Most men and nearly half of women will experience some hair loss at some point in their lives. Yet, most of us cling to the hope that it won’t happen to us, and therefore we aren’t proactive in watching for it. Yet, we know that recognizing hair loss early and taking steps to prevent it is the only way to keep your original hair thickness. So, here are 5 factors for signs of thinning hair that you will want to watch out for so you can take early action against the (almost) inevitable hair loss.
Factor #1 Your Hair Line and Part Line are Changing
One of the most common signs of hair loss in men is a receding hairline. It usually starts with slight thinning around your temples or thinning that appears in the shape of an ‘M.’ Women, on the other hand, usually show signs of thinning on their part line, where the hair looks a little more sparse, or the part line begins to widen.
While both of these changes are common, they actually signify that hair loss has been occurring for some time. Therefore, if you notice changes here, it is high time to take action and start using products and practice that will make your hair grow (don’t worry - we tell you how to do that down below).
Factor #2 Your Hair Is Harder to Style
Likely, if you have been styling your hair the same way for some time, you have not all of a sudden lost your skills. If it is challenging to get your hair to hold or lie in a particular direction, your hair may be thinning. Some styles require a certain amount of weight or thickness to maintain a specific shape, so we often find that people with hair loss have to look for new styles.
Factor #3 Your Hair Is Thinning at the Crown of Your Head
The crown is located at the center and toward the back of your head. This area is prone to thinning, especially in men. You probably have seen that men often lose hair in this area but generally retain the hair on the side of their heads. Thus, most men are encouraged to keep their eye out for changes on their crown, as that and their hairline is where they will most likely see changes.
Factor #4 You See Your Hair Lying Around
Obviously, you are actively losing hair if you find hair collecting on your pillow or in your shower drain. Some hair loss every day is normal. In fact, most people lose between 50-100 hairs every day. However, if you have a condition like telogen effluvium where your hair starts to fall out in greater numbers (like 300 per day), you may find hair everywhere and in large clumps.
Factor #5 You Sunburn Your Scalp More Often
If you don’t have as much hair on your head, you won’t have as much sun protection. Thus, one of the not-so-obvious signs of hair loss is scalp sunburns. Sure, people who part their hair are likely to burn their scalp even if it isn’t thinning. But, if you notice that more areas of your head are burning or the burn area is wider along your part line, it likely results from hair thinning. Bear in mind, more severe burns may also be a side effect of certain medications, so if your burn is more intense (but not wider spread), it may be unrelated to hair thinning.
How to Check for Hair Thinning
Clearly, you will want to watch for the above signs that your hair is thinning. But, there are ways to test for thinning hair as well:
- Do the hair pull test - If you suspect thinning, grab a clump of hair and give it a slight tug. See if any hair comes out. Do this periodically to see if your hair loss remains consistent or you start to lose more each time.
- Grab a clump of hair - You probably have a good idea of what your hair thickness typically is, so grab a section every now and then to see if it feels thinner.
- Keep a photographic record - Take photos regularly (like every 1-2 months) to have a record of any changes in your hair thickness. It is helpful to capture a picture of your face and hairline, the side of your head, and the crown area. Often, we recommend this to people who have a strong family history of male or female pattern baldness so that they can catch changes as soon as possible.
What to Do If Your Hair Is Thinning
So, you know that early action is key to stopping hair loss in its track. But, what do those early action steps involve?
Fight Hair Loss with Every Wash
For starters, you will want to use a good shampoo and conditioner that contains ingredients that:
- Reduce inflammation
- Are antimicrobial
- Increase circulation
- Block DHT
- Prolong anagen
- Hydrate
Using a shampoo and conditioner like the REVITA and REVITA.CBD lines can help revive your scalp and follicles with each wash.
Use a Hair Growth Serum
Most people who struggle with common hair loss conditions like male and female pattern hair loss (also known as androgenic alopecia) will need to use a product that contains Nanoxidil 5%. This compound contains DHT blockers that are effective against all stages of hair loss, but of course, hair re-growth is much easier to achieve the earlier you start using these products.
Take Hair Support Supplements
Treating hair loss from the inside out is just as important as treating it from the outside in. Our hair cannot grow without certain nutrients, and sometimes those are lacking in our regular diet. Taking hair growth supports like the REVITA Nutraceutical Tablets can ensure you get the right amount of each key nutrient for hair growth.
Consider micro-needling
Microneedling helps to increase circulation to your scalp by creating tiny micropuncture sites. While it may seem counterintuitive to inflict trauma and cause more inflammation, microneedling brings plenty of blood flow to your scalp. Thus, your hair follicles will be flooded (for lack of a better word) with reparative cells, plenty of oxygen, and nutrients. You can use a dermaroller at home to help promote healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Now that you know what signs to look for, how to check for thinning, and how to treat it, it’s time to take action. Speak with one of our Product Advisors to see what will best support your hair.