talkhair

My hair is thinning on my hairline and temples. What can I do?

Thinning over your temples is common and may occur for a variety of reasons. Female pattern hair loss and a telogen effluvium (excessive shedding) are common causes for this but other things could be contributing. You should try and get an accurate diagnosis or determine the underlying cause of your hair loss as soon as you can so that you can start to understand your condition. There are lots of treatments for this type of hair loss, supplements can help but should only be used once blood tests are taken to determine if you have sub-optimal nutrient/vitamin level.

My hairline has receded loads in the last 6 to 8 weeks, what do you think this might be?

Recession of your frontal hairline may indicate a less common hair loss condition called frontal fibrosing alopecia. This is often associated with a reduction in body hair and thinning of the eyebrows in many women. It may also be associated with itching, redness, or tenderness of the scalp. I think it would be beneficial for you to see a dermatologist and discuss the cause of your hair changes. They can then advise you on specific treatments.

My daughter has alopecia. Where can I find suitable wigs?

You can get advice about wigs from the orthotics department of your hospital, your daughter’s consultant may need to refer her. Most people are entitled to one NHS wig per year. There is also some great advice on the Alopecia UK website.

I have female pattern baldness and telogen effluvium, what are the treatments that I can use?

Hair loss is complicated and sometimes requires a mixture of treatments. If you are able to, you should seek referral to a hair specialist clinic. In the meantime, options for treatment include: oral anti-androgens, oral minoxidil, adjunctive treatments like PRP, nutritional/vitamin supplementation, specific hair-directed supplements and other solutions like hair extensions, wigs and hair transplants.

How can I get my hair to grow without spending lots of money?

Not all hair loss treatments have to be expensive, and you should speak to your GP about your best options. You can also:

- Think about your diet, aim to increase your intake of protein-rich foods and try supplementing with iron, zinc and vitamin D.

-  Protect your hair by minimising heat styling. You should use a lower heat setting, heat protection sprays and avoid tight styles that pull fragile hair from the scalp.

- Wash your hair and scalp regularly to avoid dirt build up, this can affect the health of your hair. Do not go to bed when your hair is wet as it is more fragile and prone to breakage.

- Consider stress management techniques to deal with the negative feelings that you might be experiencing because of your hair loss, these can include mindfulness and relaxation exercises.

What could be the cause of my thinning hair?

There could be many causes including:

- Telogen effluvium, this is acute hair loss that happens after a certain event or illness.

- Secondary hair loss which can be caused by deficiencies and thyroid abnormalities.

- Alopecia areata or autoimmune hair loss.

- Hormone related hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia or the menopause.

It is worth talking to your GP to find out which of these is contributing to your hair loss and to rule out any reversible causes.

I am taking co-codamol, could this be causing my hair loss?

All medications can potentially cause hair loss but co-codamol is not one of the most common culprits. If you have been taking the medication for a long time and your hair loss is recent, I doubt the co-codamol is the cause and you should keep taking it. If the hair loss started soon after starting the medication I would suggest taking paracetamol only to see if this could be the issue. All of that said, it may be nothing to do with your medication at all. It is best to see a Dermatologist to have your hair loss fully assessed and diagnosed before considering any treatment.

Could my hair loss be caused by my poor mental health?

The relationship between mental health and hair loss is a complicated one. Recent research indicates that a significant minority of people with alopecia have pre-existing psychological distress before developing alopecia. Also, a significant minority go on to develop psychological distress for the first time after hair loss. So, the relationship between the mind and the hair is complex and distress and stress may for some people play a triggering role. That’s why it is important for you to be open with your dermatology care team and primary care clinician about the potential need for psychological treatment.

Do you need some extra support for your hair loss? There is loads of actionable advice and expertise on our talkhair hub!