By stufflovely
In honor of our 2021 Allure Readers’ Choice Awards, we’re answering readers’ biggest and most-burning beauty questions in our new series, You Asked, We Answered. In this edition: solutions to your biggest hair-care concerns.
One thing 2020 taught us it’s that even in a disaster, we will always have time for beauty. Indeed, the global pandemic put a lot on us, and that includes the responsibility of our own beauty routines. With salons closed, then opened, and then, in some areas, closed again, over the past year people have had to resort to painting their own nails, giving themselves facials, and yes, even cutting and dyeing their own hair. Last year was a time of beauty exploration for many people, but that doesn’t mean that in all those hours of lockdown, everyone’s become an expert.
We surveyed Allure readers to find out their biggest beauty questions as part of our 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. Over 1,300 of you replied, asking us for tips relating to hair care, skin, and makeup. You still want to know how best to deal with some of your most pressing beauty issues, and luckily, we know quite a few folks who can help with that.
In the hair department, there are still questions about thinning, creating loose waves, and fixing your dandruff situation for good. We’re happy to help you figure it all out. Ahead, six of your most burning questions.
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1. I’ve noticed my hair is thinning. Is there anything I can do to stop the hair loss?
Thinning hair can be caused by a lot of different things: genetics, underlying medical issues, recent trauma, stress, and even styling habits. In order to discover the proper treatment, it’s best to first determine the root of the problem with the help of your dermatologist. A medical professional can do a hair count test, blood tests, and scalp examinations to better determine the source of hair loss.
As for treatments, minoxidil is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical nonprescription medication that can claim to regrow hair. You can find products with the formula in the drugstore, like Women’s Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam.
Many people often turn to supplements with biotin for hair growth, but professionals aren’t sure of its efficacy. “We don’t really have great data supporting its use,” board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry previously told Allure. “The original studies on biotin and hair were actually quite small; because of this, I don’t recommend very high doses of biotin.”
