Help for Women's Thinning Hair

In a society that places so much emphasis on looks, it is difficult to deal with thinning hair. As you age, men can experience male pattern baldness while women experience thinning hair over much of the scalp. Alopecia is one of the most common reasons for thinning hair or hair loss in women. This is a condition in which the body attacks the hair follicles and destroys the root of the hair. Other conditions, such as cancer and thyroid problems can also cause hair loss. There are several things women can do to help regrow hair.

Vitamins

• Your hair is an extension of your skin. Without the proper nutrition you can have thinning hair which has has lost its luster and shine. Eat a diet that is rich in hair healthy vitamins such as C, B and E. This includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, meat, chicken and fish. Take a multivitamin that includes the proper daily recommended dosage of these vitamins to ensure that your hair is getting the necessary nutrients it needs.

Herbal Supplements

• Ginkgo biloba is a supplement that helps to increase the blood flow to the scalp. This, along with a scalp massage, can stimulate hair growth. Iodine, which is found in fish, helps the thyroid produce hormones. Over production of testosterone can cause hair loss. The thyroid helps to regulate the body's hormone levels, which can slow down the loss of hair.

Rogaine

• Rogaine helps to activate hair growth and stop the loss of hair in men and women. Rogaine is the brand name of the drug called minoxidil. To apply minoxidil, rub the solution into the scalp and hair and leave on for at least four hours before you rinse. You can wash the hair normally afterward to prevent drying out the hair. This medication works very well, but hair loss returns when treatment is stopped.

Propecia

• Propecia is a medication that is usually given strictly to men for hair loss. It is generally not safe for women in the child-bearing age because it can cause birth defects. Older women do well with propecia, but it is usually not the first, nor best alternative.

Light Therapy

• Lasers are pinpointed to specific areas of the scalp during light therapy. Continued use of light therapy over a period of six months or more has shown to have significantly increased the number of hairs. This form of treatment increases blood flow by nearly 50 percent, which provides greater nutrients for the hair and scalp. This form of therapy helps stop thinning hair in 85 percent of all women.

Home Remedies

• Aloe vera gel is beneficial to the scalp and helps to prevent hair loss. Apply the gel to the scalp and allow it to set for at least 20 minutes before you rinse. Silica is also a good stimulate for the scalp. Cucumbers contain a lot of silica. Drink cucumber juice every day to provide the scalp with needed nutrients. For another home remedy, blend six drops each of lavender and bay oil, add four ounces of sesame or almond oil and warm the oils. Rub the oils into the scalp and leave on for approximately 20 minutes. Add a few drops of the oil to your normal shampoo and wash your hair.