Change in hair

[Excitedannie]

I know this is a first world problem but believe me, it's everything to my DD.

She's just 15. Up until about 12 months ago, she had the most beautiful, thick, long blonde hair - just gorgeous and it was her feature and everyone commented on it. We had about 3 inches off last Christmas, and since then, it's just awful. Literally doesn't grow, the ends are dry and split, it's lank, and I can't emphasis enough - it doesn't grow (bearing in mind hair grows from the root - not the split bit!). She doesn't straighten it or use heat - everything she does is heatless - she washes and conditions with a deep conditioner each week. I just don't know what else to suggest - does anyone have any ideas or is it common for these things to change during teenage years? I honestly can't tell you how much its changed and she's so upset!

What's her diet like ?
My first thought is poor nutrition.

Definitely, texture and color can change; my daughter's hair got a bit lighter and is now wavy instead of straight. However, the thickness and growth is the same. I would also think it might have to do with nutrition, perhaps also immune status? I know some people had thinning hair after covid.

I would say that nutrition is absolutely fine - she's a good eater and slightly paranoid about health so she has a varied diet, lots of veg, meat etc and nothing different than before. She's doing Food and Nut and Sports Science so she's very aware of diet. If anything, it's better as she's tried to cut down on snacks because of her skin (which is fine). She drinks plenty of water. She's had Covid, about 18 months ago, so that might have an impact.

Have you had her thyroid checked?

What hair products is she using? My DD’s hair was ruined by a very well known (+pricy!) conditioner. It was literally breaking off and turned to a straw like texture, never again!!

If her diet is ok and she’s not using chemicals and heat on her hair, at that age I would think it’s possibly hormones or stress. Maybe ask your GP and get done bloods done. Is she stressed with school work, GCSEs coming up? My daughter is in year 10 and the school seem on a mission to stress the kids out.

Ohh please name the brand to avoid

Has she tried rosemary oil? My daughter uses it and her hair grows very quickly

I vaguely recall a TV Doctor programme where he focused on a family each episode. One of them had both teenage daughters with awful hair and he put them on extra vitamins. Within three months you could actually see the difference. There are special hair and nail tablets but if you read their ingredients list you might be able to buy them cheaper as seperate, usually B vitamins and Iron iirc.

What are her periods like? She might be low on iron.

Thank you for all your comments. I've just googled thyroid symptoms and nothing shouts out at me but perhaps you're right about asking for blood tests - I'll look into it. Her periods are fine and she's on wellness vitamins because she really suffered from colds last year, but I'm going to buy her some of the hair and nails ones (and for myself too!!). She's year 10 and yes, she gets very stressed about school and is always trying so hard.

And yes - name the conditioner because I can practically guarantee its in our bathroom!!!!

@XelaM Olaplex! She also used Livingproof for a while which resulted in hair loss, later discovered that they’re currently in a law suit over it! She went back to bog standard Elvive and her hair is now gorgeous again - super healthy and shiny.

wow interesting!!!! I've actually bought the Aldi dupe for me so I'll report back!!

Ohh my daughter didn't like it!! And our hairdresser tried to sell us samples of it for £60!

My daughter's favourite shampoo/conditioner brand at the moment is Monday. She has very long hair that used to be very frizzy, but Monday really suits her hair type and makes it silky smooth.