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[LittleClaire]

Has anyone else’s hair changed since peri/menopause? Mine has always been naturally wavy but I’ve been able to style it nice with straighteners.

Since this horrible “change” we are all going through, the hair from my roots to about 4 inches down is just so dry, frizzy, broken hair no matter how I style it. It used to be so smooth and glossy 😭

Does anyone have any recommendations what I can use to help. I don’t like the feeling of a coating/film on my hair so not keen on serums or leave ins. Just maybe a nice frizz control blow dry spray or a shampoo and conditioner that helps smooth it would be nice. I wash my hair every other day too.

Thanks 🙏

[Wrensong]

Hi LittleClaire, I'm in a similar situation, with shoulder length naturally wavy hair that to my great surprise started to become more curly than wavy in mid-late 50s  & now bears little resemblance to how it was throughout my adult life prior to this  .   Straighteners don't work well for me so I try to work with the wave/curl instead, using round brushes to style (I use that term loosely  ) as I blow dry it.  Now in my early 60s, dark blonde turning white, it's gone from very thick to much finer & has become increasingly unmanageable with a kind of coarse, floaty top layer  that's very dry & impossible to style.  At the slightest hint of damp it frizzes terribly!

I've washed & blow dried my hair every day since teens, necessarily, as it looks like a badly constructed bird's nest after a hurricane when I get up in the morning & is definitely not presentable otherwise.

I used Aveda "Dry Remedy" range with good results for some years until, in my mid-50s, they changed the formula & it no longer worked for me. 

In my bathroom cabinet at the mo are the following:-

OGX biotin & collagen shampoo & conditioner
OGX rescue fusions hyaluronic acid & Vit B5 hydrating shampoo & conditioner
Aveeno smoothing (the blue flash bottle) shampoo & conditioner with rosewater & chamomile
Dr Organic (Holland & Barrett) Vit E hydrate & restore shampoo & conditioner (good for days when the scalp feels irritated, but hair defo needs the conditioner used with it).

I tend to rotate what I use & some days each of these shampoo-conditioner combos works reasonably well for me, some days, inexplicably - not!  The unpredictability is a nuisance on days when I really want to look my best.  They may not work for you, but if you haven't tried them, might just be worth the experiment, especially if you can get them on offer - the only way I buy any of them.

For blow drying I use either Schwarzkopf moisture kick spray conditioner or a little Toni & Guy leave in conditioner (cream).  I sometimes mix the cream with a tiny blob of L'Oreal Elvive extraordinary oil.  These are all light when used sparingly & don't leave discernible residue.

I wish I could say these all work brilliantly for me, but the truth is they are the best I can currently find, having binned countless other products over the 20 year course of my horrible peri & postmenopause history to date.

I hope one or other of them might work for you & that someone else comes along with some miracle recommendations for us both  .
W x

[LittleClaire]

Hi Wrensong,

Thanks so much for replying. It’s an absolute minefield trying to find something that works isn’t it! Sounds like you’ve had the same troubles as me lol. I also washed and dried/straightened my hair everyday from my early teens right up until after my daughter was born (age 35) and then I started doing it every other day. I don’t think that’s helped much at all though as the damage is already done.

I did try the ogx biotin and collagen shampoo in the purple bottle last year when I first had peri symptoms and my hair was coming out left right and centre, it seemed to thicken it so I might give that another go. HRT has helped to stop as much hair falling out and i am seeing more growth it’s just the awful cotton wool texture I can’t tame.

I’ll note down the other products you said too and see if I can try some. A girl I work with told me yesterday she swears by “Colour WOW dream coat spray” to smooth and soften broken hair, it’s around £27 so not cheap but might be worth a try.

Thanks again for replying ☺️

[Wrensong]

It is a  minefield - you're dead right!

Yes, with frequent washing the natural oils get stripped away, but when I was younger it still looked very healthy despite washing daily & was much more manageable than it is now.  Daily blow drying was also not visibly detrimental to condition when I was younger, but as hair dries out so much with age it won't be helping it now.

Agreed, the OGX biotin & collagen does seem to leave hair looking thicker  .  I hear you on the cotton wool texture though - my top layer is like candy floss  .  All that's missing is the pink.  But that's great that HRT is helping with your hair loss, hopefully with other things too.

Your friend's product would be beyond my budget, but if you try it I hope it works for you.

W x

[LittleClaire]

I wish I’d listened to my mam when I was younger telling me not to dry and straighten my hair everyday as it would ruin it. My hairdresser said the same 🫣

Yes candy floss is a good term to describe it actually, minus the pink 😂as soon as there’s a bit of damp in the air it frizzes right up I bet you’re the same

[CLKD]

Ditch the daily laundering of hair and get rid of the hair dryers.  I have always used air to dry mine: which was almost to my waist until mid-30s when I had it to my shoulders B4 being permed for about 3 times.  Looked like Crystal Tips - apparently  .

When possible I sit outside and towel dry gently allowing the sun to warm my scalp.  Occasionally I use conditioner instead of shampoo ......... B4 rinsing gently with tepid water.  Thus far I haven't had any shedding but I think it's getting thinner 

Apply warmed baby oil,  gently worked into the scalp and down the hair, then leave to soak into the follicles I think they are called ?  Nothing too harsh.  Rinse with vinegar or cool, clear water. 

[CLKD]

Doing a search on the Forum there have been several threads regarding hair problems.

Hair changes as we age and it may seem that the scalp is thinning, apparently production slows down.  I know that after chemo therapy hair may re-grow completely differently after treatments stop.  i.e. curly hair may be straight etc..  Or even a different texture.

Stimulating the scalp gently is soothing so a warm product for that purpose may well help.  Staying away from anything heated, other than a warm towel or in the sunshine, to allow the scalp to dry naturally, will ease the possibility of damage of new growth.

I don't wash mine as often these days so that I'm not rubbing it too much.

 

[LittleClaire]

Hmm a head massage sounds good, may have to recruit my hubby for that process 

I used to wash my hair daily for years and started going every other day after I had my daughter. It’s still bad so don’t think that’s helped much. I’m thinking of trying the Olaplex range to see if I can mend the broken parts, also maybe collagen supplements could help as that’s what is lost there in the first place.

[Dorothy Gale]

Hi.

I've always had long, thick, straight, shiny lovely blonde hair. It was my crowning glory.

However...as you all are finding, the affects on hair in peri and post menopause can be distressing.

Mine started to thin..I didn't notice as it was lock down. But when I went back to hair dressers for my colour and cut......I was in tears.

Things I did to help my hair:

I get highlights. But I get organic highlights as less nasty chemicals. I go to an organic salon that uses Organic colour systems. Lucky for me I have one near me. It's expensive but worth it as I am not ready to go grey and I love my blonde hair. The colour is amazing and just the same pay off as regular chemical dye but soooooo much better for you and your hair.

I stopped using straighteners. Instead I bought a Dyson hairdryer which has no heat damage technology and made my hair so shiny and straight that I no longer needed to straighten. The Dyson has saved my hair. I appreciate its a considered purchase....but honestly I could never go back to a normal hair dryer now. The difference is worlds apart. Its transformed my hair.

I only use straighteners on special occasions.

I use Organic shampoo and conditioner with as little chemicals as possible.

I use once a month Philip Kingsley Elastasizer. Its AMAZING!!! It transforms hair. Highly recommend it.

I look after my hair. Regular trims. No heat tools (unless a very special occasion)

Stop using really hot water to wash it. This causes more dryness. It needs to be tepid. And I use a cold rinse to take of conditioner as it gives shine.

My hair now...although thinner....is super shiny and in good health.

Xx

[CLKD]

Tnx.  I rarely use conditioner as it's washed off, occasionally I skip the shampoo and put conditioner on for 10-15 mins, a gentle cool rinse then air dry. 

Also feed from within: we are what we eat. 

Head massage is good ............. it stimulates follicles as well as being calming. 

[Dottie’s mumz]

Hello, lovely
Whoosh, you’ve hit on the biggest change to hit my life as a direct result of menopause.  I am 58.  All my life, I had thick, heavy, wavy hair.  It was so thick I struggled to do anything with it.  In my mid forties, I noticed I didn’t seem to have as thick hair.  Long story short, according to my hairdresser, I still have plenty of hair, but the only style I can have is a very cropped pixie cut.  Each strand of hair is so fine it’s almost invisible.  I was completely unprepared for this symptom of menopause, and for about two years, I had recurring dreams of long, luscious locks.  I am lucky to actually suit my super short cut, and occasionally women I have never met come up to me and tell me how much they love it and wish they were brave enough to have it.  I always have to explain that it is not out of choice.  I use Plantur shampoo and tonic and eat well, and I take biotin supplements.  But I do believe it is what it is.  To be honest, if I have to have a buzz cut, I will do it and wear vibrant red lipstick and big earrings!  I do feel for any women discovering the shock of menopausal side effects.  It’s such a shock.  But we manage it! Sending a cuddle.

[LittleClaire]

It’s so annoying as it’s one of the symptoms you can’t exactly hide as it’s there for everyone to see! Not that we should care what people think but as someone who’s always taken pride in my hair keeping it clean, styled etc it’s such a shame that it looks and feels like straw.

After reading the reviews online, I have just ordered some Philip Kingsley Elasticizer as it does sound like what I need. I’ve ordered the small one to start with and if it works I’ll get the bigger one. Thanks to you all for your helpful suggestions x