Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: tiger74 on February 18, 2014, 01:52:48 PM
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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.
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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.
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Hi tiger :welcomemm:
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
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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!
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:welcomemm:
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
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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.
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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 .
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Thank you - this is all useful stuff. I shall be Googling and shopping very soon.
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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
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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
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:welcomemm:
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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Just had a thought. I take magnesium, Vitamin D and Q10. Since I have been taking these my nails, which had become quite soft and thin, are now hard and healthy again. Don't know which one did the trick or if it was a combination of the 3, but it could be worth a try for your hair.
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Thank you folks. Would be great to have feedback Morwenna, when you get a chance.
Thank you for all the other suggestions too.
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I've now booked a trichology appointment for 5 March. If there's any general advice emanating from that I shall post it on here. I see this thread has been read many times so if I do pick up any useful snippets perhaps they will also be useful to the others who are reading this topic.
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An update after my trichology appointment earlier this week. Not sure how much of this advice I will take but I post it here in case it is of interest to others. We covered a lot of ground as I was there 2 hours so these are the bits I remember. I should have taken my own advice about taking someone with me to the appointment!
The trichologist actually seemed more interested in my thyroid history than hormonal changes due to sudden (induced) menopause and hormone therapy meds. As I'm on medication for thyroid issues (and will be for the rest of my life) I have my thyroid levels checked at least every 6 months anyway and she stressed the importance of continuing with this.
She recognised that I have female pattern hair thinning (albeit not very noticeable yet) – lovely and thick at the sides and back and less dense on the top and around my double crown.
She mentioned treatment with Minoxidil. Doesn't work for everyone and apparently, once use is discontinued the hair loss progresses to the level it was heading for in the first place. Worth a thought though so I may ask my oncologist at my upcoming appointment and to check there are no contraindications because of the various meds I take.
She also mentioned hair transplant surgery. I'd have to be pretty desperate to go down that route.
Hair pieces are also a possibility, Basically stuck on, then your own hair woven through and the hair piece cut and styled with your own hair. Would have to be changed every few weeks.
She is a fan of ‘Faith in Nature' hair products. She doesn't like Nioxin Diaboost as it permanently coats the hair and scalp – seems to get good results though.
She showed me how to use Nanogen ‘sprinkles' and locking spray. Seemed quite simple and I may well invest in some to try to disguise the problem.
As expected, she stressed the importance of ensuring I am taking in sufficient vitamins and minerals. She recommends a multi-vitamin called Lambert's Maxi-Hair. She ascertained that I'm low in zinc which is something I can address. She also suggested having a blood test to test my serum ferritin level although she doesn't think my problem is due to Chronic Telogen Effluvium because my hair density is variable and there's no visible shedding/breakage.
She made it clear that that some of her suggestions aren't relevant to me yet as my hair thinning isn't too bad yet. However, she said that should I wish to take action at some time in the future it is very useful to have dated photos of progression. She suggested two sets of photos, one set with wet hair, one set with hair just blow-dried. Three photos in each set: one of a central parting from the front to the back; one of a parting from the centre of the ear up the side of the head; one of the temples/front hairline. Will definitely be doing this.
All in all a useful consultation although a bit ‘information overload'.
Love to hear from anyone with any other information/thoughts.
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I was losing hair quite badly a couple of years ago and found I was deficient in Vitamin D. It can affect the hair cycle and mean more hair is shed than replaced.
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Yep, trichologist mentioned Vitamin D. I already take many times the RDA in order to ensure absorption of the calcium which I take to ward off bone thinning which is a common side-effect of my oestrogen-blocking meds. Apparently many people in UK are deficient in Vit D though, because of the angle/strength of the sun at this latitude.
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Yeah, rubbish hair! Another lovely meno symptom often overlooked. Whilst mine hasn't thinned out any (wish it would a bit cos it's too thick), it's gone really dry and brittle and I am spending a small fortune on treatments, product, etc. A couple of ladies have mentioned Nioxin - I understand that's great if you have thin or thinning hair and worth a try.
Hope your hair feels better soon :)
Mags x
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I've been using Nioxin no. 4 shampoo for 'fine, coloured hair' for around three weeks now and am moderately pleased with the result. My hair certainly feels thicker but I think this is because the shampoo coats each strand with a thickening agent. I only apply conditioner (not Nioxin brand) to the ends and have discovered the key to keeping my hair looking reasonable between washes is to give it a really good blow dry, starting with the ends (which tend to dry the fastest) and then lifting and stretching the roots over a large round brush. (My hair is just below shoulder length and I'm trying to grow it.) I still need to run the straighteners over the top layer and my fringe but my hair is continuing to look good for up to three days before needing washing again although I do tie it back most of the time. If I don't blow dry it, it looks flat and has a fine layer of 'fuzz' all over. Nioxin don't actually claim to promote new hair growth, just to strengthen what is already there and protect from breakage. My problem isn't breakage but shedding - this is still happening. I've read that shedding is more common over the winter months so I'm hoping it will slow down soon.
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Thanks for the feedback and tips Morwenna. Wishing you all the best.
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Just to say that I've been using the Organix shampoo and conditioner with argan oil for a few weeks now and it really is lovely to use and I think it's helped somewhat to brighten up my hair i.e. it's a bit less matt/dull-looking now.
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I have discovered Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo and conditioner ( they have an Argan Oil one) I like the Lemon and Green Tea.
Think nourishing hair from within is a good idea, make sure you eat plenty of protein (eggs are good for hair health) supplement that include Biotin, and the Omegas, a good multi vitamin and mineral supplement benefits both skin and hair.
Try not to blow dry hair too often, mop up wetness with a towel, and then massage scalp and hair dry with fingers, this encourages blood flow.
Another tip is shampoo in reverse, put your conditioner on first, leave on for as long as you like and then shampoo out. Using an whisked egg on the hair before shampooing can thicken and add shine.
HRT can be both good and bad for the hair, some women find it thicken it, others say it sheds more and thins.
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Myself and both my daugthers are losing a lot of hair @ the moment, it is definitely seasonal related in this case, happens every year :) we are like horses lol...
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Thanks for the helpful inputs Silverlady.
Cassie - my hair thinning is definitely not seasonal, it's ongoing with no real prospect of any increase in actual density :( So I was asking for tips/strategies to make the best of what I have.
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I have often wondered if I might dare to ask Emma for a "sticky" for Health and Beauty tips, I have started threads before but they do tend to get lost.
I don't mean for discussion because that tends to get a little heated, but to add Tips to a Knowledge Base, bearing in mind that what might work for one personally might not work for another.
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Judging by how many times this thread has been read I think that a "Health and Beauty tips" sticky thread would be a good idea.
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Just a quick PS, when I mentioned Omegas, the best one to take for thinning hair is Black Currant Seed oil.
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I saw a trichologist and take iron tablets and eat an iron rich diet, i have general thinning and i have microbond hair extensions- no glue etc , and they are fantastic, team this with the fibres you can sprinkle into any visible scalp areas and no one will know you hair is thin!!
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Useful information, thank you karin.
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Karin, yes useful information thanks - which hair fibres do you find to be the best?
I've only tried Nanogen - they seem to be okay and do the job, however I do wonder if there are other brands that are better.
Have you tried Super Million Hair (fibres)?
My centre parting is getting wider by the day, ugh!
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Hi i haven't tried that brand I use nanogen but don't need loads as the extensions really do help.
Its worth trying a few different brands to find the one thats best for your colouring. Nanogen is a bit dark.
There are sort of brush on ones like cosmetic colour palettes which disguise grey and also help camouflage small areas of scalp. Also worth googling hothair as thats a great website
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I have found reading these replies so helpful, and I thank each and every one of you! Its surprising how you think you are the only one suffering with thin hair xx
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Ive always had very fine hair, and not a lot of it either. My family affectionately refer to it as chick fluff. I am dreading this aspect of the meno as I really cant afford for it to become any thinner!