5 Mistakes Women Make When Dealing with Hair Thinning (And What to Do Instead)
By: An Editor Who’s Been There
A few years ago, I started noticing some light hair thinning.
So, I googled all the mainstream remedies and tried them all one by one… I wasn’t expecting miracles, but a few months later I realized my hair loss was accelerating.
That’s when I decided to get serious. I spoke with a dermatologist, a trichologist (aka a scalp health expert), and did a deep dive into the science behind hair loss.
What I discovered shocked me. I was unknowingly sabotaging my own hair health. And if I was making these mistakes, chances are… you might be too.
Here are the five mistakes I was making and what finally helped me turn things around.
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Shampoo
I was spending $40+ on a “professional” shampoo thinking I was doing the right thing. But turns out, it was packed with sulfates, synthetic fragrance, and harsh detergents that were irritating my scalp and causing inflammation. And guess what? Inflammation is one of the top reasons women start losing hair.
🧠 Quick Fact:
Studies show that scalp inflammation can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to chronic shedding in both men and women.¹
Most shampoos totally miss the mark. They don’t calm inflammation or tackle some of the root causes of hair thinning—like stress, hormone shifts, product buildup, and poor scalp circulation. Once I switched to a formula with scalp-soothing, growth-supporting ingredients, everything changed. My hair started feeling stronger, looked fuller, and I finally felt like I was getting ahead of the excessive shedding and thinning.
What to do instead:
- Switch to a shampoo that supports real hair growth with proven ingredients like viola verecunda, rosemary, biotin, saw palmetto, and pumpkin seed oil. Ingredients this good do more than just cleanse. Together, they create the perfect environment for stronger, fuller hair to grow.
✨ Editor’s Pick: The Shampoo That Gave Me Stronger, Thicker Hair
I tried it all—vitamins, serums, expensive shampoos. Nothing worked. Then I found a formula that didn’t just clean my hair.
It actually helped.
A hairstylist friend of mine was the first to mention it. She said she’d started recommending it to clients with thinning hair, and they were actually seeing results. That got my attention.
The shampoo blends powerful ingredients: biotin, saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, and rosemary. But what really stood out was a rare herb I’d never heard of called Viola Veracunda.
🩺 Dermatologist Insight
“Products containing green tea catechins and plant-based extracts like Viola Verecunda can help improve scalp health and reduce inflammation—a key factor in maintaining hair density and vitality.”
— Dr. Ashley Magovern, Board-Certified Dermatologist
Here’s how they all work together to help you achieve fuller, thicker hair growth:
- Viola Veracunda helps soothe irritation and boosts circulation.
- Rosemary increases blood flow to the scalp, stimulating hair at the root.
- Biotin supports keratin production for thicker, stronger strands.
- Saw palmetto helps block DHT, the hormone often linked to thinning.
- Pumpkin seed oil delivers nourishing fatty acids and antioxidants that protect and feed the scalp.
The best part? This shampoo uses a natural blend of ingredients that work like minoxidil (yep, the active stuff in Rogaine)—but without the dryness, irritation, or harsh side effects.
I started noticing fresh new growth and stronger, healthier hair that actually felt like mine again.*
*According to a clinical study by the Skin Clinical Trial Center.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the Scalp
We obsess over our strands, but healthy hair starts at the root—literally. Think of your scalp like soil. If it’s dry, inflamed, or clogged with buildup, your follicles are basically suffocating. That can slow or completely block new hair growth. It’s not just about dandruff or oil—it’s about follicle function.
What To Do Instead: Treat your scalp like you treat your skin.
- Use a gentle scalp exfoliant 1–2x a week to lift buildup and dead skin.
- Massage daily (even just 2–3 minutes) to stimulate blood flow and deliver nutrients to the follicle.
- Moisturize with lightweight, non-comedogenic oils like rosemary, pumpkin seed, or jojoba.
Think of it this way: thriving roots grow thriving strands.
Mistake #3: Over Styling and Heat Damage
You might think it’s just a little frizz or breakage, but overstyling is one of the sneakiest culprits behind hair thinning. When your strands are constantly under pressure—from heat tools, tight styles, or chemicals—they weaken, break, and eventually fall out. If you’re trying to grow your hair back stronger, this is one habit you’ll want to rethink.
What to do instead:
- Go for protective, loose styles that don’t pull at the scalp.
- Use heat tools only when necessary—and always with a heat protectant.
- Swap cotton pillowcases for silk or satin to reduce friction overnight.
- And never ever brush wet hair with a regular brush—use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle gently.
Mistake #4: Skipping the Nutrition Side
Hair is one of the last places your body sends nutrients—so if you’re missing key vitamins, your hair takes the hit first. Deficiencies in iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D, or protein can all lead to thinning and slow growth.
What to do instead:
- Focus on whole foods: leafy greens, eggs, salmon, beans, berries.
- Stay hydrated—your scalp needs moisture too.
- Consider adding a hair-specific supplement with biotin, collagen, iron, and adaptogens like ashwagandha or reishi if you’re under a lot of stress.
Mistake #5: Expecting Overnight Results
Hair growth isn’t instant—and constantly jumping from product to product can backfire. Most treatments take at least 3 months to start showing visible results because of how the hair cycle works. That’s just science.
What to do instead: Stick with it
- Pick a solid routine and give it a minimum of 90 days.
- Track your progress with monthly photos.
- Celebrate small wins—less shedding, less itching, more volume.
Your hair is responding, even when you can’t see it yet. Consistency is the real secret sauce.
What Finally Worked for Me
Everything changed when I started looking at what was actually in my hair products. I swapped my shampoo for one with ingredients like rosemary, saw palmetto, and Viola Verecunda and kept the rest of my routine simple.
I also started paying closer attention to what I was feeding my body, focusing on nutrients that support healthy hair from the inside out. But most importantly, I stayed consistent.
It wasn’t some overnight miracle. But those small shifts? They added up.
Now my hair feels stronger, looks fuller, and I actually love what I see in the mirror.
If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated, just know this—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.
And if you’re ready to stop guessing and start growing…
Sources:
1. Peyravian N, Deo S, Daunert S, Jimenez JJ. The Inflammatory Aspect of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss. J Inflamm Res. 2020 Nov 10;13:879-881. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S275785. PMID: 33204138; PMCID: PMC7667670.
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