topic Re: Thinning Hair --- what works? in Beauty

Thinning Hair --- what works?

AngelPuppy1 — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 12:40:57 GMT

I know there have been posts on this in the past. I am now having an issue with thinning and hair loss. This has gradually happened to me. After having a huge mop of hair my whole life, I find that my hair is getting very thin and fragile! I notice especially a spot on the top of my head near where my bangs start where you are starting to be able to see my scalp! Very upsetting! DH says its not that noticeable because my hair is light, but I think it is. And - I am afraid it will keep getting worse! I seem to be losing a lot of hair -- combing, brushing, washing, etc.

I don't want to use any chemical things -- rogaine, etc., are there any products --- shampoos, conditioners,etc. which seem to help?

I noticed a brand called Viviscal and read about it and wondered if anyone had used this?

I take Biotin regularly and have for a long time, and take many other vitamins and minerals. I am on several medications and have gone through menopause many years ago. So, I'm sure these things have all played a part in this.

I would appreciate any tips, suggestions for products, etc. Thanks!

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

SilleeMee — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 13:06:28 GMT

I've had thinning hair most of my life. I have not taken Viviscal. That product is not intended to make new hair but it says it "promotes existing hair growth". It does that with horsetail silica, biotin, marine animal cartilage and some other supps. For me personally, the price of Viviscal is too high for these kinds of ingredients and I can find better.

What has made my hair grow back is a hair laser device, a CapillusPRO cap with 270 laser lights in it. That treats the top of my head where most of my thinning happens. I use a Hairmax-9 comb to treats the sides of my head where the cap doesn't reach. Between using those two laser devices 3X weekly, my hair has come back. It will never be like it was when I was 20 but now I don't have to use any fill-in scalp powders and such any more.

I also take a silica supp (bamboo silica extract powder) and that has kept my hair and bones healthy and strong. This kind of silica has been shown to work better than horsetail silica, the one found in Viviscal.

Other supps which may improve hair follicle health include phytoceramides and marine collagen. These things promote hair growth by providing the follicles with some of the things they use to produce hair itself.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

phoenixbrd — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 13:21:38 GMT

@SilleeMee I took your suggestion and ordered the Bamboo silica long ago. I can attest to the effectiveness. I've considered the cap especially when it was offered at Costco. Researching I found that it can be effective (as in your case), but it depends on the reason why you are losing your hair. So I haven't bit the bullet on the cap. There is still room for improvement. (Of course, we know diet, exercise, stress, and sleep are first line defenses.) I just want to thank you for your suggestion

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

Mary Bailey — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 13:51:57 GMT

I had the same issue of thin spot by bangs, thinning hair and hair loss.

The thin spot is gone. I have a lot of new hair growth. My hair is to the middle of my back. I still think a lot falls out. Maybe it just looks that way because it's so long.

I do a lot of things. I use the Hair Max Laser Comb 2 to 3 days a week.

From the big A:Cayenne Hair Loss Scalp Treatment. DHT Blocker, Organic Hair Growth Oil For Hair Thinning Prevention Postpartum Alopecia Saw Palmetto Capsaicin, 4 oz. (2-3 times a month)

I take Vivascal (on and off) and other hair & skin supplements.

I rinse my hair with cold water after washing. I don't comb it until it's completely dry. I use a microfiber hair towel and don't rub. I try to wash once or twice a week.

hmmm, I think that's all. LOL it's a lot.

It seems to me if I stop any one of those things for a bit, the progress stops.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

Ainhisg — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:01:33 GMT

I seem to always chime in on this question, because I have had great success with the Hairmax 9 comb. I'm now 57 but noticed thinning along the front of my hairline/temple area several years ago. I bought the Hairmax as a TSV when it had a 6-month return policy so in case it didn't help me, I could return it. Thank goodness it helped! I took before and after pics, which I will post here. (I'm being very brave by doing this as the pics are not the best nor the most flattering...lol) ETA: This was after 4.5 months of 3x a week usage.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

Ainhisg — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:00:37 GMT

Temple area:

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

quadmimi — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:01:52 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I've had thinning hair most of my life. I have not taken Viviscal. That product is not intended to make new hair but it says it "promotes existing hair growth". It does that with horsetail silica, biotin, marine animal cartilage and some other supps. For me personally, the price of Viviscal is too high for these kinds of ingredients and I can find better.

What has made my hair grow back is a hair laser device, a CapillusPRO cap with 270 laser lights in it. That treats the top of my head where most of my thinning happens. I use a Hairmax-9 comb to treats the sides of my head where the cap doesn't reach. Between using those two laser devices 3X weekly, my hair has come back. It will never be like it was when I was 20 but now I don't have to use any fill-in scalp powders and such any more.

I also take a silica supp (bamboo silica extract powder) and that has kept my hair and bones healthy and strong. This kind of silica has been shown to work better than horsetail silica, the one found in Viviscal.

Other supps which may improve hair follicle health include phytoceramides and marine collagen. These things promote hair growth by providing the follicles with some of the things they use to produce hair itself.

@SilleeMeeWould you be willing to tell me where you get the silica supp..thank you

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

SilleeMee — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:06:27 GMT

@phoenixbrd wrote:
@SilleeMee I took your suggestion and ordered the Bamboo silica long ago. I can attest to the effectiveness. I've considered the cap especially when it was offered at Costco. Researching I found that it can be effective (as in your case), but it depends on the reason why you are losing your hair. So I haven't bit the bullet on the cap. There is still room for improvement. (Of course, we know diet, exercise, stress, and sleep are first line defenses.) I just want to thank you for your suggestion

You're welcome! @phoenixbrd That's wonderful the bamboo powder is working out for you! About that laser cap...yes, I realize it's a big monetary investment. I figured if I divided up the cost per use over time, then that price tag doesn't seem to be such a large amount. It's a once-in-a-lifetime purchase and the sooner you start then the better the chances are of regaining some of your hair back. Remember...once a hair follicle shrinks and goes away then there is nothing which can be done to revive it...sad but true.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

alicedee — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:11:47 GMT

I have the same issue...always a thick head of hair until menopause. It's still very thick in the back, but thinning a lot in the bang area. I have taken Biotin for about 5 years...no big difference on my thin spot, but hair everywhere else lol!

i know you said no Rogaine. However, that has made a difference for me. My hairdresser suggested using men's Rogaine just on that thin area, morning and night. I've been using it since February, and there has been renewed hair growth in that area. I plan to keep using it. I use the generic kind I purchased at CVS.

Good luck finding something you are comfortable using.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

Shanus — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:14:22 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
I know there have been posts on this in the past. I am now having an issue with thinning and hair loss. This has gradually happened to me. After having a huge mop of hair my whole life, I find that my hair is getting very thin and fragile! I notice especially a spot on the top of my head near where my bangs start where you are starting to be able to see my scalp! Very upsetting! DH says its not that noticeable because my hair is light, but I think it is. And - I am afraid it will keep getting worse! I seem to be losing a lot of hair -- combing, brushing, washing, etc.

I don't want to use any chemical things -- rogaine, etc., are there any products --- shampoos, conditioners,etc. which seem to help?

I noticed a brand called Viviscal and read about it and wondered if anyone had used this?

I take Biotin regularly and have for a long time, and take many other vitamins and minerals. I am on several medications and have gone through menopause many years ago. So, I'm sure these things have all played a part in this.

I would appreciate any tips, suggestions for products, etc. Thanks!

Good morning @AngelPuppy1 . I don't like taking meds for this issue. Hair does tend to thin naturally with menopause. It's made worse with hair color, styling tools and frequent blow drying. To combat that, I deep condition a few times a week. I find that thickening products have worked well for me. I use Bumble Bumble Thickening Spray on the roots in thinning areas while hair is wet, Got To B Thickening Mousse and if needed afterwards, Bumble Bumble makes a Dryspun Texture Spray. I use this in a few areas, lifting the hair and spraying underneath for lift. At my temples, when I wear my hair parted, I use Joan Rivers Good Hair Day in White. It does stay on until shampooed out and does not transfer to hands or clothes.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

SilleeMee — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:21:27 GMT

@quadmimi

@SilleeMeeWould you be willing to tell me where you get the silica supp..thank you

@quadmimi

I buy my bamboo silica from Amazon. This is the name of it:

Bulksupplements Bamboo Extract Powder

There are different sizes offered there. You need only one heaping quarter teaspoon daily. The powder is tasteless, lightweight, fluffy and has a tiny bit of grittiness but not bad. Mix it into any liquid and it will settle so stir before consuming. It takes a couple of months, or so, to notice any changes to your hair growth. Just to be clear...this supp won't make you sprout new hair but it may help keep the hair you already have on your head and promote new hair to grow healthy, strong and shiny.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

newname0 — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:31:47 GMT

I have thinning hair now that I am 74. I think it was the hair dye I used recently - Nutrisse - which I thought was good because of the oils in it. I suddenly started loosing goobs of hair so I looked up thinning hair on the internet and found I need two things in my diet - nuts and rosemary oil. I found both in the Blue Diamond gourmet almonds with rosemary oil and seal salt.

The other thing was I need volume now for my formerly thick hair and I use Pantene ProV sheer volume shampoo plus conditioner. Hope this helps someone.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

Vivian — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:37:45 GMT

I always had thick straight hair until I had thyroid cancer. My hair thinned and became wavy. I started using Toppik. It's a powder that you just drop onto the thin spots. My hair grew thicker after a few years but I still use Toppik to make it look even thicker. I've received many compliments on my hair, with people commenting on how thick it is. I just look at it as smoke and mirrors.

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

quadmimi — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:59:23 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@quadmimi
@SilleeMeeWould you be willing to tell me where you get the silica supp..thank you

@quadmimi
I buy my bamboo silica from Amazon. This is the name of it:

Bulksupplements Bamboo Extract Powder

There are different sizes offered there. You need only one heaping quarter teaspoon daily. The powder is tasteless, lightweight, fluffy and has a tiny bit of grittiness but not bad. Mix it into any liquid and it will settle so stir before consuming. It takes a couple of months, or so, to notice any changes to your hair growth. Just to be clear...this supp won't make you sprout new hair but it may help keep the hair you already have on your head and promote new hair to grow healthy, strong and shiny.

@SilleeMeeThank you!

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

SilleeMee — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 16:26:52 GMT

You're welcome! @quadmimi

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

freakygirl — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 16:45:11 GMT

@SilleeMee thanx for sharing all that information. i appreciate it. do you mind saying where you bought the capillus cap and how much? the hairmax comb is from the Q right?

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

ID2 — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:06:33 GMT

I've always had very fine, thin hair. Thank goodness it hasn't gotten any thinner with age. I've pretty much camouflaged mine by having my hair cropped short and kept it colored. Coloring adheres to your hair shaft and makes your hair appear thicker. It works like a charm for me. Find yourself a good hairdresser and let her do her magic!

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

SilleeMee — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:16:16 GMT

@freakygirl wrote:
@SilleeMee thanx for sharing all that information. i appreciate it. do you mind saying where you bought the capillus cap and how much? the hairmax comb is from the Q right?

You're welcome! @freakygirl

I bought my CapillusPro cap from Capillus dot com. The price is a jaw-dropping $3K...I know!! When I bought it they had it specially priced for $200 less but still it was expensive. The CapillusPro right now is on sale for $2500 and they offer financing through the 'affirm' payment option at $70/mo.

This is a serious investment and you have a full year to give it a try or send it back and be charged 25% of the purchase price. Just be aware of that 'restocking' fee. I knew I would not be sending mine back because I knew already that hair lasers (the Hairmax comb) work for me. It was just a matter of deciding to go for the gold and I'm so glad I did because now I'm more confident with the way my hair looks now and that makes me so happy!

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

freakygirl — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:17:32 GMT

@SilleeMee @THANK YOU! i appreciate it 😊

Re: Thinning Hair --- what works?

Alison Wonderland — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:34:49 GMT

Only two things have been FDA approved and proven to grow more hair: Minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).

If drugs are out for you, that leaves the lasers, like Hairmax.

The research says they work, which is pretty exciting. Before you invest in one, you may want to see a doctor and see if you're a good candidate, because they don't work for everyone.

I really like the route @SilleeMee took in buying a more affordable device to test the results for herself, then making the investment in something more powerful more expensive after getting results with the less powerful device. She is one savvy lady!