to ask for basic help with fragile hair?

[RenegadeMister]

IABU to post here for traffic but I couldn't decide between S&B or General Health so thought I'd seek opinion here to get a range of responses.

After clearing my plughole yet again I am despairing about my hair. I'll try to sum it up briefly:
A few years ago I went through a significant period of stress. Ended up losing a fair chunk of weight and my hair thinned a lot. It's never really recovered.
After tweaking contraception, diet, supplements and going a bit shorter, it got to an acceptable level but in the last 12 months or so it's started dropping again, I wash it two or three times a week and so much comes out. It's breaking about two/three inches from my scalp as well. I have new growth but it never grows past an inch or two, so I have that delightful fuzzy halo. Dr ran blood tests and I'm calcium deficient so started supplements. Everything else looked normal (properly normal, not just NHS normal).

It is so fine. I tried to tie it in a loose bun with a silk hair tie today and despite being a little below my shoulders, it was about the size a walnut. There's just nothing there. I can feel the cold on my scalp when I'm outside and am aware of gaps if my parting falls a certain way.

I'm hopeful that the calcium will help but in the meantime, what can I do/not do to protect what's left?

I don't use any form of heat styling or products, just standard shampoo & conditioner (dove/pantene/herbal essences or whatever).
I do dye my greys roots but as little as I can (maybe 3-4 times a year? Slightly darker than my natural colour).
I drink lots of water and my diet is generally pretty good.
I wrap it in an old t-shirt to dry and have stopped trying to brush it when it's wet.
It's naturally a little wavy if that makes a difference.

Please send any ideas, suggestions, thoughts my way. I know it's a first world problem but it's really getting to me.

What were your ferritin levels? I had hair like this, my GP said ferritine as fine at 26. I paid to see a private derm because I was desperate and it's the first thing she asked about and said should be at least 70 but ideally closer to 100 to maintain hair. I supplement iron and got it up and it's steadily grown back (took 3 years and constant trims). Feel free to reply if you need more info. She also recommended regaine minoxidil men's 5% foam, I boy on Amazon and apply 5 nights a week to my scalp (not the back of my head as my hair always been ok there)

My hair started thinning a couple of years ago.
Don't brush it when wet, it'll break easier when wet. Don't sleep with it wet. Consider a silk pillow or bonnet to sleep in. Try supplimenting with collagen, the powder that you add to coffee work better than tablets. And try this range of shampoo. Its always half price somewhere, don't buy from this link, its overpriced! The preshampoo is amazing and drastically reduced the amount if hair loss I had.

L’Oreal Paris Elvive Bond Repair Full Routine Set for Damaged Hair, Pre-Shampoo Treatment 200ml, Shampoo 200ml and Conditioner 150ml, Deep Intensive Hair Repair Treatment, Rebuild Broken Hair Bonds amzn.eu/d/ied1kBZ

Thank you @Powderblue1 I've just checked back on my results and ferritin was 93 so not amazing but definitely could be worse. I've looked into minoxidil and it seems to be the direction I'm heading in but was thinking about trying rosemary oil first, I think it's had positive results?
A trim usually makes it at least feel a bit thicker but I went last month and it just feels like there's nothing left.

Thanks for the recommendation @CheesePlantFeet I'll do some searching and find it on offer somewhere. I used to use the clay one and it worked well for my hair but then was back to greasy roots/dry ends and endless breakage and falling out again.

I'm never sure what to do at night because I tend to wash my hair at night but don't use a hairdryer. I wrap in a t-shirt til it's damp then sleep- is this a complete no-no? Do I need to change to washing in a morning? Or can I do damp hair in a silk bonnet?!

Edited to add: I haven't tried collagen before (biotin worked well for me last time, or it was a coincidence) so I'll give this a go!

Hair is more fragile when its wet, and the friction of it against the pillow will cause breakage. It would be better to finish drying it with a hair dryer on a cool setting after your tshirt turban than sleeping with it damp.
Or can you wash it earlier in the day? Even if its over the side of the bath with the shower head and you shower properly at another time

This is an interesting listen
"BBC Radio 4 - Sliced Bread, Hair Loss Products" https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0025l23

I used the elvive bond repair system mentioned above and booting supplements daily for 3 months - transformed my hair!

*Biotin supplements

After trying different shampoos/hair products based on online reviews I've decided to do a few things:

• blood tests (ferritin slightly lower then 70 but doctor suggested increase iron in diet but not tablets; thyroid and other parameters within range)
• went to a trichologist in London who advised a serum(i think has mainly biotin in it) to encourage growth (but in my case not Minoxidil) and to return there in 6 weeks to look at the hair on the camera again;
• went for a second opinion to a Dermatologist which recommended Minoxidil);
• Dermatologist said Viviscal tablets are good and to continue;

None of them recommended any specific shampoo/conditioner.

I've decided for now i will do the serum and reassess in 6 weeks if there are any differences...and if not, will do the Minoxidil.

HRT helped me

Thank you all. @CheesePlantFeet it does feel more fragile when it's wet, so it makes sense. I usually try and braid it/wrap it in heatless curlers but it's been too upsetting to do that recently tbh.. I'll try washing earlier and letting it dry before bed, I think hairdryer would wake DC!

@notprincehamlet I've got a spare afternoon so I'll listen to that before I take action, although I did see that the elvive bond repair stuff is on offer/nectar price at Sainsbury's so I might try when i go at the weekend.
That sounds like a sensible plan @Est1990 I can recommend spatone sachets mixed with orange juice to increase your iron gently.
I'm not sure any specific shampoos or conditioner will necessarily help growth, I just want to try and preserve what's left as best I can.
Thanks @Theextraordinaryisintheordinary I have actually queried early/peri (I'm early thirties) but the GP wasn't convinced as my cycle is normal. I do have other symptoms but do have other health conditions to contend with too!

I wouldn’t leave your hair wet, I used to thinking this was better. I use a Dyson dryer on the lightest setting, go slowly and keep the heat low and far away from my scalp to ensure my roots are dry before I go to bed. I read something about this being better for the hair follicle. I use biotin too and I very gently massage my scalp.
I had a period of sudden hair loss and thining after a shock 2 years ago and it did get better but still has its moments and I am constantly aware of any changes.
I’m trying out Philip Kingsley scalp tonic with matching shampoo and conditioner - green and white coloured containers (early days yet).