Hair Loss
Can anyone advise which hair treatment... - British Liver Trust
Can anyone advise which hair treatments and shampoos/conditioners are the best for hair loss? Many Thanks
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Roots57
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16 Replies
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Hello again Roots,
This is a bit of a tricky one Roots. Having a liver transplant is of course a really emotional and worrying time, is enough to make anyone’s hair fall out. Added to this all the different drugs and steroids we have to take for a while, and each of these carries its own set of side effects, it’s a wonder we all don’t lose our hair.
But, we are all built differently, and respond to treatment in our own unique way. Do you know for certain what is causing your alopecia? If once the cause is known and the problematic medication was stopped or reduced, you should see a change in your hair loss.
As for which shampoo to recommend, I wouldn’t waste your money on some of these so-called, specialised alopecia shampoos on the market. If the cause hasn’t been tackled then no matter what you use it would still keep on coming out and could even be making the condition worse.
I would be tempted to use something that has been used on babies for generations. Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo. After all, if it’s good enough for baby….
Identify the cause, as well as looking after the symptom.
Good Luck.
Richard
Richard thanks for your advice which seems very sensible. I think my medication has contributed significantly to my loss. I will discuss with hepatology at next appointment and will use the baby shampoo. I see you have completed a number of course- do you have to have medical background to do these? I’m a Social Worker but would be keen to complete these. Thanks again
There are two very good liver-related online courses which I strongly recommend. These are both free to do. I think they run these courses every few months and are well worth signing up for. These courses are run by “Futurelearn” and are introduced and overseen by Birmingham University. I paid for both of mine and scored quite well for an old git. 94 and 98%
1. “Liver Disease: Looking after Your Liver”. Learn about how your liver works, ways to look after it and how liver damage is caused, studied and treated around the world: futurelearn.com/courses/liv...
2. “Liver Transplant: the Ins and Outs”. Learn about the science behind having a liver transplant with this free online course from the Centre for Liver Research: futurelearn.com/courses/liv...
Give them a try. They will definitely help you to appreciate this organ much better.
Wil do and thank you
Hi RichardThanks to you, I had a look at the Liver course on Futurelearn. The one I looked at & semi completed was the transplant one. It was incredibly interesting and nicely surprised to see two familiar faces talking (Pro Newsome & Mr Perera) but I think it’s a little too soon after my op (9 months) for me to take in such detailed explanations of the transplant. This may sound strange but I sometimes forget I have had a transplant. The last 2 years have seemed unreal sometimes. Good luck with your future courses. I may return when I feel ready to learn more. 😀
Hi Roots57Sorry to hear about your hair. My snapped at the length & became very thin pre & especially post TP. Richard is correct that the medication plays a huge part in it and gradually reduced, the hair slowly returned. I wash & condition 3/4 times a week & try to expose to plenty of fresh air & sunshine although now spring summer is approaching, I’m going to ask the question of covering up again next Friday clinic at the QEHB. Those courses Richard talked about are very interesting.
Thank you so much. I haven’t really discussed fully with my consultant but will do next week. I’m a lot more hopeful since discussing with the group. I attend Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. I’m going to complete these courses soon as I like learning about my condition. I’m retiring at end of May so should have more time. Thanks again and look after yourself
I’m a complete freak when it comes to my hair and have done extensive research on looking after it so obviously not sure about the medication side etc however here is things you should know about the hair 1. Shampoos and conditioners without parabens and sulfates are much better for your hair and keeping it healthy a brand I use is maui not too expensive and goes a long way
2. A brand for damaged hair/weak brittle hair is shea moisture, I bleached my hair excessively about a year ago to the point where it was snapping and breaking and felt like hay and it was awful so the leave in conditioner is great from here for moisture! A lot of curly haired girls use it because their hair texture needs added moisture
3. Use micro fibre towels as they are less harsh on the hair and prevent breakage you can get these cheap on Amazon
4. Use a wet brush they sell them in boots the brush itself bends which means that when you brush your hair when wet it doesn’t pull so much out and damage the hair as the hair is most fragile when wet
5. Don’t wash it too often it’s bad for the hair I wash my hair once a week sometimes even once every two weeks and my hair is thick and healthy and shiny
6. Coconut oil overnight masks are amazing once weekly
7. Rice water is also another technique to help growth and thickness there’s loads of info on this online don’t do it too many times though in a week as you don’t want a protein overload for your hair
8. Oils like castor oil Jamaican black castor oil almond oil and vitamin E oil or Moroccan argon oil are also amazing for your hair
9. Don’t do any hairstyles that are too tight as they can pull on your hairline and be too harsh and cause thinning
10. Wear protective hairstyles to bed to prevent your hair rubbing and causing breakage so hairstyles like braids are great.
11. Garnier banana mask is amazing for a leave in conditioner
12. Try not to use heat where possible
13. Obviously this would be something needed to be checked with a consultant or doctor first but hair supplements can be great and you don’t have to pay loads for the hair gummies, a multi vitamin for hair skin and nails works well or folic acid and biotin have been good for results however again as I said check with your doctor first!
Think that’s about everything that I use/ do feel free to message me if you want to know anything else 
Thank you for such a comprehensive reply. I will certainly take on board your much needed advice
Thank you for this info, very good of you to detail your tips. I have lost much hair over that past year
No problem! Hope it helps
Thank you for you reply. In fact I hadn't finished the message when it flew away and I could not find it! I started losing my hair about 2 years ago but mainly in the last year, leaving me with patches at back of head. I felt I could not trouble the GP due to Covid and having to self-isolate, I just accepted it. I feel that my issue has been caused by medication and two BP meds do cause hair loss, which I will discuss with GP when Covid allows. I have read that steriod cream can help with hair loss, so hopefully my GP will prescribe this for me. Thanks again for your helpful advice.
That’s no problem at all! I haven’t needed a transplant yet thankfully so am not on certain medications. The medications I’m on have not affected my hair thankfully however I did bleach my hair far too much about a year ago to the point where it was snapping and coming out in clumps and ever since I’ve been so picky with my hair and it’s now thick and healthy and back to restored health so I definitely recommend these things!
Really pleased for you that hair is in very good condition. I am elderly and would say that genetics play a part in hair loss or growth of hair but my late mother had a good head of hair but I didnt not expect this acute thinning and put it down to BP meds. Covid restrictions have been a good cover-up for me, so am now dreading venturing out without a woolly hat, as my friends and family will notice the vast change in hair loss.
