It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good hair day. For years now, I’ve been on the lookout for a breakthrough product or supplement for aging, thinning hair. I wish I could say the search is over, but it’s not. Today, I’m asking readers to please chime in with any recommendations. I’m open to both topical applications and supplements. I’ve used Viviscal Professional for a while now, and think it has reached its maximum capabilities. Nutralfol, another supplement, keeps popping up on my Instagram and appears to be promising. Has anyone had success with it or another product? If you have any suggestions or tips, please share in the comments below. Thanks for your help.
Source: @sammcknight1
Lili Sprague
Hi Karima, I use ionicell for women supplement and date I say I’ve noticed some new growth
Also I started trying this natural treatment called Cria but it’s still too soon to tell.
Hope that helps!
Lili
Karima
Thank you Lili…Im not familiar with Cria or Ionicell. I’ll investigate!
KSL
Hi – I have used Nutrafol for two years and it’s made a big difference. I also stopped coloring my hair one year ago and it’s twice as thick.
Karima
Kathy, that’s so good to hear about the Nutrafol! Do you take with other hair supplements (like Biotin, Zinc, etc.)?
KSL
Karima – Nutrafol has lots of biotin and zinc in it. I wouldn’t take extra. The PRP treatments that most cosmetic dermatologists do now are supposed to be fantastic as well. I’m nervous about Rogaine as it can have cardiac side effects (although not common, it’s the number one side effect) I also am on thyroid medication, but honestly think my thinning hair was a result of age and over processing.
L.
I finally brought this up two years ago with my dermatologist after having a nightmare about my thinning hair. She put me on a regime of topical Rogaine for women twice daily and daily supplements of zinc and biotin and a zinc shampoo. I had great results within several months. I continued to have my hair colored in a two-step process every eight weeks by my hairdresser. After one year the dermatologist reduced the topical Rogaine to once daily and now it is three times per week.
I use my hairdresser’s shampoo and conditioner and a weekly hair masque. Thinning, dry hair is no longer an issue, and no more nightmares. Thank you for bravely bringing up this issue.
Karima
Thanks L. I wish my dermatologist would address my concerns better. I’m impressed that your regime worked for you and will look into zinc and rogaine. I already take biotin. Sounds like there is hope!
Kim
Karima, I’ve struggled with hair loss for the last 7 years. Originally, the products by an organic line, Phyllia de M. (read about it on Into the Gloss), but the company suddenly went out of business. Now, I use products by Leonor Greyl and am quite happy.
I’ve seen a few people on IG recommend Monat to you. I’d do research on them first before buying as they are currently involved in a class action lawsuit with the FDA.
Have also wondered about Philip Kingsley’s products. Good luck!
Karima
Kim…I’ve used Phyllia de M. in the past too. Unfortunately, the products didn’t really have any effect for me. Did the Leonor Greyl actually make a bit of a difference with loss or just styling?
Kim
Karima, I find that with the Leonor Greyl l feel as though I’m feeling fewer strands in my hands when my hair is wet and seeing fewer as I dry it. Another product shampoo and conditioner that may stylist swears by is Revita. She experienced TE after her last child was born.
Wendy
I’ve had a few bouts with extreme TE (Telogen Effluvium…same thing that happens postpartum.) It’s triggered by some medications etc., but sometimes starts seemingly without rhyme or reason. I have naturally frizzy, fluffy yet very thin, fine hair. People look at me and think I have a ton but it flattens out to nothing. I use Men’s Rogaine at night only (Men’s is fine for Women providing you are not trying to get pregnant), Viviscal, 2000IU of Vitamin D every morning, and Iron (Feosol 60mg) every other night. As per the derm, for some unknown reason some people have better luck taking iron every other day and it’s best to take it with a glass of OJ or grapefruit juice for optimal absorption (I usually forget.) I also use a laser comb every other night.
I’ve tried a lot of different products and the best I’ve ever found by a long shot is Living Proof’s “Full” line. HANDS DOWN! I use the shampoo, conditioner, and thickening cream. My hair doubles in thickness. It feels like a hefty ponytail…I have no idea how or why it does but it’s AMAZING stuff and results are immediate so if you don’t feel like doing all the other stuff I recommend trying Living Proof.
All of this is a lot of maintenance and I’m not gonna lie I can get lazy with the Rogaine or comb but as long as you are generally consistent, over time, you should see improvement. Hope this helps.
Karima
Great info Wendy. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been curious about the laser comb, and maybe it’s time to give it a shot. (which brand do you use?) I take the same supplements (currently minus the Viviscal). I’m definitely going to try the LP Full line. Thanks again.
Wendy
Hairmax is the name of laser comb brand/company. They’re the only ones that have the patent/FDA approval so far. I think they have 3 versions but they are all the same. The only difference is the number of lasers and therefore the # of minutes you have to do it. I think I took the middle one which is like 12 minute sessions. I bought mine maybe 4yrs ago on QVC actually b/c it was so much cheaper but you can get it thru Amazon, Target or direct from them, etc.
Cheryl
I second the recommendation for Living Proof. After reading repeatedly about the amazing results I went ahead and tried the “full” line. It is amazing. I use the shampoo and conditioner, may need to add the thickening cream. My hair is thin, fine and frizzy 😟
Give it a shot before trying topical or oral treatments.
Karima
Thanks Cheryl. I have the same hair – thin, fine, frizzy. I used to be able to air dry and it would be glossy. Not anymore. The frizz is not good. I’ll look at the thickening/full products from LP.
Lillian
I also highly recommend all the Living Proof Full Line. I buy the thickening cream in bulk!
Karima
Thanks Lillian. I haven’t tried that product yet from Living Proof.
Cathy
I’ve had bouts of hair loss and my dermatologist found that one of the medications I’m on had “alopecia” listed as a rare side effect. Once I stopped it, my hair started filling in.
The other thing I would mention is whether you’ve had your thyroid checked. High or low can result in hair loss.
Hope this helps!
Karima
Thanks Cathy. I’ve had a thyroid issue for over 30 years and I know the medication can have those side effects. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s anyway of going off them when you’ve been on them as long as I have. Also, the hair problems have started more recently so I’m hoping there is another culprit I can identify and fix.
Susan
Have you considered acupuncture? It is great for the unwelcome side effects of aging. I had some health issues that led to significant hair loss & found that acupuncture along with Chinese herbs reversed the hair loss by 90%. Good luck!
Karima
I have tried acupuncture and had great results for lower back pain. Thank you for the suggestion. I am intrigued by the herbs you used as well.
Susan
Hi Karima, the herbs I took were formulated by the Doctor of Chinese Medicine I was seeing for acupuncture. The herbal formula is likely different from person to person depending on what issue (from a Chinese medicine perspective) is contributing to the hair loss. It could be different from person to person. If you have an acupuncturist you’ve used successfully, maybe it would be worth calling & chatting with them about it.
Susan
Hi Karima, the herbs I took were formulated by the Doctor of Chinese Medicine I was seeing for acupuncture. The herbal formula is likely different from person to person depending on what issue (from a Chinese medicine perspective) is contributing to the hair loss. It could be different from person to person. If you have an acupuncturist you’ve used successfully, maybe it would be worth calling & chatting with them about it.
Robin
One of my sons just finished a year of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatments with Dr. Brian Dubow in Beverly Hills and it seems to have helped. In addition to the treatments (not the most pleasant, but they numb you first) the doctor prescribes a regimen of shampoo/conditioner/supplements/Rogaine and the combination of approaches has been beneficial. It’s definitely worth a consult. I, too, have thyroid disease and I have noticed the effects on my hair. After years of Viviscal, I switched to Nutrifol some time ago. I notice much less shedding now. It’s definitely not perfect, but better. Good luck, Karima. xo
L in LA.
I am 50-ish and discovered I have androgenetic alopecia. After starting with my GP and a dermatologist, I ended up in Dr. Dubow’s office myself. He is a lifesaver, to say the least. I have also been on the above regimen (PRP, etc) and it’s expensive, but not that painful. I think it has made a big difference and will continue with him as long as it takes to maintain. And for what it’s worth, a couple doctors said that Nutrafol doesn’t do much…they’re basically just expensive vitamins. Good luck!!
Karima
Thank you for sharing your experience. Several others have also had good results with PRP and I’m going to do a bit of research for myself. Dr. Dubow comes highly recommended and I am fortunate he’s not too far for me to see. Thank you.
Zivile
Me too, I swear by Living Proof Full line. The best I have found. For a thinning hair it would be worth trying Rene Furterer RF80 anti hair-loss treatment. They also have similar product – Triphasic, but I had better results using RF80.
Good luck and the warmest greetings from France!
Karima
Thank you Ziville for the RF80 suggestion. And warm greetings back to you in France!
Carolyn
Karima, I am so grateful to you for your willingness to discuss this on your blog! I have struggled for nearly 20 years with hair issues – just after my last child was born. I have tried everything, most recently Viviscal. I switched to Nutrafol 2 weeks ago because I am hoping to get more growth in the front – that’s where my issue is.
I started to see changes in my hair once my ferritin levels improved. They were around 20 for a decade, but once I started iron supplements I was able to get my levels up to 80 which helped my hair significantly.
It is really difficult to find doctors that know how to help. I’m hoping that there will be some incredible breakthrough in hair growth sometime in my lifetime. Until then – it is discussions like this one that help me find products to fake good hair! I appreciate the comments from your readers and will research their suggestions. Ordering Living Proof Thickening cream right now!
Karima
Hi Carolyn. Thanks for sharing your story. I do think discussions like this will be beneficial to anyone suffering with hair loss. We all take away and learn a little something.
Zivile
Just remembered that i hand recently read an article on Har Klinikken. They are now present in US. Haven’t tried them myself but thought this might be useful for you and the readers of your blog – http://www.harklinikken.com
Karima
Thank you. I’ll read on…
jana
My sister-in-law was experiencing hair loss and thinning mostly at the hairline. Over the course of about six months, she saw a few derms who were giving her basically the same non-answer. She was referred to an MD in NYC (possibly affiliated with NYU) who immediately, upon observation and questioning, recognized her alopecia as a side effect of certain chemicals in the chemical sunscreen she has been religiously applying for years. She is going through treatments in hopes of regrowing what was lost and has switched to a much safer physical sunscreen
Karima
Wow. That’s very interesting! She’s lucky she found a doctor who delved deeper into the cause versus just offering a potential remedy.
barb
I’m in New York, do you have the name of the doctor at NYC – going through the same issue as your sister…thanks in advance
Preston
With all of the stressors and chemicals today, hair loss must be a byproduct. It is a widespread concern and women with tons of hair past 35 must be the (lucky) minority. You are beautiful inside and out — just smile, that’s what everyone will see!
Liz
I’ve been experiencing hair loss for about 10 years now coinciding with the beginning of menopause. My dermatologist prescribed spironolactone which I’ve used for years. Maybe you’re not open to a prescription but I believe it’s the one thing that really helped. I also use 5% Rogaine once a day. The shedding has really slowed down and I believe my hair is fuller. I also use Viviscal but I may switch to Nutrafol. Good luck – I remember feeling so afraid of losing my hair but it’s better now.
Kate
Karima, thank you SO much for raising this topic – I hope you found that this is a more widespread concern than you realized, which means you are not alone! And thank you SO much to everyone who offered what has worked for them! I had been looking at my hair lately going, “is it? or not? could this be my imagination?” I decided to make an appointment for a cut (I have a long, relatively low-maintenance style so I only go every few months) with a brand-new stylist to get a new perspective. I never said a word – the stylist started to comb my hair after the shampoo, stopped, showed me what was in her hand and asked, “Do you normally lose this much hair?” She recommended biotin, and I am now obsessively trying to learn more about what might be happening (because there is no way I’m getting that old, ha – anything but!) So once again, THANK YOU ALL.
Melanie Steinemann
FORCAPIL from France…try Amazon. Worked pretty well for me when I had anemia.
Karima
Thank you. I haven’t heard of that yet…