Thinning hair occurs when the amount of hair loss exceeds the growth of the normal hair cycle. Hair shedding is normal, with 50 to 100 hairs lost per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Normally, when a hair sheds, a new hair forms in the same follicle and replaces it, thereby starting the growing cycle. Hair thinning is embarrassing and can cause bald patches on the head. Home treatment options are not a substitute for medical treatment, so consult with a health-care professional to rule out an underlying health condition that may be causing your thinning hair.
Step 1
Change your hairstyle. According to Dr. John Corbett, vice president of technology for Clairol, the coloring process changes the appearance of the hair, making it rougher in appearance, which will give you a fuller look. In addition, getting a perm to change your hair from straight to wavy or curly might help your hair look fuller.
Step 2
Apply an egg treatment. Eggs contain an animal protein that might help thicken the diameter of your hair. Dr. Harry Roth, clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California in San Francisco, suggests cracking an egg over your head in the shower prior to shampooing and massaging your scalp for five minutes. Rinse your hair and wash with a gentle shampoo.
Step 3
Apply medication. Minoxidil is an over-the-counter hair loss medication that is available in liquid or foam. Apply the medication to your scalp twice daily to help prevent hair loss. According to MayoClinic.com, new hair growth may be thinner, and it might take approximately 12 weeks to notice hair growth improvement.
Finasteride is available by prescription, and is a pill that you take orally. MayoClinic.com reports that finasteride works by blocking the hormone dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles.
Step 4
Inject cortisone in the scalp. A physician may suggest cortisone injection in the scalp where the hair loss occurred. New hair growth may be noticeable approximately four weeks after the injection, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 5
Apply a topical medication such as anthralin. Anthralin is a synthetic topical cream or ointment typically used for psoriasis, but the medication can help stimulate hair growth caused from alopecia areata, which is common with autoimmune conditions. MayoClinic.com notes that it may take approximately 12 weeks to notice new hair growth.
Step 6
Surgically restore hair. Hair transplants, scalp reductions, scalp extenders and tissue expanders are the available surgical options offered by a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon to help restore hair, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Step 7
Wear a hairpiece or wig. Sometime hair loss that's due to a medical condition is only temporary. Wearing a wig can cover the temporary or permanent hair loss or baldness.
Tips and Warnings
- If you're going to change your hair color for a fuller look, go lighter since darker hair shows more contrast between the hair and your scalp, according to Dr. Corbett.
- Finasteride, also known as Propecia, is not intended for use in women. According to MayoClinic.com, the medication poses danger to pregnant women and women of childbearing age.
Things You'll Need
- Hair color
- Hair perm
- 1 egg
- Minoxidil
- Cortisone injection
- Anthralin
- Finasteride
- Hair wig or hairpiece
Member Comments