Unfortunately, the dedicated efforts I’ve used trying various products and protocols to restore my hair health not produced significant results. It continues to be an ongoing, frustrating problem. Currently, I’m taking three different supplements (see below) and using Living Proof’s Scalp Care Revitalizing Treatment daily. It’s too soon to report on results.
Over the weekend, I read an article in WSJ.Magazine that gave me another glimmer of hope. One of the successful protocols mentioned is a line called Harklinikken. The before and after photos on the website look incredibly promising. Of course, I’m game to give it a try but am curious if anyone has had success.
Please share if you’ve found any remedies for aging hair with thinness and loss.
PHOTO: JUMBO TSUI/TRUNK ARCHIVE
Irwin Naturals Healthy Skin & Hair plus Nails
Living Proof Scalp Care Revitalizing Treatment
The information and opinions expressed are my own. I am not a healthcare professional and you should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any nutrition program. The above products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These items are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
KSL
The ONLY thing that worked for me was to stop coloring my hair. No matter how “natural” the dye is, it harms the follicles. My hair is at least twice as thick, maybe more than that. I still take Nutrafol to maintain it.
Karima
Thank you. That’s an option I’ve considered.
Alanna
I found this Fat Mascara podcast interview with a dermatologist all about hair loss treatments really interesting:
http://www.fatmascara.com/blog/2019/4/8/ep-151
I’m also always hopeful about new things to try! Good luck to you.
Kazza
Hi mine got better when I started eating more protein and taking zinc, magnesium and HRT. Not sure which one worked but it is back to the hair I had in my twenties..
Karima
Thank you. I take those too but haven’t had the same success as you. Protein is something I should reconsider though. I’ve cut way back on protein the last couple of years.
Starla Frazer
I have increased thickness after taking zinc, magnesium and iron supplements!
Jennifer Dahlberg
Hello Karima!
Love your style and website! I can relate to your aging hair woes, but I have been using Harklinikken since November to counter the receding hairline by my temples and forehead after years of pulling my hair back in a tight ponytail. I have seen visible signs of improvement–albeit baby hair growth–but you have to stick with the program long-term (per the consultant’s recommendation) to get the optimal results. While it is pricey, I think it’s worth the investment and definitely worth a try. Good luck!
Karima
Thank you. It does sound so promising. I think with every treatment I’ve read about for hair loss and thinning, the program must be ongoing to maintain the results. If it works, I’m all in for the long haul! Great to hear you’re seeing good results. I’m hopeful!
Terri
I have stopped with the hair color and have gone back to my old college friend, henna.
miss agnes
Hi, the recommendation I had years ago as I was trying to speed up my hair growth was the combination of cystine + vitamin B6. In France, where I live, this combination is commonly found in over the counter tablets.
Please note, it stimulates all hair growth. But I did use this a few times in my life (not that I needed it then, it was just to get over a bad haircut more quickly), and it did work pretty well.
Kim
Karima, as someone who has followed you for a while I am sorry to read that you are still struggling with this issue. I’ve had my own bouts with it as well. Recently, my stylist recommended Olaplex No. 4 shampoo along with the No. 5 conditioner. Not only do I notice a difference, but I was with another stylist who I see occasionally and she commented on how “healthy” my hair felt. I also agree on the importance of protein. Best of luck!
Marina
I have been using Harklinikke for over a month now and see a noticeable difference in the texture and health of my hair! Per my I initial consultation I should see major improvements thickness wise within 4 months.
Danielle
Hi Karima, I had similar issues with thin aging hair. My hair is now almost back to the thickness and health from my 30’s (I am 54). I have pictures taken on my birthday 6 years ago and from this year and the difference is astounding. What finally worked is eating well balanced meals with plenty of protein (not over dieting on top of over exercising), getting enough sleep (one thing quarantine helped with), and changing colorists. My current hairdresser uses Goldwell products and I have found the difference in the health of my hair with that change alone to be quite astounding. Anecdotally I was also a long term retin-a user having suffered from adult acne since my early twenties and had read that there were some complaints of thinning hair while using so decided to take a year off to see if it made a difference. Perhaps all the supplements I used to combat the thinning plus the retin-a use was too much vitamin A? I never had a blood test for that so who knows but I am finally seeing significant growth at my hairline. My hairdresser even commented on it last time. Lastly do have your ferritin and iron levels checked particularly if you are a runner as low ferritin can also contribute to thinning, brittle hair.
Christine Cener
I use a hair oil before shampooing (Kiehl’s Magic Elixir). The name is hilarious but I was willing to try because it is mostly rosemary oil, which is something my integrative medicine doc suggested some time ago. Since using it, I notice at least 50% less hair fall although this might be seasonal. I also notice that my hair APPEARS thicker. It couldn’t possible by new hair, as the whole head appears thicker and that would take time. But it’s a pleasant pre-show ritual and it makes my scalp tingle, so I’m sticking with it for awhile.
Barb
I remember going through this issue, when you posted awhile back. I took a blood test, turns out I was lacking vitamin d.
I was given a prescription and I also took Nutrol (sp?)..as well.
Hair grew back, not as full…but it did grow back.
Best of luck….
Dina
Hi Karima,
I used Leonor Greyl products / treatments and my hair is back to its thickness, gloss and fullness I had in my 20s.
Plus I eat a nutrient dense wholesome diet.
And for hair supplements Viviscal really works !
Good luck Karima.
kristina
Have you had your full iron blood levels checked? Ferritin should be at 75 to promote healthy hair growth. Mine was 22, and since I stared iron supplementation per my doctor, my hair has stopped falling out.
Re the kiel’s suggestion above. you can make your own w/ rosemary and mint essential oils added to a carrier oil like jojoba oil and massage it into your scalp 30m-2 hours before you wash your hair. it reduced my dry scalp, another contributing factor to hair loss.
Denise
A protein rich diet is pretty critical for healthy hair. Also, since I stopped coloring my hair, it not only looks better, it feels better.
Lynn
I started losing my hair this past year and noticed that it coincided with an itchy scalp. I read that sometimes inflammation causes hair loss. I started using Rene Furterer Complexe 5 and after a few months my scalp is no longer itchy. My sister hasn’t had good luck with it though – she has make pattern baldness and apparently there’s not much you can do with that.
Christine Black
You could try Australian vitamin brand JS Health Hair +Enegry capsules. The 60 capsule bottle is the best value for money at $45AUD. Not sure if they ship to the US but there are always ways.
This product has great reviews and the site has before and after. I have thin hair and found that by taking this I had less hair fall, my hair grew quicker and parts that were thin started to grow new hair and fill in.
Melanie Steinemann
I took a French vitamin called ForCapil, which is available on Amazon, and it helped tremendously when my hair thinned from anemia.
Karima
Thank you all for your recommendations. Along with myself, I’m sure there are readers that benefit from learning about the number of options available. Clearly, there is not a one size fits all remedy but the exposure to ideas from others offers hope.
Personally, I am reconsidering the amount of protein in my diet, looking at ways to handle stress (that’s the tough one), and reviewing my supplement intake.
I appreciate each of your comments and thank you for sharing.
Jeri
Go natural ~ you are a package of style and grace. Your unprocessed hair will love you for it. ⭕️❌
Karima
Thank you Jeri for such kind words.
Alexandra
These are some things that have helped me a lot: (it took a few months to notice a difference but my hair girl comments on how much more new growth there is /how quickly it grows now, which is fun!) •Keranique Shampoo 3x a week (you can get it on Amazon and it’s not too $) •adding vital proteins collagen peptides to my coffee in the am •eating lots of dates (full of biotin, magnesium, potassium, not sure which is helping but all good things right? 😊) •leave in conditioner always no matter what, and trying not to blow dry when I can get away with it!
You could also look into treatments with collagen and plasma at medspas but I can’t speak on that one personally, sorry!
Hope this helps someone! 💚
Emily
For me, I’ve had the most success working with a functional medicine doctor. I have my hormones, gut biome, and nutrient levels tested annually. I have personally found the information to be a helpful map to guide me with what my body needs. Sometimes it can be surprising what I am deficient in. As I have aged, my needs have changed too. Best of luck to you on this journey!
Dee
I have used Nutrafol for over 1 1/2 years & I stopped losing my hair within a month. I was losing about 150-200 hairs a washing (I counted them it was so crazy the amount). My hair is growing back so fast and is very thick again. I will always take them. My dermotolgist recommened it and my naturopathic hormone doctor agreeded these supplements are good for me while in menopause. I highly recommend them.
https://nutrafol.com/