I'm so upset about my hair

[NutellaEllaElla]

I don't know if anyone has any advice. The top layer of my hair has broken off at about 5 inches long. The rest is shoulder length. I think it's from when it was really hot and I tied it up a lot, I even slept in a ponytail. I've dyed my hair for many years and in the last year I have blow dried and straightened it a lot too. I know it feels worse than it is but I feel like it looks like a mullet. I'm devastated. I'm using Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate shampoo, conditioner and leave in treatment but my hair doesn't like it, I can shampoo it 3 times and it's still greasy. I've just done an Olaplex treatment for 2 or 3 hours. I'll probably buy the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner as well.

My hairdresser says I just have to wait for the short bits to grow back and of course that's true but how do I improve the health of my hair please? 😞

Be careful what you use, if your hair is brittle and breaking then adding too much protein can make it worse. You need the right balance of protein and moisture. Stop straightening your hair and treat it gently. Get as much cut off as you can. Then it’s just patience waiting for it to grow back!

Hi Op,

Exactly the same thing happened to me. I had been having my hair bleached my for a few years and suddenly started getting breakage, the sides and the top at the back broke to about 2 inches from just below shoulder length. I have fine hair anyway so was mortified and thought it looked like a mullet!!
I was having it done at a reputable place and caring for it I just think ultimately my hair couldn’t take it anymore! I now have non bleach highlights.
I did try olaplex but for me it didn’t work and I thought it dried my hair out and made it worse. I know it does wonders for some though so may be worth trying. Olaplex is a protein so make sure you condition too and invest in a good conditioning mask. You can put olaplex and masks on damp hair and wrap in cling film, you can also do this to sleep in.

This is how I rectified my breakage and my hair has pretty much grown back to the full length. It did take about a year to get here, but it was certainly less noticeable to me after a few months and no one else seemed to notice the breakage too much!!

1. Redken products. I love Redken and highly recommend the extreme length shampoo, conditioner, sealant and mask. I really believe it sped up my hair growth and it really improved the condition. I also swear by the anti-snap spray and put this on damp hair always before brushing.
2. Change the type of colour on your hair, no bleach, or just highlights on the top section trying to avoid the areas of breakage. I have non bleach highlights and only had my top section done for about a year, it blended well. Try to have it done no earlier than 8 weeks apart.
3. Really try to avoid heat as much as you can, where you can leave your hair to dry naturally and do not towel dry roughly! If your hair gets flat I find a bit of mousse while damp helps with a bit of volume.
4. Do a conditioning mask 2x a week.
5. Try supplements like biotin and make sure you get enough protein. I found a supplement called Cherry Active was also good for my hair, as did my mum who also takes it. It is montmorency cherry or something, you can get it at Holland and Barrett.
6. Use a decent hairbrush like a tangle teezer, always start at the bottom and hold your hair while brushing so not to pull it.

I hope this is helpful to you and sorry the post is so long!! Just know it will come back as long as you care for it! X

Gah I can't find no.2, seems they only want to sell it to salons in 2L containers.

Take some vitamins for hand, skin, hair and nails. Increase the healthy fat in your diets and decrease unhealthy fats (More salmon, nuts and olives, less fried foods). Sort out your iron issues.
Stop dying your hair, or switch to a quasi or semi permanent if a dark colour, get a root drag instead of all over bleach or highlights if your blonde to phase it out. No lightening products! Whether they are called bleach or not, lightening is very damaging.
Air dry as much as possible, if you use heat use it at the lowest heat for the shortest time and always use a heat protection product.
Intensive conditioners and oils are all great, anything that will restore moisture to the hair. You don't have to fork out for olaplex, but that is also a great product.
Switch to silk or soft scrunchies high are gentler on the hair, over elastic bands which cause more tension and which can snag.
Get a shag cut to integarate the shorter pieces into your hair cut and make it look intentional (also on trend). A shag can look great with just the tips dyed, so this is a perfect cut for growing out dye. Or as above can switch to a gentler dye.
Usually with hair breakage like that it's from multiple different factors, but if you practice best practice in all areas it should restore the condition quickly compared to focusing on just one area.

What supplements are you taking? Over the counter ones or ones prescribed by your GP? Over the counter ones aren't going to be strong enough to fix your hair falling out.

I'd focus on going back to the GP over and above shampoo and conditioner TBH.

If you want to tie your hair back use a real silk scrunchie.

I’m getting a wolf(ish) cut tomorrow because I’m 50 and my fine hair is resembling cat hair more and more by the day. These are some of the photos I’m taking to the hairdresser. I’ve got medium/honey blonde hair naturally, and think it’s time I went blonder.

Btw, iron tabs won’t help postural hypotension. That’s a blood pressure issue. You can drastically increase your fluids and will find an electrolyte supplement helps also.

Take some collagen supplements

I've had better results with k18 than with Olaplex 0 and 3, but sometimes I just have to get it cut and start again.

I just use spatone and agreed with the GP to manage it through diet.

I've never heard of k18. My head had been skinning with all the different Olaplex products, is there one k18 product in particular?

Spinning

Op spending more money isn’t necessarily the issue- you say an expensive salon but that doesn’t mean it’s the right salon, and Redken for me is the most overpriced set of products- Pantene or the herbal essences hello hydration or the dove repair products did more for me than Redken or kerastese ever did. Also use an oil, even the Aegean oil you get in Penney’s/Primark is amazing- use a small amount when hair is wet and use a heat defence spray. Cut down on washing your hair and at least once a week let it dry naturally. So you’re bombarding it with products to get it back in shape but using heat as little as possible for the time being. Best of luck op, have been there and it’s awful but amazing when it gets back to full health!

Sorry, argan oil!!

How about going for a 60s/90s style headband? These ones are very good quality. I use them if my fringe has gone wrong or my hair is greasy and they look glamorous.

What's your hair texture like OP? I'd be worried about overloading with protein if it's breaking extensively like this.

It's true you'll have to wait for it to grow but I'd definitely stop tying it up. If you need to switch to a clip and a looser style or silk scrunchies. Invest in a tangle teezer and make sure to detangle from the ends up in small increments whilst holding the hair to prevent pulling.

Products wise I would stop stripping the hair with multiple shampoos. If that's still leaving your hair greasy at the roots it's the wrong shampoo or you're stripping the scalp and it's over producing oil to compensate. I'd switch to something gentle for washing, clarifying shampoo once a week if you have build up and focus on treating the hair with the right products - it may not need more protein. It may need moisture.

@dontgobaconmyheart what is a gentle clarifying shampoo? Can you recommend any? Add I've been using protein balancing products, I'm more wondering if it needs more moisture. My hair has always been soft and now it looks dry and frazzled. Any product recommendations for improving moisture?

Try a clarifying shampoo to stop the greasiness, it's build up of products.

The Body Shop ginger is fab and what I use but there's lots of others on the market.

Ok a Google for moisture masks is coming back with Olaplex 8.

I've been avoiding silicone based products like pantene.

I've been avoiding sulfate shampoos too, is that best?

The best remedy is to leave it be! Gentle wash & condition, twice a week max, use an eco range. Let it dry naturally. No other products, no styling appliances. Use fabric bands, silk scrunchies, padded clips. Eat well, take a general multivitamin/mineral, get some exercise, and lots of sleep. Then wait! Cut off the damaged parts as your hair grows out. The regrowth should be stronger, healthy, happy hair.

❤️ yes I'm going to try to relax about it!

100%. No sulfates!

I think if your hair is really dry I’d avoid olaplex. It dried mine out and too much protein products can really dry the hair.