Thinning hair can be caused by stress, poor eating habits, illness and certain medications. However, the main reason your hair may be thinning is due to androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, according to an article by Alan J. Bauman, MD in Hair News Magazine called "Why Is My Hair Thinning?" Androgenic alopecia is hereditary. Usually women will not be affected until menopause, but effects can begin after puberty, according to an article called "Women Get to the Root of Hair Loss" posted on the Chicago Daily Herald website on Dec. 2, 2007. Men typically experience thinning hair after puberty as well.
Hair transplants are one way to cure a case of thinning hair, but they are expensive and require surgery. Propecia and Rogaine, however, are two products you can use separately or together in the comfort of your own home. Consult your doctor before using either product as there are side effects. Propecia is currently not recommended for women, according to Dr. Bauman.
Rogaine
Step 1
Use Rogaine with two percent minoxidil if you are a woman and five percent minoxidil if you are a man, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
Step 2
Administer Rogaine to your scalp two times a day. Cover your scalp with the spray.
Step 3
Apply Rogaine regularly for at least six months before expecting to see results. Women especially need to prepare themselves to stick with the program as they usually stop using the product in six weeks, says Dr. Bauman. Some people will not notice a difference for a year.
Propecia
Step 1
Take a single Propecia pill orally every day if you are a man. Women should ask their doctor if it is safe for them to take the drug.
Step 2
Continue to use Propecia for six months to one year before deciding if it is working. It usually takes this long to have an effect, according to Dr. Bauman.
Step 3
Speak with your doctor if you experience any sexual side effects. Dr. Bauman says these are very rare and usually go away while patients are still taking Propecia .
Other Factors
Step 1
Take a multivitamin. Too few nutrients, particularly biotin and zinc, can cause hair loss, says Dr. Bauman. Low levels of iron can also be a factor.
Step 2
Get checked for alopecia areata if you are female. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that can cause bald patches. Cortisone shots and topical creams can treat this condition, according to the Chicago Daily Herald's article, "Women Get to the Root of Hair Loss."
Step 3
Have your thyroid checked. Thyroid disorders can contribute to thinning hair, but with treatment hair can be restored, says Dr. Marianne O'Donoghue, an associate professor at Rush University Medical Center.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider trying Rogaine as a foam. It may be less irritating to your scalp, says Dr. Bauman in the article "Women Get to the Root of Hair Loss."
Things You'll Need
- Rogaine
- Propecia
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