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What has helped your fine thinning highly porous menopausal hair?

27 replies

UglyJumper · 29/10/2022 08:00

My hair used to be my pride and joy and now it's the bane of my life. I feel like I'm wearing a mop. I've had to stop straightening it as it's clearly damaged. I could accept the wave (just about) if it didn't just look like a frizz ball. I'd appreciate suggestions for suitable products (high end okay), but please don't suggest curly girl. I don't like it, I've tried it before and it doesn't work for me.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 08:04

I’m using Only Curls and doing less to it, that seems to help.
I also occasionally use Frizz Ease conditioner.

ZaZathecat · 29/10/2022 08:06

Paul Mitchell leave-in conditioner is quite good for mine

meateatingveggie · 29/10/2022 08:06

Me too, grim isn't it.

I've had to stop straightening because what I'd got left was becoming so damaged it was breaking.

Finding the right shampoo is important I think. I tried every thickening or curly one on the market I think, spent a fortune. I found Alberto balsam the best by miles and only £1.

Same with every product. I had so many bottles and tubes of expensive gunk I was embarrassed. Boots Curly Crème is the best and again so cheap.

Finally I think a cut that suits curls is hard to find and even harder to find a hairdresser able to do it. I have a fairly short graduated bob which I don't like particularly, but it's ok.

After that, it's hats all the way

alphasox · 29/10/2022 08:08

I also hated curly girl but I’ve found a mid-way where I use john Freida frizz free shampoo and conditioner and then a leave in frizz taming spray, then let it dry naturally. I have a slight but not uniform wave but this leaves it looking silky and good, I comb after the wash and brush it when it’s fully air dried.

Sparkletastic · 29/10/2022 08:09

Nioxin. Get it in Boots, Amazon, Look Fantastic etc.

Squirrelsnut · 29/10/2022 08:11

I find Biotin has helped my hair. Or you could try a more ££ one like Perfectil.
Do you eat plenty of good fats?

I recommend going sulphate and silicone-free, and perhaps co-washing every other wash. It really helps maintain gloss. Just ensure it's silicone free.

Also, slather with coconut oil for a few hours, then shampoo twice.

I'm using the Glaze product at the moment which gives a lovely sheen.

Squirrelsnut · 29/10/2022 08:12

...I should add, your hair will be weird temporarily if you eliminate silicone, but it will settle.

KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 08:13

I found, with my curly hair, anything thickening actually makes it frizz.
And I didn’t like what Plantur did to my hair either.

TaffyandTeenyTaffy · 29/10/2022 08:19

Caffeine shampoo has really helped my fine thin hair...(cheap one from home bargains) but it is very straight, sounds like you have a slightly different issue. My hairdresser mum uses and recommends Vosene.

Aurea · 29/10/2022 08:20

Another vote for only curls products and their fab hair towel.

Girlintheframe · 29/10/2022 08:37

I tried curly girl and hated it. Persevered for months but gave up in the end.

My hair is wavy and a complete frizzy mess. I spent a fortune on products. Colour wow dream coat was the only thing that worked ok. Eventually I got a keratin silk blow dry. Absolute game changer. I now get it done twice a year. It's expensive but has saved me a fortune in products, time and stress.

otherwayup · 29/10/2022 08:39

Can I ask when this started happening for everyone?
I'm early 50s and so far my hair seems ok but it really is my pride & joy and if it goes to shit I'll be devastated! I have very fine but thick hair which I regularly dye and also straighten everyday 😳
I'm just about coping with the itchy skin, insomnia, thicker waist etc but if the menopause comes for my barnet I won't be happy 😢

Maximo2 · 29/10/2022 08:42

HRT! Even my hairdresser had commented about renewed thickness after a year.

WhereAreWeNow · 29/10/2022 09:05

I'm in the same boat OP. It's just so fragile and frizzy. It does look better when I straighten it but I feel like I'm making the problem worse with heat damage.
I've been using oil as a pre wash treatment (coconut oil or a hair oil I got in Boots). I find a bit of Nuxe oil to smooth it after washing works better than any silicone serum. I also like Living Proof 5-in-1 styling cream.
Curly Girl used to work on me but now it just looks stringy and horrible.
The grey hair is coming through thick and fast now too.
I've always had long hair but I'm starting to see the attraction of a pixie crop!

bestbefore · 29/10/2022 09:07

I love aveda. Shampure and then a normal biotin conditioner. They also have a range for thinning hair avanti - I'm liking the mousse at the mo

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 29/10/2022 10:22

After a bad bleach salon lockdown job which has almost grown out I use:

le petit Olivier pomegranate coloured hair shampoo or Davines OI shampoo.

then I use Pantene 3 minute hair treatment or Aussie 3 minute miracle

or use a mask and then use conditioner after, usually one for coloured hair.

I like the Davines OI conditioner.

afterwards I use Redken One United leave in spray and a hair serum for damaged hair but hopefully after end of this year I won’t need to use that. I always used Tigi Ego Boost leave in conditioner though before.

I used to use Aveda light elements serum but of course they discontinued it, I got a bottle off EBay. Same with Redken outshine (finishing cream) but got loads off eBay.

don’t really use above styling products have got Matrix Smooth Setter finishing cream and a few others. There’s a nice VO5 leave in cream for damp hair that styles it well.

I’m quite lucky in that my hair is fine but lots of it. It’s not really thinning either though not as luscious as when younger.

my hair would suit curly girl but I can’t be bothered. It’s more wavy anyway so I use an Afro comb to comb it through and leave to dry naturally or blow dry.

my hairdresser doesn’t like olaplex and nor do I and warned me off keratin treatments as she said it’d be hard to do curls etc otherwise.

Steampod would be good to style.

the Davines OI products aren’t cheap but are very good as is the Redken One united. They’re the few products that I’ve consistently repurchased over the past 4/5 years.

i’d also look into a good hair mask - you can use the Davines conditioner as this.

UglyJumper · 30/10/2022 07:03

Thank you for the suggestions. I will look into some of these products. I am also wondering about supplements, specifically Omega 3, 6, 7, 9. Do any of you take them and have noticed the benefits?

OP posts:
GonnaGetGoingReturns · 30/10/2022 12:06

I take supplements but nothing for hair. Mine are menopause supplements so:

Menopace Max
Floradix (have to take iron)
Vit D for sun
Sage
Multi vitamin
Omega oil capsules (for dry eyes)
Magnesium (sleep)

Have heard kelp is good for hair loss.

ITriedToStopSwearingButICunt · 30/10/2022 15:14

Nothing will return my hair to its sleek youthful gleam, especially as I put a permanent dye in it every 6-8 weeks (believe me, I've tried), so I've given up and have it up all the time. At home it's in a big claw or high ponytail; when I go out I opt for the 'elegant chignon'.
I've had to start wearing earrings and dress more smartly to pull it off.

I agree with a PP that HRT seems to have a rethickening effect, too.

SuffolkBargeWoman · 30/10/2022 15:20

Regaine for hair loss.
HRT has helped.
Silicone free conditioner, even if you don't do full curly girl. I find Curlsmith really good.
L'Oréal hyualaronic spray and Matrix thickening spray.

Theteapotsbrokenspout · 30/10/2022 15:25

I use products from this company Champo , they do help my hair, but not cheap

Stumpedasatree · 30/10/2022 19:52

Can I ask what HRT specifically helps hair please? I think I'm peri, and my poor hair is really suffering 😢

MrsDrudge · 30/10/2022 20:00

Silke hair turban worn at night has worked miracles for me in terms of improving texture and density as well as eliminating frizz.
Not the most glamorous of bed time attire but we’ll worth it

Maximo2 · 30/10/2022 20:33

Stumpedasatree · 30/10/2022 19:52

Can I ask what HRT specifically helps hair please? I think I'm peri, and my poor hair is really suffering 😢

I have a Mirena coil and oestrogen gel.

mathanxiety · 30/10/2022 20:34

Biotin.