Ida Saint-Luc wrote:
It's probably nothing. I don't notice anything from your pictures. If you are harshly styling your hair (teasing, etc.), stop.

If you're really concerned, consult a dermatologist. We are strange and misinformed internet people. Definitely don't take random medications without a diagnosis, my God!

I'm thinking iron, vitamin c, and biotin, not medications. Hmm...

Veronica Onofrejova wrote:
I also noticed my hair thinning so I started taking Biotin. Ive been taking it for about 2-3 months and I havent noticed any differences. The only thing it makes is my eyebrows grow much faster... My doctor told me to change my diet. Start eating more vegetables and fruits if you dont already

Thank you! I'll have to try doing that! Also bummed that the biotin didn't work!

Shiva Photo wrote:
MEDICATION
Apply topical Medication Rogaine. Propecia pills

Neither of these have been proven to work. They're just really expensive.

Makeup by Kerri wrote:
Have your thyroid and Iron levels checked by a doctor just to be sure you don't have any medical issues.

That's a good idea. I had my iron checked before and it always comes back low. Haven't had thyroid checked yet.

Makeup by Kerri wrote:
Have your thyroid and Iron levels checked by a doctor just to be sure you don't have any medical issues.

Agree with this too. Ask for a CBC and CMP at your next visit. There could be something else going on (hopefully not but you never know!)

Shiva Photo wrote:
Sometimes just hormonal changes can cause hair loss and will grow back after
the body stabilzes.

This is true too

BrunetteGrenade wrote:
First, I think your hair looks beautiful.

Secondly. There's a terrible shampoo and conditioner out there called Clear Scalp and Beauty and soo many people have experienced hair loss and thinning from it. Not sure if that's what you're using, but definitely stay away

Here are some tips that have improved the condition of my hair:

- Don't wash your hair everyday, try washing every other day. It's not recommended to wash your hair very often since it can strip your hair of it's natural oils which a healthy scalp needs. It's also important not to wash your hair too little, because it can create unclean conditions and plug up hair follicles on your scalp. So try to find a good medium to keep your scalp healthy.

- When showering, make sure to be gentle with your hair while shampooing and conditioning. Do not, do not brush out your hair in the shower and make sure to rinse out all shampoo and conditioner completely because it can create reside and build up

- Swich to a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner, or an all natural one. Also if you've been using the same shampoo and conditioner for too long, I suggest switching back and forth between one or two different products every so often

- Use a clarifier about once a month to get rid of hair product build up or water deposit build up on your hair. I've heard apple cider vinegar is good for this, I just bought some but I haven't used it yet

- Keep your hair routinely trimmed. It will keep your hair healthier overall by getting rid of split ends, and it will be easier to manage

- Try to be as natural as you can with your hair, use the least amount of heat for styling as possible. Don't over brush your hair or dye your hair, at least for awhile to give your hair a break. Treat your hair like fine silk, it's very easy to be too rough with hair

- If you wear your hair up, don't use any type of elastic hair ties. Use either a hair scrunchie or those new no tug hair ties. Those will be the gentlest on your hair. Don't put your hair up too tight, make sure it's a little loose so your hair can breath

- Always use a leave in conditioner on your hair after you get out of the shower prior to brushing or styling your hair. (It's A 10 with Keratin is awesome) It will loosen up tangles in your hair for brushing and also protect your hair from heat. Be extremely gentle and take your time when combing your hair out. When hair is wet, it's fragile and easily broken off

-Buy a new comb/brush. Sometimes if you've been using your brush for too long the ends can get bent which creates snarls or tugs your hair out when brushing. So it's good to routinely swich out your brushes.

- The scalp also needs healthy conditions from the inside too, which means eating right, and getting a lot of nutrition and exercise, and drinking a lot of water. Take a multi vitamin and Omega 3 Fish Oil.

-Try staying as stress free as possible. You mentioned just going off birth control, it's possible that your body is getting used to not being on it anymore yet so your hair is going through a transition? Who knows, bodies are weird things lol. If you haven't had a period though, you should probably get that checked out to make sure everything is going fine health wise. As well as rule out your thyroid and other deficiencies that could be a factor

- Hair grows pretty slowly, so improvement will happen over time. If you follow all the steps, you'll be sure to notice improvement in your hair month by month. You should notice less and less hair fall. Whenever you notice less hair fall, your hair is improving.

Lastly- If you're religious, try praying about it. Sometimes being thankful for what you do have is easily taken for granted when you're focused on what you don't. I know it's easier said than done and it's hard when this type of stuff happens, because it's happened to me. I had a hair crisis too, so I kinda know what you're going through. Just try to be strong, and things will get better Hope this helps Feel free to PM me and I can try to help or answer any questions you have

Thank you! I wash my hair with shampoo about once every two weeks. Besides that I just cowash. My hair is biracial, so I can't wash it every day or it will dry out. I comb my hair with conditioner in the shower and leave it in. I'm also extremely gentle with my hair, I use wide tooth combs and comb from bottom to top only after my hair is saturated with conditioner and wet. Also, I only use scrunches (finally, someone who understands why I don't use those elastic things).

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I'm definitely going to get the biotin, fish oil, and I'm still deciding on the multi vitamins and iron supplements.

Ida Saint-Luc wrote:
It's probably nothing. I don't notice anything from your pictures. If you are harshly styling your hair (teasing, etc.), stop.

If you're really concerned, consult a dermatologist. We are strange and misinformed internet people. Definitely don't take random medications without a diagnosis, my God!

+1

This is the best advice that's been provided as far as I'm concerned. Keep in mind that even seemingly harmless things, things that you may in fact think are helpful, like additional supplements etc. could in the long run do more harm then good based on things like your diet, current exercise level and any medications you may be taking or medical conditions you may have.

If you were looking for advice on what color to dye your hair or styling tips then I totally see coming here and grabbing some suggestions but considering that hair loss can be triggered by about 30 different medical conditions (thank you WebMD) you really should go see a doctor. It could be nothing (I hope it's nothing) but because it might be something, in my opinion you shouldn't risk not trying to find out from someone qualified to address the issue.

Tiffany_B wrote:
but considering that hair loss can be triggered by about 30 different medical conditions (thank you WebMD) you really should go see a doctor. It could be nothing (I hope it's nothing) but because it might be something, in my opinion you shouldn't risk not trying to find out from someone qualified to address the issue.

It can, but most likely your doctor will examine your scalp and rule out dandruff and alopecia. They'll give you a complete blood panel and thyroid. If those come back normal, they pretty much send you on your way.. and in my experience insurances will try to get out of coverage for it because they consider it cosmetic. Check with your insurance to see if it's covered before you get a $500 bill back for nothing but a scalp check and minor tests.

Cervezax wrote:
Thank you! I wash my hair with shampoo about once every two weeks. Besides that I just cowash. My hair is biracial, so I can't wash it every day or it will dry out. I comb my hair with conditioner in the shower and leave it in. I'm also extremely gentle with my hair, I use wide tooth combs and comb from bottom to top only after my hair is saturated with conditioner and wet. Also, I only use scrunches (finally, someone who understands why I don't use those elastic things).

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I'm definitely going to get the biotin, fish oil, and I'm still deciding on the multi vitamins and iron supplements.

Make sure when you're washing that you massage your scalp which will bring blood flow and circulation to your scalp. If you're co washing, it can create product build up, so make sure you're clarifying at least once a month. DO NOT comb out your hair in the shower if you don't want your hair to thin out, even if you're using a wide tooth comb and combing from the bottom up. If anything, comb out your hair gently with your fingers only! Strands are fragile and prone to breaking when they're wet. Combing out your hair in the shower and towel drying is perfect if you want to snap off your hair

I watched this video the other day from SunKissAlba on Youtube about healthy hair basics- co washing and clarifying, it might help you- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMFu3vr8jUg

BrunetteGrenade wrote:
It can, but most likely your doctor will examine your scalp and rule out dandruff and alopecia. They'll give you a complete blood panel and thyroid. If those come back normal, they pretty much send you on your way.. and in my experience insurances will try to get out of coverage for it because they consider it cosmetic. Check with your insurance to see if it's covered before you get a $500 bill back for nothing but a scalp check and minor tests.

The operative word in all of that is if. If the blood panel and thyroid tests come back normal then you're right she may be sent on her way but there's a 50/50 chance that they won't and because hair loss can be caused by an underlying medical issue I know that I'd personally want to know if that was the case rather than assuming it wasn't.

Additionally, with most states you can find medical coverage offered on a sliding scale to help avoid the sticker shock if it isn't covered by insurance.

Tiffany_B wrote:
It can, but most likely your doctor will examine your scalp and rule out dandruff and alopecia. They'll give you a complete blood panel and thyroid. If those come back normal, they pretty much send you on your way.. and in my experience insurances will try to get out of coverage for it because they consider it cosmetic. Check with your insurance to see if it's covered before you get a $500 bill back for nothing but a scalp check and minor tests.
The operative word in all of that is if. If the blood panel and thyroid tests come back normal then you're right she may be sent on her way but there's a 50/50 chance that they won't and because hair loss can be caused by an underlying medical issue I know that I'd personally want to know if that was the case rather than assuming it wasn't.

Additionally, with most states you can find medical coverage offered on a sliding scale to help avoid the sticker shock if it isn't covered by insurance.

I didn't say for her not to, I just said what my experience was. If you look up, I suggested for her to go to the doctor anyway since she hasn't had a period going off bc. I said to make sure she knows costs upfront. Sliding scales are ideal, but a lot of times that's not the case. They really want their money, and insurance companies will try to slide around covering something like this. Just letting her know so she's aware. All circumstances are different

BrunetteGrenade wrote:

Make sure when you're washing that you massage your scalp which will bring blood flow and circulation to your scalp. If you're co washing, it can create product build up, so make sure you're clarifying at least once a month. DO NOT comb out your hair in the shower if you don't want your hair to thin out, even if you're using a wide tooth comb and combing from the bottom up. If anything, comb out your hair gently with your fingers only! Strands are fragile and prone to breaking when they're wet. Combing out your hair in the shower and towel drying is perfect if you want to snap off your hair

I watched this video the other day from SunKissAlba on Youtube about healthy hair basics- co washing and clarifying, it might help you- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMFu3vr8jUg

Thank you for the video. It's funny because I am actually subscribed to her and was just watching her plastic surgery video yesterday. I haven't seen this one yet. It's strange you say not to comb in the shower because I know for a fact if I comb my hair while dry I will look like


Anywho, I am going to check out her video!