My Hair Loss & Regrowth Story: Favorite Products for Thinning Hair

I have been struggling with hair loss and thinning since my 20s and based on the amount of DMs I receive anytime I discuss the topic, I know I’m not alone. There have been three occasions in my life when my hair was literally falling out in clumps. Sure, we go through a natural shedding process a few times a year and we may see a few extra strands in our comb, but this was different. Anytime I had to wash and dry my hair during these periods, it was especially rough and there were times that I would stand in the shower and cry. The first time I experienced this severe hair loss was during a very bad break up at the age of 25. Next was when I had Wells and was postpartum, battling PPD, and had two children under two. My third experience with severe hair loss was post-covid. Over the years I have consulted with dermatologists, salon specialists and my doctor. I had tests run on several things, primarily my thyroid. In the end, most of it came down to stress. After all of these consultations and trying out many different hair loss remedies, I’ve finally found some hair loss products and lifestyle changes that have worked for me. In this post I’m going to share my favorite products for thinning hair and some of theses simple lifestyle changes for hair loss in hopes that it might be helpful to other women as well.

Seeing a Doctor for Hair Loss

Before I jump in and begin recommending products, I highly suggest that if you’re struggling with serious hair loss your first step should be scheduling a visit to the doctor to rule out any underlying conditions. Once we determined most of my hair thinning was due to stress, then I started researching and testing out different hair loss solutions. Thankfully, a lot of my hair has regrown and I now focus on keeping my hair healthy and preventing future hair loss. Sort of like botox, but for the scalp!

Best Supplements for Hair Loss

I know many women swear by biotin for hair growth, but personally, it didn’t seem to do much for me. Instead, I have found two other hair growth supplements that have made a significant difference in my hair.

1. Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplement: These daily hair growth supplements are physician-formulated with medical-grade, natural ingredients that target the root causes of thinning, such as stress, lifestyle and nutrition. I have been taking 4 capsules before bed each night and have been very pleased with the results combined with my other vitamins and minerals.

Best Topicals for Thinning Hair

1. divi Scalp Serum: This scalp serum is infused with multiple amino acids and peptides to detox follicle buildup, support thicker hair, and encourage overall scalp health. I use this lightweight scalp serum morning and night and absolutely love it! I found that the best way to apply this serum is to use the dropper and apply directly onto the problem areas on your scalp, for me that includes my temples and the base of my part. I feel like if you apply the serum to your hands and then rub onto scalp it is actually wasteful because the product absorbs so quickly.

2. Nioxin Shampoo & Conditioner System: There’s a reason why the Nioxin hair system has been recommended for thinning hair for so many years, it’s simply that good! My physician actually recommended it to me over 10 years ago and I’m still using it today! What is so great about this shampoo and conditioner system for thinning hair is that it has different formulas made specifically for different types of hair such as natural, processed, bleached, etc. Personally, I use Nioxin system 3. I also wash my hair with Olaplex from time to time for extra nourishment.

3. It’s a 10 Haircare Silk Express & Color Wow Dreamcoat (Leave-In Conditioners & Detanglers): I spray each of these nourishing haircare products in my hair after a shower, comb, and go! I love that they fight frizz, protect my hair and nourish it without weighing it down.

Best Styling Tools for Thinning Hair

1. Go Green Wet Brush: I have purchased other wet brushes over the years and ended up throwing them away. I finally feel like I’ve found the perfect wet brush for my hair with the Go Green brush! It gently loosens any knots and tangles without pulling or snagging. They are actually hard to find sometimes, so if you’re looking for one and it’s in stock, I would suggest grabbing it while you can!

2. Dyson Air Wrap: I know, I know, this is an expensive product. But I promise you, it’s a total game-changer! I was hesitant to splurge on this item and even tried out similar products before making the investment, including the Revlon styling brush. Unfortunately, I lost so much hair while using the Revlon brush, as its bristles were too dense for my fine hair. So, I decided to try out the Dyson Air Wrap and it was absolutely worth the investment. It comes with a round brush attachment that never damages my hair and I appreciate being able to lower the heat setting to medium to avoid using too much heat in one time period.

3. Slip Silk Scrunchies: These are the ultimate damage-free hair ties and scrunchies. They are made from a special slipsilk material that protects your hair during the day and is also safe to sleep in. I find they create less of a crease in your hair after waking in comparison to other products. I do use Teleties every now and then as well, but Slip Silk have been the best at protecting my hair from damage.

Tips for Damaged and Thinning Hair

While struggling with hair loss and thinning for over 10 years, I have tried out many different products, remedies and lifestyle changes to attempt to fix the problem. In addition to the products mentioned above, these beauty habits and lifestyle changes have been the most successful for my hair regrowth.

1. Let your hair air dry a few days a week, especially in the summer. Minimizing the heat can do wonders for your hair, simply embrace the mess!

2. Switch up your part to give it a rest. It’s common for people to lose hair along their part line, especially if it’s been in the same location for many years. Give your part a break and change it up.

3. Do not overdo it with dry shampoo. Dry shampoo can work wonders, but it is also designed to strip your hair of its healthy oils. Daily use can leave your hair follicles and shaft so dry that they break. 

4. If coloring your hair, go to a hair colorist who uses ammonia-free color. I made a switch in salons for this specific reason and my hair feels much healthier from root to tip with this method.

5. I’m sure everyone already knows this, but a healthy diet is paramount as well. My doctor recommended adding more nuts, avocados, eggs, leafy greens and fatty fish to my diet to help prevent hair loss.

Products that did NOT Work for my Hair Loss

Of course, there were bound to be some products that did not work for me along the way. That is not to say that these products won’t work for others with thinning hair, but from my experience I would not recommend them.

• Keranique Regrowth Treatments

• Biotin

• Vital Proteins 

• OUAI Supplements 

• Rogaine

Personal Experiences with Hair Loss and Regrowth

I hope that sharing my personal hair loss and regrowth journey has helped anyone who might be struggling with the same. I know how frustrating and difficult it can be as a woman who has dealt with thinning hair since my 20s. I’m happy to share my story and product recommendations in hopes that it can help others. Have you tried any of these products? Do you have other hair thinning and regrowth products that you love and would recommend? If so, I would love it if you shared them in the comments below! Your experience and recommendations could help someone else struggling with the same thing!