LONG, SHORT, BOUNCY OR SLEEK, for most women hair is so much more than just a bundle of fibres. It’s an expression of their personality and style. So if they notice their hair thinning, it can freak them out!

Hair is made from protein strands. A single strand of hair has a normal life of between two to seven years. It grows at approximately half an inch a month, that’s six inches a year. Age, diet, genetics and general health all contribute to the rapid growth of our hair and its overall condition.

Hair thinning is a gradual reduction in the diameter of each hair. It tends to happen slowly, so you may not notice it in the early stages. It’s estimated that not until around 15 to 20 percent of the volume has thinned, do we actually notice.

About 40 percent of women by the age of fifty show signs of their hair thinning. Less than 45 percent of women reach eighty years of age with a full head of hair. In men, hair thinning tends to occur from the hairline to the back of the head and can start as young as twenty! These are disturbing statistics, so let’s look at some of the causes and how we can look after these follicles.

How about we start with some of the more obvious causes, such as vigorous styling and hair treatments, which over the years can cause your hair to thin. Now I know we all love experimenting with different looks and colours, especially when we are younger. However, overly excessive use of harsh chemicals in colours or relaxers is very detrimental to the long term health of our hair. Hair colouring can give the impression of more volume, as it plumps the hair shaft. So it’s important you visit a reputable hair salon or use a safe, more natural home-colouring kit. High heat, whether it from straighteners, curlers or a blow-dryer can all cause damage too. So where possible, let your hair dry naturally – wrapping wet hair in a microfibre towel will help your hair dry faster. Always ensure you use the lowest heat setting on your blow-dryer and styling tools. If possible try and use a good heat protection product, this really helps.

Another useful suggestion is to find a soft brush made of natural materials.  Bamboo bristle brushes are great as they won’t tear or split your hair. They’re also thought to increase blood flow to our hair follicles, which in turn stimulates growth.

Massage your head when you wash your hair, as this helps increase blood flow to the scalp and follicles of the hair.  I always recommend our customers rub our hair oil into their scalp at least twice a week for around 5 to 10 minutes. Obviously using the right kind of shampoo make a big difference. Look for a shampoo that adds volume without using any sulfates. Try avoiding hormonally disturbing contaminants such as parabens and phthalates in hair products. Remember, if you’re putting your hair up in a ponytail daily, this tugs the hair and will cause increased thinning over time.

Many forms of thinning are caused by genetic or health factors. The most common being Androgenic thinning, which is associated with hormones and genetically predetermined. The hair growth process gets shorter and the hair grows back much finer than originally. Both men and women have Androgens, although the levels are higher in men, hence thinning is often more noticeable at a younger age. Hair thinning is most often seen in women during menopause, or when other hormonal changes are experienced. There can be other causes, including stopping the use of contraceptives or even childbirth.

Hereditary hair loss may be harder to treat, however eating a balanced diet can help to promote healthier hair growth. It can help to include moderate amounts of iron and protein from high-quality sources, such as eggs and poultry. Foods like onions, tomatoes, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and omega oils from salmon or a vegetarian source such as flaxseed all have great healing properties – they help strengthen your nails too!

Vitamin D has been shown to encourage the hair follicles, so it’s worth taking a good quality vitamin – especially if like me you live in the UK.  While I’m on the subject of nutrition, I should mention the importance of staying hydrated. Water is essential for healthy hair so be sure you drink plenty of it!

You might be surprised to learn that nature can be your best friend when it comes to treating thinning hair. Essential oils are liquids that are derived from certain plants and mainly used in aromatherapy.

For example, Rosemary is anti-inflammatory and encourages circulation and stimulates hair follicles. This promotes healthier, thicker growth of hair.  Lavender is another, it contains soothing compounds which help cell growth, resulting in a deeper hair follicle and thickened hair shaft. Cedarwood is a potent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal, believed to thicken hair as it prevents any bacterial build-up on the scalp. Cedarwood also helps the hair follicles remain undamaged allowing the hair to grow normally. Black Seed oil, which has been widely used for thousands of years in Indian medicine, is often referred to as the ultimate healing solution due to its incredible properties. One of which is its ability to restore hair. Even Cleopatra allegedly used it to achieve her shiny, luscious hair – if you believe ancient Egyptian history!

Nosheen Hair Oil contains all of these oils as well as a blend of six others which all contribute to supporting stronger and faster hair growth.

As you can see, while the process of thinning hair can be concerning at first, it’s normally treatable within six to nine months. We can all learn to nourish our hair growth from within as well as physically.

I hope this blog has helped you. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any hair problems or want to explore using our hair oil as part of your treatment regime.