Why is my hair like this?

[Vapeaddict]

And what do I do to fix it?!

I'm not actually sure it is fixable- I started with the fluffy "halo" after having DD 8 years ago and over time it seems to have worked it's way back, the whole of the top layer of my hair seems to have broken off (or stopped growing?) at about 3". (If the picture takes a while to be approved, it shows me holding the hair on the top of my head up vertically. The hair starts off thickish, then ends with just a few strands).

I've recently learned it's bad to sleep on wet hair so I'm trying to remember to wash it in the day and dry it on cool setting hairdryer. I've also stopped tying it high up/in a bun/remotely tight and only use satin bobbles at the nape of my neck (both of these with the last 3 months).

I don't use any heat styling or products on it at all- the very occasional bit of hairspray/dry shampoo.

I sleep on a silk pillowcase. My diet isn't terrible but there is probably room for improvement. My bloods are fine (actually fine not just NHS fine)- slightly low calcium but I've been on a supplement.

The worst thing I probably do is dye my roots- I try to stretch it so it's only maybe 5 times a year? I'm only mid-30's, not ready to go grey yet. Any thoughts pleeeease 🙏

Mines a little bit like this above my ears - sticks out and short. So annoying. It went away completely when I spent 9 months abroad. I’ve been back in the UK for a month and they’re back. So I think it’s the hard water and heavy minerals drying and breaking fine hair. A water softener might help but they’re expensive.

Early review of the OGX Keratin shampoo is that I like it. It leaves my hair (or at least, the hair that I have!) feeling good and fairly compliant. Obviously it's way too soon to know if it will have any impact on breakage, but I'm going to stick with it for a few months to see, as I doubt it will do any harm, even if I know I'm kidding myself to really expect any impact.

Really interesting that your GP was sympathetic and helpful, @abracadabra1980. I haven't actually been to mine as I assumed they would just dismiss it as cosmetic/hormonal. Perhaps I should put my big girl pants on and ask.

Thanks @TheGreatWesternShrew in theory I live in an area with average water as I understand, not hard or soft. I notice my hair goes very dry when I go away in the UK (south usually).

That sounds positive @LancreWowhawk it can't do any harm can it? I'm liking the OGX protein repair range- similarly, not sure if it's "doing" anything but it makes my hair feel good nonetheless.

I impulse bought some of the L'Oréal elvive bond repair leave in serum from Morrisons (£8.50 on offer) and I can't believe how soft and silky it's left my hair after one use. Usually "leave in" anything leaves my hair a greasy lank mess but this and the growth serum are both lovely to use, I'm surprised! And really hope they're doing good. Separate post incoming with my blood results...

@Vapeaddicttheres no such thing as average water. It’s either soft or it’s hard… that’s the classifications available.

So I got my blood tests results back really quickly! A message from the doc to say my VitD was low and they recommended a supplement. I went on to check other levels that are of course deemed 'fine'..
Ferritin is 44- not ideal. I gather 70+ for hair growth.
I also noticed my B12 is around 350- I read somewhere that optimum levels are more like 500 but this is less talked about than ferritin.

So I think I need to address all 3. Anything else to look a bit closer at? It's hard when the Dr says "fine" but you know some things aren't, it makes you question what else you could be missing!

I had no idea! I just searched my postcode and apparently it's "moderately soft"!

B vitamins (like B7 found in eggs nuts and seeds) helps to make hair if that helps x

I have this and it’s amazing! Usually I get that build up thing where shampoos stop working after a few weeks and I have to switch to another but I’ve used OGX for months now and my hair feels silky but clarified every time.

to be honest with you, I think you answered your own question here! It’s breakage from how you previously dealt with your hair such as high and tight hairstyles. Unfortunately hair takes YEARS to grow to match the length of longer strands, so you’re not going to see it even out yet. You might see a difference in 6 months, a year etc. you need to give it more time whilst remaining consistent, there isn’t really anything more to it.

Was just coming on to say check Vit D. I take a high strength supplement which has really helped my hair.

It does thanks @TheGreatWesternShrew I'd rather avoid supplements where possible- they never agree with me. Red meat, green veg, eggs and seeds need to feature!

I completely agree with you @Fabulously not necessarily the high/tight styles- I favoured a messy bun for a few years but I think the biggest enemy of my hair has been box dyes, including poor understanding of their use and applications, and poor diet. I think a holistic approach is needed to get results in years to come- there's no rush, the time will pass anyway- but anything that can help along the way is welcome!

I'll do my best to solve the box dye problem and address my diet but it made sense to rule out medical contributions- of which there's at least one with that ferritin level- and getting any product recommendations is always nice 🙂

Solgar multi vitamins are great

I think the really good and positive thing is that we can clearly see your hair is growing in, and it looks to be quite even growth eg we can’t really see sparse areas to your root. So you’re doing all the right things and your body has responded exactly how you want it to.

Don’t have too much red meat Op… no more than 500g a week is best according to the recommendations. Foods like oily fish are fantastic for your omegas that will help. As for vitamin D, if you are deficient then you really should take a supplement. The sun is at the wrong angle in the UK from October to March for any of us to make suggicient vitamin D and there aren’t that many great food sources outside of fish, egg yolk and beef liver.

All UK residents should be taking vitamin D supplements in winter.

Also I’m not sure what your budget is like, but I found my hair broke off less once I got a Dyson Airwrap. I felt my hair used to get to a certain length and snap off before, but I moved past that plateau after using my Dyson for most of my styling needs. I guess I just spend less time straightening it and using heat (but still have the exact hairstyle I want)

I've been taking viviscal for a couple of months after I was shedding an insane amount of hair and the difference has been striking, even though you're supposed to take it for at least 3 months before seeing real results. Maybe worth a go?

There's a spray vit D that you spray under your tongue, I use it after brushing my teeth as it just fits into that routine. Far less likely to cause tummy issues.

So I'm keeping up with my high protein diet- it's actually getting a lot easier now. Wish I could say I felt better for it but I don't!

Finally got to the pharmacy yesterday to stock up on some vitamins. I got a high strength vitamin D as recommended by the GP. I also picked up some Feroglobin liquid- iron & B12 should be covered by this. I don't have a good history with taking iron, it's usually harsh on my stomach, but this one promises it's gentle so we'll see. Hoping that helps get my ferritin up to a more hair growth-y level and make me feel a bit more human.

I was helping DC with shoes today and they pointed out my "bald patch" 🙄 it's actually just the way my hair/parting falls when I don't style it properly and a tiny bit of thinning but god it really hurt my feelings.

I'm in the market for a new hairdryer though to help with said styling- I cannot spend that amount on a Dyson air wrap so any dupes/good alternative recommendations would be most welcome!

Every few months, I am struck by the urge to let me hair be curly, and I succumbed last week, because surely if I let the curls out then 1) it will look fuller because curls = volume and 2) it's better for my hair because no heat is required.

Was swiftly reminded that 1) no, letting the curls do their thing does not magically mean I have lots more hair, I just look like I have sparse hair that is curly and 2) my hair still looks shit whether it is curly or not.

Still, at least it feels nice when I dry it properly these days! I remain unconvinced by either the biotin supplement or the collagen, but I promised 6 months and it's only be 4, but I still like the OGX shampoo.

My suggestion is to go to the hospital for a check-up, baby.

@LancreWowhawk I do exactly the same! I use a length of fabric and wrap my hair round it whilst wet so when it's dry it's curly, but I think it pulls a bit and probably is actually contributing to the damage so I've only been doing it for "special" occasions recently. Glad you're still enjoying the OGX- me too. I bought elvive bond builders serum on offer too and it makes my hair feel really soft.

The high protein is getting harder to maintain. I'm not sure how much difference it's making, toying with getting a protein powder or something. The Feroglobin iron stuff is vile tasting and NOT gentle as promised. I'm worried that with ferritin in the 40s I don't stand a chance! I am however keeping up with my vitD.

My roots are really starting to show now. I picked up a demi-permanent dye yesterday (nice & easy I think?) and just deciding whether to use half and do my roots only or start off with a full head. Also booked in for a trim so will be interesting to see if my hairdresser can see any difference!

Hi @Vapeaddict where did you get the Feroglobin from? Can you tell me how much mg of iron it contains? I’m waiting for blood tests next week… I’m a vegetarian and it’s so difficult to absorb iron. I take a 20 mg capsule from Grape tree but I doubt that’s enough. My hair is very fine in places 😞

Hi @HatStickBoots I just got it from the pharmacy! I just checked the bottle and it says it contains 14mg iron per 10ml. The dosage is supposed to be 1tsp twice daily. It says that's 100% of the RDA so your capsules sound good. Absorption really is the difficult bit with iron, especially from veggie sources (from my limited reading!).
It also contains all sorts of other vitamins and minerals e.g. B12, b6, Vit C and zinc. It'd be a really great supplement, I'm just a bit rubbish at tolerating, well, everything really. I'm surprised I haven't had some sort of reaction to the vitamin D.
Warning, it doesn't taste that great. I washed it down with some orange juice but there's no mistaking that metallic aftertaste!

Thanks so much. A liquid might be easier for me to absorb. You’re doing exactly the right thing to take it with orange juice. Good luck with everything 🙂