The Secret Side Effect of Your Twenties
Why you're losing your hair and what you can do about it.
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Because of your hair growth cycle, it usually takes 3-6 months after the event for you to notice the shedding, says Maria Hordinsky, M.D., chair of the department of dermatology at the University of Minnesota and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. So if you were laid off in January or lost a lot of weight that month, your hair may not start falling out until April or May. “As soon as you notice hair changes, look at a calendar and think back to what happened within the past six months,” says Hordinsky.
The good news is that shedding is completely reversible in most cases, says Mercurio.
QUIZ: How Healthy Is Your Hair?
Use these techniques to combat shedding:
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Wait it out. It can take up to a year for your hair to normalize, says Mercurio. Bottom line: Once you identify and change the stressor, try not to freak out. Give it some time and let your hair grow back in naturally. Now 25, Megan is seeing remarkable improvements in her hair. “I changed my daily habits to cut down on stress for my hair. The doctor was right: I needed to give it time, but it was clear I needed to make some serious personal changes as well,” she says.
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Shampoo as normal. A knee-jerk reaction to seeing more hair in the shower drain is to wash it less often, “but there’s no connection between shedding and hair care practices,” says Mercurio. In fact, maintaining a healthy scalp (washing often) is one of the best ways to promote hair growth going forward.
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Don’t be afraid to color. What you put on your hair isn’t the reason it’s falling out. The cause is internal. So, continue your beauty routine and you’ll feel better all around, says Mirmirani.
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Re-assess your pills. High levels of certain vitamins and supplements (vitamin E, selenium and vitamin A) are associated with hair loss, says Hordinsky.
If your scalp is more visible than it used to be, it means your hair is thinning and the problem is likely female pattern hair loss (or alopecia). Unfortunately, this situation is genetic and there’s not much you can do to reverse it. But you can slow down the changes. Your best bet is minoxidil, an over-the-counter medication that can help slow hair loss and promote regrowth, says Paradi Mirmirani, M.D., a dermatologist at the Permanente Medical Group in Vallejo, California. See a derm to discuss treatment (find one near you with a specialty in hair disorders). The sooner you start medication, the better your results will be.
You can also try some easy cosmetic changes to hide thinning, suggests Mirmirani. Part your hair on the side instead of down the center, wear it back in a ponytail without a part and color your hair so it more closely matches your scalp color. This could be your excuse to finally go blonde!
MORE: Hair Loss in Women
7 Fixes for Thinning Hair
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Courtesy of LuxHair
Shown here: Mid Top Extension
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While the stigma associated with female hair thinning and loss makes the subject feel taboo, it’s an extremely common complaint. “There’s a misconception that hair loss in women is rare,” explains Robert Bernstein, M.D., founder of the prestigious Bernstein Medical Center for Hair Restoration in New York City. Truth is, 30 percent of women will experience some form of thinning. But wait—there is hope. These seven solutions help with thinning tresses at any age.
MORE: The Structure of Hair
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Luxhair How
Stylist (and reality TV star) Tabatha Coffey’s new line of wigs and extensions were created to add volume to thinning hair. The short, mid and long clip-in extensions are made from Keralon strands and feel exactly like real hair—you can even heat style them. They clip onto the top of your hair for a more natural look. It’s also the first-ever line of extensions to come in gray—three shades of it, as a matter of fact.
GALLERY: Best Hairsprays for Every Style
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Pantene AgeDefy Advanced Thickening Treatment
Pantene scientists have partnered with the smart cookies over at Olay to conduct studies about female hair thinning. The result? Pantene AgeDefy. This hair thickener, which contains a blend of caffeine, niacinamide and panthenol, has been shown to increase the diameter of existing hair fibers, so it’s as if 6,500 fibers have been added to the head. Bonus: After a month of use, hair becomes less brittle and more manageable.
QUIZ: Do You Practice Good Hair Hygiene?
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Eat Pretty Diet
Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D., YouBeauty Nutrition Expert, says that noshing on specific foods can actually help to create luscious locks. Wild salmon, tuna and trout are packed with omega-3 fatty acids that help to provide moisture to the scalp to prevent dry and brittle hair. Kirkpatrick also recommends foods that contain B vitamins to keep hair follicles in tip-top condition, thus decreasing the risk for hair loss. Fruits and vegetables, and beans and lean meat sources, such as chicken or turkey breast, are all great sources for B vitamin.
QUIZ: Are You Eating For Your Beauty?
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Sachajuan Volume Powder
This product is available at our sister site BeautySage, where we only sell products that are proven to work.
Dry shampoo does double-duty with this (editors’ favorite) product. Sachajuan’s powder-based aerosol spray builds volume at the roots and dries with a matte finish creating the illusion and feel of fuller locks. Thicker-looking hair is only a shake and a spray (about four inches to be precise) away. Bonus: More time between washes!
MORE: Dry Shampoo Picks
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Mason Pearson Sensitive Boar Bristle Hair Brush
This brush—with a longtime cult-following—is designed specifically for fine and thinning hair. The massage that a Mason Pearson provides gets the blood and oxygen flowing to feed the thirsty (aka, thinning) hair follicles. Yes, it’s an investment at $160, but the long-lasting bristles have been carefully constructed with natural components that that do not tear fragile hair.
GALLERY: Cult Beauty Products
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Viviscal Maximum Strength supplements
This product—with a long list of celebrity and model clientele—is a 100 percent drug-free supplement containing a mashup of protein-rich cod, English whiting and shark. Sound nasty? Marine protein is known for providing nourishment for thinning hair and promoting existing hair growth from within. The supplement also contains zinc and biotin—two must-have nutrients for healthy hair. But patience is a virtue. Since supplements affect the hair growth cycle from the start, it takes at least three months (and possibly as long as six) to see results.
COLUMN: Legumes for Stunning Hair, Skin and Nails
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Medical Treatments
Prescription drugs, like Propecia (aka: finasteride) help lower DHT levels in men, but is not yet FDA-approved for women. Some doctors do prescribe it to female patients, but it’s not recommended because of links to breast problems. In this same vein, over-the-counter Rogaine, with two percent minoxidil, can help with thinning hair if used consistently. In extreme cases, certain females are candidates for Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Plants—where the hair is removed directly from the scalp and grafted on to the thinning or balding areas.
MORE: Hair Loss in Women
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