Does layering your hair make it look thinner or thicker....

[Phoenix]

....and how do you stop your hair from falling out?

So I had this great (not!) idea to colour my hair about 8 months or so ago and it's made it really dry. It's been really bugging me and I am letting it grow out. I've made an appointment with the hairdresser and am thinking of asking him to take off the dry bits and am leting my natural hair grow out. This, I imagine, would involve him layering my hair. So my question is would the layering make my hair look thinner or thicker? or should just ask him to cut it blunt?

Which brings me to the next issue. For the last 3-4 months, my hair has been falling out a lot, tons and tons. The truth is it has been thinning gradually for the last few years but the most recent 3-4 months have been the worst. I know that a person's hair is supposed to fall out naturally to the tune of a hundred or so strands a day. But I am talking several hundreds, my hair is everywhere, and my parting is widening and is running down to (the top at) the back of my head such that it appears that I am going slightly bald!! HELP!!

I know that stress (my mom's death in July and the subsequent trouble with my dad) is definitely a contributory factor but the fact that my hair has been thinning during the last few years is making me think that there is some other reason or reasons. A friend told me that it's because my hair is too greasy (and yes, the humid Singapore weather does not help). I wash my hair every morning (I have to, because otherwise you could fry chips on my hair, LOL!), but I also go to the gym almost everyday and am thinking that perhaps I should wash it twice a day, once in the morning before i leave the house and another time after my workout. I've tried all kinds of shampoo but they don't seem to do anything.

Pls help with any advice that you have. Thank you.

Btw, my hair is about 5 inches past my shoulders. It was down to my waist but I had it chopped off at the bottom a few weeks ago thinking that it'd help both of my problems. Alas, it hasn't!

 

[DiamanteBlu]

I don''t know about the layering. I suppose it would depend on the texture of the hair.

I had an issue with hair falling out at a rapid rate earlier this year. Very alarming. I thought it might be hormonal [I''m in my mid 50''s] so I did two things - I made sure that I consistently took nutritional supplements specifically targeted to women and I used a hair fitness preparation in conjunction with a galvanic tool. The problem seems to have gone away [it has been about 6 mos] and there is a lot of regrowth where it seemed to be thinning. I stopped using the hair stuff [too complicated!] but I make sure to take the supplements. BTW, my hair sounds to be about as long as yours. It is fine, wavy and there is a lot of it - and it is colored and layered.

Hope this helps.

DB

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Have you had your Thyroid levels checked? That can cause hair to fall out.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 11/22/2007 12:02:55 AM
Author: DiamanteBlu
I don't know about the layering. I suppose it would depend on the texture of the hair.

I had an issue with hair falling out at a rapid rate earlier this year. Very alarming. I thought it might be hormonal [I'm in my mid 50's] so I did two things - I made sure that I consistently took nutritional supplements specifically targeted to women and I used a hair fitness preparation in conjunction with a galvanic tool. The problem seems to have gone away [it has been about 6 mos] and there is a lot of regrowth where it seemed to be thinning. I stopped using the hair stuff [too complicated!] but I make sure to take the supplements. BTW, my hair sounds to be about as long as yours. It is fine, wavy and there is a lot of it - and it is colored and layered.

Hope this helps.

DB

Thank you for responding so quickly and for yr helpful advice.

May I ask: what nutritional supplements do you take? I take vitamin E (one or two a day), probiotics and salmon oil. And what hair fitness preparation did you use and btw what is a "galvanic tool" and how does it work?

Really appreciate your help.

Btw, yr hair sounds beautiful.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 11/22/2007 12:11:38 AM
Author: MC
Have you had your Thyroid levels checked? That can cause hair to fall out.

That''s a great idea! I just checked quickly on the internet and you''re right that it''s a possible cause! I wouldn''t have thought of it but it could very well be the cause or even if it isn''t, at least I''ll have eliminated it.

Off to the doctor''s tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[monarch64]

Alopecia comes to mind when you describe your hair loss. My mother has it, plus she''s been through a lot of stress over the last few years with my dad having been ill with cancer, so the combo of the two has caused her gorgeous thick hair to become very thin so that you can see a lot of her scalp. I think you should see a dermatologist as well as your regular doctor and undergo some testing to get to the bottom of this issue. Diet, stress, genes, health in general, all those things can contribute to hair loss, so it''s a good idea to see a doctor first.

Layering can make your hair appear fuller but it is dependent upon your hair''s texture. Your hairdresser should be able to guide you in the right direction with that. Good luck, LienTN, I hope you are able to resolve the problem.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 11/22/2007 12:19:06 AM
Author: monarch64
Alopecia comes to mind when you describe your hair loss. My mother has it, plus she''s been through a lot of stress over the last few years with my dad having been ill with cancer, so the combo of the two has caused her gorgeous thick hair to become very thin so that you can see a lot of her scalp. I think you should see a dermatologist as well as your regular doctor and undergo some testing to get to the bottom of this issue. Diet, stress, genes, health in general, all those things can contribute to hair loss, so it''s a good idea to see a doctor first.

Layering can make your hair appear fuller but it is dependent upon your hair''s texture. Your hairdresser should be able to guide you in the right direction with that. Good luck, LienTN, I hope you are able to resolve the problem.

Thanks, Monnie! I am sure stress has been one of the culprits, if not the main culprit. Genes is not an issue as both my parents have/ had full heads of hair as do my siblings! My hair used to be twice or even three times as thick as it is now (my mom used to complain how long it''d take her to comb my hair and put it into plaits (sp)!). My hair is not thick in texture like most Asians'' but rather fine (not as fine in texture as Causasians'' hair) and I used to have lots of it (yes, I know I am repeating myself, LOL!). My diet is fine but it could be better, still need to cut down on my alcohol intake! Sounds llike layering is the way to go then.

What kind of testing shall I be asking for? or should I just leave it entirely in the hands of the doctor and dermatologist?

 

[DiamanteBlu]

lienTN -
I composed a response to your question and wanted to send it to you instead of posting it since I don''t want to violate any rules. I have no clue how to send a private message [guess I''m still a newbie]. Can you [or anybody] enlighten me?
Thanks,
DB

 

[TravelingGal]

Lien, sorry to hear this! Leave it to the doc..they should be able to ask questions that narrows it down a bit. I do think layering helps, as well as styling products...but sometimes I feel doing all that stuff to hair makes it fall out even more (the styling products, not the cut).

Date: 11/22/2007 1:02:09 AM
Author: DiamanteBlu
lienTN -
I composed a response to your question and wanted to send it to you instead of posting it since I don''t want to violate any rules. I have no clue how to send a private message [guess I''m still a newbie]. Can you [or anybody] enlighten me?
Thanks,
DB

You can''t, as PS does not have a PM feature. You cannot post your email address either. You can check out the Forum Policies for more info.

 

[monarch64]

LienTN, if you google "female hair loss," several articles on the topic (besides the usual advertising) should come up for you. One MSN health article discusses the possible causes of female hair loss and (without going into great detail) does provide some good info.

Are you feeling well otherwise? When was the last time you saw your doctor for a good "physical" as well call it here in the US? (A check-up of your overall health, can involve bloodtests but they are not necessarily specifically testing you for any certain diseases). Hopefully some of the medical professionals here on PS will chime in and give their input on how to approach this issue with your docs.

I know Firegoddess and GingerB.Cookie are in the healthcare field, and I know there are several nurses here who are around from time to time. Maybe ask Andrey/PS Admin. to move this thread over to Family, Home, and Health and you may see more (and better) responses?

 

[DiamanteBlu]

No PM feature? Interesting. Thanks for the info. I thought it was me. Last time I couldn''t find something I was not looking in the right place! LOL!
DB

 

[Deelight]

Hey Lien,
Sorry to hear about your recent loss and the problems with your Dad

, I am sure better times are on their way .

In response to what you have written you said you coloured your hair what colour did you use in your hair did it have a high concentration of ammonia? that could possibly cause the dryness some hair colours out there are retched

. As for layering well it depends on the stylist and the cut I too have fine hair but LOTS of it so for me if i don't layer it it just hangs and looks BLEUGH the layering will allow it to have more movement and style and thus can create a fuller look (due to bounce and increased volume) with your hair falling out if you are feeling stressed it could be a contributing factor as your hormones could be seriously out of WACK you could try something like Nioxn that helps to re-stimulate the hair growth or take silica supplements that help to strengthen skin, nail and hair tissue definitely go to the doctor though to rule out any underlying health conditions . Skin conditions like dandruff and psyrosis (SP?) can also cause hair breakage from scratching and an irritated scalp a specialist shampoo and conditioner can help. As for the oiliness something like Kerastase oil bath could help with the re balancing of your scalp the wrong shampoo and conditioner can cause havoc on your hair and washing your hair everyday is not good as you can overstimulate the oil by stripping too much out. You might need to have a talk with your stylist about a good product - expensive is not always better though and it can be a little trial and error till you get it right.


GL

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 11/22/2007 1:02:09 AM
Author: DiamanteBlu
lienTN -
I composed a response to your question and wanted to send it to you instead of posting it since I don''t want to violate any rules. I have no clue how to send a private message [guess I''m still a newbie]. Can you [or anybody] enlighten me?
Thanks,
DB

DiamanteBlu,

That''s SO sweet of you!! I really appreciate that! It''s a shame that this is against the rules

. Thank you though.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 11/22/2007 1:07:22 AM
Author: monarch64
LienTN, if you google ''female hair loss,'' several articles on the topic (besides the usual advertising) should come up for you. One MSN health article discusses the possible causes of female hair loss and (without going into great detail) does provide some good info.

Are you feeling well otherwise? When was the last time you saw your doctor for a good ''physical'' as well call it here in the US? (A check-up of your overall health, can involve bloodtests but they are not necessarily specifically testing you for any certain diseases). Hopefully some of the medical professionals here on PS will chime in and give their input on how to approach this issue with your docs.

I know Firegoddess and GingerB.Cookie are in the healthcare field, and I know there are several nurses here who are around from time to time. Maybe ask Andrey/PS Admin. to move this thread over to Family, Home, and Health and you may see more (and better) responses?

Thanks for that, Monnie. I''ve read through several articles and certainly find them informative.

I am in good health, I think! My last physical was 2 years ago and everything was fine. I''ve been meaning to schedule another one soon.. I plan to ask the doctors to do tests for my thyroid and iron levels, if anything just to rule them out.

So sorry to hear about yr dad''s illness and yr mum''s stress.

 

[Phoenix]

Thank you, Andrey, for moving this thread to FHH, and so fast too!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 11/22/2007 1:05:07 AM
Author: TravelingGal
Lien, sorry to hear this! Leave it to the doc..they should be able to ask questions that narrows it down a bit. I do think layering helps, as well as styling products...but sometimes I feel doing all that stuff to hair makes it fall out even more (the styling products, not the cut).

Date: 11/22/2007 1:02:09 AM
Author: DiamanteBlu
lienTN -
I composed a response to your question and wanted to send it to you instead of posting it since I don''t want to violate any rules. I have no clue how to send a private message [guess I''m still a newbie]. Can you [or anybody] enlighten me?
Thanks,
DB

You can''t, as PS does not have a PM feature. You cannot post your email address either. You can check out the Forum Policies for more info.

Thank you, TG. I am going to get my hair cut and layered today, will report back to you gals! yay!!

Yeah, i am not much of a fan of too many styling products either. It''s prob because of my inability to use them, my hair''d always end up looking like a mess, lOL! better I just leave my hair well alone, au naturel, he he.

 

[Phoenix]

Well, I had my hair cut today. It''s fabulous!!

. Bloody expensive but totally worth it. Hopefully, if I only have it cut once every 3-4months, it wouldn''t be so bad. The layering certainly helps to make the hair look a bit fuller (and every little bit helps!

) and it looks a lot neater with most of the dry ends cut off, but still stylish and it does seem to have more movement too, yay! Thanks to DiamanteBlu, Monnie, TGal and Deelight for your great advice.

 

[moremoremore]

I see that you had it cut and that you love it! Congrats...

I was going to say that layering isn't always the solution for making hair look fuller...Most people think it does and that's not true for all hair types. I have very fine hair that has a wave to it and lots of choppy layers is a NIGHTMARE...the hair does NOT hold up the layers and it falls even more flat. Blunt edges can help to make fine hair fuller believe it or not. BUT, some chunky subtle layering that take the weight off of the top of my head definitely makes it fuller in my case.

Glad you like your new do!

 

[sera]

Date: 11/23/2007 9:52:10 AM
Author: lienTN
Well, I had my hair cut today. It''s fabulous!!

. Bloody expensive but totally worth it. Hopefully, if I only have it cut once every 3-4months, it wouldn''t be so bad. The layering certainly helps to make the hair look a bit fuller (and every little bit helps!

) and it looks a lot neater with most of the dry ends cut off, but still stylish and it does seem to have more movement too, yay! Thanks to DiamanteBlu, Monnie, TGal and Deelight for your great advice.

I just saw this thread and was going to recommend you not get it cut blunt (glad you didn''t) because it seems to me when people with dry hair have it cut blunt, it looks dryer- like a broom on their head.

A while back when I was going through a very stressful time, my hair started falling out. It freaked me out. Luckily, even though my hair is thin, I have a lot of it. When the stress started decreasing, the amount of hair falling out also decreased.

I''m glad you like your cut! Did he recommend some conditioning products? I love Abba Moisture Scentsation and Enjoy spray in conditioners.