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With all the shampoos available that promote thicker hair, it's easy to think there's no way to tackle the issue from a medical point of view.
The truth is there are lots of health factors involved with hair thickness, as well as treatments available that directly affect the hormones related to hair thinning.
It's not how thick the hairs are, it's how many there are – the main difference between thick and thin hair is the density. Density is determined by the number of hair strands in one square inch of the head. But really what we’re talking about and interested in is the thickness of the individual strands. The thickness of individual strands, as well as the hair follicle, can affect the thickness of hair, too.
What gives people different hair density? – your genetic make-up could have a significant role in the thickness of your hair. Individuals whose ancestry originates from East Asia have thicker hair fibres than other populations on Earth and scientist believe their genes are the reason. There are many traits which are determined by our genes, such as:
Hair thickness and health can be closely related – hair and skin can be indicators of an individual’s vitality. Hair contributes to our appearance, substantially and loss of it or poor appearance can have psychological effects.
Diet and hair thickness – the biological ageing process of hair could be slowed down because the quality and quantity are affected by our nutritional status. The hair follicles have a lot of cellular activity and have a huge turnover rate which is dependent on nutrient supply, uptake and transport. Therefore, hair follicles require:
Hair is over 99% protein and so needs a good supply of amino acids and proteins to ensure good health. Thus, a dietary deficiency could be a cause of hair loss, particularly in women. Plus, the need for protein and certain vitamins and minerals can put vegetarians at a greater risk as they may lack certain nutrients required to keep hair healthy.
Alpoecia is the name for a health condition that causes hair loss – alopecia is a form of hair loss which can be temporary, although distressing. There are different types of alopecia as shown below:
| Type | Cause | What Happens | Permanent or Temporary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alopecia Areata (AA) | Autoimmune condition | The immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles leading to hair loss | Temporary |
| Androgenetic Alopecia | Genes and hormones | Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the main hormone responsible which causes a change to the hair follicles. Hair follicles become smaller until they eventually shrink and stop producing hair. | Permanent |
| Scarring Alopecias | A rare group of disorders which destroy hair follicles. | Hair follicles are usually replaced with scar tissue. | Permanent once damage has occurred. |
| Telogen and Anagen Effluvium | When shredding occurs at either one of these stages that a hair follicle goes through. Telogen effluvium is often caused by trauma or stress. Anagen effluvium by chemotherapy, radiation, infection or drugs. | Hair shreds but usually resolves itself. | Temporary |
| Traction Alopecia | Excessive pulling or tension on hair shafts. | Hair loss is caused by hair pulling often seen in women of East-Indian and Afro-Caribbean origin. | Can lead to permanent hair loss. |
Smoking and hair thickness – smoking has been shown to be related to hair loss. Smoking can make androgenetic alopecia worse. Plus, smoking and alcohol consumption can accelerate age-related signs including hair loss.
Thyroid problems and hair loss – hair loss can be a symptom of both an overactive and underactive thyroid. The hair loss is uniform and affects the whole scalp. However, it usually begins to resolve itself after treatment for the thyroid disorder is begun.
Stress and hair loss – emotional stress or anxiety can cause hair loss. It usually takes around 3 months from the stressful event for your hair to fall out. However, the hair loss is temporary if there is no underlying medical cause. So, it should only last for as long as you are going through the stressful situation.
Cancer treatment and hair loss – cancer drugs can affect your hair causing thinning or loss. Chemotherapy is the cancer drug most likely to cause hair loss. This is because chemotherapy isn’t usually a targeted therapy so will attack healthy cells, too. The cells are usually the ones which replicate rapidly such as hair and stomach, hence hair loss and sickness.
There are a number of products marketed towards improving hair thickness but some are more effective than others.
Minoxidil – this is an approved over-the-counter medication specifically developed for hair loss. It is the active ingredient in products such as Regaine®. Minoxidil was first used to treat high blood pressure, but it is now available in a foam or a lotion to promote hair growth.
Minoxidil has been shown to work – studies have shown that Minoxidil is effective for promoting hair growth in men and women. In one study. Both 3% and 2% Minoxidil were both more effective than placebo for female pattern hair loss.
Hair boosting shampoos – these could make hair thicker temporarily, but it is unlikely they will have a long-lasting effect. Some hair thickening shampoos claim to stop or slow hair growth but this is unlikely.
Shampoos for healthier follicles – hair growth shampoos such as Alpecin, Nourkrin and Nioxin can help to keep your hair follicles nourished and may help to stimulate hair growth. By improving the appearance of hair, these shampoos can make the hair look thicker, fuller and healthier.
Caffeine shampoo – alpecin contains the stimulant caffeine, which is believed to help stimulate hair growth. Nioxin contains ingredients which the manufacturers claim to strengthen hair, prevent breakage and make hair look fuller. While Nourkrin contains fish proteins which can increase the volume of hair making it look fuller and healthier.
Hair loss supplements – there are many different supplements on the market which claim to help with hair growth. Hair growth can be influenced by our diet and if we are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals our hair can be affected. The most common supplements which are advised for hair growth include:
There are a few things you can try – by making some changes to your lifestyle, you should notice thicker, healthier hair. The following changes can help:
There are medical treatments available for hair loss or to promote hair growth. However, not all are suitable for both men and women.
For men:
For women:
Ordering from us – you can order the following products from our service:
How to order – if the product you require needs a prescription you can still order from us. To order, you will need to follow these steps:
Alopecia UK. (2018). Types of alopecia. [online] Available at: https://www.alopecia.org.uk/Pages/FAQs/Category/types-of-alopecia [accessed 5th September 2018].
British Thyroid Foundation. (2018). Hair loss and thyroid disorders. [online] Available at: www.btf-thyroid.org/information/109-hair-loss-and-thyroid-disorders [accessed 5th September 2018].
Cancer Research UK. (2017). Hair loss, hair thinning and cancer drugs. [online] Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/side-effects/hair-loss-and-thinning [accessed 5th September 2018].
Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. R. (2015). Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. International Journal of Trichology; 7(1): 2-15.
Lucky, A. W. et al. (2004). A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical Minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol; 50: 541-53.
Rizer, R. L. et al. (2015). A marine protein-based dietary supplement for subclinical hair thinning/loss: results of a multisite, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. International Journal of Trichology; 7(4): 156-166.
Schou, A. L. et al. (2017). Alcohol consumption, smoking and development of visible age-related signs: a prospective cohort study. J Epidemiol Community Health; 71: 1177-1184.
Shin, H. S. et al. (2007). Efficacy of 5% Minoxidil versus combined 5% Minoxidil and 0.01% tretinoin for male hair loss. Am J Clin Dermatol; 8(5): 285-290.
The Trichological Society (2017). Nutrition and hair health. [online] Available at: https://www.hairscientists.org/hair-and-scalp-conditions/nutrition-and-hair-health [accessed 5th September 2018].
