Tressed out: Is your hair thinning?

SALON SOLUTIONS
To make the most of what you have, there are specialty shampoos, such as Ducray Anaphase, which strengthens the hair shaft with a vitamin B recipe, and Frédéric Fekkai’s four-piece MORE line, made with a nourishing niacin (vitamin B³) complex. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2005 found that female subjects who had pattern hair loss showed “a statistically significant increase in hair fullness” after using topical niacin derivatives for six months. “The MORE system removes DHT buildup, which is known to cause thinning of the hair,” explains celebrity stylist Fekkai. “In addition, the products increase oxygenation, which stimulates the scalp.” Your cut can also make a difference. “I find that layers add fullness to the hair, since you don’t see as much of the scalp,” says Fekkai. Likewise, if you colour your hair, avoid overly h dark hues that contrast too much with your scalp.

Camouflage also comes in a variety of wigs, extensions and “partials” that can be blended into existing hair. (But take note: Too-tight extensions can cause traction alopecia, another type of hair loss.) Elline Surianello, who began losing her own hair at age nine, launched the LeMetric Hair Center network of hair salons after failing to find a natural-looking solution for herself. “The biggest misconception about hair loss is that it’s a sickness or an illness, but it’s not,” says Surianello. “It’s a cosmetic problem and the end result [of certain health conditions]. When it starts changing how you live your life, that’s when you have to take some type of action.” At her salons, including the Cerilli Beauty Centre in Richmond Hill, Ont., each client must provide a health profile before a custom hairpiece is made for her. The hairpiece is meticulously hand-tied into existing hair, boosting volume strand by strand. With proper maintenance, it lasts two to four years. Depending on the specific needs, a hairpiece costs anywhere  from $800 to $3,200.

'Layers add fullness to the hair, since you don’t see as much of the scalp,' says hair stylist Frédéric Fekkai