Does the Blood Thinner Warfarin Cause Hair Loss and What Products are Safe for Thinning Hair?

I experienced hair loss in the crown area when I first began taking warfarin (blood thinner) in 2004 for bi-lateral pulmonary emboli, which ended up being a permanent condition. Thus, I have to take warfarin for life. As they say, this is better than the alternative.

I am now old enough (50’s) that some thinning hair might be inevitable. I take very good care of the hair. I shampoo gently and use a wide tooth comb, never pulling etc.

My question is has anyone experienced hair loss with blood thinners and, if so, are there ways to counteract the effect of Warfarin? Also, I was wondering if products like volumizing powder (which really does make the hair appear thicker), gels or any products that go against the scalp might clog the follicles and cause hair to fall out.

Most directions for hair products do not say to put it directly on the scalp, but volumizing powder does say to apply directly to the roots, making it difficult not to apply it to the scalp as well. I also wonder about hair loss concealers like Toppik or Miracle Hair. Is one markedly better than the other? Miracle Hair is much less expensive & seems to be similar. Do they block the follicles, causing hair loss?

I appreciate any help regarding these issues and thank you in advance. Oh, I guess I should ask what brand of hair color is least damaging to fragile hair. Again, my sincere thanks.

Hair loss is a known side effect of warfarin. You may find Rogaine (minoxidil) helpful in returning your hair to its former fullness. Although there is a female formula (2%), many hair restoration physicians recommend the men’s formula (5%) for their female patients as it’s about twice as effective. While perfectly safe, there is a higher risk of side effects such as facial hair growth and itching and irritation of the scalp. I suggest discussing this with your physician if you plan to use it.

As for thickening products and concealers, these products are generally safe and do not contribute to permanent hair loss. I’m not aware of Miracle Hair from Walmart but, if it’s more affordable than Toppik, I suggest giving it a try. There is no risk of harm to your hair.

If you perform a Google search for “natural hair color”, you’ll find a number of products that are gentle on the hair. However, I can’t give you any information on how they compare in color to standard hair colors.

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
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