Thinning hair

[PDTV]

I'm a female and my hair is getting thinner - what can I do to thicken it up?

[Sensei]

Hair loss is caused by a hormone called DHT; it's a form of testosterone, which is why men suffer more. In females, it's much more rare and can often be a sign of something wrong internally. (example...thyroid condition) See your doc first, then worry about how to cover it up cosmetically. They do have "thickening shampoos" and all sorts of junk they sell to men that do nothing. Diet is also very important. A deficiency in certain vitamins can cause hair loss. Saw Palmetto has been reported to reduce DHT. Biotin is the main protien used for hair production. Hair itself is made of keratin. Vit. A, C & E are helpful. B-complex vitamins. Trace elements such as selenium may be helpful. Zinc is very important for skin and hair, but it can offset your copper levels. (you definitely don't want that). Of course, if you don't have a deficiency in any of these nutrients, then supplementing them may do more harm than good. See your doctor! One final note...shorter hair appears thicker than longer hair. Hope this helps ya...or at least gets you away from a quick fix- there are none.

[johnjo]

Thinning hair is often sign of a bad diet. Do you follow extreme diets to lose weight, for example? You may need to take a course of B complex vitamins, as well as zinc. Buy high-quality supplements - ask at a healthfood shop for advice.