Why is my hair thinning?

Noticed your hair looks and feels thinner than usual but can’t figure out why? This will help to find out more…

When you notice your hair’s getting thinner it could be the result of one of two things: a decrease in your hair’s density - the number of strands on your head – or, a change in the thickness of individual strands. Neither option’s particularly joyful to discover. Good news is, once you know the answer to, ‘Why is my hair thinning?’ you’re a step closer to the solution.

If you’ve noticed thinning hair, you’re not alone - 80% of women suffer from hair damage that would make hair appear thin, and 25% of women have fine or thinning hair that they’re concerned about.

So, how do you find out why hair is thinning? Reading this is a good place start…

Why is my hair so thin

Take a look at your relatives. That’s right… If your relatives are a little thinner on top, it’s likely your hair loss is genetic, and the answer to your question ‘Why is my hair getting thinner?’ is just that - genes. What happens during genetic hair loss is that some of your hair follicles are sensitive to male hormones, which means that those affected will shrink a little and produce finer and thinner hairs, as well as shedding them more often.

If, however, everyone in your family has a pretty full head of hair and has never found themselves raking through theirs under a bright light wondering ‘Why has my hair gone so thin?’, there could be other causes…

• Pregnancy. Everything can go a bit haywire during pregnancy, including how thick your hair is. Some women notice that their hair is especially thick during pregnancy. The thing is, this is only temporary hair gain (or, as it turns out, avoidance of hair loss!). After giving birth, hair sheds because of a dip in oestrogen levels. This can make hair appear thinner, or less full. But the effects are only temporary and your hair should return to normal after a year or so.

• Any hormonal fluctuations. Seriously: any. Started taking the pill? Stopped taking the pill? Menopausal? Or maybe you’ve lost or put on weight, which has affected your hormonal profile? All of these will change how your body works and could be why hair is thinning. If you’re specifically searching for answers as to why hair is thinning at the front, your most likely culprit is hormonal shifts, as these do tend to lead to hair loss at the crown of the scalp. Changes in hormones is also one of the reasons hair density changes with age. The older you get the thinner hair can appear. If you feel you’re losing more than normal, you might want to reach out to your GP.

• Stress. Ever hear someone say that they’re so stressed that their hair is falling out. There’s a little truth to the saying, turns out. Stress raises male hormone levels, which can lead to hair loss (as well as all sorts of other unwelcome things, like dandruff or a dry scalp). Stress doesn’t feel good and can be hard to get on top of. But if stress is why hair is thinning, little lifestyle changes to minimise stress levels are the way to go. Giving yourself a little head massage can also make a difference and stimulate hair growth through increase circulation. Add Pantene Pro-V Miracles Roots Awakener, infused with bamboo, biotin and caffeine, to your hair routine and massage into roots to create the ultimate environment for improved hair growth.

• Harsh hairstyles. This might surprise you, but some hairstyles can cause hair fall. That’s right! A tight ponytail, hairclips that snag or hairstyles that use a lot of heat styling tools can cause damage to strands which result in hair fall. Why hair is thinning could be a result of hair breakage. If you want to target this one, make sure you lay off the heat products, but also get your hands on the Pantene Pro-V Miracles Go Longer Leave-in Cream, which is infused with bamboo and antioxidants, strengthening hair strands by 100%*. Support stronger strands by teaming this leave-in treatment with Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Keratin Reconstruct Mask, which leads to up to 96% less hair loss**. Depending on the condition of tresses, use 1-2 times a week or as needed to reconstruct strands and build a defence against hair breakage. It protects & reconstructs the keratin of your hair, do we have to say more?!

• Your diet. It might sound strange to say that your diet could be the answer to ‘Why is my hair thinning?’ but it’s true. One of the best way to make sure your hair grows healthy and strong is to eat a balanced diet that includes all the vital food groups. Research has shown that there are two things that really impact hair growth: Vitamin B12, and iron. So, load up on leafy greens for iron and, if you’re a veggie and can’t get your B12 from animal protein, try good quality supplements.

• Taking medication. There are a few medications that affect hair growth, including beta-blockers, antidepressants, and Accutane. If you’re concerned that these might be the cause, book an appointment to see your GP.

No matter the cause, you can counter the appearance of hair thinning with the right products and hair hacks. Start in the shower with a fortifying shampoo and conditioner combination, like Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Shampoo and Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Conditioner. Both contain a unique potent Pro-V blend with bamboo and biotin to really encourage hair to grow strong and healthy. This protects hair against breakage which leads to that thin look you’re trying to avoid. You can also read up on what to do for thinning hair for useful tips that’ll take you closer to the fuller-look you’re after and more great hair days.

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