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[tiger74]

Hi, I'm new on here so still finding my way around.

I'm wondering if anyone has any tips/advice for dealing with post-menopausal hair thinning and dullness?  Any techniques or hair-care products that ladies have found have worked well for them?

Just as a bit of background… I am in UK and I'm now 51 and went through the menopause in my mid-40s when I had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for (oestrogen positive) breast cancer and, later, a prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.  I suspect that the rubbishy state of my hair (and various other menopausal issues which I won't go into right now)  are as a result of a relatively rapid onset menopause and the ongoing hormone treatment (aromatase inhibitor) which wipes pretty much all oestrogen from my body.   

Apologies if this query about hair sounds vain and trivial in comparison to some of the horrible stuff with which other menopausal ladies have to contend.  However, I feel that cancer has already robbed me of a lot of things and while I accept there's nothing I can do about some of those losses, perhaps there are strategies I could use regarding my hair.  I had total hair loss when I had chemotherapy, it grew back but is definitely thinning now and often looks dull so I would just like to be able to hold my head up high with a decent covering of shiny healthy-looking hair.

[Joyce]

Hi & welcome. You've not had an easy time. Problem with your hair isn't trivial at all. There are others on here who will know more about this than me. However, I think I'm right in saying that shampoo/conditioner with coconut oil is good. Aussie make a good one, though it's not cheap.

[Taz2]

Hi tiger

Your question is not vain at all. When my hair was thinning a few years ago I went to a trichologist for some treatments - she made up a special shampoo which did have coconut oil in it and also gave me tips on diet and general hair care and the difference re shine and overall look was amazing.

Taz x

[tiger74]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes.

I did wonder about consulting a trichologist.  The person I saw about my NHS wig when I had chemo was a qualified trichologist too so I might try and find out if she is still practising locally.

So many hair-care products seem to be stuffed full of sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate which is basically like washing your hair in detergent!

[honeybun]

 

I did a trial of a product called Nioxin Diaboost Thickening Serum. You can put it on wet or dry hair and it really does what it says on the tin. I used it on wet hair before blow drying.I found it lasted for months so although very expensive it was well worth it. They do a range of hair products. I have never seen it in our local shops so I suspect you would be able to get easily online.
It does not solve the problem of thinning hair but would give your hair volume until you see a specialist about the problem.

Hope this helps. Have a Google and see what you think


Honeyb
x

[Sarah2]

Organix is one brand which doesn't have nasties in- it's not cheap at £6 a bottle but the one with Argon oil or coconut might help you.
Evidently YES is another sulphate free range, and Elvive have one out.

John Freida (I think) has a new volumising range out.

Do you have your hair coloured at all? Lowlights and highlights can make your hair appear thicker as can a good cut.

Have you thought about hair extensions? Not sure of the cost though won't be cheap but if your hair gets really thin this is an option- they attach to your scalp ( semi permanently) and can be cut and coloured to match your hair.

[Winterose]

I know ladies who have been to Lucinda Ellery ( might be linda) you can google her, she does amazing things with thinning hair and while it wont be cheap it would be a small price to pay for amazing hair,Aveda have great products and a little goes a long way.  One trichologist I met said never buy any hair products at a supermarket... am sure this is a generalisation and this was a comment from a few years ago .

[tiger74]

Thank you - this is all useful stuff.  I shall be Googling and shopping very soon.

[lubylou]

Hi,
I found keeping my hair cut regularly keeps it stronger (it doesn't break off) and thicker. If you can do get a good "hair do" every so often at a good hairdresser. It makes me feel better and the treatments I get when I have it done are good for the hair (better than supermarket shampoos). I have been giving myself this "treat" for the last year and my hair is in much better condition than it was before.
I agree some low and highlights can be good too!
Lubylou

[Night_Owl]

Hi Tiger

Welcome to the site.

No way is your query vain or trivial.

I have experienced hair loss since early-ish meno mid-40s.  I've lost roughly half of my hair, mainly from the top and sides.

I've consulted two trichologists who both recommended blood tests to check ferritin and folacin (in my case I have genetic female pattern baldness and telogen effluvium brought on by meno,  estrogen loss which creates hormone imbalance and allows small amounts of testosterone to convert to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which thins the hair).

What I've found (somewhat) useful:

- Shampoo without SLS brought from local health shop.

- Grapeseed oil with lavender and rosemary essential oil - rub into scalp and leave on with a plastic cap for an hour or overnight before shampooing.

- Balmain clip in hair pieces.

- Upping intake of protein and iron rich foods.

- Drinking nettle tea to boost iron levels (I can't tolerate iron tablets in any form).

- Lowlights to give volume.

Hope some of the above may help.

Night_Owl
x

[babypink2807]

 

I did a trial of a product called Nioxin Diaboost Thickening Serum. You can put it on wet or dry hair and it really does what it says on the tin. I used it on wet hair before blow drying.I found it lasted for months so although very expensive it was well worth it. They do a range of hair products. I have never seen it in our local shops so I suspect you would be able to get easily online.
It does not solve the problem of thinning hair but would give your hair volume until you see a specialist about the problem.

Hope this helps. Have a Google and see what you think


Honeyb
x

I can vouch for that Nioxin has helped me.  I lost so much hair it was long, thick shiny and just beautiful then it all fell out to the point of brittle, dry, broken ends, tufts and extremely thin.  My hairdresser said use Nioxin 3 and you get a cleanser and conditioner and scale stuff.  After about three weeks maybe less my scalp was lovely, scabs and yuk had stopped, my hair was very stuck up under my thinning hair.  It has come back incredibly curly and I wash it every other day with it, I buy it off amazon its cheaper.  It is like a peppermint small and really tingles on your scalp.  I'm still using it. My hair has grown about 3 inches. My hairdresser has cut back what was left to just above my shoulders so the short hair which is thicker catches up with the not so good longer bits. 

It's not vain, at all, I thought like you, I also thought why the hell should I also lose my lovely hair, it's just not fair.  I ended something to at least look nice and take pride in.  Honestly though the curls are so funny they have a mind of their own lol

[tiger74]

Awh, thanks for the further replies.

I have some Organix shampoo and conditioner with argan oil on its way to me courtesy of Amazon.

Regular haircuts (every 5 or 6 weeks) to maintain my short hairstyle plus professional colouring are my one luxury and I agree, do help with disguising the problem.

I tracked down the local trichologist today and intend to book in to see her soon.  The Nioxin Diaboost sounds interesting so I shall ask her about that.

My particular problem of thinness is at the back of my head - my hairdresser and husband always say it looks fine but it's bit like asking a bloke "does my bum look big in this?"!!

I think putting this problem down in words has actually helped me get my ar*e in gear to do more about it.

[babypink2807]

My hair fell out in clumps, and became what was  left of it paper thin, devastated I was.  I was so desperate to do something I took my hairdressers word for it and bought the Nioxin.  My head really did sting but that was the bad condition of my scalp.  Like I mentioned before I did want the thickness back, and the curly hair is healthier, granted it will never be as thick as before, but it's lovely and silky now and got some shine.  It's the curls that just have got me so I do use straighteners as the curls are quite bonkers

[Morwenna]

I have similar hair issues to Night Owl and have just ordered some Nioxin shampoo. The scalp treatment I'm giving a miss for now as a few reviewers have reported stinging and itchiness - I don't want to add to my problems! I'll trial it then report back in a week or so.

[rosebud57]

Don't know much about thinning hair except perhaps making sure you are getting adequate vitamins and minerals.  However for the dull hair try not using shampoo every day.  I have to wash my hair daily, as I look like Bart Simpson when I get up, but I only use shampoo every third day.  The two days in between I just use a light conditioner.  Surprisingly it actually washes the hair very well.  It stops my hair getting too dry and seems to keep my scalp healthy.

Hope this helps