before the big guns...

alexandros · Aug 11, 2008

Right now I want a regime before hitting the big guns (minoxidil, finasteride) - if I do start noticing that I'm thinning I will start using these. Right now my hair seems relatively healthy but naturally thin also (always has been). Considering this I have always purchased hair products on their "thickening" properties. Right now I'm using Active M by Schwartzkopf for shampoo and Fish Gum matte gel for styling. It definitely makes my hair feel thicker. Also I have been using Tricologic by Wellman, which seems to make the hair grow faster and also it seems a bit healthier - expensive though. I was wondering if you know of any other maintenance or hair health treatments I might be able to use? I was looking at Alpecin caffeine shampoo as something that "prevents" hair loss and makes it easier to style the hair? I will definitely purchase if that's true!

Tdevil · Aug 11, 2008

I have been using GNC brand "Ultra Nourishhair" vitamins and Doo Grow brand scalp oil, both for about 7 years now. I love to BS myself by saying these things have slowed down my hair loss, but probably not. The vitamins make your hair grow like wildfire and the oil makes your scalp feel very healthy. The oil is a real mess to use, it runs down your face occasionally and is a general pain in the a** to use. But, after you wash the oil out it really makes your hair manageable and shiny. So I guess I can say the oil is worth the trouble using. I don't think either product has caused any regrowth though.

alexandros · Aug 14, 2008

I've been using the Alpecin C1 the past few days and it's worked really well. Really thickens up the hair compared to Schwartzkopf Active M. Of course I don't know if it actually helps to retain or anything...

alexandros · Aug 22, 2008

UPDATE - Alpecin seems to be working really well. I used to lose quite a lot of hairs in the shower (I guess about 50ish throughout the day). Now I lose maybe 10 in a day? It's weird though as it's only been one week, but it's definitely noticeable. I use a comb in the morning before styling my hair and hardly any hairs get caught. I've not had a haircut or anything so it must be the shampoo. Definitely going to stick with this one!

Was wondering though if there's anything in Active M that I should keep?

I have also been reading about Aveda products, thickening shampoos. Is it possible to use the caffeine shampoo, leave it on (to absorb the caffeine) and then use one of these thickening shampoos? Although C1 already leaves the hair quite thick.