knotty_Maddy

the only product I can think of that might help give the illusion of fuller hair is Tigi's Sugar Shock or their Totally Baked mousse. You can read the reviews for it on this site, in the product reviews section. I use the totally Baked for root lift, it does help, only you can't use too much...one pump suffices for the roots.

But I think the Nizoral suggestion is a good one, as is the dry shampoo one...also, I think a curly pixie would be really cute on you! you can even keep some longer pieces, on the back and around your ears - I used to have a pixie like that, it was so cute! You are very pretty, so I am sure any look you want to pull off, you can also, I hope you see a doctor, such dramatic hair loss can very much have to do with a condition, or with diet, overall, or stress...

good luck!

Morgan_Adcock

Serum! What serum are you using? Serum is usually another word for silicone, and silicone can really weigh your hair down.

With hair as fine and thin as yours, I'd suggest using a gentle low-poo, rather than co-washing or no-pooing. A light weight conditioner, like Jessicurl Aloeba would also help. After that, either a mousse or flaxseed gel for styling because those are the most lightweight.

Grumpasaurussss

Yeah I'm definitely going to see a doctor this Tuesday... Annoyingly with my gp I have to ring on the day of my appointment but as I start work at 7.30 in the morning I can never ring them; but I have a day off on Tuesday so I'll make sure to ring when they open to make an appointment!
I'm pretty sure it's stress related (which is rather annoying as hair loss adds to the stress) but it's definitely worth checking out. I can't really think of anything else that would cause it.... I haven't changed birth control, I haven't changed my diet, I haven't changed hair products....

Speaking of which I probably should have mentioned what I actually use! I've found that a company called Naked do silicone free products and I've been using their stuff for a few years (although admittedly I've only just found out about silicones!) Natural Beauty Products from Body Care to Hair Care | Naked Body Care I use their Bounce Curl Defining Shampoo (about once a week? Although I probably wont buy it again once the bottle runs out and go completely shampoo free); Bounce Curl Defining Conditioner; Devine Curls Curl Serum and their Curl Tamer, which is a curl styling mousse.

I shall definitely look into the essential oils, grapeseed extract and multivitamins!

Knotty_Maddy - you don't know how much you saying that means to me

Oh, and Starmie - I've asked for a haircut for christmas from my mother as my funds are rather low, so I shall definitely post a pic when that's done

Grumpasaurussss

Also, I just thought - does anyone have any pics of haircuts they think would look good on me so I can show the hairdresser?