Although scientific research is still exploring the exact causes of thinning hair and hair loss, evidence increasingly points to the role of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in stifling hair growth. Fortunately, advancements in technology and research in follicle recovery and rejuvenation have led to the development of effective products that deliver on their promises.
Understanding what's happening with your hair, or the lack thereof, is crucial in addressing these concerns. This article will delve into the causes of thinning hair, hair loss, and baldness, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to choose products that directly target your needs.
What Causes Thinning Hair?
Forget wives' tales. The best science points to dihydrotestosterone as the culprit. Why? While DHT is the hormone responsible for developing male characteristics such facial hair (and all that other stuff), it negatively impacts hair growth on the scalp. As it affixes itself to hair follicles, it reduces their size. This causes the hair growth phase to reduce in intensity whilst increasing the duration of the dormancy phase. And as hair growth occurs in a cyclical process, the hair diminishes in both volume and thickness as time goes on.
Also worth noting, there is evidence to suggest that hair loss also comes down to genetic and environmental factors too, and not just hormonal ones.
What are Thickening or Hair Loss Shampoos? Do They Actually Work?
The solution lies in inhibiting the DHT molecule and its effects on the hair and scalp. Many products combine ingredients that target DHT with those that directly thicken hair, offering both long-term recovery and immediate results.
Peptides are the key to inhibiting and blocking DHT. These long-chain molecules, composed of amino acids, perform various biological functions in the body. Certain peptides specifically block the production of DHT or reduce its effectiveness. When these peptides succeed, they promote the hair growth phase by removing DHT's inhibitory effects, leading to naturally thicker and fuller hair.
Beyond targeting DHT, many hair growth products include caffeine derived from coffee and botanical oil extracts such as peppermint, chilli, basil, and rosemary. These ingredients are known for their stimulating qualities that promote thicker, healthier hair. Notably, recent studies have shown that rosemary is particularly effective, comparable to Minoxidil – the active ingredient in the hair rejuvenation product Regaine – in encouraging hair growth.
Finally, thickening shampoos and conditioners will often employ easy-to-absorb hydrolyzed proteins to fortify the hair strand, which are broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids. These ingredients add volume and bulk to thinning hair strands hydrating and swelling the hair shaft, improving its ability to retain moisture. As a result, hair looks fuller and healthier, strengthened and enhanced of its shine. Firsthand Supply’s Hydrating Shampoo utilises rice proteins, while Baxter of California's Fortifying Shampoo employs wheat proteins for an equivalent effect.
Products for Hair Loss and Thinning Hair
Those with thinning hair have many effective options at their disposal.
Patricks’ range of hair products are actively designed for this problem, and are at the cutting edge when it comes to thinning hair and hair loss. For this reason they deserve our attention. With a patented Patricks Recovery Compound (PRC) featuring a scientifically focussed melange of peptides, botanical extracts such as rosemary and caffeine, and UV protectors featured in all of their products, it’s a no brainer.
Patrick’s CD+ Ultra Thickening Conditioner is much the same, designed to complement this shampoo with its softening properties, while boosting its effectiveness. It reinforces existing hair mass while promoting growth. They weren’t kidding when they called it ‘ultra thickening’.
And like a shot of wheatgrass added to your smoothie, the RD1 Anti Hairloss Spray is the most potent product in the Patrick’s range - which targets all phases of the hair growth cycles to promote growth and hair density while blocking DHT. Its spray formula utilises sea salt for texture and the appearance of volume. Use this before you style your hair with Patrick’s M1 Thickening Paste, which is compounded with PRC, but also creates a sense of thickness as the paste swells the hair shaft. This product stands by and large alone as it works at invigorating and repairing the hair and scalp throughout the day.
Matters of Style: Styling Products for Hair Loss and Thinning Hair
Volume is your friend - maximise it. Gleodream Texture Powder from Shear Revival uses a number of natural bulking agents to add immediate thickness (and texture) to the hair with a dry matte finish. This includes kaolin and bentonite clays, silica, and arrowroot powder. This inherently has dry shampoo qualities, as it draws out excess oil from the hair and scalp too. With its shaker tube, tap some product into clean dry hair and disperse, finishing with a pomade if you desire hold and style.
Clay-based products are perfect, not only adding volume to the hair, but also making the hair appear more dense and less sparse with their matte finish. Separation and definition of the hair makes the hair appear more voluminous and lively. The Clay Pomade from Firsthand Supply offers a firm yet flexible long-lasting hold, with a matte and textured finish. Shear Revival’s American Gardens is another clay pomade option. Worked and warmed in the hands and ideally applied to towel-dried hair, both products boast an easy to wash out formula, enriched with quality essential oils for an improved wearing experience.