If you have thinning hair and have tried to do something to make it thicker (or look thicker), you already know how much money you can spend on what seems like an impossible endeavor. There is no shortage of products or treatments on the market that make lofty claims about how they they help your hair grow in or increase the density of individual strands so that thin hair appears and feels more voluminous. But how many of these options are actually solutions? By the time you get a serum or bottle of supplements home and have tried them, your money has already been spent. And, many times, you are left disappointed with the results — or lack of results — that you get from these costly products.
Because there are several different reasons why your hair could be thinning — whether it’s stress, a mineral deficiency, aging, genetics, or an illness causing it — it’s important to first visit a dermatologist who can access your individual needs and come up with the best plan for you. But before you spend another dime on a supplement at the drug store that just may be the golden ticket to thicker hair, this is what experts have to say about the best treatments for thinning hair, once and for all.
PRP Injection Treatments
One of the most effective treatments for hair loss, according to experts, can’t be found on a shelf and will require a visit to a medical professional: PRP injection treatments.
“I have been doing PRP injection treatments for hair loss on my patients for years, and I have seen firsthand how effective it can be,” says Maylen Cadenas, ARNP of Miami Plastic Surgery®. “PRP is short for Platelet-rich plasma, and it is a treatment that involves injecting the patient’s blood plasma into the scalp. The plasma is rich in growth factors and stem cells, which help to stimulate new hair growth. In addition, PRP helps to improve the quality of existing hair, making it thicker and healthier.”
Cadenas says she has seen excellent results in her patients, and that they often come back in after a treatment and report that their hair has improved. “It is a safe and effective treatment that can restore your confidence,” Cadenas says.
Like many in-office procedures, you’ll likely need more that one PRP injection treatment to see results. Most PRP therapy requires about three treatments spaced out 4-6 weeks apart. After that, you will likely be asked to come back in every few months for maintenance injections, so prepare to make PRP part of your regimen.
Best Shampoo/Ingredients To Avoid
Oftentimes, it isn’t what we’re doing that can help thinning hair, it’s avoiding ingredients and habits that can aggravate it.
“Stay away from silicones,” says Kerry Yates, trichologist at Colour Collective. “They can clog the follicles if used directly on the scalp. When used as a conditioner, they can weigh down fine, thin hair making it appear oily and lifeless.”
For the best shampoos for overall scalp health, Yates advises looking for a shampoo that is obviously free from silicones AND heavy oils. “It would be best to use a light shampoo like Innersense Pure Harmony Hairbath, formulated with gentle surfactants, natural ingredients that effectively cleanse the scalp,” Yates says. ”For a shampoo containing targeted hair growth ingredients my go-to formula is still evolis Professional Reverse Shampoo. Formulated with FGF5 inhibitors, this gentle shampoo when used daily can help rejuvenate the follicles life cycle pushing resting hair into the growing phase. Be sure to massage into the scalp to achieve the best benefits.”
Tips For Returning Your Healthy-Looking Locks
Balance diet
“Eat a balance diet to support your bodies needs,” Yates says. “Take vitamins if you are missing any nutritional component. This will keep your hair follicles functioning properly.
Stop pulling your hair back: Aggressive tension along the hair line or tight ponytails along the crown will cause irreparable follicle damage preventing proper function.”
Get some exercise
Exercise boost your metabolism as well as reduces stress — and stress can lead to hair loss, so by taking it out of the equation you can help to save your hair, Yates says. “Yoga is a great exercise to solve stress while getting healthy,” she adds.
Stay away from scalp scrubs
Believe it or not, there is such a things as over-cleansing your scalp. “The aggressive scrubs can lead to small scratches that can damage the follicles; especially if you use your nails during the process,” Yates says.
Use roundtip brushes
“All brushes are not created equal,” Yates says. “Using the wrong one on top of brushing your scalp/hair aggressively can cause follicle challenges. Look for roundtip bristles and be gentle with your scalp. Aggressive brushing can cause inflammation which leads to follicle damage.”
Don’t overdo it with the dry shampoo
Dry shampoo can be a savior when you don’t have time to wash your hair on that third day, but Yates says most people are using dry shampoo incorrectly. “It is meant to be used on the hair and then brushed out eliminating dirt/grime/product build-up along the way,” Yates says. “Instead we are leaving it on scalp and letting it accumulate for days and days. This can cause the follicles to become clogged, leading to inflammation and damage.”
If thinning hair is frustrating you, the best solutions are patience, a gentle approach, and help from medical professionals who are up to date on the latest hair loss procedures. This isn’t to say those serums and shampoos at the store won’t help — just that approaching it with a more targeted plan can save you money and disappointments along the way.
