Most people want beautiful hair, and problems such as hair loss or frizzy hair can be frustrating and distressing. Seven in 10 people would trade a 'treasured personal possession' for more hair, according to the 2010 Hair Transplant Survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration. If you have frizzy and thinning hair, there are ways to improve your locks' condition by using products formulated for your hair type, as well as taking styling precautions.
Hair Background
Hair is composed of keratin, a form of protein. Follicles beneath the scalp nourish and grow hair, which emerges from the scalp and is no longer living. Glands produce oil that is released to coat the hair, protecting it and making it shiny. Factors such as your scalp health, number of hair follicles, oil production levels and overall health can affect your hair growth and appearance. Frizzy hair and thinning hair can stem from a variety of causes.
Causes
Frizzy hair may come from a lack of moisture and nutrients in the follicles or environmental elements. Washing your hair too often, using heavy hair treatments and products or the wrong shampoo and conditioner for your hair type can cause frazzled locks, according to an NBC Miami special report. Thinning hair is often caused by aging, genetics, a lack of nutrients, medical condition or brittle, damaged hair from environmental factors such as the sun or harsh styling products.
Frizzy Hair Solutions
Shampoos and conditioners designed for damaged, dry or curly hair can help add shine and health to frizzy hair. Oprah.com recommends using products with dimethicone to add shine and smoothing products with cetyl and stearyl alcohols to calm down frizzy locks. An anti-frizz leave-in conditioner or styling gel can offer protection from environmental elements such as humidity and heat. A deep conditioning treatment may also help frizzy hair by adding moisture to distressed strands.
Thinning Hair Solutions
There are an endless array of products and treatments available for thinning hair, and some are more effective than others. Hair loss can be triggered by stress or poor nutrition, according to Teens Health. Making healthy lifestyle changes by practicing stress reduction and eating a balanced diet that is rich in protein and B vitamins can help alleviate these causes of hair loss. You can also protect thinning hair by using products for your hair type and avoiding harsh treatments such as hair dyes, heat styling and chemical perms or straighteners.
Thinning Hair Treatment Options
See your doctor for a check-up to make sure you do not have thinning hair from a medical condition. Once illness is ruled out, you can try a variety of treatment options, including laser phototherapy, dermabrasion gel, minoxidil lotion rubbed onto the scalp or taking finasteride, according to the Medical News Today article "What Is Hair Loss (Alopecia)? What Is Baldness?" Finasteride works by preventing the hormone testosterone from converting to the hormone DHT, which causes hair follicles to shrink.
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