Hey all,

I have been looking online for a possible solution to my problem, and I have found NOTHING :( I am coming to you all now to see if there is hope for me.  :( I am 19, and I recently have noticed that my hair has, overall, thinned out. I can stick one hand at the back of it and it pokes straight through - that's how thin and straight it is. You can't see my scalp, it's not THAT bad, but it's long, thin, and raggedy. It's very unhealthy. I usually don't get trims regularly because the salon my family INSISTS that I go to is horrible - full of old women who only know older hairstyles, you know what I mean? Plus the head stylist never does what I ask. She always does what SHE wants.

Anyway, so I have two main issues with my hair:

1. Whenever I wash, no matter with what shampoo or how long I rinse, the right side of my hair is sticky and dirty feeling. The left side feels fine. This is a problem I've only really started having the last year or so. I don't think it's hard water, or the shampoo, because it happens like this at most places I wash my hair at. The only time my hair feels really clean is when I've had it washed at a salon. Since my hair is so straight and flat, you can imagine how it looks to have one clean, fluffy side and one nasty, sticky side that looks ridiculous.

2. Why does my hair feel like it's getting thin? I am not balding, but it sheds a lot and I am concerned about the health of my hair. I am overweight, and I know I am not getting the right vitamins, is this the reason? It is very long and needs to be trimmed, but it's so unhealthy and ragged at the ends. I am ashamed of it.

My hair has been dyed a number of times, odd colors and natural colors. I just dyed it with the L'Oreal Colour Rays in Red last Saturday. It felt remotely clean then. I just washed it, and I'm back at the drawing board. My hair falls flat against my cheeks and my head and it looks concave from being so thin, and I am really depressed about it. I don't know what to do. I want to go on a diet and all that but what else can I do for a quicker fix overall until I lose the weight?

Please help me..  :(

Thanks for reading.

Hi, Glamunition.  I like your screen name!

I'm at a loss on how to advise you.  The thing that comes to mind is perhaps you spend more time scrubbing the left side of your scalp and not so much on the right?  Do you sleep on your right side all the time?  Maybe some how you get that side of your head dirtier.

The thinning could be hereditary or hormonal.  Getting healthy is always a good idea, and may positively impact your hair.  Getting a trim would improve the way your hair looks and make you feel better.  Is there a mall near you where you might be able to get a trim?

I don't know if there is a quick fix.  Experimentation will be necessary.  I'd suggest not coloring your hair if you really want to get to the bottom of what's happening.

Please be sure to introduce yourself in the New Members section, and maybe start a journal to track your progress.

(((hugs))) Good Luck!

Sakina has hit a few key points.
You're obviously more proficient with your left hand while washing/rinsing your hair than your right. I'm left handed, so this is the case for me as well, and I've had to train my right hand to do what the left does when washing and rinsing. That or you're going to have to use your left hand more on the right side of your head to compensate.

Also, be aware of where you're putting product on that side. You might be putting conditioner or oil over there without meaning to.

Serious thinning at 19 is not normal, but it sounds as if you know this already. You also haven't mentioned this happening to any other family members, so it's looking like a hormonal imbalance or some other condition. Getting your hormones checked and visiting a dermatologist/trichologist could help.

It sounds as if your hair has gone through a lot and suffered a good deal of damage as a result. And I'm sorry to tell you but there is no miracle cure for that. The only solution would be cutting off all of the damaged hair and starting afresh, making sure to get regular trims afterward. Of course, if you're bent on using harsh colouring treatments forever, then long, healthy hair is not in your future.

You will definitely need to find someone else to trim your hair for you. Someone you can trust! If a stylist isn't willing to work with your goals, get the heck out of there and never go back! It helps to know someone who works independently or is going/has been through beauty school. These people are less likely to hack and highlight you to death.

But definitely do address your health first. If you're healthy, then your hair will be too.

I'll just throw in a couple other things here.....

Thinning hair at your age is not normal.  Most hair loss is due to hormones, health, heredity, stress or abuse.  You may be experiencing more than one of these.  You should know that thyroid problems can cause hair loss.  If you don't think any of the other possibilities are at fault, see your physician.

I know that I am late in this discussion, but you might ask your doctor about polycystic ovary syndrome.  The weight and hair problems are possible indicators.  If that is the problem, medication will help and you will feel much better.