Never heard of this problem; need help

[EnvyMachinery]

For years now, I've noticed that my hair is not quite normal. At first I thought that I simply had a thing spot on my head, and I have tried a lot of things with the hopes of fixing it, but a few weeks back I finally realized what the problem really is. I simply have significantly less hair than normal people. In my efforts to search for possible solutions, it's really difficult to phrase my problem into a question. My problem is that I don't have enough follicles, so searching for fixes results in ads telling me how to regrow follicles.

Is anyone here familiar with this kind of thing? Is there anything reliable I can do to grow new follicles?

[coneyisland]

Welcome, EnvyMachinery.

I gather that the thin spot has not always been as thin. Before the thin spot thinned, had there been any sort of chemical processing of your hair? What about tight hairstyles that would have stressed the roots there?

Is it in a place such that it might be characteristic of some familial pattern baldness?

Some whose hair has been lost or thinned by processing or tight hairstyles have reported improvement (some regrowth) with regular application of castor oil, especially the Jamaican black castor oil.

[katsrevenge]

Another thing to keep in mind is that hair comes in lots of different thicknesses.

[xoxophelia]

Outside of genetics:
-make sure your scalp is clean with no skin problems (no excessive build up, flaking, scabby, bad scalp acne, no fungal infections)
-maintain a healthy diet (get enough protein, stay hydrated, enough vitamins, general physical activity)
-if you have accompanying symptoms get checked for a possible thyroid disorder or other medical conditions like low iron levels (can be caused by heavy and long periods)
-get enough sleep and ample rest if you become ill

Besides those things... as far as I know, you would have to chalk it up to genetics and then learn to make the best of your natural hair. It may really not be as bad as you think it is. A lot of the time if you learn a few haircare tricks you would be amazed at what a difference the changes can make. For example, you could be using conditioner that is too heavy and on the roots so your aren't getting as much body as you could be.

Consider if any of those things could be the culprit but keep in mind thinner hair is also beautiful .. in fact, I personally prefer it :).. It can be more like a thin silk veil instead of a huge cotton towel

[torrilin]

If you can make a ponytail, measure it. Average hair thickness ranges from a 2" ponytail circumference on up to about 4". If your ponytail is less than 2" and you don't have bangs or layers that won't fit into a ponytail, your hair is somewhat thinner than average.

If you look at the hair types on this board, you'll see most people are classed as a ii. That's average thickness :). Some people do have thinner than average hair and are i thickness. And others have thicker than average hair and are typed as a iii. For the most part, your thickness is genetic. If you're in good physical shape and you don't have any deficiency diseases (iron deficiency or vitamin D deficiency is common, and both of those can affect your hair) and you don't have any hormone disorders like hypothyroid... chances are there isn't anything wrong with you, and your hair is just your hair.

If you've had a big change in thickness tho, there could very well be something physically wrong, and you should start by seeing a doctor. My hair's thickness can change about 1/2" from day to day, so I'd need to have a change that's a good bit bigger than that for it to be worth bugging my doctor. And by the time I lost 1" or more of hair, well... any physical problem would be pretty well established, so it could quite reasonably take 6-12 months to see the effects of treatment.

[spidermom]

I don't think there is anything you can do to grow more follicles, but with good health and good habits, you can bring out the best in the hair that you do have.

There is a lot of variation in thickness between individuals. My DD's best friend has single ponytail thickness less than half of one of my daughter's two ponytails. So she'll never grow it longer than shoulder length because she thinks it's much too thin to be longer. It seems a good choice for her.

[EnvyMachinery]

I probably should have mentioned that I'm male. I ah, don't get periods, so yeah.

Ahem, anyway, I'm pretty sure it's genetic because my mother's hair is apparently the same way. I don't know when it got to the point where she needed procedures (she wears some kind of wig or something now), especially since her hair looks fine in old photos. I really don't know how my hair used to look growing up, as I first noticed my thinness in 9th grade.

I always had short hair until just about a year ago when I started growing it. One of the first things I posted about when I joined is what the measurements for hair thickness meant. I wouldn't know how to measure a pony circumference either. I've been meaning to get argon oil for a couple months now, but I couldn't find any in Walmart when I was looking. I'm really new to all of this beauty stuff.

[Mesmerise]

I must admit I checked to see your gender first as I was wondering if you were just suffering from early male pattern baldness.

Do you find that it's thinner around the hairline or crown of your head, and maybe thicker at the back? It is possible that your mother suffered the same thing (less common in women, but it still occurs) which could account for why you started thinning at such a young age.

Have you tried something like Rogaine? It is something you need to keep using forever, but I'm not sure there's much else you can do if you are just balding prematurely.

To measure your hair's circumference. Put your hair in a low ponytail (if it'll all fit) and then just put a tape measure around it (or use a string, and then measure the length of string).

[EnvyMachinery]

Yes, the thinner patch is at the crown of my head, but it's not typical baldness because it doesn't progress. As I said, I don't remember when it started, but it has not increased or decreased since I first noticed it (in 9th grade).

I've tried Rogaine before; once with the standard liquid application last year (which I hated and stopped using after about a month because it would basically just spill down my head), and once more a few months ago (the foam application). I used the latter for a month straight and it didn't have any noticeable effect, so I stopped using it. I think I still have another month's supply.

It might also be worth noting that, while my father doesn't recall this happening, I clearly remember an incident that took place when I was a toddler where a bookshelf fell on me and a small chunk of my head was severed. I asked my sister about it once a few years ago and she said she remembers it. I also have a spot on my head that's slightly indented.

[EnvyMachinery]

Er, bump...

[leslissocool]

Yes, the thinner patch is at the crown of my head, but it's not typical baldness because it doesn't progress. As I said, I don't remember when it started, but it has not increased or decreased since I first noticed it (in 9th grade).

I've tried Rogaine before; once with the standard liquid application last year (which I hated and stopped using after about a month because it would basically just spill down my head), and once more a few months ago (the foam application). I used the latter for a month straight and it didn't have any noticeable effect, so I stopped using it. I think I still have another month's supply.

It might also be worth noting that, while my father doesn't recall this happening, I clearly remember an incident that took place when I was a toddler where a bookshelf fell on me and a small chunk of my head was severed. I asked my sister about it once a few years ago and she said she remembers it. I also have a spot on my head that's slightly indented.

It could be scarring, I'd suggest though you make absolutely sure you diet and health is top notch (enough protein is a huge factor, eating enough vegetables and drinking water) and get a metal "massage" thing (I got mine for like, 3 bucks) and start doing scalp massages ( metal ones work best IMO, I also have a hard plastic one I massage quite vividly until I my scalp get warm). They are great to reduce stress (which causes thinning) and it might encourage growth.

I'd also start using castor oil on the scalp. I had alopecia while pregnant, I used castor oil and the bald patch grew quick and full.

[tinywife]

You might try scritching, in case there are any hairs still trying to grow but trapped under the surface.

[BeckyAH]

If you have a scar there, it's not going to grow hair - or as much hair, and that's likely your problem. I also don't think there's much you can do about it, short of something like surgery where they move follicles from your nape hairline to the place you want more hair.

[torrilin]

I probably should have mentioned that I'm male. I ah, don't get periods, so yeah.

*rofl* Dude, everyone has a thyroid gland. You'd be dead if you didn't, or on drugs for it. Not all hormones are sex hormones, and the most common hormone disorders are stuff like hypothyroid or diabetes... and anything to do with hormones can affect your hair. (tho I'll admit it is unusual for diabetes to have a strong effect on hair)

Plus, guys can get their sex hormones out of whack just as much as women can. Same with deficiency diseases. It's always worth starting with the stupid and basic medical stuff, because doctors don't check things like vitamin levels and mineral levels routinely, and they can cause *really* nasty health problems.

Anyway, male pattern baldness would typically start in late puberty. In the version that runs in my family, you'd be bald as an egg by 30, but not all families have the exact same male pattern gene, and some take longer. (fortunately 1) I'm female and 2) the gene is on my dad's side and 3) he lucked out and did not inherit it... and there's some reason to believe it was actually wandering around as a double dose) Given your background, this seems mildly unlikely as a cause. It seems a lot more probable that your hair is just, y'know... hair. On a lot of people, fine hair can end up looking like nothing much, or even like you're balding, even if you've got enough hair for 6 people.

I'd suggest looking at the fine and thin hair thread if you haven't. Not everyone's hair is the same, even tho advertisers would love for us to believe that.

[Fantak]

Ignore that just read your post :p

[Dragon Faery]

I second the scalp massages and castor oil. Even if it's genetic, it can't hurt. :)
If it's scar tissue, it probably won't help, but it might thicken up the surrounding area to make it less noticeable.
It could be a combination of factors. You mentioned your mom had less hair. If you have the same thing, it could be partially genetic. You mentioned the injury, which could be simply making it worse wherever there's scar tissue.
As far as genetics goes, I think it's entirely possible to "cheat" a "genetic" problem. What I mean is, if you have a predisposition to a certain trait (like thinning hair), you can potentially change that by paying attention to your health, diet, and exercise, and by doing little extra things to counteract that trait. It may not work, but then again, you never know until you try.

Castor oil should be available at walmart, probably in the laxatives section. It should be available at any drugstore, as well, also in the laxatives. In health food stores, it's usually in the skin oils section, which is often near an aromatherapy/essential oils section. (Often near the checkout.) If you decide to try this, checking out the castor oil thread on the forum and reading the most recent 5-10 pages should be helpful.

You can try mixing the castor oil with other oils that are supposed to be good for hair growth. Avocado oil is thought to be helpful, as is coconut oil. You can find coconut oil in the cooking section, but not at walmart. Avocado oil will be in the oils section at a health food store.

You can try adding essential oils, as well. Just a few drops, though, mixed with a carrier oil (castor, avocado, coconut, etc), as these can burn your skin if not diluted a lot. Clary Sage essential oil is supposed to be good for stimulating hair growth (I haven't tried it as it's expensive), and Burdock Root, Rosemary Officinalis, Basil, and Peppermint oils are supposed to be good, as well. I've had good results with gaining hair at the thin places on my temples plus nearly doubling my overall hair thickness by using castor oil mixed with various other oils (usually almond, avocado, or coconut) and adding a few drops of basil, peppermint, and rosemary per ounce.

I also second the advice to get your health checked out. There may be a simple (or complicated) fix, or numerous small problems may be adding up to less hair production. Health problems tend to show up in the hair first, as it's the body's last priority.

Good luck!

[barely.there]

Could be just genetics buddy. My step brother's hairline is slowly receding and thinning out; his father is bald. It started a few years ago when he was 17.

Other than that, take care of your health.

[WickedWurlys]

Had a thought...you might wanna try MSM since alot of posters here report not only hair growth, but more importantly, thicker hair. Somy thinking is if that really is scar tissue then it won't regrow, but if the rest of your hair gets actually thicker yhen it can cover it and blend it. Maybe worth a shot :agree:

[Allychan]

I'd look into some of the research into Iodine. I read one study a while ago that mentioned it aided the regrowth of hair follicles out of scar tissue. Worth a try, I use it on my hair, mine is quite dark. I'd suggest getting the decolourised stuff though as the yellow dye would show up all over your scalp and enquiring minds may ask awkward questions!
The over production of DHT (part of the testosterone production) can cause hairloss. You can counteract this with:Ayurvedic herbal treatments with scalp massage, castor oil scalp treatments and eating pumpkin seeds (they lower production of DHT)
Best of luck.

[EnvyMachinery]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. My mom said that my hair was much thicker when I was a child and my hair thinned around puberty, but I'm still quite certain that it hasn't gotten worse since then. Hopefully a dermatologist can tell me more (and my insurance covers it).