My Hair Feels Thinner Than It Used To... Here's What I've Changed
If you'd told me ten years ago that I'd be writing about thinning hair, I'd probably have laughed.
I've always had what I'd describe as "reasonably thick" hair. Not the kind people stopped me in the street to admire, but certainly enough that I never really thought about it. If anything, I spent years wishing it was less unruly.
Fast forward to my fifties and, like so many women, I started to notice little changes.
It wasn't that I suddenly had bald patches or dramatic hair loss. It was much more subtle than that.
My ponytail felt thinner.
My sides looked flatter.
Styling became for of an effort and didn't really hold for long.
Photos became the biggest giveaway. My hair just didn't look as full as I remembered.
Sound familiar?
You're certainly not alone.
I realised I needed to stop chasing the hair I had at 30
For years I'd worn my hair long, usually with around 100–150g of extensions to add length and thickness.
I started out with a full head of stick tip extensions at 22" long and after a few years switched to 22" tape extensions, dropping to 18" towards the end of my 40's.
I loved long hair.
But over time something changed.
The extensions felt heavy, I felt so much hair my face look tired and drawn and quite frankly, the upkeep took up the best part of my week.
I found it harder to think of styles and spent most of my time walking around with my hair scraped back off my face.
As the grey hairs became more noticeable, I found myself having to lighten my natural hair more and more often to blend them in.
I wanted to reduce the amount of bleaching my own hair was exposed to, so I started thinking differently about my colour and my extensions.
Then I made what felt like quite a brave decision.
I cut it! After years of longer hair, I went for a long bob that just skims my shoulders.
I honestly wondered whether I'd regret it. Instead, I absolutely loved it.
Less hair actually gave me more confidence.
Rather than trying to recreate the thick, long hair I had years ago, I decided to work with what my hair needed now.
Instead of wearing lots of extensions throughout my head, I switched to just 20 Invisible Tape Extensions, cut to 14 inches instead of my usual 18.
I chose a beautiful light brown and blonde balayage shade (Rooted Supermodel).
This meant I only needed to highlight my own T-section, while the extensions added the lighter tones through the rest of my hair. It reduced the amount of bleach my natural hair needed and created a much softer, more dimensional colour.
Even better?
Because the tapes were placed strategically around my face and through the sides, where I'd noticed the thinning the most, they created fullness exactly where I needed it.
Not everywhere.
Just where it mattered.
The unexpected things I noticed
There were a few pleasant surprises.
Firstly, having fewer extensions made my hair feel much lighter.
Secondly, and I know many extension wearers will understand this, my own hair actually seemed happier.
Because I wasn't heat styling my natural hair as much, I noticed less breakage over time.
The extensions held the style for me.
My own hair got a bit of a break.
The shorter cut also seemed to lift my face. I can't explain the science behind it, but I lost count of the number of people who asked if I'd had "something done."
Nope.
Just a haircut.
Sometimes the right hairstyle is more flattering than simply having longer hair.
My haircare routine has become much simpler
One thing I have become much more disciplined about is how I look after my hair.
I only wash it two or three times a week now.
I always use our Hair Rehab Sulphate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner because they're gentle on both my own hair and my extensions.
And if there's one product I genuinely wouldn't be without, it's our Miracle Protein Heat Protection Spray.
I use it every single time I dry or style my hair.
Religiously.
Outside of Hair Rehab products, there's another product I have to give credit to because I believe in being honest about what I use.
I've have been a long term user of John Freida Volume Lift and after trying numerous other brands have never found anything that comes close to achieving the root lift this product does and now I've become slightly obsessed with the John Frieda Thickening Spray.
After washing, I spray it into my roots before blow drying and it gives me volume that genuinely lasts for days.
If you've got fine hair around the crown, it's well worth trying.
I've stopped fighting my hair
These days I'm going through a bit of a beach wave phase.
I dug out my five year old Babyliss Waver and now use it a couple of times a week and that's about it.
One thing I've always found fascinating is how much better extensions hold a style than my own hair.
I don't know the science behind it.
I just know that if I wave my own hair, it'll often start dropping by the afternoon.
The extensions?
They still look good the next day.
Which means less heat.
Less styling.
Less damage.
When I really want extra volume...
For special occasions, I still have my trusty Clip-In Extensions.
They're exactly the same shade as my Invisible Tapes and they've been professionally cut to blend seamlessly with my bob when I want that little bit of extra glamour. They are about an inch longer than my natural hair so I have the option of placing them high to match my bob or fitting them lower down my head when I want a bit of extra length.
The best part?
They're now coming up to two years old and have been trimmed to match my own long to shorter hair journey. I simply treat them to a Hair Rehab Hydrating Hair Mask every month, look after them properly, and they're still going strong.
It's probably one of the best investments I've made.
If your hair feels thinner than it used to...
Please know this.
You're not imagining it.
Hair changes as we get older.
Hormones change.
Texture changes.
Density changes.
But that doesn't mean you have to accept hair that makes you feel less like yourself.
I've learnt that the answer isn't always "more hair."
Sometimes it's:
- the right haircut,
- the right colour,
- extensions placed in the right places,
- products that genuinely protect your hair,
- and learning to work with your hair instead of against it.
At 52, my hair is very different to how it was at 32.
But, if I'm honest...
I think it looks better now than it did a few years ago.
Not because I have more hair.
Because I've finally learnt what my hair actually needs.
Helen (Director at Hair Rehab London) x
Have you noticed your hair changing too? I'd genuinely love to hear your experience. Please get in touch if you're not sure which type of extensions or hairpieces might be right for you. We're always happy to help.
