Early Signs of Hair Thinning and How to Address Them

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Hair has a natural life cycle—it grows, rests, and eventually sheds. Our scalp has about 100,000 hair follicles, each producing hair that goes through this cycle over a three-year period. This means it is normal to shed about 100,000 hairs in 1,000 days, or simply 100 hairs every day.

While daily shedding is a sign of healthy hair growth, excessive hair loss can indicate an underlying issue. It might be a sign of hair thinning or a more severe hair loss condition.

Hair thinning and loss are prevalent issues affecting millions of people globally and within Australia, impacting a substantial portion of the population across various demographics.

  • Globally, approximately 30% of middle-aged women and between 30 to 50 per cent of men experience some form of hair thinning, with genetics being a key factor.
  • About 40 to 45% of women by the age of 50 will start to notice some degree of hair thinning, with androgenetic alopecia being the most common hair loss and thinning condition.
  • A study focusing on Australian men aged 40 to 69 found that the prevalence of male androgenetic alopecia (MAA) increases with age, from 31% at ages 40–55 to 53% at ages 65–69.  

Hair Loss vs. Hair Thinning

Hair thinning and hair loss are related but distinct conditions. Thinning involves a gradual decrease in the thickness of individual hair strands, making hair appear less dense. On the other hand, hair loss occurs when hair follicles stop producing new hair, resulting in noticeable bald patches or overall thinning.

Thinning often serves as a precursor to more significant hair loss. As the hair shafts become thinner and weaker, they may eventually lead to increased shedding and baldness if not managed effectively.

Early Signs of Hair Thinning

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Recognising the early signs of thinning can be crucial for preventing further loss. Here are some common indicators that you may be experiencing hair thinning:

  • Changes in Hair Texture and Appearance. Hair may become finer, lose its natural volume, or feel more fragile than before.
  • Excess Hair Shedding. Consistently shedding more than the normal hair loss amount per day (50 to 100 hair strands) could be an early warning sign of thinning hair.
  • Receding Hairline. A visible retreat of the hairline is a common sign of hair thinning, especially in men. Receding hairline often begins at the temples and can gradually progress backward, creating a more pronounced “M” shape.
  • Widening Part Line. A noticeable increase in the width of the part line (or the part where the hair naturally divides) is often one of the first noticeable signs of hair thinning and loss, particularly in women.
  • Thinning at the Crown. Reduction in hair density on the upper portion of the head can also indicate early stages of hair thinning or balding. This type of thinning may progress slowly and might not be immediately obvious until one observes changes over time.

Common Causes

Several factors can contribute to hair thinning. Here are some of the most common causes:

Genetics

Genetics influence hair thinning, particularly through conditions like androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or commonly known as male or female pattern baldness. This hereditary form of hair loss is linked to multiple genes that affect hair follicle sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen. Individuals with a genetic predisposition may experience progressive thinning as DHT shrinks hair follicles, shortening their growth cycle.

All genders exhibit a genetic predisposition to AGA, but the inheritance patterns can differ. The AR gene influences how individuals respond to androgens. Men are more likely to inherit traits that lead to early onset and more severe forms of hair loss, while women may experience AGA later in life, often linked to hormonal changes rather than direct genetic inheritance patterns.

Stress and Hormonal Changes

Elevated stress levels trigger the release of cortisol, which may disrupt the hair growth cycle. This disruption often leads to telogen effluvium, a condition where hair follicles prematurely enter a resting phase, resulting in increased shedding. Moreover, chronic stress can also impair hair follicle stem cells, preventing them from regenerating hair effectively.

Similarly, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can disrupt the balance of hormones that regulate hair growth.

Dietary Deficiencies

Dietary deficiencies can significantly contribute to thinning hair by depriving hair follicles of essential nutrients needed for healthy growth – from iron, zinc, and biotin to vitamins A to E and Folic Acid.

For instance, iron deficiency can impede oxygen delivery to hair follicles, disrupting their growth cycle and leading to increased shedding. Similarly, biotin deficiency affects the production of keratin, the primary structural component of hair, resulting in weak and brittle strands.

Medications

Certain medications can lead to hair thinning as a side effect. Medications used for cancer treatment, blood pressure regulation, and hormonal therapies are among those medications that can negatively impact hair growth.

Ageing

As individuals age, natural changes occur in the body that affect hair growth. The ageing process slows down the regeneration of hair follicles—the hair growth cycle shortens, and the strands become finer over time, leading to a gradual decrease in hair volume and density. Age-related thinning is a common experience for many individuals past their 50s.

Haircare Habits

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Haircare practices can either contribute to healthy hair or exacerbate thinning. Here is how poor haircare habits can impact hair and scalp health:

  • Overusing styling products like gels, sprays, and mousses can build up on your scalp, clog pores, and prevent your hair from growing healthily.
  • Excessive heat styling using blow dryers, flat irons, or curling wands can strip away moisture from your hair. This can leave the hair brittle and more susceptible to breakage, split ends, and thinning hair.
  • Wearing tight hairstyles, such as ponytails, braids, or buns, can create excessive tension in the hair follicles. Over time, this tension can lead to traction alopecia—a condition characterised by hair loss in areas where the hair is pulled tightly.

How to Address Hair Thinning Early

Hair thinning can be a distressing issue for people of all ages and genders. Early detection and intervention can help in its management. Here are some effective strategies to help you address hair thinning early:

Consult a Professional

Consulting a dermatologist or trichologist (a hair and scalp specialist) is crucial when you notice signs of hair thinning. These professionals can identify the underlying causes and offer tailored treatment options that can effectively slow down hair thinning and loss and promote regrowth.

Improve Diet and Nutrition

A balanced diet is essential for healthy hair growth. Incorporate foods rich in key vitamins and minerals for hair growth, such as lentils, nuts, leafy greens, liver, fish, and eggs. Subsequently, if you are concerned about nutrient deficiencies, consider supplements as a complementary approach.

Manage Stress

To enhance your mental well-being and prevent stress-related hair issues, consider adding relaxation techniques into your daily routine. For instance, yoga and meditation can help calm your mind, reduce stress hormones, and improve sleep quality.

Engaging in regular exercise can also serve as a natural stress reliever. Physical activities like swimming, running, dancing, or even just walking release endorphins (or ‘feel-good’ hormones) that can improve your mood and overall well-being.

Adopt a Gentle Hair Care Routine

Prioritising gentle hair care practices is essential in addressing hair thinning concerns. Here are some ways to reduce the risks of further thinning and boost the strength and vitality of your hair:

  • Avoid excessive use of heat-styling tools.
  • Reduce the use of harsh chemical treatments like bleaching, dyeing, and perming that can weaken hair strands.
  • Use mild shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that nourish hair follicles and the scalp without stripping natural oils.

Use Hair Growth Products

Consider using hair growth products with natural ingredients for hair care. Quercetin and biotin are well-known ingredients that have been shown to stimulate hair regrowth. These work by increasing blood flow to the scalp, nourishing hair follicles, and enhancing keratin synthesis.

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For instance, our Que+ Hair Growth Serum™ combines quercetin and biotin with other beneficial ingredients such as vitamins B5, B3, and C, and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) to enhance effectiveness in supporting hair regrowth and overall hair health.

Address Hair Thinning or Hair Loss with Follicle Labs

At Follicle Labs, we are committed to helping you achieve healthier, stronger hair. Our science-backed hair regrowth products are tailored to your specific needs, whether you are struggling with hair thinning or hair loss, or simply want to improve your overall hair health.

Browse our website to learn more about our hair growth serum or discover valuable hair care information in our blog.

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