help with hair loss much needed, please

Erchelsmuurchel

HELP!
I am currently experiencing dramatic hair loss. I was on Noriday (Pill) which i think triggered it and have since come off it and went to cerazette which doesnt affect hair loss but still no improvement. I started taking evening primrose oil and vitamin b12 but also no good. I read on line that certain shampoos like Pantene (which is what i am using presently) can actually coz hair loss aswell!!! scary stuff, can anyone recommend an over the counter brand that i could try??? am at my wits end, i also have acne and with the hair loss am being to get worried it will become a major problem if i can't get it sorted (have had blood tests done and all are normal). if anyone can advise i would appreciate any help, thank you!

LegacyUser

i feel for you op, i went through a really stressful time and it triggered hairloss for me, so i know how scary it is, omega 3 supplements really worked for me, and i'd stay away from harsh shampoos, i'd use something very very mild, i used johnsons baby shampoo, also try not to stress ( i know thats a lot easier said than done!) because stress causes hairloss too.. maybe look into seeing a tricologist?

muboop1

Hey,

alright first thing is first, go see your doctor.

Secondly for your own education, Is your life more stressful at the moment then in the past? Is the hair loss uniform all over?

Is it pachy? Is there a history of thyroid ir diabeties in your family, particularily parents or grand parents?

If there is a history if them, see a dr and you should likely try go see a specialist as you COULD have alopecia.

It could also simlpy be stress related.

In could even be both... Stress is most common trigger for alopecia.

Regardless go to you gp

There isn't anything much OTC that will help - alopecia is a term that describes any type of hair loss - it's not really a condition in itself. Baby shampoo is not a mild shampoo, it's in fact more astringant than regular shampoos. I have heard also that the sodium laryl sulfate in shampoos can cause hair loss (sodium laureth sulfate is ok). I use a tea tree oil shampoo now as it also helps with my dry scalp. Coming off the pill can cause hair loss - has this hair loss been sudden? Or was it gradual over the course of a few years? You say all your blood tests came back normal? Referal to a dermatoligist might be the next step, your GP should be able to direct you in this. Also, is the hair loss in patches or is it all over the head?

I have learned a lot about this issue as I deal with it every day, I started to lose my hair very dramatically when I was 25, I'm 29 now and I know it's never going to grow back. I hope you have better luck!!

Erchelsmuurchel

hi all

thank you for taking the time to help me.

The hair loss is gradual, i used to have loads, so much so would take ages to dry and would need extra clips just to keep it in place, now its one bobble and hope it covers any fading areas! There are no patches just continual thinning - every morning after washing hair a handful comes out, when i have it brushed after another handful comes out, and when its dry the hair brush has the same amount, it just seems at this rate i will be bald by xmas!

Yup, all blood tests were fine, stress could be a factor but no more than any other job i have been in, and its not really an option to switch careers either.

"Is there a history of thyroid ir diabeties in your family, particularily parents or grand parents?" - nope, checked with parents and there is only one distant relative i have that has diabetes, we're a fairly healthy group.

"sodium laryl sulfate in shampoos can cause hair loss" - i have started reading and noting ingredients that are known to cause hair loss in some people but its proving difficult to avoid all of them (glycol diserate is another thing that apparently should be avoided - its the pearl complex in a LOAD of shampoos)

I am reluctant to go back to doc again as it never seems to get me any where and the expense of it all is now adding up

I am hoping that it will just ease up and fingers crossed will get more body in the next couple of months or at least level out! Failing that i think maybe it will be time to see a tricologist - i never heard this term before but have looked it up and seems an option, again though depending on expense involved

astra2000

Hi op have you been on a crash diet as I know from personal experience this can cause hairloss , apparently this is due to the fact that when you are extreme dieting the body just like it does when your pregnant stops sheading hair every day as it normally would something to do with it protecting itself, but then when you resume normal eating/have a baby the body lets go of all the hair it should have shed quickly, this happened to me after extreme dieting and obviously pregnancy, my hair started regrowing within a couple of weeks but took well over a year to get back to normal. Have you noticed any regrowth around your hairline. I wonder is it possible that the pill you were on caused this as as far as I know the pill fools your body into believing it is pregnant? I know it is very worrying for you when you dont know what the cause is but try not to worry. There is a supplement that new mums can take after suffering hair loss maybe ask in boots it is meant to be excellent, but remember hair regrowth is slow especially if you have hair that is anyway long, best of luck

Kanoe

There are a couple of products available that you might find useful, nourkin and viviscal are both available over the counter, I've tried both with some degree of success. This time of year I usually shed like a dog both products helped stop the fallout and kick start regrowth within three to four months. They have shampoo and conditioners that accompany the product too.
Otherwise, a good hairdresser is a must. best of luck