Hair Straighteners = Thin hair?

[Buttonmoons]

I've been using straighteners for about 5 years, when I first started using them my hair was very thick, I had to go to the hairdressers to have it thinned out.

Messed around with my hair alot with different hairdyes, always a mess.

Then I got pregnant and my hair got thin.

Been straightening throughout, and I never use a protective spray :o and normally always do wet to dry.

I'm getting worried as someone pointed out they could see my scalp and I'm now super paranoid, I know my hair had thinned alot anyways, not baldy bits or anything, but I have to blast it with hairspray before I go out otherwise it's just FLAT.

I have very long hair, which I LOVE having and really don't want to get it cut into a bob.

I'm not after medical advice btw, I'm just wondering if anyone knows of health supplements that can help hair growth, and how I can keep my hair in tip top shape, I really need to go and get my hair trimmed by a hairdresser as I've been doing it myself the past 4years, so probably loads of scraggy bits.

It dosen't look too bad thickness wise, when It's not been straightened, but once I have, it looks a lot finer IYKWIM? But then I don't really like my hair Un-straightened as it just dosen't do what I want.

Any suggestions?

[mazza111]

Can't suggest anything but I don't think it was just the straightening that done that to your hair. Perhaps a combination of hair dye, pregnancy hormones and straightening. Have you had your baby yet? Maybe it will thicken up again when the little one comes along.

[Buttonmoons]

Yes, I had her almost 3years ago!!! So I would think those hormones have came and went.

[xxvickixx]

Buttonmoons, I could have written this post. Everything you said applies to me except the wet to dry, I never do that. My son is 14 months and my hair just looks flat all the time. I cut mine myself so could do with a proper trim round the bottom but I don't think that will do much. Recently I cut some quite short top layers in which I fluff up and backcomb a bit if I want a bit of glamour lol! I have heard that kelp tablets can help hair growth but not sure if it would do anything for thickness. It might be an idea to stop with the wet to dry as it can damage your hair, also I think that might make it look thinner. I find that if I do a good blowdry job with a round brush and then try to use the straighteners as little as possible it has more body.

[suki1964]

Have to say Ive noticed my hair becoming "sparse" since Ive used straighteners. And theres a lot of hair in my brush and plug hole :(

Im easing off the straighteners. saving that for high days and holidays. Blowdrying is also kept to the minumum now.

I do think there is a connection. I always had loads of hair, hairdressers always commented on how much I had. But I always used to keep it very short and never used straighteners or the hairdryer. Just the last two years since I went shoulder length :(

[melancholly]

my hairdresser told me to reduce how much i use my straighteners because it makes the ends all thin.............

[PinkGrapefruit]

I dont think the straighteners make you hair fall out at the root which seems to be what you are describing. Mine have done a fair bit of damage but with my hair it just kind of breaks off. Maybe try giving you hair soft curls (using the straighteners) rather than making it properly straight, thast will give the hair a fuller look.

[Buttonmoons]

Well, I'm not sure if they fall out at the root, but it has a general aura of fine/thinness now. I have tried curling my hair with my straighteners, I have 2 pairs, a thick pair which are useless and a Remmington pair you can turn the heat up/down, but all they do is make my hair smell burnt and my attempts at curling are lacking!

I honestly do think the straighteners have damaged my hair, I DO notice it more near the bottom but as my hair is so long that could be because that's scraggy hair from pregnancy.

I may try holland & barrett for some kelp tablets, and I am seriously going to lay off the hair straightening.

OH came in today and said - Your hair looks nice and thick today, reminds me of Kate from Lost. I think that's probably wishful thinking, and he knew I had been hinting at extensions - That's probably his way of saying - Wow your hair is so thick, extensions would look silly......and save himself money. Hehe.

[border collie]

Extensions make you lose even more hair.

Do you have it tied up in any tight styles?

[annie2005]

I'm not after medical advice btw, I'm just wondering if anyone knows of health supplements that can help hair growth, and how I can keep my hair in tip top shape?

Vitamins only work if you've got an actual deficiency other wise they are a total waste of money. Some of them are even harmful if you are doubling up from other sources. You could safely try one standard dose multivitamin with iron a day and see how you felt generally. It would only work though if you actually were lacking in something. Just taking more won't help. My hair got thinner because of anemia and I was warned about not over doing the iron tablets once the tests showed that blood levels had returned to normal.

What does work for some people but costs a bomb are the new baldness treatments. The ones which came from the drug which is a medical treatment but thickens hair as a side effect. My ex was told about them when he went to his doc. Unfortunately he was also told that as his father, grandfather and uncles had all gone bald at an early age he'd follow suit. There's apparently a gene for some male baldness and he wasn't at all happy at the time.

:beer: Though later on that year for comic relief he shaved his head as a way to get a sneak preview of what was to come and discovered that the Kojak look really looked hot on him. So happy ending for him.

[annie2005]

Looked it up and the name of the drug is minoxidil but it's sold under differing brand names.

[suki1964]

Though later on that year for comic relief he shaved his head as a way to get a sneak preview of what was to come and discovered that the Kojak look really looked hot on him. So happy ending for him.


The Kojak look is hot on most men:smileyhea:smileyhea:smileyhea




Well its heaps better then the comb over:rotfl::rotfl:

[Buttonmoons]

No not tight styles, A loose bun thing when I'm cooking (If I see a hair in my food, I can't eat the rest of the day!) but mostly it's left down or in a loose style.

I definatley think I need some sort of Iron tablets, I've had a period the last 6months so I reckon I'm lacking in something.

I think bald heads look sexy too, how come women can't pull that look off? Haha.

[PinkGrapefruit]

Hair extensions will make it worse in the long run, they weigh the hair down and put more tension on it. I had some a few years back and when I took them out they took quite a bit of hair out with them. I'd try the vitamins and maybe a tiny trim, my hair always looks thicker when I get the scraggy bits that have ben heat dmamged cut off though I like to keep mine long too so I understand you want to avoid getting it chopped.

[karenw]

I've been using straighteners for about 5 years, when I first started using them my hair was very thick, I had to go to the hairdressers to have it thinned out.


I have been using GHD's for 5 years and i have very thick hair and my hair has got even thicker since using them believe it or not :eek: total nightmare :mad:

[Buttonmoons]

Gosh I hate you :p Why can't all Karen's have thick lovely Cheryl Cole hair? (My name is Karen btw)

I'm going to go to the hairdressers soon and get the scraggy ends cut off, my hair dosen't look too bad when it's not been straightened, it's just the bottoms that look dry and thin. I guess I should really condition my hair.....

Would layers add volume to my hair? I have no idea about hairstyles, I'd class my hair as "rockchick" but that's probably because off all the hairspray I use!

[annie2005]

I have no idea about hairstyles, I'd class my hair as "rockchick" but that's probably because off all the hairspray I use!

I can't remember the name but there used to be a website where you could use a picture of yourself to try on all sorts of styles to see what did and didn't suit. A friend put me on to it after a nightmarish attempt at hair dying. One shade or three darker and I looked like a more butch version of my father.

Oh and anyone else remember that bald actress in the first Star Trek movie? If you were an Indian beauty queen to begin with then bald can be carried off as a fashion statement.

I've wracked my brains as to the name of the website but it's not in my bookmarks anywhere. Someone might know of something similar.

There are some of the more expensive hair salons which have software which does the same thing. Showing you what your proposed look will actually do to your appearance. We all chipped in some cash for a friend and she used it as part of her wedding package of hair, nails, facial and professional make up. Looked fantastic after they'd done her.

[karenw]

Gosh I hate you :p


Trust me having really thick frizzy hair is no picnic even drying my hair takes a good hour maybe longer, the hairdresser i use said he has never seen hair like mine in all the 25 years he has done hairdressing :eek: i used to have long hair like you but i couldn't cope with it so went for a bob which has made it a bit easier to manage but when i wash it or it rains oh boy it's like i've been dragged through a bush :o

[ayeshasi]

i have had exactly the same problem with u....i went to my hairdressers and she recommended some Nourkrin tablets....they are very expensive though so i asked for an alternative.....the alternative is massaging an egg on your hair...its messy and yuck but i tried and it has helped alot!! I massage for a minute or so and leave it on for 15 mins minimum and wash it out......

[Mercy]

Gosh I hate you :p Why can't all Karen's have thick lovely Cheryl Cole hair? (My name is Karen btw)

I'm going to go to the hairdressers soon and get the scraggy ends cut off, my hair dosen't look too bad when it's not been straightened, it's just the bottoms that look dry and thin. I guess I should really condition my hair.....

Would layers add volume to my hair? I have no idea about hairstyles, I'd class my hair as "rockchick" but that's probably because off all the hairspray I use!


I put my long hair (rock chick :)) into a ponytail on the top of my head and cut the ends off. use a second band which you slide down the length to get something to cut to. This gives gentle all over layers and keeps the ends in trim.

I use straighteners and although I don't think my hair is any thinner as such, it easily looks flat (tis quite long and very heavy). I use a root booster after straightening but hang my head upside down while I spray to the roots only then kinda wait a bit and ruffle it in before I put my head strait again.

Also don't use conditioners on the roots of your hair. Just the ends. Else you're making it more likely to lie heavy from the top.

Hope this helps :)

M

[xxvickixx]

Thanks Mercy, I'm going to try your cutting technique this evening. Where exactly do you put the ponytail, is it on top of your head like a pineapple, or just like a high but sensible ponytail?

[Mercy]

Thanks Mercy, I'm going to try your cutting technique this evening. Where exactly do you put the ponytail, is it on top of your head like a pineapple, or just like a high but sensible ponytail?

On top (like a pineapple) but I do mine slightly to the back of my head. You get a nice v shape at the back cos the hair growing from the back of your neck and around the lower parts of your head have further to travel ponytailwise. Also means that when I wear my hair up like this it all sits nicely at the same length - bonus!

I have modified this recently by doing the same with the front half of my hair and cutting it slightly shorter. See how you go with the regular one. Once you are happy with the results you will feel more confident messing with the front :)

I haven't been to a hairdresser for about 4 years because this is a good way to trim and keep the ends in shape. I will visit a professional again when I want it 1 length all round - again! As I'm sure I will at some point. It's just too difficult to do yourself :D

[xxvickixx]

Thanks Mercy, that makes perfect sense. I have had a beer (been a stressful day) already this evening but I think this will make me more confident and able to throw caution to the wind lol!
I will let you know how it goes, I already cut my own hair and DH does the back so it can't be any worse!

[Mercy]

Thanks Mercy, that makes perfect sense. I have had a beer (been a stressful day) already this evening but I think this will make me more confident and able to throw caution to the wind lol!
I will let you know how it goes, I already cut my own hair and DH does the back so it can't be any worse!


Go girl! Doubt you'll regret it :D

May make hair easier to handle if you wet it or use conditioner so it behaves while you cut it. I use coconut oil before I wash and cut my hair then.

Big love

Mx

[xxvickixx]

Done! Looks great and feels much heathier, I did a tiny bit first and then brushed it down, looked OK so I did it again, took about an inch off which was enough to loose the wispy ends. It was so quick and easy too. I used olive oil as didn't have coconut and that probably did it some good as well. Hooray!!

[Mercy]

Done! Looks great and feels much heathier, I did a tiny bit first and then brushed it down, looked OK so I did it again, took about an inch off which was enough to loose the wispy ends. It was so quick and easy too. I used olive oil as didn't have coconut and that probably did it some good as well. Hooray!!


Yay! Glad it worked for you! Feel well chuffed :D I knew it worked, good to have it confirmed! :j

Mxxxx

[zippychick]

i am very particular about my hair. I dont own straighteners or a hair dryer and let it dry naturally. Ive done this for about 10 years and it definitely makes a difference. I rarely use products , as i believe they generally do damage also. I have quite long hair which is thankfully in great condition and i believe its all these factors combined. I get my hair coloured at the hardressers, so to make the colour last longer, i only wash it twice a week. Killed me in the beginning but i seem to carry it off. My hair doesnt look quite as manky as you would imagine, and i think to be honest , the lack of washing has helped condition it. I always use conditioner, and on the rare occasion i don't , my hair is dry and horrible and frizzy.

HTH

[Buttonmoons]

i had a bath today and was shocked at how much hair had fallen out, it was like 3week old hairbrush amount. I am freaking out. I really don't wanna go bald!

I'm going to get my hair cut in the next few days, I've not had it properly cut in years so a good trim and get all the scraggy ends off might help, I think i'm going to get a good few inches cut off too, I'm loathe to do it but basically the length at the bottom is just all thin rats tails.

I read something interesting on the internet though, about aspartame causing hair thinning?

I am embarrassed to admit this but for the past 2/3years I have been addicted to Diet Coke, I get a migrane if I don't have some, and I sometimes go through about 12 cans a day......

I know it isn't healthy and it's quite expensive too, but if I knew that contributed it would be going in the bin.

Can the pill cause hair thinning? My hair used to be super thick and since I got pregnant and got a Diet coke addiction it's went rubbish! Though it's never been this long but I shouldn't think that would effect it too much.

I'm not saying Diet coke is the reason my hair has went sucky, but it could be a possibility?

[bagpuss11]

Hi Buttons

I have the same problem. I've never had thick but in the past 2 years its gotten really thin. It is really thin at the front - I have a side parting on the left and the hairdresser said I should move it more to the left so that I've got more hair covering the bald patch. Sometimes photos show the baldness at the front, and it is hard to see, especially as I'm only 29.

Hair loss runs in my family, and both my mom and aunt wear a wig. Not sure what has caused it, but we've all had some problem with our womb. I've got a fibroid in my uterus. I've just had the embolisation process to block the blood supply to it. I expect this has led to my hair loss, as it has made me very spotty on my chin, having been spot free since my teens.

I've tried the Perfectil nails and hair tablets, but always end up forgetting to take them. I bought the Boots Expert hair loss spray but found the smell too medicinal and strong that I was embarrassed about being with work colleagues or in public as you have to use it twice a day. I dont tend to straighten my hair anymore, except for special occassions as I worry that it damages my hair, and I find that quite a few hairs fall out afterwards. I am on the pill and have been for 10 years. I have a good and varied diet.

[Buttonmoons]

Hi Bagpuss, Im away to get blood tests taken on Monday to see if it could be caused by my thyroid or anaemia etc. The hairdresser pointed out to me last week it's really quite bad, eek! I'm thinning on the scalp now.

So I've stocked up on vitamins

Sea Kelp
Vitiamin B
Silicea

Hopefully I'm just lacking in something. I wouldn't say my diet is fabulous.
My hairdresser also told me to start putting my hair over to cover my scalp.

It is worrying and horrible isn't it? I even went to see about getting acupuncture on my head but they want £250! If I knew it would work I'd stump up, but I bet it wouldn't!

My mum has REALLY thick hair, like I did, so do my sisters, but her mum & sister have really thin hair, my aunts is pretty bad, and she straightens it which makes it look worse, as she isn't just thin on top, it's all over.