Menopausal, straw hair. Can it be transformed?

[bornonvalentines]

Morning
Almost overnight, my shoulder length, highlighted hair has turned to straw, Nothing has changed apart from my age (49) but it's totally unmanageable. If I dry it straight it goes wiry, if I try and curl it the result is almost matted.

Are there any products which have worked for you? I'm having a couple of inches chopped next week (in despair). Willing to spend on products if someone can vouch for them. Thanks in advance.

Thank you @bornonvalentines it helps that I have a lot of it.

@Ffsebok it's really good - I try and wash my hair twice a week so it doesn't get too dry and use lots of cream before drying - the wonder water is really good

I've got shoulder length highlighted hair, am same age - the things that I believe have made a really positive difference to the condition of my hair are HRT, regular use of Olaplex shampoo and conditioner, air drying my hair 90% of the time to 90% dryness only then using hair dryer/Big Hair and I now ALWAYS use Pureology Color Fanatic leave in conditioner which I think makes a huge difference https://www.lookfantastic.com/brands/pureology/colour-fanatic.list?affil=thgppc&kwds=&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000115075742&adtype=&product_id=&gclid=CjwKCAjw15eqBhBZEiwAbDomEtlGuvWY3BeLhNxofe6KHAkksVcVbnD8eG3A6p8shB2tuochNe1KwBoC5tIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm really happy with how my hair is - I really rate the leave in spray! I use about 8 squirts as soon as I've very gently used a wet brush to brush it after its been blot dried with a towel and have brushed it into the parting I like and brush the leave in conditioner through and will just rake through my fingers as it's air drying and will often very happily now just leave it to air dry fully and I'm really happy with it (I used to faff loads with Big Hair, straighteners etc but don't need to do this half as much any more).

I use L’Oréal elvive extraordinary oil as well. You can use it when washing your hair, drying it, or afterwards. Made a difference to my dry hair.

OP, I read your title and nearly shouted "YES!". Years ago I was struggling with menopausal straw hair and a friend took me both to aveda and a fancy hair salon. I spent the next year dedicated to investing money to try out things and I did find things that worked. Just keep trying things. Lots of brands do samples of free returns.

I co-wash most days now, with Adam Reed co-wash which seems pretty good. The Umberto Giannini banana one is nice too, and there are quite a few good products in that range including the Grow Long Mask which is lovely, and good value. I use Elvive heat protection spray as well.

I think my hair just couldn’t take the constant washing any more, and the co-wash is so much gentler. I don’t use anything with silicone, and my hair doesn’t get product build up.

I have a good quality hairdryer (Hershesons) and am thinking of getting an AirWrap, but if my hair was amenable to air drying I’d do that.

I also take Perfectil. My nails grow like crazy so I figure it must also be doing something for my hair!

I think some of this menopausal stuff is about thinking about ourselves a bit differently and being willing to make gentle changes. It’s so distressing to see and feel yourself getting all dry and your hair getting all horrible - I am trying to treat myself kindly and gently. Currently experimenting like mad with undereye concealer, as I have suddenly started to look like I’ve never slept in my life!

This is amazing .. you only need a really small pea sized blob of shampoo - it has made such a difference to my menopausal hair
On offer in boots and tesco

https://www.boots.com/pantene-hair-biology-menopause-shampoo-for-thinning-hair-250ml-10296677?cmmmc=bmm-buk-google-ppccPLAsAsHeroCompareare--PMax:+UKKSmartShoppinggHealthcareOther&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADrIajWuAup9TMpKTony6M9duukVi&gclid=CjwKCAjw15eqBhBZEiwAbDomEjQUmaAolg-xx9ba4JErUtieSdL47DYLwM8JombEY5dH5DNIYgIIhoC8CIQAvDDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Lovely repliiers, this is not a sexy subject, but I think it's important

Same problem here. It looks best when I style it curly with loads of conditioner and gel to scrunch but it looks frizzy by day 2. Any attempt to smooth or straighten it leads to candyfloss frizz.
Faith in Nature shampoo bar seems to leave it in slightly better nick than normal shampoo.

I have started using cantu Shea butter leave in conditioner. I have used it for about 2 months now and it has really helped with the texture of my hair. It looks less dry and frizzy now.

Thank you so much for this thread, I’m having the same problem and the replies are very helpful!

I’ve thought of taking a collagen supplement, but I’m vegetarian and they all seem to be animal based. I wondered if anyone had found a plant-based alternative?

I’ve been using Philip Kingsley Moisturising shampoo and conditioner and it’s changed my hair so much for the better. I go swimming three times a week too which can be awful for hair, but it’s in lovely condition.

I cut out old dry highlights and have reverted to natural colour. I wasn't sure it would work, but my hair now looks the way it did when I was in my 30s -luxuriant and glossy, if a little silver-streaked.

HRT. Don't treat the symptom, treat the cause.
Menopause is a hormone deficiency condition. Replace the hormones. It'll also reduce your risk of osteoporosis, dementia, some heart conditions and some cancers. The only downside is a tiny increase in risk for other cancers which you can mitigate with lifestyle changes anyway.
We aren't meant to live for years without oestrogen.

I don't think they're meant to work. I think it's specifically the bovine element of it that's the critical part.

My hair seemed to turn to straw overnight with the same frizz.
I did find Olaplex helpful but got sick of the expense and switched to Shea Moisture Manuka Honey shampoo, conditioner and hair mask. They are sometimes on offer at Boots and are definitely cheaper than Olaplex.

Also Hask Argan oil repairing deep conditioner mask in sachets is really good.

I eventually went on HRT but these hair products had already made a big difference.

I had exactly the same problem due to menopause and age. Tried all sorts of high end things and wasted so much money on things that didn’t work. As a last ditch attempt after a recommendation I tried Oribe moisturising shampoo and conditioner and then the Oribe Super shine moisturising cream before I dried it. I was reluctant to try it and waste more money because it is really expensive. But my goodness, its like a miracle. My hairdresser noticed it too telling me how much better my hair was. I wash and blowdry my hair daily too and its coloured, so it should be in bad condition but its 100% transformed and is sleek and shiny not and all the dry, course, frizz has gone. I

I’ve found the Hask Argan oil 5 in 1 leave conditioner quite effective - together with not using heat on my hair.

I haven't rtwt but hair oil really helped my hair when it went like that.

My hair has gone like a frizzy mess too, but went through thr menopause 5 years ago.
I have biotin and collagen are the way to go, have received my parcel this morning, so hope it helps.
To the vegatarian, are you allowed Marine collagen? That's the one I have bought.

Not to put a dampener on the collagen recommendations, I am sure that it works for many, but although I really need something for my menopausal hair, I couldn't take it at all because it made me feel nauseous. I thought maybe it was just one brand that made me feel sicky and a little shaky, but I tried several, with the same results. I tried tablets and powder but nothing suited. I am fed up about that. Anyone else not able to tolerate collagen supplements?

Really tempted to try Oribe now, though, thanks to this thread!

Aveda Damage remedy treatment. A very small amount after washing and conditioning-
in damp hair. Moisturising but Non-greasy.

https://www.lookfantastic.com/aveda-damage-remedy-daily-hair-repair-100ml/10861199.html

Wella luxe oil is honestly amazing. It has completely transformed my hair. It’s hard to get your hands on these days but you can get it from Amazon. Then I also use a deep conditioning hair mask (I like Aussie sos supercharger repair) on every wash. As soon as I see any split ends I cut them off myself. The luxe oil has made the most difference though!

@Sussurations Tarte shape tape concealer is bloody amazing - a little goes a long way! Xx

K-18 leave-in repair hair mask.
It is expensive but you just need 3 or 4 drops each time you wash your hair. It is literally miraculous. I've tried just about everything but nothing even comes close to the transformation this brings - straw to silk!