The word “alopecia” is the medical term for thinning hair and it can take a range of different forms. Most thinning hair is perfectly normal. However, there is a fine line between regular and excessive thinning of the hair and making the right choices early on can help curb your thinning hair experience before it becomes more serious.

If you are among the 30% of women who suffer form thinning hair, then you already know that it can be a distressing, lonely and sometimes embarrassing experience. However, you’re not alone – these figures mean there is somewhere in the region of 30 million women who may be suffering from thinning hair. It does not simply affect older women. Thinning hair can be a concern for women at any age, however, there are certain times of life when this condition is more common. The peri-menopause and menopause years are a time whne many women can experience loss and the thinning of hair.

Am I suffering from thinning hair?

Take the Tug Test: While bald areas are an obvious sign of thinning hair, it can be difficult to tell whether your hair is getting thinner. To find out try the tug test: hold about 15 or 20 hairs between the thumb and index finger and pull slowly and firmly. If more than six hairs come out there may be a problem.

Take the Shower Test: Another easy technique to determine if you might be experiencing excessive thinning hair is via a simple observation when you shower. The normal, regular rate of thinning hair is around 50-150 hairs daily. So if you start to notice the rate increase, its time to take action.

Understanding the hair growth cycle and how thinning hair occurs

Hair follicles produce a new hair every two to six years (dependent on age) and within the following three distinct phases:

1. The Anagen or growing phase lasts two to five years and determines the length of our hair. Approx 90% of the hairs on our head are in the growing phase.
2. When the Anagen growth phase comes to an end, hair enters into a Catagen phase which lasts between one and two weeks. Hair stops growing during this phase, the hair follicle shrinks and part of it starts to die.
3. The Telogen or resting phase lasts around five months. There is no growth during this time. At the end of the resting phase, the hair is shed and the follicle starts to grow a new hair. Approx 10% of the hairs on our head are in this phase at all times.

Noticeable thinning hair occurs when hairs enter the Telogen or resting phase too early causing excess shedding of the hair.

Interesting Facts ?

• Hair grows at a rate of about 1 cm a month
• Each follicle grows an average of 20 hairs in a person’s lifetime
• Approximately 20% of people suffering from thinning hair have a close family member with the same condition
• Thinning hair can often start after a stressful life event such as bereavement, shock, getting married or moving house
• Thinning hair affects men, women, young people and children
• On average women spend over $200,000 looking after their hair in their adult life**
• When progesterone hormones return to normal levels after pregnancy, hair that should have fallen out during the last nine months will do so all at once
• The way you style your hair could be causing your thinning hair
• Temporary hair shredding can happen due to stress or hormonal changes brought on by child birth or menopause. While it is often reversible it can be quite devastating while it lasts.

**Newsweek. The beauty breakdown

Major Causes of thinning Hair:

Hormones: hormonal imbalance can lead to thinning hair, such as post pregnancy, peri-menopause or menopause, or when taking the contraceptive pill. Hormonal changes can be brought on by pre-menopause and menopause, during this time estrogens and progesterone levels in a woman’s body fluctuate and decrease. These changes can affect the function of the hair follicle resulting in extended resting phases and notable hair thinning.

Stress: temporary thinning hair can be caused by illness such as iron-deficiency/anaemia, severe infection, major surgery and periods of psychological stress in an individual’s life. When an individual experiences stress or illness, chemicals in the body transmit signals to the hair follicles, causing them to enter the resting phase. During this phase there is no new hair growth.

Hereditary: hair loss can be genetically passed from either the mother or the father via a gene called the AR or the androgenic receptor. Androgens are hormones (such as testosterone) that stimulate hair growth when they bind with androgen receptors (AR).
Studies suggest that some genes determine a disjointed relationship between the AR and androgens which can lead to an increased risk of patterned thinning hair in men and women.

Diet: with age the body becomes less and less able to utilize protein consumed via diet – which in turn affects the rejuvenation of hair as protein is an essential nutrient supporting hair follicles. your diet is healthy and contains the correct vitamins, one such essential vitamin to nourish and promote hair growth is AminoMar Cä It is therefore essential to make sure your diet is healthy and full of fresh produce.

Medicines: some medication and treatments can cause hair thinning which may not be noticeable for several months after starting the medication. eMedicine (the online evidence-based medical reference) states that medications can significantly bring on Telogen Effluvium, of which the most frequently cited are beta-blockers, anticoagulants, retinoids (including excess vitamin A), propylthiouracil (induces hypothyroidism), carbamazepine, and immunizations

Hairdressing/Overstyling: over-processing and hair extensions can lead to the breakage and thinning hair. Traction Alopecia is caused by tight ponytail-hairstyles, use of strong coloring chemicals, over-tight braids and hair extensions. The condition is often temporary and once the ‘traction’ element has been removed, normal growth often returns. However, in some cases it can be permanent.

Health: hair becomes unhealthy if the body is not hale and hearty. What ever the cause, the body stops providing the scalp with the nutrients needed for healthy hair growth. One key ingredient is AminoMar Cä – a rich protein compound of marine extract blended with organic, soluble silica and fortified with vitamin C. Amino acids are the basic structure building units of proteins and are essential in the formation of the hair structure. If the hair follicles receive the necessary stimulus and nutrient from the body, thinning hair can be stabilized and existing hair growth can be strengthened.

Lifestyle: whilst people often associate thinning hair with more extreme causes, it is important to remember that the condition of your hair can be a barometer of general health. If you do not exercise properly eat a healthy diet of fresh produce and take some form of regular exercise , look after your overall well being and most importantly, maintain a balanced, healthy diet, your hair is just one area which can suffer.

Hair thrives on a plentiful supply of protein, vitamins and minerals. In fact, a lack of protein is often at the root of thinning hair and because hair is considered non-essential by the body, your hair can often be the first to suffer if your body is lacking nutrients. Eating badly affects new hair growth which can slow or can halt growth altogether, leading to excess shedding, hair breakage and the weak connection of the hair strand at the root.

The Healthy Hair Diet

Ensuring you eat a balanced diet including plenty of essential high-protein foods (such as fish, meat, eggs, nuts and milk), and fruit and vegetables will boost your protein, vitamin and mineral intake and keep your hair looking its best. A guide to healthy hair foods below:

In addition, you can take a nutritional supplement rich in protein and encourage your body to work from the inside out by providing it with all the nutrients it needs for healthy hair growth.

Hair styles and hair care: Long hair can put pressure on the hair roots, so it’s a good idea to keep your hair short if you do feel there are signs of thinning and there are plenty of great short styles that are very fashionable. Washing your hair frequently is a better barometer to the quantity of hair that you loose during every wash. A soft bristle or massaging brush also helps to stimulate the scalp and boost circulation of the hair follicles, if you have fine hair that tends to tangle easily, brush gently and avoid tugging at the hair.

Treatments for thinning hair: Whilst there are various treatments on the market which are designed to help thinning hair sufferers, most are specifically dependent on the individual condition, and come with a range of considerations such as potential side-effects. It is always advisable to consult your Doctor when considering the best option for you.

Natural nutritional supplements: Nutritional supplements can provide the necessary nutrients to nourish the hair follicles naturally from within, helping to reduce thinning hair and support existing hair growth. An example of a natural hair supplement is Viviscal.

Transplants: Hair transplant (also known as hair grafting), is a surgical technique that involves moving skin containing hair follicles from one part of the body (the donor site) to bald or balding parts (the recipient site).

Hair pieces: Artificial hair replacement is an option for men who do not have enough transplant donor hairs for a hair graft. It is a non surgical hair replacement, where hair pieces are affixed on the bald patches on the head using various methods.

Drugs: There are a range of topical lotions containing chemical drugs which are applied by directly rubbing onto the scalp, as well as oral medication tablets for specific types of thinning hair that need to be taken under direction from a doctor.

Wigs: There is a wide-range of human and artificial wigs that are designed to disguise thinning hair or bald patches.

Hair weaves: Hair weaving and hair extensions can be employed to conceal thinning hair in men and women.

Scalp reduction: Scalp reduction is the removal of non-hair-bearing skin from the scalp so that the remaining hair-bearing skin can be stretched to fill in the bald area of the head.

Solutions: One great natural and scientifically proven resolution to thinning hair is Viviscal. It is a 100% natural program to nourish thinning hair and promote existing hair growth. The key ingredient is AminoMar C™ – a rich protein compound of marine extracts blended with organic, soluble silica and fortified with vitamin C Amino acids. Marine enriched Viviscal, made in Finland with 22% protein, provides those essential nutrients to nourish your hair naturally from within. Developed by Finish scientists and scientifically tested and scrutinized, the findings have been published in leading international medical journals. Viviscal is now available in the USA

Results recorded from participants with alopecia areata (hair loss).

100% of participants’ hair had stopped thinning after 2 months.

85% experienced total hair re-growth after 8 months

Of 50 alopecia areata sufferers:

92% experienced re-growth of hair after 6 months

54% experienced re-growth after 12 months

68% were highly satisfied with the treatment results after the study and a further 20% estimated the results as good.