Your hair is one of your most important features, and losing it can be traumatic. If you are experiencing significant hair loss, schedule an appointment with your health care provider to rule out an underlying medical condition. If it turns out that your hair loss is hereditary or related to menopause, a variety of products and techniques are available to help you keep your hair looking its best.
Consider Rogaine for Women
Rogaine was initially formulated to treat men’s hair loss. It is the only hair-growth product approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Women’s Rogaine offers the same hair-growing benefits as the original formula. The product must be applied to the scalp twice daily and can take up to four months to produce results. Rogaine does not work for everyone, and new growth can be maintained only if use is continued.
Handle With Care
Whether or not you choose to use a product such as Rogaine, you should always treat your hair gently. Avoid over brushing and over styling. Use a gentle, volumizing shampoo and avoid high settings on your blow dryer or styling tools. Let your hair air dry whenever your schedule permits or if it is suitable for your hairstyle. Never pull or tug on your hair to get rid of a tangle, and make sure your brush and comb are always clean and in good condition. Choose brushes with ball-tipped bristles, and wide-toothed combs.
Choose Appropriate Hair Color
An obvious contrast between scalp and hair color will make thinning hair more conspicuous. If you have dark hair and light skin, lightening your hair overall or adding highlights will help. Dark-skinned women should keep their hair color on the darker side to make thinning areas less noticeable. Hair color products actually increase the diameter of individual hairs and make hair look thicker. If you don’t already use hair color, consider it, but stay with appropriate shades.
Keep Hair Short
Thinning hair should be kept above shoulder length to avoid looking stringy. Short, layered haircuts help camouflage thinning hair by maximizing volume. A shaggy cut that is not too “fixed” is an excellent choice. Be careful, however, not to go too short because this can be just as unflattering as hair that is too long. Curling your shorter haircut will also make it look thicker and fuller.
Use Appropriate Styling Products
A root-lifting spray and a styling gel or mousse should be in your tool kit if you have thinning hair. Spray the root area while hair is damp, and work the gel or mousse – whichever you prefer – into your hair from root to ends. Some effective root-lifting products are Garnier Fructis' XXL Volume, Thermal Boost Spray from Regis, or Rusk Thick Body and Texture Amplifier. These companies also make a wide array of gels and mousses.
Bend over to blow dry your hair until the roots are dry. This lifts the hair from the root and gives it a fuller appearance. Be careful not to drag your hair down as you style it; you want to keep that lift. Try a diagonal or zigzag part or no part at all. Once your style is set, spray lightly with hairspray.
Do Not Despair
If your best efforts are not satisfactory, professional help is available at a full-service salon. Experienced hair stylists are familiar with every sort of hair problem and can offer expert advice on dealing with your particular situation.
Resources:
Garnier Styling Products
Margo Steele - Margo Steele has many interests and writes about all of them - at one time or another.
