It may be distressing to notice that your hair is thinning. Don’t worry, it’s a natural part of aging. About 80 million people in America suffer from hair loss. By age 50 approximately 85% of men show signs of male pattern baldness. And, thinning hair affects approximately 40% of women by age 50. Say it ain’t so!
And what causes hair loss in women? It’s really because of two main reasons: genes and menopause. If your family has a history of thinning hair, odds are you’ll also experience hair loss as you age. And, hormone changes as you age can also cause balding. This type of hair loss often gets worse when estrogen is lost during menopause. Thankfully there are doctor-recommended steps you can take to tackle thinning hair. Losing voluminous, thick tresses is inevitable for many, but with biotin and a curtain bangs haircut, you can revive thinner or duller locks.
We spoke with Ghanima Abdullah, a hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles to learn more about why biotin and a fresh cut are essential for bringing the volume back to thinning hair.
Biotin pills
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an essential micronutrient that's important for energy production. It's also crucial for thickening hair. Biotin is found in foods like oats and egg yolks but it can also be taken in supplement form (you may also want to try vitamin-rich foods for hair growth). It stimulates keratin production, which is a protein naturally found in hair. This increases the rate of follicle growth leaving you with thicker locks. Biotin is not stored in the body for long and in order for it to be effective, it needs to be consumed.
Biotin, Abdullah says, is a "worthy" supplement choice for those with fine or thin hair as it increases "circulation to the scalp to aid hair growth, and stop hair thinning." Doctors have been using biotin for years to help with hair disorders like alopecia. Recently, biotin exploded into popularity with influencers touting the vitamin for strengthening nails, improving skin hydration, and volumizing hair—it's popular for a reason!
Curtain bangs
Besides biotin, getting a fresh new hairstyle is a great way to bring volume back to thinning hair. Although there are some hair mistakes women over 40 should never make, a layered haircut like curtain bangs can especially bring volume to otherwise flat hair and help celebrate the hair you have!
Curtain bangs are a type of fringe cut that creates a "soft, natural-looking wave at the top of the head," she says, noting that they are "often used to frame the face and specifically, to give it a youthful appearance." The bangs, she continues, "make your face appear smaller and slimmer when they come down to cheek level," and can also be easily styled and look "great on everyone and on most hair types." If you suffer from visually thinning hair at the top of your head, curtain bangs easily mask any gaps in your hairline.
Celebrities like Carey Mulligan, Zoey Deschanel, and Dakota Johnson famously pull off this trendy hairstyle. "Curtain bangs make your hair appear thicker, and are a great way to add volume to thinning hair," Abdullah says, adding, "The style works well for women who want to hide thinning hair in the front." Curtain bangs are also a stellar style for those who don't want to fully commit to a traditional fringe just yet.
All in all, thinning hair is inevitable but there are (luckily!) easy solutions to help. Although you can't always prevent thinning hair, you can take good care of your hair with biotin supplements and add more volume to your hair with curtain bangs.
