How to Treat Thinning Hair

Medically reviewed by Courtney Foster

Thinning hair can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress or hormonal issues. If your hair is thinning, do not fret. There are a number of things you can do to treat thinning hair, such as changing your hairstyle, using gentle hair products, and eating more protein and omega-3s.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Boosting Hair Growth

1
Use gentle hair products. When you notice your hair is thinning, making the switch to all-natural, gentle hair products is a good idea. Many shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays and other products contain chemicals that are hard on the scalp and hair and can speed up hair loss and damage the hair that's left.
- Use shampoo that doesn't contain sulfates or any type of alcohol. These ingredients are very drying and damaging to hair.
- Look for conditioner that doesn't contain silicones. These weigh down the hair and require sulfate shampoos to rinse out.
- Look in health food stores for hair styling products made with natural ingredients.
2
Comb instead of brushing. Brushing your hair tends to pull more of it out, especially when you brush your hair while it's wet. The gentlest way to get the tangles out is by using a wide-tooth comb. Start near the tips of your hair, combing out the tangles at the bottom first, and work your way up to the roots.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}

Advertisement
3
Let it air dry. To keep from pulling out too much hair after your shower, pat it gently with a soft towel - don't wring it out or towel it roughly. Let it air dry instead of using a hair dryer, since the heat from a hair dryer can cause hair to dry out and break. Letting your hair air dry as often as possible will help promote new hair growth.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
4
Use heat-free styling techniques. Along the same lines, avoid using curling irons, straightening irons, or any other type of hot styling tool to style your hair. Try embracing your natural hair texture and leaving it alone whenever possible. When you do use heat styling tools, use the lowest, coolest setting you can.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
Go to source}
- There are plenty of ways to style your hair without heat - experiment with different ways to curl or straighten your hair and find out what method works for you.
5
Avoid hairstyles that pull on your hair. Tight braids, weaves, and other pulled-back hairstyles can cause hair to pull out more easily.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.} Try wearing your hair down or pulled back loosely. Avoid hair elastics and barrettes that might tug on your hair.
6
Massage your scalp with a nutritional oil. Massaging your scalp can stimulate hair growth by increasing circulation around your hair follicles.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Place the pads of your fingers on your scalp and rub your scalp in a circular motion. Start near your forehead and make your way along the sides and back of your head, concentrating on areas that are thinning.
- You can try egg oil, almond oil, mustard oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil.
7
Consider trying a hair growth treatment. The most popular hair growth treatment is minoxidil, which comes in the form of a cream or foam that is applied to the scalp twice a day. Many people experience some regrowth with minoxidil, but it can take up to 12 weeks to start working. You should be aware of the health risks associated with minoxidil, which are outlined by USFDA.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Other options include the following:
- Hair transplants. Hairs are transplanted from an area of your scalp with thick growth to the areas that are thinning.
- Scalp surgery. Bald spots are surgically removed, and the incision is closed up with hair-covered scalp on either side.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Finding the Underlying Cause

1
See if hormonal causes are at play. The most common cause of thinning hair for both men and women is a hereditary condition in which sex hormones cause hair to fall out in a particular pattern. While male or female pattern baldness is permanent, there are certainly measures you can take to slow it down and treat it.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Sometimes hormonal fluctuations lead to impermanent hair loss. Women who are pregnant, have discontinued birth control, or are going through menopause may experience temporary hair thinning.
- Handling the hair gently and changing your hairstyle can help slow the progression of hormone-related thinning. ^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
2
Determine if it's a medical condition. Certain medical conditions can cause hair loss. Treating these conditions can help slow or halt hair loss. If you are concerned you may have one of the following conditions, talk to your doctor about starting a treatment program so your hair will start growing back in. Conditions that cause hair thinning include:^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Thyroid issues -- when your thyroid isn't working properly, you might notice more hair falling out than usual.
- Scalp infections and skin disorders -- hair loss might result from a skin condition like ringworm. Treating the issue can help the hair grow back.
- Alopecia areata -- this is a disorder in which the body's immune system actually attacks hair follicles.
3
Check your medications. Certain medications lead to hair loss.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.} If you're on a medication that lists hair loss as a side effect, you can discuss other options with your doctor. It may not be possible to switch to another medication, but it's worth looking into. Drugs used to treat the following conditions commonly lead to hair thinning:
- Cancer
- Depression
- Heart problems
- Arthritis
- High blood pressure
4
Figure out if stress is the culprit. Hair loss can result from physical or mental shock as well as ongoing stress. Any type of shock to the system is going to have a physical effect, and hair loss is a common occurrence when these conditions are at play.
- If you're chronically stressed, dealing the causes of your stress is an important way to keep yourself in good physical condition.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes

1
Lower your stress. Since being stressed out can cause hair loss, taking measures to decrease your stress level might help to slow it down. If you lead a high-stress life, try the following measures to calm down on a daily basis:
- Get more sleep. Lack of sleep causes your body to produce the stress hormone cortisol.
- Exercise frequently.
- Try meditating or yoga.
2
Eat more protein. It's one of the building blocks of your hair, and if you aren't getting enough, hair loss can occur.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.} Thinning hair is common among vegetarians and vegans who aren't taking in enough protein. Try eating more of the following foods:
- Fish, chicken, beef, and pork
- Black beans, chickpeas, and other legumes
- Tofu
- Dairy products
3
Eat omega-3s. The body needs omega-3 fatty acids to create new hair. Getting plenty of omega-3s is essential for hair growth, so try stepping up your intake of the following foods:
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Walnuts
- Avocados
4
Take biotin supplements. Biotin is a B vitamin found in animal products that leads to healthy hair, skin and nails.^{[12]
X
Research source} Biotin supplements are often marketed as hair-growth supplements for this reason. Take biotin supplements as recommended or increase your intake of foods containing biotin, like liver and other meat products as well as walnuts and leafy greens.

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

Can stress make my hair thin?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Sometimes, stress and trauma can lead to hair loss, so it might be the culprit if you notice your hair is thinner.
Question

How can I stop my hair from getting thinner?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Tight hairstyles, such as braids and ponytails could pull your hair out. Try wearing your hair down or in looser styles instead.
Question

How can I hide my thinning hair?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Try putting your hair up in a loose bun or ponytail that sits on top of your head so it looks like you have more volume.

Warnings

Do not skip medications that are prescribed to help treat thinning hair. You will need to take them regularly and as prescribed in order to achieve the best results in hair regrowth.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 99 Not Helpful 85
Certain medications that are prescribed for male hair loss should not be taken by women because of potential health risks. Do not take any medications if they are not prescribed specifically for you by your doctor.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 78 Not Helpful 74
If your medications are causing your thinning hair, do not stop taking them. Instead, discuss alternative medications with your doctor.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 96 Not Helpful 96
When figuring out the best way to treat thinning hair, do not become discouraged if the methods you try fail. Instead, talk to your doctor about other options such as a hair transplant or laser hair treatments. You can also ask your stylist about hair pieces and wigs.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 76 Not Helpful 89