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Hair help needed

Glory

Veteran

Not sure if this is off topic or main page so I posted here.
I'm looking for recommendations on treating dry and brittle hair.
I have tons of regrowth so I am super stoked about that.
I have been using the Ordinary hair serum for about 6 months which I think helped with regrowth. It's still pretty sparse but is improving.
My issue is that my hair, both new and old is very dry and brittle.
Any help would be appreciated.

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from cat2

Anonymous

Well, I too was using the Ordinary hair serum, but am not convinced there is any regrowth where there was sparseness. I used it faithfully for about 3-4 months . Maybe I need to persevere? What I also did though, which prompted a comment from my stylist just the other day was to cut back on washing, drying and heat-styling. On days when I don't have to be at work, I'm leaving it alone. The stylist commented on how great my hair now felt as it *was* dry and brittle, as you described. I also cut back on the incessant colouring and messing around with it . I do use collagen and a fistful of vitamins every single day - and am convinced the collagen has made a diff in my skin and hair. I never use conditioner because my hair is so short - can't be bothered. I also switched styling products to Living Proof"s Full Thickening Cream which gives me the body and thickness I want without my hair going all crunchy and dry.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

When was your last haircut? Dry, brittle hair gets split ends and breaks off easily. It’s counterintuitive, but a trim can help it grow. If salons aren’t open, bribe a family member to watch YouTube videos and cut it with you.

I’m on the extreme side—wash my hair once a week, don’t use a blow dryer or other hot air tools. I rarely use product, because of the residue. I occasionally use some very light serum, halfway through the week. Right now, I need a haircut because it’s been so long that the lengths are uneven—but I still don’t have split ends!

Glory

Veteran

Lisa thanks for the information. I was also using collagen at the same time that I was using the serum. I have no real idea which of these, if any, was a benefit to the regrowth. I stopped the collagen after one bottle but perhaps I will restart it. I am not colouring or blow drying at the moment.
Fashintern I had a cut a about two months ago. You are right, a cut can be quite helpful.

Anonymous

Hot oil treatments can help. Just heat some olive (or almond, jojoba, argan, etc.) oil in the microwave for 5-6 seconds, apply to hair and scalp when it's a comfortable temperature, put on a shower cap, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.

Also, I've been using Olaplex products for my dry hair, and they really help.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

If the serum and collagen are daily things that require you to wash your hair more frequently, you might want to reconsider. That stress could undo potential benefits.
You mention “regrowth”; is there a specific incident your hair is recovering from?

Glory

Veteran

Xtabay that is a great suggestion on heating oils. Definitely going to give that a go.
FI - that is an excellent point about the serum. It does require me to wash my hair more frequently which is counterproductive. I think I’ll reduce that treatment and try to go longer between shampooing. As for the regrowth, I underwent chemotherapy this year and lost about 1/3 of my hair.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Good on you for getting through the chemo—congrats! (I don’t know if that’s something people typically say “congratulations” for, but it sure seems like a worthy achievement to me) When my mom’s hair came back in, she was startled at the color. It looked good, so she’s kept it.

rachylou

Veteran

Another plug for Olaplex! I find it helps significantly.

Irina

Veteran

I lost probably a quarter of my hair to menopause. I don’t color my hair but grey hair is usually dry and require care similar to frequently colored and damaged hair. I, too use the Ordinary serum. Now 5 months in I use it every other day. I see regrowth but not exactly sure if I can attribute it to the serum since I also take vitamins and supplements. I use Olaplex system every time I wash my hair which is twice a week the most. I avoid using heat tools and very gentle with my hair.

I’m planning to used up my last bottle of the Ordinary product and try something else to see if it will improve my hair.

Oh, forgot to add - I use a silk pillowcases and run humidifier in our bedroom overnight during winter months. I’m obsessed, you can tell, right?

Runcarla

Veteran

It may be just a temporary fix, but Pantene 3 minute miracle is a pretty darn good conditioner. DS#2 and I both use it for our dry, frizzy hair and it does leave it softer and shinier. I don’t know about promoting growth, though.

I use it once every 2 weeks, but leave it on for about 20 min (whilst in the tub shaving my legs!) Have to say that I’m a proponent of air drying, and little to no use of heat tools.

Anonymous

Collagen is a nutritional supplement . It does not go on your hair which Glory knows having actually used it . Not to speak for her but ....

Irina - I’m obsessed right along with you . Menopause did a real number on my hair too .

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Biotin can help too, speaking of supplements - it helped both my hair and nails but it also made me break out (a symptom for some people) so I stopped. Fish oil or flax oil and/or just eating more healthy fats in my diet helps a lot with both my skin and my hair.

I've heard about the silk pillowcase thing, or putting your hair in a satin cap, so that it doesn't get yanked during the night. My hair is long enough that I pineapple it in a satin scrunchie. Avoiding a ton of heat styling or coloring should help too. My routine is not entirely Curly Girl Method friendly anymore, but using it as a guide and avoiding SLS and other harsh surfactants might be something to try. I believe Olaplex is a protein treatment - I use the Hask protein treatment you get in the little packets, if you can't/don't want to invest in the whole Olaplex system.

I remember my mom's hair grew back a completely different texture after she had chemo, and it took a year or so before it was fully filled in. Minoxidil/Rogaine might be something to try to help new growth, too - you could check with your doctor (it's OTC now but in your case they might have a particular recommendation).

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Lisa, thanks for the correction. I missed that Glory was taking the collagen as a nutritional supplement, had thought she was using something along the lines of these hair products: https://maneaddicts.com/must-t.....s/?slide=2 Whether taking it orally helps hair growth or not, it’s not a bad idea for post-menstrual women, as it can help with muscle mass (assuming one exercises).

Gigi

Veteran

I would recommend putting some oil on your hair at night, as a pre-shampoo treatment, then washing it out the next morning. I would use olive, almond, or sunflower oil, and I would avoid coconut oil. You can start with just a few drops worked through your dry hair, and keep putting in oil until your hair looks a little bit like you've been sick for a week. Haha. So this pre-shampoo treatment goes on dry hair. If you give it several hours to soak in, it can do a lot to help soften the hair. You also might find some helpful information on the Science-y Hair Blog.

Helena

Veteran

Glory, this organization is geared towards women's hair/skin/etc. issues with cancer and chemotherapy - although I couldn't find a ton about regrowth on the site, if you contact them, they may be able to direct you: https://lgfb.ca/en/

Also, I know the cancer centre where my Mom was treated had a salon specifically for patients during and post chemo - your hospital or others in your area might have something similar where you could find products specifically for regrowth.

Finally, fwiw, this line helps my hair a lot when it is dry and damaged from cholorine, etc. It really softens it. I just use the conditioner but am told all the products are good. https://www.paulmitchell.com/awapuhi-wild-ginger

Glory

Veteran

I am very grateful and overwhelmed with all of your help and suggestions.
I’m making a list of things to try and hoping they may work on my eyebrows as well as my hair. Who knows? Even though I kept some hair I did not keep any eyebrows. Bizarre right?!
FI- I’ll take the congratulations-thanks so much!

Rachylou - I’ve put Olaplex on my list. Thanks
Irina - I agree menopause is hell on hair and skin. I say throw all the things at it to try. I have the pillowcase and will add a humidifier- it’s a great idea.
Carla - Pantene! On my list - thanks
Lisa - agree on the menopause
Laura - thanks for the tip on Hask. Added to my list. Also thanks for letting me know it can take a full year. I didn’t know that and it is reassuring
Gigi - thanks for the tips
Helena - thanks for doing that research. I attended two sessions with LGFB but due to covid they were online and although good perhaps not as good as the regular sessions. They would not recommend any actual products which disappointed a few participants but I also understand it. Thanks for the link to the Paul Mitchell products.

Anonymous

I like silky tresses hair serum by All Natural Face. It's made with broccoli oil.

Kate

Veteran

Luseta Beauty's keratin shampoo and conditioner really helped my coarse hair earlier this year when I noticed some brittleness and breakage. Their S&Cs are sulfate, phosphate, & paraben-free, which I like, plus the keratin products have very little scent, which I greatly prefer, since highly scented products will often trigger a migraine. The company also sells generous sample sizes of their various shampoos and conditioner duos for $5. It was a great way to test out the products before investing.

https://lusetabeauty.com/

Glory

Veteran

Thanks Kate. That’s a new brand to me!

Star

Veteran

According to research avocado oil massaged into the scalp helps, citing the vitamin D as necessary for healthy follicles and new hair growth.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Glory, I don't have wisdom to offer, but hope that your hair regains its natural luster as your body grows stronger each day.

Peri

Veteran

Hi Glory, not much wisdom either, but I'm sorry you've had to go through this. My husband just finished his last chemo for lymphoma so I'm empathizing. It is quite the ordeal. He lost all his hair but it's too soon to see regrowth so no advice on that front.

My own hair has been thinning for years. The only answers I've gotten have been age and genetics. In the last year I've been using Vegamour serum every night. I can't say I've seen any regrowth at all but I do know the shedding has slowed down. When I could go to the hairdresser she said she thought it looked healthier. But that's been 6 months due to the intersection of Covid and my high risk husband. I don't know if this is something that could help you because it's a different situation, but I do hope you find something that will help.

Joy

Veteran

When my Dear Aunt’s hair started thinning, she swore by massage and keeping it clean so new growth had a better chance. My hair is now quite long and not at all brittle, but I wash it several times a week with cream rinse and continue to use a hair dryer and heat on it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Glory, I have no wisdom or recommendations but I am super glad you started this thread. I'm finding it interesting and I'm sure it will prove helpful to others who have undergone chemo (or just menopause!)

cat2

Veteran

Are you coloring your hair? I learned, thanks to the pandemic, that what I thought was dryness and frizziness from menopause was actually due to the switch from highlights to a full base color to cover the grey. My grey is growing in a lot shinier and smoother.

cat2

Veteran

Oh, and on chemo, my husband had weird dry skin for about a year and then it went away. I wonder if you may have something similar going on? Is your scalp also dry?