The Bald Truth about Thinning Hair
by LEE NELSON
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Losing hair can be an emotionally distressing problem for anyone. Hair loss and hair thinning can happen to people of all ages for a myriad of reasons, including illness, medications, genetics, accidents, overprocessing, burns or even self hair-pulling.
The American Hair Loss Association has found that $3.5 billion is spent annually on products to slow down or stop hair loss, but 99 percent of those are ineffective for the majority of users.
“There are ways to help camouflage thinning hair,” says Cindy Mitchell, stylist at Studio C Salon and Spa in Huntley. “But you have to use lighter products such as a mousse that is applied to roots... .
Shorter hair with layers will help volumize hair rather than just wearing it [at] one length.”
As a stylist, Mitchell has helped men and women understand that they are not alone and there are ways to visually change thinning hair or bald areas.
“Sometimes, just hair blowing your hair upside down with a round brush or using Velcro rollers to add volume and lift can do the trick,” Mitchell says.
“Root lifters and spray gels can be good, too, ifthey aren’t too heavy. And when shampooing, always use a volumizing product with a conditioner or creme rinse. Learn to shampoo the head, not the hair. Put the shampoo in your hand and rub together until it foams up. Then place it on your head.”
Some women choose to use hair pieces, extensions and wigs.
There also are more inexpensive ways to make thinning hair appear bigger, stronger and healthier.
Mitchell suggests talking with a hair stylist about ways to increase the thickness and appearance of existing hair. Ideas include:
• Coloring hair with permanent or highlighting color, which swells up the cuticle and makes hair look bigger
• Using volumizing products to boost the hair shaft size, but avoid those with paraffin, which causes buildup
• Asking for a shorter haircut that lifts hair up and frames the face. A razor cut with a blunt cut incorporated can add texture throughout the head
• Having a professional stylist give a gentle body wave can help; hair must be healthy for this procedure to work
• Adding hair extensions made with human hair, which can add length and fullness and can be customized to areas on the head where thinning hair or balding exist
For those wanting to try hair-growth products, the AHLA recommends only purchasing those approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Rogaine or Propecia are marketed as a treatment for male pattern baldness or hair loss. Clinical studies at the University of Maryland Medical Center show that 83 percent of male patients experience hair growth after taking Propecia for a year. Rogaine studies show that 60 percent of men and women experience air regrowth after using those products.
Lori Irsay, a nationally recognized expert in hair replacement, helps clients find the best solutions to their hair loss and hair thinning problems. She has 30 years of experience in the profession and opened Salon 475 and LAS in Highland Park and Look Alike Solutions in Algoma, Wis.
“There are so many options,” she says.
“There is not a blanket statement for everyone who has hair loss and what can be done to help them.”
Irsay does a comprehensive profile and consultation with her clients. The reason for their hair loss helps her determine what type of products she can use and what method would suit their lifestyle and their health better.
“I can do weaving, bonding, integration or a full wig,” she says.
“But many come to me with what I call skinny hair.”
Many times, women with skinny hair have thyroid disease and need to go get a blood test, she says.
Irsay also employs her own wig maker to make special effects to help those in need, and she works with 17 different wig vendors that offer human and synthetic hair.
Through the years, she has learned how to work with different variations of hair color and hair cuts to give the effect of thicker hair, which can save her clients a lot of money. Wigs start at $300 and can run more than $5,500 for vacuum wigs that are custom fit.
“People need to know that there are options out there,” Irsay says.
“They don’t have to live without a beautiful head of hair.”
