Look Young Again!

Thin Hair

            Thin or fine hair is a common complaint amongst many people. Hair is made up of layers similar to skin. The cuticle, which is the top layer of the hair, is made up of dead cells that lay on top of each other like shingles on a roof. These cells protect the cortex or the middle layer, which is the bulk of the hair. The cortex determines the color of the hair and whether it is straight or curly. The medulla is the inside layer and it has no specific function. The size of the follicle, which is an indentation on the scalp from where the hair grows, determines the thickness of the hair strand.
            There are three signs that will help you determine if you have fine hair. The first is if you have blond hair. Genetically blond hair is finer than other hair colors. Second is if you hair lies flat on your head when it’s humid. The air’s moisture is weighing down your fine hair. The final sign is if you have many split ends. Since fine hair is smaller in diameter, it is easier to damage.
            There are a number of reasons why hair can become thin. It can even be a combination of factors that causes you hair to become thin. In some cases, it can be difficult to tell which reason causes thin hair without an examination by your doctor.
            Some of the most common causes of thin hair include genetics, illness, poor diet, stress, medication and post-partum alopecia. However, the most common cause of thin hair is hereditary pattern baldness. Ninety-nine percent of all prematurely thinning or balding scalps are from a hereditary condition.
            It is also good to know what doesn’t cause thin hair. Poor scalp circulation, clogged hair follicles, scalp mites, wrong shampoo and wearing hats or helmets do not cause thin hair contrary to what some may say.
            If your thin hair is genetic, there are three options to help increase your hairs volume. The first of these options is to eat a balanced diet. Hair is made of protein and a lack of protein will cause your fine hair to become lifeless. Hair needs nutrition from fruits, vegetables and essential fatty acids just as much as the rest of your body. Cold-water fish like salmon will help give you hair a shiny appearance.
            The second option is to treat any underlying health problems that may be causing your thin hair. While hair may get thinner with age, it can also be a symptom of an illness such as a thyroid disease, extreme stress or pregnancy. However, if you have unusually fine hair for more than a month when you normally have thick hair then you should consult your doctor and have them check for underlying health issues.
            The third option is to use volumizing products or products specifically designed for fine hair. These types of products contain proteins that will cling to the strands of your hair to make them look thicker. Some options are Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume Shampoo, Progaine Weightless Conditioner, TRESemme Hydrology Boosting Moisture Mousse or Kingsley’s own Maximizer styling serum.
            Another option for those facing hereditary hair loss is a hair transplant. Since the hair on the sides and back of the head are relatively, permanent doctors will use this area to redistribute hair follicles to thinning or balding areas of the scalp. The technique involved removing a strip of the permanent, hair bearing skin from a donor area and then dissecting it into micrografts and minigrafts. The donor area is sutured closed and the tiny grafts are planted into the recipient area.