Why is my hair so brittle?
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free skin care · Thu May 29, 2008 9:10 pm

Help!

I am at my wits end with my hair. For some reason, for the last few years my hair and nails have been extremely brittle. This is not due to hair dying, chemicals, damage, using the wrong products, etcetera...it is the hair growing out of my head. My hair has no elasticity whatsoever, it snaps with the slightest tug. I've chopped it off many times in the past few years to start over with "healthy" hair, but to no avail.

My only explanation is that there there must be something internal going on (a deficiency? malabsorption?). I know that as we grow older, our hair and nails get weaker, etc. but this started in my teens, and I am 23 now. I've dabbled in taking a few vitamins and supplements (MSM, iron, silicon, biotin, EFAs multi V), but I've seen no changes. I don't know if I just need a sustained regimine, or if there is something else going on that vitamins won't help. Admittedly, I don't have the healthiest diet possible, but I generally don't eat meat, I *try* to stay away from processed foods, and try to eat as many fruits and vegetables possible. I'm thinking of next trying cysteine and/or a mineral/calcium supplement. Oh, and I've also noticed that I've been having increased knee/joint pain, I don't know if this could be related...?

I'm so depressed about this. I hate having short hair, but alas, I can't get it to grow with it breaking all the time. I'm not sure what my next step should be. Has anybody experienced this before? Does anybody have ANY ideas? Sad

thanks

free skin care · Thu May 29, 2008 10:21 pm

Coconut, the first thing they say when you are having hair problems is to make sure that you are getting enough protein...whether that is coming from meat, legumes, etc. is up to you.

Nails reflect the same protein scenario, plus they also reflect if you are not getting enough fat in your diet.

Have you considered using fitday.com for a short period to really track what you are eating from a protein/fat standpoint? It IS a hassle, but it can quickly depict a protein/fat deficency if you are detailed about what you enter.

HTH!

Fri May 30, 2008 2:18 am

There are a few things that can cause joint pain & brittle nails/hair.

One is Hyperthyroidism, but there are a few other medical conditions as well that cause these symptoms.

Run, don't walk! to the Doctor. I don't know if you have insurance or not, but the sooner you get it checked out the better (both for your health and pocketbook).

Good luck - and keep us posted!

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 5:02 am

I agree that you should see your dr.

Diet does play a big role in how your look and feel. If you are not getting a well balanced diet it could easily show in your hair/skin and how your feel.

You mentioned you dabbled in some supplements...it can take a few months to notice a change sometimes, especially with your hair. But before doing anything else I'd see my dr.

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 5:12 am

I agree about going to the doctor ASAP. There are a number of medical conditions that can cause this in addition to thyroid problems. For example, celiac disease (which is an intolerance to gluten--all wheat, barley, etc.) will prevent you from absorbing nutrients even if you eat right and take supps.

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 6:50 am

Hi, Coconut.

What strikes me, is that you don't eat meat. Then you are most likely to get a deficiency in protein and vitamin B. That will show on your hair and nails.

You told that you take Biotin, but that's only one of many vit B. I would take a vit B complex. Vit B is water soluble and won't build up in your body and cause toxicity (unless you eat extreme amounts).

Of course it's a good advice to see the doctor and get your levels of minerals and vitamins measured. Good luck to you. Smile

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 7:21 am

ETA: Vitamin B12 deficiency is particularly common among vegetarians. The level of B12 in your body can be measured.

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 7:47 am

I would start out with taking a good multi and calcium + D everyday. Start adding more protein to your diet. Fish, nuts, beans, and healthy fats like olive oil. Even peanut butter. Eat some flaxseed meal. Yogurt has protein and calcium.

Use a shampoo and conditioner with protein in it. Use a leave in with protein.

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 8:50 am

Septembergirl wrote:

ETA: Vitamin B12 deficiency is particularly common among vegetarians. The level of B12 in your body can be measured.

Vit D deficiency is also very common with vegetarians. You should take 1000 - 2000iu each day, but don't go crazy because there is a toxicity level with Vit D.

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 9:40 am

I'd suggest a good quality high potency fish oil...

Horsetail tea has also helped my hair.

If you can find a naturopathic doctor you may have more luck with tweaking your diet, they tend to use pharmaceuticals as a last resort and tend to hone in on the cause of the problem instead of just masking symptoms.

Good luck!

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 9:41 am

I agree with above posts - you should go to the doctor and improve your diet.

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 1:25 pm

Definitely go to the doctor and have some things checked out: thyroid levels, vit. B levels, Vit. D levels. You don't state your age but no matter what your age, you may also be going thru hormonal changes. Talk to your doctor about that too.

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 2:36 pm

lunarmm wrote:

Definitely go to the doctor and have some things checked out: thyroid levels, vit. B levels, Vit. D levels. You don't state your age but no matter what your age, you may also be going thru hormonal changes. Talk to your doctor about that too.

She said she's 23 now in her post.

Coconut, I would suggest taking fish oil or flax seed oil, and hair vitamins. I use the GNC hair, skin, & nails. It does take about 6 weeks before you notice any difference. Also drink plenty of water.

Also, I read that brittle hair indicates that your hair is dry and it needs moisture. Don't use shampoo and conditioner with protein as that will cause your hair to be more brittle. However, you can increase your protein intake internally. Try taking some whey protein supplement.

Other than brittle hair, do you have other symptoms?

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 2:39 pm

I agree with bethany and septembergirl.

Externally jojoba oil is good for brittle hair it is full of minerals and vitamins.
.

free skin care · Fri May 30, 2008 2:48 pm

ruk1 wrote:

lunarmm wrote:

Definitely go to the doctor and have some things checked out: thyroid levels, vit. B levels, Vit. D levels. You don't state your age but no matter what your age, you may also be going thru hormonal changes. Talk to your doctor about that too.

She said she's 23 now in her post.

Sorry, I didn't notice that in her post. Embarassed

I still recommend going to a doctor to make sure nothing serious is not going on - like a vitamin deficiency or hormonal imbalance.

For hair moisturizing and softening, there are tons of recommendations on EDS. I like coconut oil as a hair mask/conditioner.

I also got Rene Furterer carthame pre-shampoo treatment in a Beauty Test Tube. It's not anything I would've bought on my own because of cost but I've noticed a distinct difference since using it. I've used 5 of the 6 vials included and will replace this product and am also looking into using other Furterer products in the future.

It sounds like the karite (shea) line might be best for Coconut. Click on the section that says You Naturally Have and choose your hair type/concerns:
http://www.renefurterer.com/common/0,4320,12981751_15228633_0_en_US_0,00.html?vid=15227969
You usually can only get the Furterer lines in salons but I'm seen it in C. O. Bigelow store, Douglass Cosmetics, and on Ebay. And you can look for a local place that carries their products at their website.

Fri May 30, 2008 10:35 pm

I second not using protein shampoo and conditioner. I have been having major issues with my hair and went to the doctor and it turns out my iron is very low. I don't eat meat either, but I do get iron from greens and lentils etc..I think what plays more of a role is sugar intake. I am a sugarholic and I think it interferes with nutrient absorption. No doctor told me that, just my personal opinion.

I have been using this treatment called thriven. It has really helped strengthen my hair and I am pretty happy with the way my hair is growing in now. I was even losing my hair and had two bald patches that are almost grown back in. If you want to read more about thriven and how to improve the condition of your hair you can read the blogwww.killerstrands.blogspot.com . I have mentioned the blog before in a few other posts because it has really helped me out a lot.

I have also been taking liquid iron supplements and using SLS free shampoo and not using conditioner. I know it sounds weird to not use conditioner but so many people are having more and more hair issues and using more and more deep conditioning treatments everyday to try to help, but I think it may be having the opposite effect. I was very hesitant to not use conditioner, but I believe it has improved my the condition of my hair. I was just going to try it for a few days because I thought my hair would fall out if I didn't use conditioner. But it didn't and simplifying my daily regimen has worked wonders. I also only wash my hair every other day and do not blow dry or use any straighteners or curling irons.

I am determined to get my old hair back. I know what a toll it can take on women to have hair issues and I hope I can help a little. Also, if you are only 23 now and having these problems, just think about what may happen as you get older if you don't get things under control now. Please don't ignore what your body is trying to tell you. Hopefully you will go get your blood drawn and see what's going on. Good luck to you and keep us updated on how you're doing.

free skin care · Sat May 31, 2008 8:45 am

anjim wrote:

I have also been taking liquid iron supplements and using SLS free shampoo and not using conditioner. I know it sounds weird to not use conditioner but so many people are having more and more hair issues and using more and more deep conditioning treatments everyday to try to help, but I think it may be having the opposite effect. I was very hesitant to not use conditioner, but I believe it has improved my the condition of my hair. I was just going to try it for a few days because I thought my hair would fall out if I didn't use conditioner. But it didn't and simplifying my daily regimen has worked wonders. I also only wash my hair every other day and do not blow dry or use any straighteners or curling irons.

Interesting regarding not using conditioner.

I've gone the opposite direction and become interested in conditioner only washing. I haven't gone there yet but I am using much less shampoo and using the Furterer pre-shampoo conditioner. I am seeing much softer, more moisturized hair Very Happy

Sat May 31, 2008 12:41 pm

I know it sounds crazy to not use conditioner, but the treatment I use twice a week conditions it enough. I don't expect anyone to jump on the bandwagon, but if you have tried everything else it couldn't hurt, right? Smile

free skin care · Sat May 31, 2008 6:26 pm

Wow, you all are amazing! thanks for all the advice. I will go to the doctor asap.

free skin care · Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:51 am

YOur diet definitely affect the hair quality, maybe you should have a more healthy and balance diet.

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