Sad menopause hair

[WheeshtNoMore]

My hair has always been very thick, coarse and prone to frizz. Into my fifties, and it’s all of that and more. Whereas it did previously style nicely if I went to the trouble of blow drying or straightening it, it’s now just straw-like whatever I do or use and even coming out of the hairdressers it never has that gloss or shine anymore.

Posting to ask for any advice before I hit the shops in expensive despair.

One obvious change I’ve noticed is that whereas it would always take 12+ hours to dry naturally, it is pretty much bone dry within a couple of hours now, even though it’s no less thick. Does this suggest lack of protein or mosiure, or is it just inevitable ageing and I’m doomed to a witch-like mane from now on ?

Mine's definitely got like that. I've stopped using shampoo on it, and just wash it once a week with a Coconut Co-wash called AsIAm from Amazon, which seems to have helped. I think shampoos with sulphates in dry your hair out a lot. I also oil the ends a couple of times a week at night as they feel very dry. I literally just put a slug of Jojoba oil into my palm and then rub it through the last few inches of hair before bedtime.

L'Oréal extraordinary oil is amazing for this.

Coconut oil is a good and cheap start if you want something to try. Also avoid any heat on the hair. Mine is definitely more coarse and it seems to come out a lot in the shower. I love a good hair masque once a week and have to cut it every 6-8 weeks whereas I used to be able to 12 weeks.

i have also invested in cocochoco keratin treatment which I do at home once every 3 months it’s a bit pricey think I paid about £90 for a large bottle but it will last me a good couple of years.

Be careful using products with coconut in, mine hates it, the fb group I’m on , many people can’t use it either,.

you could try embracing your curls/ waves ? Stop using the straighteners, wash with conditioner, leave some conditioner in. I only air dry mine now and it does take forever to dry but I’m a curly and it likes that .

Thanks all, a few things to think about.

I have done a lazy version of curly girl for the last few years @FlibbertyGibbittand while my hair isn’t properly curly, it waved fairly nicely (until I slept on it!). I tend to only straighten it once a week when I’ve needed a smart(er) work appearance. It’s just too dry and too frizzy now though for natural
texture to be nice enough to leave as is - there’s been a definite deterioration in its underlying condition.