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? 😞

This has happened to me a little bit-the front bits of one side of my must have broken off at about 4 inches long-the rest of my hair is longer than shoulder length. It looks like I'm trying to grow out a one sided fringe! The broken bits aren't growing at all!
I usually have baby lights and bleach to the money peice. I'm going to knock that off for a bit and I've bought some hair growth serum (champo-spendy but I'm desperate) so hoping that will help.
Currently resorting to wearing the short bit gripped back with a pin which was a good look when I was 10, at 40 no so much!

Re: k18, it's a bond repair. A bit like Olaplex, but it certainly is not a moisturiser / mask. Your hair will not feel soft / silky afterwards, but it will "fix" the strands so that breakage cause by bond damage won't happen (obviously lots of different reasons why hair might be damaged). I'm not aware of different products - when I bought it was 1 option in a couple of different sizes, which is good as it's v expensive, so get a small size to see if it works for you. Put it on washed (but not conditioned) hair, leave for at least 4 mins, then either style as normal, or put some leave-in conditioner on, then style. Do not rinse.

Do you use those coily hair bands or the tight elastic ones? Coily are much kinder to hair. Silk pillow case too and a plait at night. Can you rock a short cut and then focus on growing out? Are you wavy or curly at all? Try curly girl as an alternative to heat styling?

Thanks @OwBist

Bless you @warofthemonstertrucks I hope it grows out soon.

@CloseYourEyesAndSee i have beachy wavy hair. Tried curly girl before but it was all too heavy for my fine hair and didn't clean it out so it looked greasy. I can scrunch water into it and leave it to dry naturally. Together with a silky head band and I have a hair clasp as well, I'm hoping to keep it presentable without heat as much as I can. I've never cut it short and have a couple of social events coming up where photos will be taken so I'm nervous to go for a big chop tbh.

My hair was very damaged from red dye - it's naturally very fine and easily damaged. It's used to be quite long but I had no choice but to cut it off to above my shoulders and the top lighter layers (my natural colour is medium brown with golden brown streaks) which were especially damaged I cut off to about five inches below root. It looked like absolute shit of course so I've been clipping the short layers back and just letting it grow. I put on a hair mask once a week and I didn't use any heat on it anyway. It's growing a lot quicker than I thought it would actually. I already take Biotin after having horrendous post partum hair loss so I think that is helping.
I read that you can't really repair damaged hair though, all you can do it temporarily make it look more hydrated with moisturising treatments. I learned this the hard way and ended up just having to chop it all off.

I really love the Redken Acidic Bonding line shampoo and leave in Treatment, but I hate the conditioner, it leaves my hair lank and sticky. This line, and Redken Extreme bleach recovery have improved my previously bleached hair out of sight. I also love the Extreme Lamellar water. I cleanse with Allsoft every now and then as I find it gives a deeper clean.

Yeah I can't do the leaving product in part either, I think that only works with proper curls not waves but I can end up with some very nice defined waves without heat so that's worth trying

tonymaleedyhair.com

Sulphate free shampoo

@Stravaig you are right about this but I would look like an old witch! I did curly girl for a year and would walk into the toilets at school and cry at my appearance as I looked so ugly, did nothing for my mental health!

I came on to recommend K18 too.

I stopped dyeing my hair in lockdown and have found that my greys are brittle and cobwebby and this stuff seems to really strengthen and add weight. I bought the medium sized bottle first, but have just done a pricey repeat purchase of the big size, as I'm pretty convinced it's worth it.

(Ebay was cheaper than cultbeauty btw, if you are thinking of trying it.)

I’ve recently been using Gruum solid shampoo bars (SLES and silicone free) for my wavy hair. I don’t use heat on it and use a micro fibre towel to blot damp hair. I also use a wee bit of Noughty Hello Curls to add some extra bounce. Only wash every 3 days or so.

Can't believe no-one's suggested a silk turban! I think my hair's been less frizzy since I started using one at night. Best of luck, OP - my hair has changed completely since having kids and it's bloody demoralising.

I agree plait it when sleeping. My hair went through a long phase of being great and it's recently worn off, I think stopping bothering to plait it overnight for a few weeks is the only thing I changed. I am changing back now!

I also sometimes plait it wet in the mornings and let it dry in the plait but it does mean having your hair in a plait all day which is not the look everyone would choose.

Wish I could plait my hair! Even YouTube videos don't help unfortunately and now the damaged bits are too short anyway. I'm going to buy a silk pillowcase though.

The method for curly hair is all about improving the quality of hair so you may get inspiration there. I wouldn't do co washing but I would look up low poo or curl friendly shampoo and conditioner. There's a focus on getting water into the hair, silicone and drying shampoo and conditioner will dry out the hair and mask it with silicone. A great curl friendly hydrating or repairing mask will help. You can use satin scrunchies for tying your hair up with less damage. Good luck!

Sorry I see your previous update. Don't do curly girl (definitely don't do cowashing) but use the products as they are designed to improve the quality of hair, not mask it.

Hi @NutellaEllaElla go to see a different gp and ask for your iron (haemoglobin) & folate levels. Haemoglobin & Folate levels can really affect your hair health and low levels can contribute to hair loss!

If your level is below about 110 plus your Folate level is low then ask for Ferrous Sulphate tablets (don't accept Ferrous Fumerate tablets as they can dye your teeth green - this happened to me!! I had to get them cleaned by a hygienist.)

Many gps don't like to give out the tablets unless you feel unwell with your low haemoglobin so you will need to explain about your hair.

The 'normal' level for haemoglobin is 120. So if your level is eg between 110 - 120 you could try diet plus bought iron supplements to increase your haemoglobin levels. I use Holland & Barrett Gentle Iron 20mg capsules one a day.

I also recommend Perfectil Hair supplements- game changer! They do also have a small amount of iron in among many other vitamins, minerals & collagen etc that are good for hair.
I buy mine direct from the manufacturer, Vitabiotics. A subscription Costs £14.36 a month for 4 months with the 5th month free.

Basically I lost my hair at the front due to an epilepsy medication.. it took years to regrow but in the last two years I've been taking all the supplements it's so healthy looking & much thicker now.
I get highlights but don't straighten my hair, I often only partially blow dry it.
I only use scrunchies to tie it back at work & put it in a loose bun in bed.

Amazing advice thank you x