NWR: hair loss advice please!

Lakerchic7272

I also posted this on my month board but thought I'd post it here too to get some more feedback.Here's the issue: I seem to be loosing alot of hair more than usual.  Not sure if its just extra shedding, or its falling out at the root, or breaking near the root or what...I don't color my hair.  I have been using a shampoo (breaks over by herbal essence) for about 6months to help with split ends- That has worked wonders but now more hair seems to be lost from the root.I have not thick strands of hair but rather ALOT of hair and have always lost some, but never this much.I am growing my hair (used to have chin length hair) and now its just past my shoulders.  Maybe the added lost is due to added stress by weight at the root?I'm not sure and open to any advice.  I am trying to grow my hair for myself and for the wedding.  I'd like something to strenthen my hair so it wont fall out as much and so that it will continue to grow fast and/or faster.TIA!

lindseyanne1

That is a great question...I hope someone can answer it!  I have the same exact problem, I was using herbal essences too I just switched shampoo and conditioner because I thought that's what might be causing it.  I'm so glad you posted this cause I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow and I was going to bring it up to see if it had to do in any way with my medical conditions I already have.

ESJ'sBride

Have you tried Progaine? It comes as a shampoo and conditioner. Not the same as Rogaine (for balding).  I used it for some time when I was swimming on a daily basis to strengthen my hair.  The chlorine and constant wetting of my hair did not help to keep my follicles strong and I was losing hundreds of strands of my hair on a daily basis. It absolutely works and you can buy it online or in your local pharmacy. The only catch is that your hair will start to thin a little once you stop using it. HTH!

Leah&Christian09

If you are losing hair from the root, and it is more than normal shedding/what you are used to, it could very well be a sign of a more serious problem.  I would see the doctor first.  If it isn't that, I would look into switching hair products and tools.  Pre-natal vitamins also help with stronger hair.

lindseyanne1

Lakerchic7272- I'll let you know what my dr tells me tomorrow, I'm having the same problem with losing my hair at the root.  Hopefully he can help me out but he's a neurologist so I don't know.

ambiguous

I agree with PPs. It never hurts to check with your doctor to make sure that it is not due to an illness. In the meantime, consider switching to a gentler shampoo and conditioner, such as organic or even baby shampoo. Do not brush your hair excessively or wear it often in ponytails or tight hairstyles as this can cause additional breakage at the root. Try to air dry your hair as often as possible and avoid heat-styling tools such as straighteners and curling irons as much as possible as well. If you must use them, then try to buy a heat-protectant spray. I use one from Thermasilk and it makes a big difference.I have long hair (and am still growing it) and I, too, seem to shed a lot of hair. However, I read once that certain hair colors lose hair more frequently. Blondes shed twice as much hair a day as brunettes and redheads. I have NO idea why, but I did read it from a reputable source so if you are naturally blonde, keep that in mind.Finally, remember that stress can do crazy things to a person, including hair loss. If you are feeling stressed, that could also be causing the problem.Hope this helped some. Good luck and best wishes that it can be easily solved.

mrs*macklin

I always used to shed an abnormal amount of hair. Sometimes it was due to stress or not eating properly. But i started taking these vitamins - Biotin - about 2 months ago and i've stopped shedding so much and it's helped my hair grow faster. I have done the research on it and it's a vitamin that's already in your body, but in some people, mostly women, we lack the amount we need so our hair/nails aren't strong, break easily, and fall out.

jsauer74

Not to scare you...but seriously...ask your doctor. I was having the same issue but had a few other mysterious issues (shaky hands major change in appetite) and it turned out to be an issue with my thyroid. It may require some bloodwork and so forth, but definately not something to ignore.

Spim7

http://www.nioxin.com/en/home.aspxI've had the same problem. I highly reccomend using Nioxin products. Check out their link. It really works. I am growing out my hair and noticed it falling out. I decided to have the ends trimmed and started using the Nioxin products and it really worked. One of the main things to figure out is if your hair is breaking off or falling out at the roots. Either way the Nioxin will help thicken your hair and a good trim (monthly) will help keep it from breaking off.

lindseyanne1

Lakerchic7272-  So I went to the dr yesterday and he told me that I should see a dematologist about the issue, he didn't know what would be causing it.  I think I'm going to take the recs from this board and start taking some vitamins, if all else fails then I will go to the derm.

ellinger84

So I'm a little late but still thought I'd chime in.   I've had the same problem for the last couple of years and it's a pain - most doctors don't know ANYTHING about female hair loss.  I eventually traced mine back to a medication that I had a couple of rounds of, it was really potent powerful stuff (Accutane, an acne drug).  I was on it 3x and it killed some hair follicles.  Of course they didn't tell me that it was a possible side effect.  It wasn't until I went to the doctor freaking out that hair is falling out everywhere that they thought to tell me "oh by the way....."  They recommended Rogaine so that hairs would stay in the growth cycle longer.  I tried it for about a week and it reaked so much havoc on my scalp that I had to stop using it.  I work on the business side for a hair care company (lol I know) so I started using Nioxin and immediately it stopped the hair loss.  Some of the hair that I had lost grew back but a good portion didn't b/c the hair follicles had been killed.  You should go to the doctor.  I had my thyroid, hormones, glucose levels checked, stress tests and everything came back clear and normal.  Hair loss can be a result of some serious conditions that you need to rule out before doing anything else. GL - let us know what you find out!