Extremely Dry Brittle Hair :(

Updated on October 15, 2012
M.M. asks from Chicago, IL
15 answers

My hair has become really difficult to manage these days. I have thin hair and it's very very dry and brittle. I use a conditioner after shampooing and also tried many anti frizz creams, but nothing helps. Even the products that helped M. earlier is of no use now. On a windy day I don't even want to go out. I am sure people who look at M. think I am a crazy person who doesn't bother to run a comb through my hair before getting out.All my hair is standing up inspite of brushing right after bath , using frizz control. I have stopped using hair iron because I don't want any more damage to my hair.
I look around and almost every women has healthy straight silky hair. I wonder how they manage to keep their hair that way every single day. On a good hair day , my hair is soft and wavy.I just need some light ironing to get it straight. it's been couple months since I had a good hair day now. I am drinking lots of water , eating healthy(that could be a considered a change because earlier I was not eating healthy at all) I am sleeping well, no other changes going on. I am not sure which other brand of hair product to try next :( Am i just blessed with unhealthy looking hair. Thanks for listening mommas! if you have any suggestions or advice, I would really appreciate it!

1 mom found this helpful

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I suggest you try Aphogee Gloss Therapy, I know it's Aphogee Gloss something. I get it at Sally's. It comes in a tube for small size and a small bottle for the large size. I put about a nickel size dollop in my hand and apply it to my hair wet. Then I add my mouse and pick my hair out just a bit so give it volume. My hair is shiny and since the gloss therapy seems to act like it has silicone in it, it stays less frizzy longer.

More Answers

L.B.

answers from New York on

My first thought is that you should get your thyroid checked - hypothyroid One of the symptoms is dry brittle hair.

The other thought is possible vitamin deficiency.

Third thought - ask a hair dresser for some good product advise.

Good Luck

2 moms found this helpful
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J.W.

answers from Lexington on

My younger daughter had this, and so many other symptoms of low thyroid, but the doctors kept telling M. "her thyroid is fine." Well... they were not even checking her actual thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) - just TSH which comes from the pituitary - NOT THE THYROID!!!! Even "low normal" T4 may actually be too low for some people because we need other things to make the hormone WORK in our cells - like omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D. Here is something a doctor wrote, and something else which talks about tests:
http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-...
http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/brain-health-thy...

It was ridiculous!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Seattle on

Hair is dead protein....so whenever there is dry and brittle hair I assume there's either a bad diet, poor genetics, or a hormone problem.

Since you mention your diet not being very healthy, and now you are eating healthy, it will takes months to positively effect your new hair growth. So what you are seeing is one of the long term consequences of a poor diet.

I have beautiful hair and I have never straightened my hair with an iron. They cause soooo much damage. Just towel dry, not even a blow dryer. You could try cutting your hair short and cute and perhaps it will grow in healthier.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.Z.

answers from Chicago on

It sounds very hypothyroid to M.. It's a simple blood test your MD can order and is easily managed with inexpensive medication. If it is your thyroid and you don't get a hold of it, things will get worse so I highly recommend seeing your doctor.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

I am a huge proponent of WEN cleansing conditioner. Shampoo has chemicals in it that cause it to lather, because psychologically we think lather means "clean". Well that chemical strips hair drying it out, and you wind up in a cycle of using product after product to hydrate, add volume, straighten etc., all of which further damage hair. WEN does not lather. I started using it about a year and a half ago and my hair has never been healthier. It is expensive, but it saves M. money on having to buy both shampoo and conditioner since one product does it all. It even works great as a shaving cream. It is multiple products in one. There are also formulas for different hair types. I buy mine through QVC as they have the best deals. But you can google WEN and get it direct from Chaz Dean's website, the stylist who created it.

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J.C.

answers from Roanoke on

Hows your diet doing?
Hows your stress?
Try a haircut and put a tablespoon of mayo in your hair comb it through, put a shower cap or plastic bag for at least an hour( do chores so time flies by) then take a shower, do this once a week it will help alot, i was dubtful when i heard about it but now im a believer

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K.C.

answers from New London on

If you have fine, dry hair then the heat of a straightener is just too hot!

If your hair has been subjected to high temps, it needs to grow out. You are better off wearing your hair wavy.

There are products out there to put on your hair to avoid it from being burned. Straighteners are for people with thick hair. My hair is fine and dry. I would not be able to use a straightener w/out damaging my hair.

If you have not had a physical lately, I would check your thyroid and blood (for vitamin def).

Wash your hair every so often. The natural oils can be stripped if u wash your hair every day. Also, use a moisturizing shampoo/conditioner. Try hair oil to tame the friziness while it grows out. Trim your hair every 6 - 8 wks.

Let the damaged hair grow out---- and switch to a blow dryer on a medium setting, instead of the highest setting.

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K.S.

answers from Denver on

For a deep conditioning, I would try using mayonnaise (I've done it and it works!) or olive oil and wrapping it in a shower cap and towel.

For daily, I can't remember the brand, but it's all centered around macadamia oil. It's fantastic, I use it every day- got it at Ulta, if you have those there. Or any beauty supply place. Or google it.

Also, how about a leave in detangler/conditioner? I used those in the past but actually had to stop as it was conditioning too much. I used the one by Biolage or Infusium.

Good luck!

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K.B.

answers from San Diego on

Most women don't have naturally beautiful hair. They use products to make it look that way. Even I have the problems you do n my stylist says I have beautiful hair that is so silky. When I wash my hair my fingers just slide through it. But afterward, it seems dry n frizzy. It is, dry n frizzy. I have to use product to get the look that my hair feels. Some people swear by WEN, but it's just conditioner. If you bought Pantene conditioner and only used that in the shower, you would get the same result as if you were to use Wen. I researched Wen and why it isn't salon approved. Conditioner does have a chemical in it that cleanses the hair, to a degree, but it isn't shampoo. I use Pureology, it is a vegan shampoo & conditioner, and the shampoo is sulfate free, which is the chemical that causes shampoo to lather. I love my shampoo n the way it makes my hair feel. I also use Matrix Exquisite Oil in my hair after the shower. It is a replenishing treatment and has multi uses. You can use it while shampooing, conditioning, styling, or overnight as a treatment. I love it. I just use it after the shower n after styling. My hair feels baby fine after I'm done n looks healthy n beautiful. Some of the hairstylist at the salon I go to say they use five different products to get that healthy look that you admire.
I say just try different products and shampoos to find the best fit for you. My hairstylist said some of her clients use wen and their hair feels great. She said the only thing that matters is if you're happy with your hair. ;0)
Good luck.

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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

First, talk to your doctor about a blood panel and thyroid test. Dry, brittle hair (and also loss of hair) is a classic sign of thyroid issues. It could also be a sign of a vitamin deficiency. So, you should definitely check into the cause of it.

I LOVE the Miracle 10 deep conditioner. It works wonders...leave it on for 3-5 minutes it the shower, and it really renews. It's kind of pricey (about $25), but it lasts a long time. I also use CHI Silk Infusion before blow drying or using a flat iron, and that helps a lot too.

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S.E.

answers from New York on

my hair used to be like that.. i dont know if you dye your hair but for M. it was a combination of all the blonde hair dye & all the flat ironing , it totally destroyed my hair, it got really thin,expecially at the ends and it felt like straw.. i straightened my hair today for the first time today in over 2 years.. i stopped the flat ironing and let all the blonde dye grow out and finally just now my hair is getting back to normal.. a good conditioner helps too, but not regular conditioner, the kind that u leave on your hair for a few minutes before you rinse it out .. one i liked was aussie it was called 3 minute miracle & it was like extra moisturizing

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Have your thyroid checked out.
Eating a well balanced diet helps.
Try taking a serving daily of:
1 tablespoon of black strap molasses (sulfur source),
1 biotin supplement and
1 teaspoon FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth (in juice or water) (silica source)
It really helps the hair (and nails) grow fast and strong.

Besides health and diet - how hard is your water?
Mineral buildup in your hair can cause it to be very brittle.
You might want to look into a water softening system for your home.
Try rinsing your hair with diluted vinegar once in awhile.

Try stopping applying heat to your hair (no irons or straighteners).
I let my hair air dry most of the time.
If I have to blow dry it I turn the heat off and use cold air only.
If you dye it - consider switching to henna - it can help to strengthen your hair and make it very shiny.
Commercial hair dye can really damage hair a lot.
Since I switched to henna about 10 years ago I can grow my hair to my waist, I don't have a split hair on my head and it's very smooth and shiny.

http://www.hennaforhair.com/mixes

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A.T.

answers from New York on

There has to be more to it.......you must be frying your hair with the iron if it is fine and brittle. Do you dye it too? It could be a combo of both. You need to go to a salon and get it conditioned with heat/warmth. OR....go to your local beauty aid store or drug store and pick up a tube or 2 of hot oil treatment for about 1.29 a tube. Amount of tubes, depends on the length of your hair. Also pick up a heat cap...looks like a shower cap and a wide tooth comb. Or you can use plastic wrap. Heat the tubes in a hot cup of water, while you shower. Pop them open when you are done washing and conditioning your hair and put them into your hair. Put your hair into the heat cap or wrap hair in saran wrap. Keep wrapped for about 20 min. Unwrap, rinse. As soon as you get out of the shower, wring your hair dry, DO NOT tossle with your towel. Get some morrocan oil and place some in your hand and smooth your hair with it. Run the wide tooth comb through it and let dry naturally. Brush quickly once dry. Do it weekly if you have to. Garnier products for frizzy hair work very well too.

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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

Moroccan oil might help. what do you consider to be "eating healthy"-no fat? You might need to eat more fats, nuts, fruits, cold-pressed oils in salad dressings and cooking, etc. Dieting, by severely cutting fat out of your food is a form of starvation-which triggers aging, which leads to hair loss, sagging skin, etc. If you don't see an improvement in a couple of weeks by making a few changes, maybe go get a physical. Take care and good luck!

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