Need advice please - hair products

[ozbetty]

Am asking for recommendations/suggestions on what shampoo you ladies have had success with.

I used to have a good amount of hair before diabetes, now it is quite thin and coming out in clumps in the shower. I wash my hair only once a week, don't use a hairdryer and have tried different shampoos which I thought would help. Even bought an expensive one, a recommendation from my chemist, but did not help.

My hair is receding at the front too and don't wish to wear a wig . Any ideas please?

 

[lovinglife]

I’ve had the same problem, I don’t use a particular shampoo but my hairdresser recommended I take biotin and collagen, it’s not a quick fix, my hairdresser said it could take up to 12 months but I’ve been on them about 8 months and I’m now seeing a quite a significant difference, my hair is thicker and I have less fall out, I also have lots of new baby hairs at the front and lots of new growth shorter hair all over.

I also had heavy layers cut into my hair which you would think would be the last thing to do (less hair) but it does make it look thicker and gives it more body.

I get my tablets from Holland & Barrett as I also take B12 and folic acid and if you put them on subscription you can get them almost half price after your first buy. You can defer or cancel it at anytime - I have mine on every 2 months but deferred the last one until next month and you still get the discount.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

Back in 2019. I woke up one morning camping in Europe on holiday with my wife & noticed a 50pence bald spot.

I tactfully broached the subject & she mentioned she had another spot & owned up she’d been devastated about it.
I was gutted for her. I love my wife…
she stopped dying her hair & changed shampoo. She also went to see a doctor. Alopecia. B12 supplements & it did grow back in white. She looks great!
Edit to add. The grown back fair haired streaks..

Kinda funky like an MCU (Marvel comics or “cinematic movie” universe.) super hero. She now looks even more fantastic than before.

You have my best wishes.

Could I also suggest looking at macronutrients in the diet? These may have also been overlooked?
Don’t ask me how I know this stuff.. Spent 3 years in a mixed dance college..

 

[SimonP78]

@Jaylee out of interest what quantity of B12 is she taking and was this recommendation from somewhere in particular? I have alopecia, though it was my youngest daughter who noticed my 50p missing patch on the side of my head (though I had seen it coming for some time as it started with a 5p patch on my throat where I'd not get any stubble and gradually progressed such that I didn't have much stubble to shave in the end.)

I am at peace with the whole thing (easier for a man) though I'd be willing be give e.g. B12 a try and see if it changes anything - nothing lost either way.

 

[Jaylee]

@Jaylee out of interest what quantity of B12 is she taking and was this recommendation from somewhere in particular? I have alopecia, though it was my youngest daughter who noticed my 50p missing patch on the side of my head (though I had seen it coming for some time as it started with a 5p patch on my throat where I'd not get any stubble and gradually progressed such that I didn't have much stubble to shave in the end.)

I am at peace with the whole thing (easier for a man) though I'd be willing be give e.g. B12 a try and see if it changes anything - nothing lost either way.

Hi,

From what I know. It was just the recommended pill form dose of B12 daily?
Just checked the bathroom Dove intensive repair shampoo..
she had a couple of patches that manifested in 2019 sometime than eventually started to grow out as white funky streaks this was during lockdown by this time…

Back in the late 1980s I was at college with a young guy with a mullet.
I thought he was a bit of a rocker like me? On questioning his taste in music & discovering he was more a “raver.”
Lol, the establishment was full of ravers.
he lifted the length of hair down the back revealing a hairless patch covering the back of his head from ear to ear.
He came back in September after break, shaved.


You have my best wishes..

 

[erikame]

I’ve had the same problem, I don’t use a particular shampoo but my hairdresser recommended I take biotin and collagen, it’s not a quick fix, my hairdresser said it could take up to 12 months but I’ve been on them about 8 months and I’m now seeing a quite a significant difference, my hair is thicker and I have less fall out, I also have lots of new baby hairs at the front and lots of new growth shorter hair all over.

I also had heavy layers cut into my hair which you would think would be the last thing to do (less hair) but it does make it look thicker and gives it more body.

I get my tablets from Holland & Barrett as I also take B12 and folic acid and if you put them on subscription you can get them almost half price after your first buy. You can defer or cancel it at anytime - I have mine on every 2 months but deferred the last one until next month and you still get the discount.

I also heard that biotin and collagen can help improve hair condition. But as far as I know, the correct dosage is needed; the ratio is different in different dietary supplements. This makes it a little difficult to decide on a good biotin to collagen ratio.

 

[HSSS]

There’s lots of reasons for hair loss well beyond hair products and diabetes isn’t even the most common. A physical or emotional shock to the body (telogen effluvium) like surgery, birth, bereavement or illness, low iron stores (ferritin under 70 even if not anaemic), low b12 (under 500), low vitamin D (under 175nmol), post viral syndromes including the obvious covid even if mild, thyroid issues and other hormone related issues.

I’d go get checked over by the dr and get the results in numbers not “normal” commentary as the nhs ranges go well below what’s optimal for health. They focus on what’s going to kill you or do obvious serious harm instead, a bit of hair loss is well off their radar even whilst it’s traumatic for the owner of the head!

 

[lovinglife]

I also heard that biotin and collagen can help improve hair condition. But as far as I know, the correct dosage is needed; the ratio is different in different dietary supplements. This makes it a little difficult to decide on a good biotin to collagen ratio.

Ive never heard or read that and I did a fair bit of research do you have a link to the information please?

If that’s the case I must have the ratio correct as I have experienced a massive difference in my hair in the last 8 months

 

[Angela64]

Am asking for recommendations/suggestions on what shampoo you ladies have had success with.

I used to have a good amount of hair before diabetes, now it is quite thin and coming out in clumps in the shower. I wash my hair only once a week, don't use a hairdryer and have tried different shampoos which I thought would help. Even bought an expensive one, a recommendation from my chemist, but did not help.

My hair is receding at the front too and don't wish to wear a wig . Any ideas please?

I have this issue and it can be medication. It happens with Apixaban anticoagulant, which I have to take. I have used the men’s Alpecin, this was recommended to me by a friend.

 

[Murphymycat]

Ive never heard or read that and I did a fair bit of research do you have a link to the information please?

If that’s the case I must have the ratio correct as I have experienced a massive difference in my hair in the last 8 months

I am 71 and have very fine hair. I took collagen for ages but it was a waste of money, didn’t make the slightest bit of difference. I have B12 injections every 3 months. Some people can’t absorb B12 from food or pills but you will need a blood test to diagnose this. To find out more look up “intrinsic factor”.

I have tried umpteen thickening shampoos but they didn’t make a huge difference. I currently use Kerastase Densifique which is the best one I’ve tried. It makes my hair look lovely and it feels velvety. It isn’t the cheapest but you only need a small amount so it lasts.

 

[lovinglife]

I am 71 and have very fine hair. I took collagen for ages but it was a waste of money, didn’t make the slightest bit of difference. I have B12 injections every 3 months. Some people can’t absorb B12 from food or pills but you will need a blood test to diagnose this. To find out more look up “intrinsic factor”.

I have tried umpteen thickening shampoos but they didn’t make a huge difference. I currently use Kerastase Densifique which is the best one I’ve tried. It makes my hair look lovely and it feels velvety. It isn’t the cheapest but you only need a small amount so it lasts.

I was taking collagen on its own as well for a while and didn’t think it was working then my hairdresser advised that collagen won’t work on its own, you also need to take biotin along side it, I agree B12 and folic acid is also helpful I take both of those too. Like I said it took about 8 months for me to see a difference but it can take up to 12 months.

I know about the intrinsic factor as hubby has to have B12 injections

Just proves that the same things don’t work for everyone but sharing all our experiences hopefully helps others find something that works for them

 

[erikame]

I've found many different combinations of collagen with different vitamins for hair https://yoursherbs.com/iherb-best-vitamins/ , I am interested in the combination of collagen with hyaluronic acid. As far as I understand, it is more effective for skin health. Maybe, someone knows

 

[Taighnamona]

75, also with fine hair. I started taking liquid collagen and b12 supplements 3 years ago. Noticed improvement to my nails and joint pain but not so much to my hair. Sister in law gifted me Champo pitta shampoo 3 months ago and I have noticed an improvement in that I have less breakage but not yet any improvement in thickness. I’ve now bought another bottle and intend to continue using. I usually wash my hair daily. The Champo is £18 a bottle so not cheap but it lasted almost 4 months.