What to do for thinning hair

You know it’s happening - here’s how to treat it, ASAP.

You’ve decided your hair is definitely, definitely thinning. You’ve done your research and found what you think the cause is. And now it’s time to look into what you can do about it, and you’re stumped. We hear you: 80% of women suffer from the sort of hair damage that leads to thinning, and 35% have fine or thinning hair, but the solutions out there are often confusing and/or really expensive.

But they don’t have to be.

Actually, once you know what you’re dealing with, the solutions can be really practical and easy-to-follow. Here, we de-code what to do for thinning hair to get you closer to the full, vibrant mane you’re after.

My hair is thinning what can I do?

Whether you first notice excessive hair loss on your hair brush or down the shower plug, or the loss was gradual and you’ve started to notice visibly thinner hair when styling. Identifying what areas of the scalp are thinning, or whether it’s your hair’s density, can lead you to the right solution for what to do for thinning hair.

What to do for thinning hair on top of head

If you have hair loss on top of your head, it’s likely down to genetics or age, though there can also be other medical reasons that disrupt hair growth. There’s not an awful lot you can do to control genetic hair loss - but you can slow the hair loss process down and increase your hair’s density.

Start with an appointment with a dermatologist, who can give guided recommendations on what to do for thinning hair on top of the head. A dermatologist can decide if medication’s the right way to go, or offer other treatments.

As is always the case with any sort of hair thinning, it’s a good idea to sort your diet out to make sure it contains a good variety of nutrients to nourish the hair that’s still growing. Check you’re getting enough good fats and oils, protein, and vitamin B12, all of which are crucial to keeping hair growing healthily.

If your diet’s in check, give your haircare routine an overall to strengthen the strands you do have, prolonging the effects of hair loss. Stimulate roots to promote healthy hair, creating the optimum environment for improved hair growth. Pantene Pro-V Miracles Roots Awakener Hair Fortifier is the perfect addition to your hair care arsenal to support hair growth and stronger strands. If you’re wondering what to do for thinning hair on top of your head, this is a good place to start. Keep scrolling for some practical styling and lifestyle changes that can also help improve the appearance of thinning strands.

What to do about receding hairline

If your hair is receding at the hairline, like thinning hair on top of the head, this can come down to genetics, age or other medical conditions. Additionally, hormones could be involved. Changes like pregnancy, menopause, and ordinary ups and downs might make you lose hair temporarily, but your hair should go back to normal between around 8-12 months. If it doesn’t, make an appointment to see your GP. If you have a hormonal imbalance, taking the right medications can counteract the effects. Always check with a specialist first.

It’s also a good idea to swap your everyday shampoo and conditioner for a fortifying formula that’s designed to improve the strength of strands, preventing breakage and hair fall. Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Shampoo and Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Conditioner are infused with bamboo and active Pro-V nutrients shown to improve the condition of hair. 

Supporting healthy hair growth, while protecting the strands you do have can have a big positive impact on the appearance of tresses. For up to 96% less hair loss* treat thinning hair with Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Mask, infused with bamboo and biotin.

What to do for thinning hair: styling tips

You can also experiment with a few different styling techniques to minimise the appearance of thinning hair, starting with the below hair hacks…

• Switch up your part. Sporting the same part every day can draw attention to thinning areas that could be masked simply by changing the direction of your part. If you’re wondering what to do about a receding hairline, a change in part could be the answer. If you typically part to one side, try a midway part that’s styled forward and secured with a lightweight flexible hairspray, like Pantene Pro-V Hairspray Perfect Volume’s.

• Cut wisely. The right hair cut can alter the appearance of thinning hair and hair loss. Layers can add depth, while shorter styles can give the appearance of a fuller-looking mane. Next time you’re at the salon, ask your hairdresser’s advice on how best to style hair to reduce the look thinning strands.

• Style smart, be gentle. Don’t opt for styles that pull or tug on tresses. The strain on strands can lead to breakage or hair fall. Watch out for ties or clips that snag and if your hair gets caught, be gentle when untangling. Swap your old brush or comb for a natural-bristled brush if you haven’t already. This helps to gently pull natural scalp oils down the hair shaft to nourish and is less likely to break hair.

• Use the right products. Choosing products that improve the density of hair and minimise the appearance of thinning or hair loss will make all the difference. Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Shampoo uses active Pro-V nutrient blends, infused with bamboo and biotin, for visibly stronger strands that are protected against damage caused by styling. This wonder-worker helps to reduce hair loss* reinforcing the strands you have for a fuller look.

• Dial up the moisture. One of the top rules if you’re researching what to do for thinning hair is to use conditioner. Moisture is key. Hair breakage and hair fall and be caused by strands that are dry, damaged and brittle. Making conditioner a focal point of your haircare routine will help to improve hair hydration, which will minimise breakage. Choose a conditioner that focuses on improving hair strength, like Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Conditioner. Free from mineral oils or colorants, this deeply hydrating treatment has a unique Pro-V blend infused with biotin and bamboo, to ensure hair is as strong and hardy as possible.

Tip: Hair hydration shouldn’t stop when the tap’s turned off. Give hair added protection against damage caused by styling and humidity by applying Pantene Pro-V Miracles Go Longer Leave-In Conditioner to damp tresses, starting with the tips and working into the mid-lengths of hair. It’s proven to make hair 100% stronger** so, like it says on the label, hair can grow longer!

• Dial down the heat. Damage caused by styling can result in hair fall and thinner looking strands. Dial down the heat and minimise the use of styling tools to give strands time to recover.

• Pay attention to your scalp. Give yourself a little more attention and TLC with a calming scalp massage. Worked into your morning or evening shower routine, this simply stress release method’s also proven to stimulate circulation which, you guessed it, is highly beneficial for hair growth. Couple this soothing scalp treat with Pantene Miracles Roots Awakener, proven to create the optimal environment for improved hair growth thanks to its unique potent Pro-V blend with biotin, bamboo and caffeine.

• Ditch the hat. If you’re a regular cap or hat wearer and you’ve noticed your hair’s thinning, this could be a result of traction alopecia – pulling or tensions/stress on strands that causes gradual hair loss. So, if you’re partial to headwear, make sure it doesn’t tug on tresses or rub on the scalp.

What to do for thinning hair: lifestyle changes

Little adjustments to your lifestyle and hair habits can improve your quality (and quantity) of hair. Whether it’s curbing habits or giving yourself some much-needed TLC, you can influence the appearance of thinning strands by lowering those stress levels and eating well…

• Stress less. Easier said than done, we know. But, if you think stress might be the cause of your hair loss, try proven stress-busting yoga or meditation. If you’d rather break out more of a sweat, try going for a fast walk or jog in a park - being outside surrounded by grass and trees has also been proven to lower stress levels.

 • Eat well. Aim for three meals a day packed with essential fatty acids, proteins, and nutrients. A good rule of thumb is to make sure every plate contains a range of colours, so that you’re benefitting from lots of different vitamins and minerals. Don’t forget fruits and vegetables! Aiming for this will benefit the hair already on your head, and any new, baby hairs. Remember that coffee and smoking both seem to inhibit hair growth.

If you’re struggling to pinpoint the cause of your hair loss or thinning hair, talk to your doctor or read more about the causes of thinning hair.

*hair loss due to breakage, vs. non conditioning shampoo
**strength against styling damage, vs. non conditioning shampoo