Does Hair Thinning Mean You’re Going Bald?
If you are noticing more hairs on your pillow, at the bottom of the shower, or a shrinking ponytail- you might be experiencing hair loss. But does a little hair thinning mean you are destined to go bald? Well, not necessarily. You see, on average, people lose about 50-100 hairs per day. It’s when you notice MORE hair loss than this that it’s time to worry.
The Strand Test
One way to determine if you are experiencing more than normal hair loss is the strand test. First, you grab a section of about 40 hairs and gently pull it down. As you pull, notice how many hairs fall out. If it’s more than 6, you might be experiencing active hair loss.
Hair Thinning Vs. Going Bald
Hair thinning is not the same as going bald. However, it can be an early indicator of future balding. Male and female pattern baldness happens in patterns. Men typically experience a receding hairline and balding in an M-shaped pattern by the crown and temples. Women, on the other hand, typically experience balding on their part.
Still not sure how to differentiate the two? Here’s a little checklist to help:
- Your hair takes longer to grow back than usual
- Your barber or stylist notices a difference
- You notice bald spots
- You have a receding hairline
- M shaped balding
- Balding at your part
What Causes Hair Thinning?
So maybe you are not going bald just yet, but you might be wondering why you are experiencing hair thinning in the first place. In all honesty, there could be several reasons you are experiencing hair thinning.
- Stress
- Calorie restriction
- Medications
- Recent pregnancy
- Hormone disorders or shifts
- Inflammation
- Thyroid disorders
- Genetics
If you think you might have a health condition or medications that you need to adjust, always reach out to your health care provider.
Can you Grow Back Your Hair?
If you are experiencing hair thinning, the good news is there are a few ways you can grow back your hair. Making lifestyle changes, trying topical treatments like minoxidil and low-level laser therapy can help you restore hair loss in just a few months.
- Lifestyle Changes
When your mom said to eat your veggies, she knew what she was talking about. Eating a healthy diet supports healthy hair, so eating whole foods should be a part of your hair growth routine. Some of the best foods for hair loss include; greek yogurt, salmon, berries, peppers, legumes, and avocados. Along with a healthy diet, you should also add in daily movement. Exercise helps reduce stress and increase blood flow- two important factors for hair growth.
- Minoxidil
Minoxidil is an FDA approved hair loss treatment that you can buy over the counter. Minoxidil incomes in topical form and typically works within a few months, however you will need to use it for life in order to sustain the results.
- Low-Level Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy or LLLT is a clinically proven hair loss therapy. You simply place a laser cap on your head and sit back and relax while the lasers go to work restoring your hair loss. This hair growth method is safe, non-invasive, and most options are affordable. It also works well combined with other hair growth solutions like minoxidil and lifestyle changes. With LLLT you can expect to see results in about 6-9 months.
Hair thinning can be concerning, but for the most part you can make easy changes to remedy the problem. By eating right, cutting back on over styling, and being consistent in your hair growth efforts, you will see changes.
About the Author
Tiffany Fuller is a writer with a passion for holistic wellness, working for illumiflow, a revolutionary brand dedicated to helping you fight hair loss.