My Hair is Very Thin from Hair Breakage, Can You Help?'

Ayesha

Question: I’ve been experiencing hair breakage for many years now my hair is very thin and they break whenever i comb. I am so frustrated I need some advice regarding the issue.

Answer: Hi Ayesha. First you need to look at what is causing the hair breakage as, in order to find the right treatment, the cause of the damage needs to first be established.

This is generally due to over-styling, or frequent use of heated styling tools, so consider your haircare routine and how you style your hair. Even if you don't use things like hair straighteners, it may be as simple as daily blow-drying at too high a temperature that is causing your hair to become brittle and snap.

You mention that your hair is now very thin. This could be due to the breakage, which can give the appearance of thinning and slightly frizzy hair, although it is not usually seen to an extent that would be described as 'very thin'. It may be the case that you are experiencing a hair loss condition in addition to your hair breakage.

There are many reasons for thinning hair in women including stress, a lack of certain vitamins and minerals in the diet, and hormonal changes. These can lead to conditions such as Telogen Effluvium, which causes the hair to thin all over the scalp, or Chronic Telogen Effluvium which is a more extreme version of Telogen Effluvium and lasts for at least six months. Female Pattern Hair Loss, which is a genetic condition, also causes thinning but is restricted to the top of the scalp and the temples.

You can deal with the hair breakage by addressing the root cause of the problem - for instance turning your hair-dryer to a lower heat setting, or leaving your hair to air dry occasionally to give it a break. Once you have identified and dealt with this issue you should visit a hairdresser to get a haircut that removes as much of the damaged hair as possible. You should also investigate professional strengthening and nourishing treatments, whether in-salon or for at-home use.

Treat your hair to a cut, some cosmetic pampering and back it up with a dietary supplement such as Hair Vitalics, to improve your hair's health and condition from the inside, and it should be back to normal soon. In severe cases, a course of minoxidil may be necessary so we would also recommend that you visit a hair loss specialist for a full assessment.

That way, they can establish the precise cause of your thinning and, where necessary, recommend the most effective hair loss treatment programme to prevent further shedding, and hair growth boosters to help promote healthy regrowth.