Dry Hair

[Eve]

I've noticed things getting drier lately, both hands and skin in places and hair, maybe due to medication and I guess maybe age.

I tend to use shampoo and conditioner which helps to tame frizz and keep my hair smoother and straighter and straighteners too which don't help.

Is there a good product without loads of chemicals which can help my hair get less dry generally? I'm starting to wonder if the products to tame frizz and such can make your hair worse in general.

Have stocked up on hand and skin moisturiser for the other bits. Got one of the Garnier ones for really dry skin so hoping that will help.

[woofgang]

well straighteners definitely do. can you give your hair a rest from them?

[Eve]

I can give it a try, it's quite short (early shoulder length) at the moment and has a natural wave and just seems to look unruly when I've dried it so would be loathe to leave it down. I've been avoiding wearing it up as having bands in tends to give me a headache so wear it loose most of the time.

I use a hairdryer but not for long as my hair is very fine so doesn't take much to dry. I'm rubbish at trying to blowdry it straight though as I can't keep my arms up for long and find just drying it difficult and haven't got the dexterity to dry it like a hairdresser does.

Am hoping it gets a growth spurt soon!

[boxtops]

I've started using shampoo with argan oil in it - this one's brilliant. http://www.boots.com/en/Organix-Morocon-Oil-Shampoo-385ml_1222268/

[boxtops]

..and I don't use a hairdryer, just brush it and leave it to dry. I can't use conditioner either, makes my hair too greasy. The shampoo ^ has made it glossy and manageable.

[Sqad]

Yes it may ell be due to medication......but i cannot remember....have you had thyroid blood tests and if so when and do you take thyroxine?

[Connemmara]

I don't use conditioner either as it would make my hair too greasy - anybody know of a good volumising shampoo that would "lift" my hair a bit. Ta - sorry Eve for stealing your post. Con

[boxtops]

Try that one on my link, conne - from Boots

[Eve]

Thanks boxtops, I'll go have a hunt tomorrow :) I have issues with conditioner too, it tends to give me spots if my hair hangs on my face and round the top of my back when my hair is longer.

I gave up using it for a while as it meant less faff in the shower, especially as I have issues with my shoulders. Started again recently after steroid injections helped a bit but one lot of washing would be better :)

[Eve]

I can remember having some years ago, must have been around 2007 though I think, thyroid was ok but they found raised testosterone which they put down to PCOS with other issues I have and were looking into hyradenitis supperative (sp?).

I have had all kinds of bloods over the years so could have had some done, I'll check.

Funnily enough I was going to ask if it was an idea to have some done a few weeks back as I've been getting periods of extreme fatigue (feeling almost drugged) and my weight is just bouncing up (though steroids, mirtazapine and pregabalin, the PCOS and lack of mobility don't help). I rang because of the tiredness and shooting pains and they said it was probably a side effect of the methotrexate I'm on and increased the pregabalin.

Dryness wise, they've said I have sicca syndrome related to the RA, as don't think I have the antibodies for Sjogrens. My mouth gets so dry overnight though, wakes me up sometimes and my lips are all dry and gunky in the morning and usually have swelling round my eyes too.

My temperature control seems to have changed too though that's not a bad thing as don't feel too hot like usual :) No family history I know of, uncle has secondary addisons but nothing direct in immediate family

[Sqad]

Well, that was 6 years ago.......i would ask for T3 T4 TSH estimations to exclude a n under active thyroid to explain your dry hair and skin.

[Eve]

Duh, sorry (woolly head tonight!), shooting pains and fatigue was why I rang the doctors which they put down to the methotrexate. I wonder if there is some carpal tunnel thing going on though I have impingement in both shoulders and my mum had the same thing about my age, double shoulder impingement, carpal tunnel and "some arthritis" so I assume osteo as RA never mentioned with her.

[Eve]

Thanks sqad, I will do. Will let you know if anything comes up.

[woofgang]

Conne Michael di Cesare Copper Peptide shampoo and leave in conditioner is good, they call it conditioner but its actually a very light spray. Its dear though and not easy to get hold of, QVC sell it bit are out of stock, its sometimes on ebay.

[Prudie]

L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil is excellent for adding condition and shine.

[Eve]

Thanks all :) I'll be off to Boots tomorrow.

Sqad, if you are still looking in, can thyroid problems cause skin rashes? Just a thought. Asked at rheumatology the other day and they said they don't think it is related to the methotrexate or steroid injections.

[China Doll]

Can you get that argan oil shampoo cheaper online boxy? Could have sworn I spoke to someone about this on here before.

[shaneystar2]

Hi Eve
Yes under active thyroid can cause itchy skin .
Plus ,dry or thinning hair , dry skin,brittle nails,weight gain,tiredness and general fed upness :)
Get it tested x

[Sqad]

Eve......no......one does not associate an under active thyroid with skin rashes.

[Eve]

Thanks Sqad, was seeing if the stupid rashes I keep getting could be linked in. I think I just have duff genes.

I got myself some of the shampoo Boxy recommended and treated myself to some Extraordinary Oil, hope it's extraordinary given the price! It was buy one get one half price on hair stuff in Boots so not quite as bad :)

Got home to find the top had come off the shampoo though (typical, the one time I buy an expensive shampoo) so had a mad 10 minutes getting all sticky trying to squeeze as much as I could back in the bottle then the rest which was stuck on the bag and other stuff was shoved on my hair then went and rinsed it off. Had only washed it a few hours before too but better than wasting it. My hands feel nice and smooth now though too.

Been a few days I wonder why I let myself out of the house! Was resting with my eyes closed on the bus on Friday (long week and arthritis flaring)and the driver slammed on the breaks catapaulting me headfirst onto the floor and landing on my not so bad knee. When in Boots earlier I managed to drop the entire content of my purse on the floor (all sorts of coffee and discount cards, prescription stuff....) and probably amused the shoppers for a bit in my crap efforts to try and bend down for long enough to pick them up. Quite glad to be back home!

I have a little thing of Argan oil treatment so am going to stick some of that on it then try the Oil with it tomorrow. Fingers crossed! :)

[brandyrose]

Eve - just for your information - this site may help you if you have any queries about thyroid problems. As per other post....with this you do have to get bloods done specifically for this to see if it is causing your symptoms.

British Thyroid foundation..... www.btf-thyroid.org
Hope all will be sorted soon and you will feel much better.