My hair was thinning, so I asked an expert how to avoid hair loss in women. Here’s her advice on the best treatments, plus 13 hair product recommendations that can help

I never thought I would be Googling “why is my hair thinning?” in my late 20s. But a few months ago, I found myself scrolling through endless hair care TikToks and reading articles trying to figure out potential causes — and solutions.

While it’s normal to shed some hair daily, consistent hair thinning can be the result of underlying issues. And whatever the root cause, hair thinning can affect your mood, confidence and self-esteem.

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

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For me, it was when I noticed I was parting my hair differently to cover up hair loss that led me to start digging deeper. I tested several products and chatted with Toronto-based dermatologist Dr. Renée Beach to get an expert’s perspective.

If you’re also experiencing thinning hair, below, I break down causes, treatments and products that can make a difference.

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What causes hair loss and thinning in women?

The truth is, there isn’t one clear cut cause of hair thinning — but there are some common causes.

“The top causes are androgenetic alopecia — female pattern hair loss — and telogen effluvium, a type of hair shedding where people see the white bulbs of the hair,” says Beach.

“It’s estimated that androgenetic alopecia will affect about 40 to 50 per cent of women by their 40s, and that, at some point in their life, telogen effluvium will affect 70 per cent of women,” she explains.

Beach says telogen effluvium “can occur at a variety of ages” and can be triggered by a variety of events such as childbirth, bereavement, blood loss or low iron.

It’s easy to think hair thinning will start later in life, but it may just creep up earlier than expected, she continues.

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Common types of hair thinning:

The location of thinning can say a lot about the underlying causes. These are the most common areas where you might initially notice thinning:

• Crown: This is the top of the head where one’s scalp is more prominent. This is classic for androgenetic alopecia.

• Temples: You may spot recession here with both androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. When it happens due to telogen effluvium, fine baby hairs will grow back. When it happens in androgenetic alopecia, the vertex (area behind the crown) will also eventually start to thin.

• Hairline: This can thin out with traction alopecia.

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What are the most effective treatments for hair thinning?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but there are proven, science-backed treatments that can deliver results. One of the most well-studied and dermatologist-recommended treatments is minoxidil — which some may know as Rogaine or other similar brand names.

“5% minoxidil in lotion or foam format has good evidence provided it is applied twice daily and used for 6 months,” says Beach.

But, once you start, it requires daily and on-going use — unless you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

“This is the part that people find difficult to grasp — but just as how you would trim your nails weekly or go to the dentist semi-annually to maintain your teeth, retaining the hair means ongoing use of Rogaine [minoxidil] on some regular schedule,” emphasizes Beach. “It’s debatable what this schedule may be.”

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How to treat thinning hair: Key ingredients

One misconception is that you need to actually treat the hair. Beach says that’s not exactly the case.

“Hair itself is dead; it’s the scalp that is alive,” she explains.

In order to have healthy hair, it all starts at the scalp. The right ingredients can make all the difference when it comes to supporting hair growth.

Specific ingredients in hair treatments, shampoos and conditioners that you may want to look for include biotin for strengthening hair, caffeine to stimulate the scalp or saw palmetto to block hair thinning enzymes.

But that said, “none of these would replace minoxidil 5 per cent,” says Beach.

If you’re not ready to go with minoxidil yet, Beach suggests incorporating leave-in products with other key ingredients.

“Oftentimes, leave-on products will be more effective than something that is washed in and washed out,” she says.

Ingredients proven to help with hair growth and thickening:

• Various amino acids like arginine

For me personally, I worked with my doctor to determine my thinning was due to vitamin deficiencies. So I skipped minoxidil, and have been using the Nioxin Hair Fall Defense Serum every night, as well as the Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil two to three times a week before washing my hair — and I have seen some great progress so far.

After six weeks, I started noticing a difference. Less hair was falling out and I’ve noticed fuller, more voluminous strands. While it can take several months to fully restore hair density from thinning, early results are very encouraging.

By addressing my low vitamin levels and using targeted hair thinning products, I’ve already seen an improvement, but of course, as mentioned, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Always speak to your dermatologist or doctor to determine the cause of hair thinning and come up with a plan to improve your scalp and hair from there.

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13 best hair thinning solutions to shop in 2025

If you’re looking to target thinning hair, check out these treatments, including ones I have tested myself and seen progress with.

Best leave-in treatments for thinning hair

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Best shampoos for thinning hair

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Best conditioners for thinning hair

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