Brittle hair

[temp256]

My hair suddenly became very dry and brittle, for no reason I can discern. I don't dye it, and I only wash it about once a week. Until a couple weeks ago, it was very strong and felt fine.

What shall I do? I'm worried about it getting worse.

 

[englitgirl]

First is there anything different in your routine? Any new hair products in the last couple of months. Any drastic change in your diet? Any medications you're taking in the last couple of months you didn't before? If no to any of those, I would probably go see a doctor or at least hair specialist to see if they have any ideas.

 

[sunandshadow]

Sudden hair brittleness can be caused by illness/stress or lack of vitamins/fat/protein in diet. So I'd investigate that, and you could also try a revitalizing/protective conditioner.

 

[temp256]

No change in haircare that I can think of. The roots aren't damaged, so it's definitely not a medical issue.

 

[finesse910]

Try a hot oil treatment- let it sit in your hair for a while- then wash it out- your hair will thank you.

 

[Tricialen]

Have your Thyroid checked. That is one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism

 

[Berwyn]

The roots not being damaged doesn't mean that it's not a medical issue. If diet and hair care products have not changed ya might want to go to your doc and get checked. An under active thyroid gland (hypothyroid) can cause exactly what you are describing.

 

[Berwyn]

dang...ninja'ed by Tricialen

 

[temp256]

Coincidentally I just had my thyroid checked, so I'll know soon enough if it's a problem.

I guess I'll try the oil treatment. It's not likely to hurt, anyway.

 

[jmcdaniel]

It actually is a symptom of Hypo and Hypa thyroidism, as well as Hashimoto's disease... Which also stems from the thyroid gland.

But past the gloom and doom... I would suggest more green vegetables, less starch type foods. Carrots are a must. Tomatoes, and pretty much any citrus.

Also, I am assuming you are female. Your period can also effect your hair... Hormones have alot to do with the way hair grows... Have you taken a pregnancy test? Could you be pregnant? Where are you on your cycle? These are things to think about any how. Good luck.

 

[cryforme1v]

No change in haircare that I can think of. The roots aren't damaged, so it's definitely not a medical issue.

this may sound strange but it works!
Beer.
Let your hair soak in beer for about 10-15 minutes.
I do it about twice a month and it keeps my hair smooth shiney and doesnt break as much.
I wash my hair every day because if i dont it gets too tangled no matter how much conditioner i use. Long very thin straight hair sucks sometimes but its soo pretty!

 

[temp256]

I really don't think it could be a medical issue. The only thing which could affect already grown hair is a change in the sebaceous glands, but the hair near my scalp is just fine.

I have olive oil soaking in my hair right now, so we'll see if it works.

 

[LZB]

Mixing egg yolks with olive oil works really well, better than hot oil in my oppinion. Also adding some vitamine E into the mix helps. I use this on my hair when I've been mistreating it and it gets too dry. For normal stuff leave in conditioner, spray or cream, used after showering works well.

 

[cryforme1v]

egg whites are horrible for your hair so make sure you get as much of that out as possible - just use the yolks.
And yes - yolks with olive oil works wonders!!!!!!! feels nasty as hell tho lol so if you are squeemish to weird textures than i advise the beer method.

 

[coastal-boy]

miracle whip...my ex-wife is an elementary school teacher in a large inner city school district. Every year she would get lice from the kids (yes she believes in hugs). You can only use RID so often. Anyway...one of the older teachers there told her about Miracle Whip getting rid of lice. It works and the amazing thing is her hair was always in far better shape after. It works better than most hot oil treatments...go figure

 

[temp256]

Curiously, miracle whip is made with soybean oil and eggs, so it probably works about the same. It probably kills lice through both the vinegar, and asphyxiating them with the viscous goo.

 

[cryforme1v]

miracle whip...my ex-wife is an elementary school teacher in a large inner city school district. Every year she would get lice from the kids (yes she believes in hugs). You can only use RID so often. Anyway...one of the older teachers there told her about Miracle Whip getting rid of lice. It works and the amazing thing is her hair was always in far better shape after. It works better than most hot oil treatments...go figure

i'm sorry but you may be mistaken.
Miracle whip is horrible for your hair, she must have used regular Mayonaise. Like helmans or something.
Mayonaise is more of a dressing, its thicker and smooths hair and stregnthens it.
Miracle whip is made more out of oils which can, in the long run, damage your hair or make your scalp produce more of its natural oils which can lead to greecy hair all the time. which is unnattractive.

 

[cryforme1v]

although if your hair is dry, miracle whip may work to get the natural oils back on track.

 

[Blackbich]

this may sound strange but it works!
Beer.
Let your hair soak in beer for about 10-15 minutes.
I do it about twice a month and it keeps my hair smooth shiney and doesnt break as much.
I wash my hair every day because if i dont it gets too tangled no matter how much conditioner i use. Long very thin straight hair sucks sometimes but its soo pretty!

I'm still shocked over this one. Is there a certain beer that works better, say dark versus light?

 

[fire_breeze]

No change in haircare that I can think of. The roots aren't damaged, so it's definitely not a medical issue.

Not necessarily. When my thyroid level goes low, then my hair becomes brittle, but the roots are healthy.

A lot of things can also play a factor, such as change in hair care, a new product (even laundry detergent), a change in diet, added stress and even a change in weather.

 

[temp256]

Well, it's finally washed and dried as per my usual methods. It feels very soft, but still very thin, and a bit more brittle than it should be.