Hair help - pics included

[Humptyfelldown]

I'm booked in to have a haircut tomorrow and I'm terrified.

I've been growing my hair for 18 months, from very short, which I used to love (after my second daughter, and a huge blood transfusion, after which my very, very thin, curly hair, went very thick and straight).

My hair recently has started to get very, very thin again, and has bald patches on top Very short hair looked stupid as along with the thiness the curliness returned and I looked like I had a bubble perm.

As it grew it looked it OK, but in the last few weeks it's gone really weird. The condition is fried - literally,; no matter what treatments it breaks at the ends every time I brush or comb it, and the frizziness and lack of condition has knocked the curl out.

I should add I am anaemic and have been for some time (the GP refuses to prescribe iron as they may cause constipation (I know I've been anaemic for a while as I have 3 monthly blood tests and I've been anaemic for 18 months now).

So I've got an appointment tomorrow, what do you suggest, You can't see how awful the condition is, but it's awful, no matter what I do.

See another doctor.

Yes, I agree with Mike, sort out your health issues first, your hair texture may improve.

Thanks, but in the meantime what sort of cut will make it look it better/improve it temporarily?

I would consider your diet; could you see a dietitian?
Maybe the hairdresser could advise on a hairstyle. I'd go shorter seeing as you liked it shorter. From what I can see of your face you look pretty so most styles would suit your face.

Thanks Mike (I would post flowers, but my closing square bracket isn't working).

I have a funny relationship with food and previous anorexia and bulimia, and am taking lithium (hence the blood tests and weight gain), and now topiramate as well (losing weight, but also has the added side effect of hair loss). I'm also a bona fide qualified nutrional therapist, but due to previous bulimia, tend to starve myself very easily, so am trying very hard to apply my knowledge and eat healthily, there are other things wrong with my bloods, but that's not the point of the thread (sorry for the derail).

I'm fast approaching 50 so this was my last chance at long hair, and I just feel I have to settle for being 'old' now .

Aww Humpty, you are a mere chicken !
Do you ever tie your hair back/put it up ? Maybe you could grow it, this way. But you have lovely eyes, so I imagine a short style would work well. Your stylist may be able to suggest a serum or something to tame it a little, it is wild and lionish, at present ! 😄

I had my hair cut at the weekend after 2 years of growing out a very short crop. I then had it coloured last year, several times after convincing myself that I shouldn't go grey at 47. My hair was similar to yours, thinning, wavy/untamed curls, just below shoulder length and not particularly in good condition.

I went to the hairdresser and chatted to them about a restyle, I ended up with a short, layered bob. All the colour has been cut out and the short style shows off healthy, shiny hair. I was so reluctant to lose the length but it's a lot better for it. I don't think it's aging at all, probably the opposite! I'd go and ask their advice, check out Pinterest for some styles you like and don't be scared to go shorter!

Why are you anaemic? I would see another doctor- a friend if mine goes for iron infusions every so often because health issues cause anaemia.
You cantata iron supplements from over the counter, you don't need a prescription.

Definitely try to sort health issues out, any vitamin deficiencies etc. In the meantime have you ever tried olaplex? I used to have frizzy untamable hair when anaemic but this has really helped with the texture and hardly need to style my hair at all now.

Also try spatone supplement to boost your iron levels if you don’t get on well with iron tablets - you can get this from boots

Are you on with removing some of the length? If so, I also think a choppy shorter bob may be a good style? Something blunter will make it appear thicker.

I was going to suggest Spatone too.

Please see another doctor! I’m a doctor. Your hair condition is due to anaemia, which can have many cause(s):
Iron deficiency - lack of dietary iron, inflammatory bowel disease, excessive bleeding, low vit C or high phytoestrogens/tannins.stops absorption
Pernicious anaemia - lack of vitamin B12 - dietary or again commonly not absorbed
Eating disorders can exacerbate both, as can hypothyroidism and perimenopause.

Simply increasing dietary iron assumes only cause is lack in diet, and this or Spatone can not possibly correct clinical anaemia. They can maintain a normal iron level.

Persistent anaemia if severe is really hazardous to your long-term health, and can put stress on your heart to try to maintain normal oxygen levels.
Hope you feel improved soon - please look after yourself, and get a great new haircut when the condition is improved.

Listen to quince Go and see another doctor. Try a female one who might be more sympathetic.

Not prescribing iron for someone anaemic is baffling! Can't understand their thinking at all. There's things that can help with constipation and I'd rather have that than anaemia.

I'd also get your hormone levels checked.

You've got fabulous hair btw. Love the natural curls. Olaplex is a great treatment you could try. It's quite popular in salons now so you should be able to find one that does it.

Not on the hair issue, sorry. But I found liquid formulation of iron (floradix or spatone) is less likely to result in constipation, because you need less iron in the formulation for the necessary iron to be absorbed than in tablets. If you take with vit c (either the liquid in juice or spatone do sachets with vit c in them as well as iron) this will also aid absorption. Fixing the anaemia will honestly change your life.
No advice on the hair though, sorry!

Olaplex sounds good, Enid.
Starface, over the counter iron liquids are certainly less constipating - this is because they have much, much, less iron in them. Prescribed high level iron supplements will be needed for you to have the anaemia corrected, Humpty, maybe with some gentle laxatives - your ED history should not change this. Good luck.

.

Thanks for the flowers.
Here are some for you:

I would start with your health. In addition to the previous checks suggested get your vitamin D checked as I understand this can impact on your thyroid levels (& UK does not treat hypothyroidism until your levels are very low). For your hair, have you tried elasticize? I saw an offer last week with the £16 tube free with a magazine.