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Causes & Treatment for Thinning Hair in Women Over 50

If you’ve gotĀ thin hairĀ like I do, hair loss seems obvious much sooner than it does on women who start with thick hair. My first nasty bout withĀ thinning hair began back in 2016 with aĀ thyroidĀ medicationĀ mishap. I continue to struggle with hair loss, so I decided to do a deep dive into causes and treatments for thinning hair in women over 50.

picture of woman with thinning hair
BACK IN 2016, MY HAIR BEGAN SHEDDING SO FAST I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT HIT ME.
IT TURNED OUT TO BE A RESPONSE TO BEING PRESCRIBED TOO HIGH A DOSE OF THYROID MEDICATION

Once we fixed that, I assumed I’d be out of the woods, but no such luck, and the struggle continues for me to this day. At that time, my doctor told me to begin using this 5% topical minoxidil twice a day, which I continue to do. I struggle with heavy shedding phases followed by regrowth cycles, which may be common, but it’s very frustrating.

There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about what does and what doesn’t help with female-pattern hair loss. Last summer I visited with a Trichologist to try and find some definitive answers and get her advice for what else I could do. Then, I checked back in with both my dermatologist and primary physician for their advice. Here’s what I’ve learned. As always, I am sharing my experience, and this is not medical advice so you should check with your own physicians.

Common Causes of Hair Loss In Women

Hormonal Changes

Menopause leads to decreased estrogen and progesterone levels, which are the hormones that help hair grow faster and stay on the head for longer periods. The decrease can result in thinning hair. Since my mom had breast cancer, I was never given hormone therapy when I hit menopause.

Nutritional Deficiencies

My dermatologist ran a complete panel of blood tests on me because low iron, protein, and vitamins can affect hair health. It turns out that I was borderline low in iron, so she has me supplementing it. 

Stress

Chronic stress can trigger hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium. My trichologist diagnosed that as one of the conditions I was dealing with last summer during a massive fallout. Apparently, significant stress pushes hair follicles into a resting phase, which leads to increased hair shedding. I’ve always known that stress is bad for my heart, but I didn’t know it affected my hair loss.

Genetics

The most common cause of hair loss in females is androgenetic alopecia, which has strong links to genetics and can run in families. 

Medical Conditions

Thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, iron deficiency, and other health issues can all contribute to hair thinning. I do have thyroid disease, and my chart says I have Hashimoto’s, although I’ve not tested positive for it. 

Effective Hair Loss Treatments For Women

Topical Minoxidil

TopicalĀ minoxidilĀ has been shown to help slow hair loss and stimulateĀ hair growth. One of the downsides is that you must continue to use it, or theĀ new hairĀ growth will gradually fall out when you stop using it.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life applying Rogaine

Click here to watch a video showing how I apply my minoxidil.

Prescription medications

  1. Spironolactone (a diuretic)and Finasteride are both FDA-approved anti-androgenetic medicines, but neither is approved specifically for female pattern hair loss. Some physicians prescribe them off-label to treat hair loss. My doctor decided not to put me on Finasteride because of my mother’s breast cancer. 
  2. Low-dose oral Minoxidil is a blood pressure medication that was shown to increase hair growth and is now being prescribed in very low doses for hair loss.
  3. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be helpful for some women, but it’s critical you understand the risks and benefits.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

Various studies have shown that LLLT can be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) in both men and women. Several LLLT devices, including caps and helmets, have received FDA clearance for the treatment of hair loss. This clearance indicates that the devices are safe and have shown some efficacy for hair growth, although, as with everything, individual results can vary.

SOME LOW-LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY OPTIONS

Hair Transplant Surgery

It may sound radical, but hair transplant surgery can be a great option for women who struggle with stubborn patches or hair loss, especially around the hairline.

My Trichologist Results

The trichologist examined my scalp closely and then used a high-powered, special camera to photograph different areas of my scalp. This was sent to a lab for examination. 

IMAGES FROM TRICHOSCOPY REPORT ON SHOWING REASONS FOR THINNING HAIR IN WOMAN OVER 50
THESE PHOTO’S LOOK CLEARER IN PERSON

The results showed I had severalĀ types of hair loss. There were microscopic signs ofĀ Androgenetic AlopeciaĀ (AGA) with miniaturized hairs and fewer hairs per follicular unit. Since miniaturized hairs are still present, I may be able to reverse some of this hair loss and prevent further progression.

It also showedĀ Telogen EffluviumĀ (TE), possibly brought on by stress, which speeds up the arrival of genetic hair loss. The report also showed I have mildĀ Seborrheic dermatitis (SD), which isĀ an inflammatory skin condition that is caused by Malassezia yeast.

My trichologist recommended I wash my hair twice a week with a ketoconazole shampoo like Nizoral, which kills yeast on theĀ scalpĀ that causes inflammation in theĀ hair follicles. She also suggested I try laser light therapy, which has been shown to be very helpful with hair loss.

Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies

Natural remedies for thinning hair often focus on promoting scalp health, improving hair strength, and addressing potential nutrient deficiencies. I’ve tried and am using most of them.

YOU CAN SEE SOME NEW HAIR GROWTH ALONG MY HAIRLINE

Here are some commonly suggested natural remedies:

Scalp Massage

RegularĀ scalpĀ massages can increase blood flow and potentially stimulateĀ hair growth. Using oils like coconut, almond, or olive oil during the massage may also nourish the hair roots but will also necessitate shampooing, so it’s best to do this right before your regular hair wash. Here’s a crop of mechanical scalp massagers you could try…or just use your fingers like I do.

SCALP MASSAGERS

Saw Palmetto

Often used in herbal remedies and expensive Hair lossĀ supplementsĀ like Nutrafol. Saw PalmettoĀ mayĀ help reduceĀ hair thinningĀ in cases related to hormonal imbalances.

Essential Oils 

I’ve read of certain essential oils, such as rosemary, peppermint, and lavender, for stimulating hair growth but I haven’t tried them personally or found any clinical reports of it actually helping.

Ketoconazole shampoo

Using a ketoconazole shampoo like Nizoral every few days will help reduce inflammation of theĀ hair follicles. Tests have shown that 2% options are the best, which is over the counter in Canada and by RX here in the US, but even a 1% will help, so that’s what I’m using.

Dietary Changes

Make sure you’re eating a nutrient-rich diet, which is crucial for hair health. Foods like fish, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and lean meats are excellent choices.

My trichologist recommends that in addition to your regularĀ supplements, you can consider taking 320 mg of saw palmetto a day along with 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil per day. Saw palmetto and PSO have mild anti-androgenic effects, and PSO has anti-inflammatory effects. She also recommends taking aĀ vitaminĀ DĀ supplementĀ of 1,000 – 2,000 IU) daily.

Avoid Trauma to The Hair

Use a wide tooth comb on damp hair and a soft brush on dry hair. Avoid unnecessary tugging or tight ponytails, which puts unnecessary stress on the hair. Brush gently to distribute natural hair oils. I’ve switched to a Zuvi Halo Hairdryer and find it the most gentle for my hair and leaves it nice and shiny.

ZUVI HALO HAIRDRYER

Zuvi has generously offered my readers a special discount. Use code Jennifer12 for 12% off your order here. (*You can also use Jennifer5 for an extra 5% off if the Zuvi site has a promotion already.)

Cosmetic Solutions For Women With Hair Loss 

Hairpieces, wigs, and hair extensions are all viable cosmetic options that can help improve a woman’s confidence who is struggling with hair loss. 

What I’m Doing to Treat My Thinning Hair

It would be easier to list what I’m not doing to help slow my hair loss. You can also read about The Haircare Products I’m Using For My Thinning Hair.

I’ve already mentioned the topical minoxidil and gentle hair dryer. I now wash my hair with this Nizoral Ketoconazole shampoo twice a week. I take a ton of suppliments which I shared here.

BRIOGEO HAIR SERUM / NIZORAL SHAMPOO

Caffeine Hair Serums

There is some clinical evidence showing that topical caffeine can stimulate hair follicles and increase hair growth, so I’ve begun testing a few. I bought the Briogeo Destined for Density caffeine, biotin, and peptide serum. I also bought the Vegamour Gro Hair Serum for Thinning Hair, which also contains caffeine.

Neither leaves a film on my hair or makes it feel greasy. That said, I prefer the ease of application and cleaner feel of the Vegamour, so I am applying it each night on a dry scalp and massaging it in.

woman with hairloss applying vegmour gro hair serum for thinning hair
APPLYING VEGAMOUR GRO HAIR SERUM FOR THINNING HAIR

I’d been taking Nutrafol for several years with mixed results and stopped taking it on the advice of my Trichologist. She felt its ingredients could be duplicated for a lot less money. I continue to use Rogaine 5% morning and night and am considering replacing it with low-dose oral Minoxidil.

I’ve also been using this Capillus Pro Cap S1, which the brand generously sent me to try.

The inside of the cap is covered with medical-grade laser diodes, which emit safe, low-level laser light at wavelengths that are believed to stimulate hair follicles, improve blood circulation, and increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which can energize and promote the activity of the hair follicles.

It’s designed to provide a convenient, non-invasive solution for people struggling with hair thinning and loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). I use it for just 6 minutes a day, and it’s auto-programmed to turn off at the end of each session. They also have an app you can download to your phone to keep track of your progress.

Do you struggle with thinning hair or have hair loss? I’d love to hear what you’re using.

78 Comments

  1. Thank you for this very informative post. I also have thyroid “issues” and use a combination of Head and Shoulders, Selsun Blue and a prescription shampoo to keep the itchy scalp at bay. Though I certainly don’t have as much hair as I once did, I still seem to have enough and know I am lucky. Still, I am going to try the shampoo you recommend.

  2. I have frontal fibrosing alopecia, and have found that low dose oral minoxidil is more effective, for me, than the (men’s) topical was, although that helped a little. My hairline is now stable, yay! I even had some regrowth.
    I also found that switching to sulfate-free, fragrance-free shampoo made a huge difference in scalp condition. I’m now using Vanicream shampoo and conditioner, which is the most boring ever šŸ¤£ but scalp irritation is gone.

    1. I’ve used and love the Vanicream face cream but didn’t know they made shampoo and conditioner! Thanks for telling me.

  3. Jennifer,
    WOW! So much information. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Youā€™re so brave to share your own struggle and then give all of us pertinent information that we can use.
    Youā€™re the BEST!

    Mary Shaw

    1. I’m glad this was helpful Mary

  4. Jennifer,

    I am always interested in your posts about your hair loss routine. My mother and grandmother both had female pattern hair loss and sadly I have inherited it as well. I started using Rogaine in my 30ā€™s in the hopes of preserving my hair. I think it has helped. A couple of years ago I bought the Hairmax headband, a red light device. I use it 2-3 times a week. It only takes a couple of minutes. I never mentioned this to my hairdresser but after about 6 months of using it, he noticed my hair was thicker on top. I have started taking collagen peptides but canā€™t really notice any difference. It is so helpful to hear what others have used that has helped them.

  5. The hair at my temples has been receding so when I read your earlier post about Nizoral I decided to try that. I have had issues with dermatitis and itching before and think shampoos are helpful. I’ve been putting the shampoo on those places before I step into the shower and letting it sit on my skin a few minutes. If you put it on and then get your hair wet the solution has less chance to soak into the layers of skin on your scalp and work it’s magic.
    I have gray hair so it’s hard to tell about the regrowth but I think that it is helping.

    When I colored my hair I didn’t wash it a lot b/c it faded the color, but I think that can encourage these scalp conditions and it is a good idea to wash your hair 2-3 times a week, and to stay off of the dry shampoos.

    1. That’s a great tip. Thanks Rose

  6. Great info! I was diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia several years ago. I took spironolactone for over a year and finally stopped after I felt like my shedding was actually getting worse. I also purchased the $600 light cap my dermatologist recommended. Not sure it’s helped either (I do admit I forget to use it religiously.)
    Be careful with too much collagen as it can cause kidney stones. It’s just like everything I try…it can make something else worse. Female hair loss is the absolute worse and people who don’t experience it have no idea how all consuming it can be, not to mention soul crushing!

    1. It is soul crushing, I agree. Do you think the spironolactone made it worse? What does did they try you on?

  7. Excellent blog. Thanks so much for sharing.

  8. Thank you Jennifer for all of this information. I live a quiet retired life but still seem to be a high stress person. I use a silicone massager every time I shampoo. This seems to help control my itchy oily scalp. My hair is very fine, wavy and a little whiter than yours. It seems to be getting straighter. My hair thinning is on my crown plus I have a natural swirl there which really separates my hair style at the crown. My mother had it too. I donā€™t currently take anything as my loss seems to be pattern genetic hair loss. Iā€™m 79 and didnā€™t know I could do anything about it. I will try the saw palmetto and the pumpkin seed oil capsules. I donā€™t seem to lose much hair in the shower unless Iā€™ve been ill with a fever. My mother had a small natural hair piece for her crown that looked like her hair. I was thinking of doing that for social gatherings.

    1. Those toppers look very natural.

  9. I love your blog and am so grateful that you address issues that affect older women. I would like to mention my one year+ experience with a combination of low dose (1.25 mg) oral minoxidil and spironolactone (50 mg) that I first read about in a New York Times article in August 2022:
    An Old Medicine Remedies Hair Loss for Pennies a Day, Doctors Say – The New York Times (nytimes.com).
    It has really transformed my hair from being see-through to normal. You need a doctor’s prescription for these medicines, and your blood pressure must be normal, but it has really made a huge difference to my hair. I had to show the article to my dermatologist because she had not heard about the off-label use of low dose minoxidil; she was familiar with spironolactone. Not much money to be made from an old pharmaceutical (oral minoxidil) so there almost certainly won’t be any sort of drug trials, but the NY Times article cites a dermatologist from Johns Hopkins among others who have been successfully using low dose oral minoxidil to treat hair loss. As usual, the comments section of the article were also very interesting.

    1. I just found and read that article myself! I’m going to show it to my doctor to ask if it could work for me.

  10. Looks like we are quite a crowd. Nice to know I am not alone. I tried taking Nutrafol but it really started to severely upset my stomach. I couldn’t keep it down. Keep us posted on the light cap. My hubby has a very important job now making sure my “bald” in back spot is covered. I check to make sure his is covered too. He has more hair and no grey but he’s started to thin. I like company;0) Thank you for all the great information.

  11. Francesca B says:

    Hi Jennifer,
    Thank you so much for this post. I have very fine grey hair at 60 and l went to see a dermatologist who recommended hair follicle surgery which was completely out of my budget and also a heated cap which again seemed so expensive. I had breast cancer in the past and l donā€™t know if the chemo did some damage but it is definitely getting thinner as the years go by. I do find collagen helps and l will try your supplements. I love this community where we can all talk honestly and openly about such subjects, thank you !

    1. I love this community too. I’d try a different dermatologist and go armed with some suggestions.

  12. Nancy L Sullivan says:

    Thank you so much for always being a “real” person showing exactly how you look and telling exactly how you feel about body issues. I wish more women were as brave as you. You are a help to all of us!
    Nan Sullivan

    1. Well said Nancy! I so agree. Thank you Jennifer ! This issue is a hurtful one to deal with!! I am using micro Minoxidil and Finestride drops on my hair every night which has helped along with Nutrafol and Omega 3ā€™s supplements.

      1. Thanks for sharing whatā€™s working for you. I love that we can all learn from each other.

  13. Would it be possible for you to list what less expensive supplements your doctor recommended as an alternative to Nutrafol?

    1. They are listed here-
      My trichologist recommends that in addition to your regular supplements, you can consider taking 320 mg of saw palmetto a day along with 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil per day. Saw palmetto and PSO have mild anti-androgenic effects, and PSO has anti-inflammatory effects. She also recommends taking a vitamin D supplement of 1,000 ā€“ 2,000 IU) daily.

  14. I did after multiple surgeries. I had very low Ferritin level, which measures how much iron your body has stores.
    Took iron which over time worked. I just saw that Rogaine can be very helpful but can take up to a year. I am checking out your hairdryer!

  15. I so feel your pain. I have lichen planus which causes frontal hair loss on the top of my head. It gets a bit worse every year. I do use minoxidil, exactly the way you do. Sad to say that everything I have tried, as suggested by different dermatologists, has not helped. I use the shampoo you do and mainly pray for the wind not to blow hard. I have tried many of the products you have. I just have not had success. My dermatologist is wonderful, supportive and willing to try new things, but also acknowledges with my diagnosis, there isnā€™t a lot to be done, little chance of regrowth. I wear more caps and scarfs and have a wig purchased and on stand by! My mom had the same thing. It started after menopause. I realize there could be things a lot worse to deal with, I really do, but this just hurts my soul. My hair was my one good feature. It was so thick I had to have it thinned. It was shiny and just gorgeous. I do style it in a way that hides most of the loss currently, but it gets worse all the time. I do try not to hyper focus on itā€¦ā€¦..but some days I do. I am 72 and have been dealing with this for 20 years or so. Thank you so much for this great post, it is nice to hear from a kindred spirit!

    1. I’m so sorry Rita! Thank you for sharing with us. I think Iā€™d try a topper before a whole wig. Iā€™ve seen some great looking ones and I think theyā€™re more comfortable to wear.

      1. Jennifer – what is a “topper?”

      2. A topper is a partial hair piece that just clips on top and adds volume to the front.

    2. Colleen Eidsness says:

      I feel your pain Rita! I also have lichen planus on my scalp and my body. I have a bald spot on the top of my head that I can sort of hide. I use Nixoral and alternate with a shampoo from my dermatologist. I am just on my last month of a 3 month course of doxycycline that I think has helped with the lichen planus. I take a lot of supplements! Itā€™s nice to hear from someone with this condition and what they are doing. I have looked at wigs but havenā€™t bought one yet.

  16. I first started struggling with hair loss right around age 40. I was having extremely hard periods and the bleeding just wouldn’t stop so I was given medication that made my hair really fall out. I ended up having a hysterectomy but my hair never fully recovered. I started using Minoxidil scalp therapy and that has helped me keep what I have pretty well. It has really helped my son! Then when I was 62 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and lost all my hair from chemo. It actually came back thicker on top so as long as I keep it short it looks better then ever. I do take all the vitamins for hair too. Thanks for explaining this tough topic and good luck šŸ¤ž

    1. Thanks for sharing Rosemary. Youā€™ve had it rough!

  17. Iā€™ve been using Rogaine for Women for 14 years. I think it helps. I have recently added collagen to my supplements which I think has also helped. And of course Biotin.
    Keeping Vitamin D levels strong is key.
    The hairdryer you are using is expensive and the website requires making some choices which I donā€™t understand.
    Also, does it dry by light or air? More detail Would be appreciated. Thanks

    1. Air comes out of the dryer but it doesnā€™t dry out your hair the way other ones do. It take longer to get hair dry but leaves it much shinier.

  18. I also struggle with hair loss caused by thyroid disease and over medication of it. I’m currently trying Rogaine and am seeing some results. Look forward to hearing more about the treatments you find to be effective. Thank you for posting on this issue many of us struggle with.

  19. Thank you Jennifer for this comprehensive sharing of hair loss information.
    I tried oral finasteride for 6 months and it did nothing for me. My doctor had never prescribed it for females. I continue to use minoxidil and have done so for many years. I have noticed hair shedding in late summer every year and regrowth through March. My sister and I share the same seasonal pattern with shedding. I am trying to stay away from hair drying devices for now. It’s a frustrating issue for sure.
    Best wishes with your hair products. I really appreciate your candid review.

    1. Itā€™s interesting that your sister and you share the same seasonal shedding.

  20. Thank you so much for sharing!

  21. Hi Jennifer, Iā€™m 74, 5ā€™, 90 lbs, and started shedding early since I never went on HRT EITHERā€¦same reasons. I take multivitamin, mega 3, biotin, B12, C, and Blackerry oil twice a day. Since adding the blackberry oil 2 years ago, my center hairpart and front hairline have really improved! I canā€™t believe it, but itā€™s a slow process and patience is critical. I also de-stressed my life by retiring from a 24/7 nurse paramedic EMS Chief job after 50 years of love/hate slave labor and I now sleep regular hours. Health wise, I have Hashimoto, lots of issues with osteoporosis and arthritis, but I can live if I have hairšŸ¤£
    Youā€™re an inspiration, and due to your recommendations, I love to dress stylishly and use lovely natural makeup.
    Thankyou.
    Sandra Winfield

    1. Thank you for sharing Sandra! Iā€™ve never read about Blackberry oil for hair loss. I must check into it. Your job sounds like the ultimate stress situation! Glad youā€™re making healthy changes. Itā€™s not easy.

    2. Hello Sandra,
      Can I ask you about the Blackberry oil you take? Is it an external application or a liquid/ pill you ingest? How much do you take daily? Is there a brand you can recommend?
      I, too, have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and my once thick hair is getting thinner and thinner. (I know that my thyroid medication is probably the culprit)
      Many thanks for sharing this fascinating information about this oil,
      Susan

      1. I would love to know this too Susan

  22. Hello Jennifer,
    Thank you for this comprehensive look at hair loss and various treatments. I have struggled with thinning hair and finally got to the bottom of things by visiting a dermatologist. I also have hyperthyroid disease so it’s a double whammy with the disorder as well as medication that can promote hair loss. I was told, after lab tests, that I have female-pattern hair loss and was prescribed low-dose oral minoxidil. I have decided to first try topical 5% minoxidil to avoid adding another pill to my current regimen. The toughest part of all of this is that you must maintain a daily treatment regimen. I should also add that I purchased the Zuvi hair dryer after reading your post and I love it. It was worth the money. Thank you for being real and helping women not only with maintaining their health and beauty but also showing the “downside” of things we also face with aging.
    Sincerely,
    Karen

    1. The daily use became such a part of my routine that itā€™s effortless. Iā€™m glad you like your Zuvi!

  23. Hi Jennifer, I’ve been waiting for this report, so thank you for doing it! I do have a question – do you only wash your hair twice a week (thus only using the Nizoral)? Or do you add in more washes with a different shampoo? I currently usually only wash twice a week, mostly because I usually lose more hair with washing and that’s just depressing! I have been using The Ordinary’s hair serum, but with the regular cycles of growth and loss, I never really feel that my hair is getting thicker (I have fine, straight hair). Anyway, thank you again for sharing your results.

    1. I wash every other day now. Iā€™ve decided itā€™s more important to keep my scalp clean so the follicles arenā€™t clogged or irritated. I know it seems like you lose more when you shampoo, but I think it may just be more obvious. I brush well before getting in the shower to wash it.

      1. Thank Jennifer!

  24. I especially appreciate your advice for thinning hair as I have the same problem. I have taken Nutrafol for a couple years and am not sure it is helping. I do also like the Vegamour serum. I wondered if your physician thought the vitamin D, pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto would give you similar results or if there were other suggestions. Hair thinning seems to me to be the most difficult aging problem to address so thank you for all your tips.

    1. The tricologist felt it would give similar results for a lot less money than Nutrafol.

  25. Great post, thank you. I feel less alone in this and I learned a lot.

    Iā€™ve always had fine hair but since moving from CA to NJ during the pandemic, I suddenly developed seborrheic dermatitis all over my scalp. Itā€™s horrifying. Iā€™ve been on an immune suppressant medication for years for Crohns and often get mild skin issues, which is common and I can clear them up.

    Multiple visits to a dermatologist and biopsies to confirm SD. I am now on a new prescription solution and shampoo to try to clear up the red patches. Iā€™m taking benedryl for the first time in my life. I installed a filter on my shower head because we have very hard water. The dry winter and humid summers make it worse.

    But the dermatologist said: do not use any products on my hair or scalp until this clears up. Nothing! Only the prescriptions. Not that I used many before.

    I finally started using natural henna every 4 weeks which is messy but actually soothing and at least enhances the color and volume. Without it, I have thin stringy old lady hair. Itā€™s embarrassing.

    I eliminated sugar and carbs from my diet because dermatitis is caused by excess yeast. I canā€™t tell if itā€™s helping – maybe a little – but it was good to get off sugar anyway.

    I bought a few buffs (stretchy bands) that can be worn in different styles on really bad hair days.

    I know other women have hair loss issues too. I feel for you sisters!!!

    1. Iā€™m so sorry Marian. Now that you remind me, I had a particularly bad bout of the SD that seemed impossible to get rid of. Iā€™m glad your derm has a plan for you. Hats are also helpful! Thanks for sharing. You are not alone.

  26. Have you tried oral collagen supplements? Iā€™m also on thyroid medication and I have found they help my skin and hair.

    1. I take it every morning.

  27. Oh boy, Jennifer, I suffer with the same issues. I take after my sweet Mother. You could see her scalp in her later years although she went to beauty shop every week of her life since the 1960s! I go through Musely Rx and use topical Minoxidil 8%, Dutasteride .3%, and a few other ingredients along with an oral medication. The topical is very irritating so I’m not consistent with it and the oral makes me retain water! (a known side effect). I also user Irestore Laser cap every other day for 25 minutes. I did one session of PRP with my dermatologist but it was so painful I abandoned that. I have not been diagnosed as you have, and that might be a good idea. At this point, hair transplants sound good! I just do the best I can and envy those with beautiful hair!

    1. I wondered about the prp but frankly it sounds painful so I havenā€™t gone that route. What form of topical are you using? I had no irritation with the 5% liquid.

  28. Nancy Finney says:

    Wow. Best article ever. I take spironolactone and it has helped. I also am considering the red light therapy cap. Keep us posted!

    1. Iā€™m considering asking about the spironolactone. Did you experience any side effects?

      1. Jennifer, I take Spironolactone for high blood pressure and have no side effects from it.

      2. Great to know, thank you!

  29. Jennifer you are a wealth of information. My general dr has been zero help for me so I have been thinking about trying a dermatologist for advice. I am also considering a hair topper but would prefer holding off on that option. Your suggestions have most helpful. I hope the efforts you have been taking will reverse the hair loss for you.

    1. Primaryā€™s arenā€™t usually good at this but dermatologists are. I highly recommend you visit one. Good luck!

    2. Thank you for sharing all of this. My hair has thinned from the thick, robust state I had and took for granted for most of my life. Luckily I started with a good crop of hair – I would joke that there was one good gene in my family and it was my Momā€™s hair gene, and I got it. I never used to see my scalp in a part, now I do. I just donā€™t want it to get worse so I will try some of your recommendations.
      BTW your hair always looks great in your photos so you are doing something right!
      Also BTW it dawned on me that I had not gotten one of your posts in a while, so I checked, the last post I got was Jan 9. Luckily I checked yesterday and the hair post was your most recent. I will resubscribe but thought I would point this out to you. I look at almost every post you do, and have no idea why I suddenly stopped receiving them. BTW they are not going to my spam folder either.

      1. I had an email issue back on Jan 9 and lots of folks got dropped for some weird reason. I’m glad you’re back! I use a lot of products to add volumne so it looks presentable in photo’s. It’s thinnest around my hairline which is so frustrating.

  30. I feel your anguish here Jennifer. I had a brief episode (?) if hair loss in 2018 after a long long hospitalization for sepsis /kidney stones. Once recovered and the stone was removed I was feeling pretty well then BAM- my hair started to shed terribly. Luckily my dermatologist suggested a capsule made by Spanish pharmaceutical ISDIN and after three months of use all hair shedding stopped. I’m fortunate.

    1. That certainly sounds like stress loss. Glad you found some help!!

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