I have always felt that my hair was "fine" but as I approached my mid-40s I was conscious that it was getting much thinner. Standing in a mirrored lift one day, I was shocked to see that in fact I had almost a bald patch at the crown of my head. I shared this with hairdressers who were sympathetic and suggested that I use a brand shampoo to increase hair growth.
The internet gave me some background information and I came to the conclusion that I was probably suffering from genetic male pattern hair thinning (not only suffered by men). I understood that my hair follicles were sprouting just a few hairs per follicle rather than lots of them. Certainly every male in my family on both sides has very little hair.
My age did not help, as I am approaching the menopause, again a common time for hair to become thinner. I had some blood tests with my GP to exclude, amongst other things, hypothyroidism.
My internet investigations led me to realise that consultations with a trichologist can be very costly and not necessarily effective. It was at this point that I was offered a course of the Nourkrin hair loss supplement. The clinical trial reported on in its literature stated that after six months there was an average hair growth increase of 35 per cent in those using Nourkrin (compared to an increase of 1.5 per cent in those taking a placebo). The product contains marine proteins, vitamins and minerals.
I took the tablets for six months and also used Nourkrin shampoo and conditioner. I was not prepared to take photos of the top of my head every month for six months, as I found this too upsetting and really did not want photographic evidence of my "baldness".
There has been a small improvement in my hair growth, although in truth only moderately noticeable. I can still see that my hair is very thin and that I still have generalised thinning of the hair at my crown. Maybe my follicles now have a few more hairs growing in them (probably along the lines of a 35 per cent increase).
For me, however, taking Nourkrin has focused my mind on my "problem", and in some ways has got it into perspective. It is well documented that when females (and in some cases men too) lose hair or develop very thinning hair, the psychological impact is great, maybe leading onto other things like depression, lack of confidence etc. I can understand this but, in fact, I have become less concerned by my hair. I am lucky in many other ways in my life and if a bit of thinning hair is all I have to contend with then I am truly blessed. I now have a six-weekly hair appointment with a very understanding hairdresser and I am experimenting with hair colour to see if that helps.
I have decided not to take the maintainence Nourkrin supplement, but will keep up with the shampoo and conditioner.
Nourkrin retails at approx £50 per month and is recommended for six months' use, before any benefits could be confirmed.
For more information go to www.nourkrin.co.uk