In full effect: help for those with thinning hair, plus do's and don't's for keeping your strands superlush

When it comes to your hair, or your wallet, thin is never in. If you're like most women, losing one strand too many can cause a follicular freak-out session. To help you better understand what causes thinning hair, and to keep your mane thick and healthy, we asked a top dermatologist and a trichologist (a scalp and hair expert) to break down the common conditions and remedies.

Tress trauma: Hair that has abruptly thinned all over the head and appears especially fine and lifeless

Diagnosis: Telogen effluvium

What causes it: Telogen effluvium can be the result of life changes such as a restrictive crash diet, major surgery, postpregnancy or the stress of losing a loved one. Normally hair growth occurs in a three part cycle: anagen (growth phase), catagen (intermediary phase) and telogen (resting and shedding phase). Sometimes hair growth suddenly shifts to the telogen phase and falls out. "This type of hair thinning can occur three months after major physical or emotional stress," says Susan Taylor, M.D., author of Brown Skim Dr. Susan Taylor's Prescription for Flawless Skin, Hair, and Nails (Amistad).

Beauty Rx: The good news is that the effects are usually temporary. "Hair ross of this type will typically last three to six months and then hair will regrow without treatment," Taylor says. If poor nutrition is to blame, eat balanced meals and take vitamin and mineral supplements. Also try to manage stress with regular exercise, and don't waste energy worrying about situations you cannot control.

Tress trauma: Progressive hair thinning or loss along the hairline

Diagnosis: Traction alopecia

What causes it: Unlike other forms of hair loss, traction alopecia is self-induced and can usually be remedied unless the follicle has been destroyed. Excess pulling of the hair, overly tight braids, ponytails and weaves are usually the culprits.

Beauty Rx: "Women think hair is indestructible," says Dallas trichologist Rodney Barnett (rodneybarnett.com). "In reality, hair is finer than a piece of thread." To erevent hair from snapping treat it gently by avoiding tight hairstyles that apply unnecessary tension. If the throning area is infected, a trip to the dermatologist may be your best bet. "If there is inflammation as evidenced by bumps or papules, I would use topical steroids or steroid injections to treat the area," Taylor says.

Extra, extra: Yes, there are some effective at-home specialty treatments that can make a difference. Try Rene Furterer RF 80 Strengthening Formula for Weak Hair or Shaklee Nourishing Scalp Treatment. Both revitalize and encourage healthy hair growth.

Tress trauma: Chemically treated or heat-styled hair that begins to break very easily

Diagnosis: Overprocessing

What causes it: Aggressive heat styling, relaxers, permanent waves and hair coloring can reduce hair's elasticity and strength and cause breakage.

Beauty Rx: If you relax or color at home, you must follow the directions and be sure not to overdo it with too frequent processing. "Discontinue excessive heat styling and hair coloring and increase the intervals between relaxers to at least eight weeks," Taylor recommends. "I ask patients to wash and deep-condition their hair weekly and to trim the ends regularly for six to nine months to restore healthy hair."

In the Thick of it

A few guidelines to help you cultivate healthy hair

Do proceed with patience. "You didn't lose your hair overnight, and it doesn't grow back overnight," says hair guru Olive Benson of Olive's Beauty Salon in Boston.

Do stimulate the scalp with a daily massage using the fleshy pads of your fingers to improve blood circulation. Try brushing hair with a natural-bristle brush to increase blood flow to the scalp.

Do find out it your family has a history of hair loss and, if so, what Kind. Researching your family's predisposition to hair thinning may help clarity your situation.

Don't use extreme neat oh hair. To achieve smooth styles, Benson recommends seeing hair on rollers, sitting under a hooded dryer and then wrapping hair.

Don't apply too much tension. Give hair a break from pulling it in the same direction every day. And make sure braids ponytails and weaves aren't overly tight.

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