MTX and colouring my hair!

[MAILWOMAN]

I have been on MTX for 6 weeks and been losing a little bit more hair then normal. Was wondering if any one on this drug dye there hair and had any problems with hair loss. I have a hair appointment next week and I always get my hair coloured and highlights. Just don't want to get it done if it will make more problems.

[helixhelix]

When I first started MTX I did find that my hair thinned a bit, but after about a year or so it seemed to get used to it and now there's no difference. Apart from a bit more grey.... Anyway, I stopped colouring my hair for a while when I first started but have now gone back to it but take care to use more gentle products! and seems ok. Everyone is a bit different, but could you maybe have a temporary colour put in for the moment and wait a bit longer before you try a permanent colour again? Polly

[126Jessie]

My hair thinned whilst on Methotrexate. ( on it for 8 years ) I felt it lost a bit of it's condition. I continued to colour and highlight my hair throughout my metho days. A good cut and colour made me feel so much better about the lack lustre feeling my hair had. Everyone is different though, some experience no hair side effects at all. I think losing a wee bit more whilst your body adjusts to the drug can happen. Try not to worry and maybe take a good multi vitamin to support you hair x

[jenwight]

I have not been taking mtx very long only a few months and yes my hair has fallen out a bit, it's finer in place but that's all and it's definitely slowing down now, I have still been at the hairdresser every 5 weeks for my colour, what with everything else that's going on with my body making me feel positively ancient there is no way I am ready to let the world see my very white hair lol

Jen x

[MAILWOMAN]

Thank-you for your replies and support. I feel the same way I am not ready to let my hair be white. So will get my hair done and hope for the best.

[Hidden]

Hi Mailwoman, I lost quite a lot of hair over the past couple of years since diagnosis but it does appear to be improving now. I also stopped having my highlights done and had my hair cut into a short bob as it looked so sparse. I was advised to increase my folic acid to 6 days a week by my specialist nurse so it may be worth you mentioning this if you're not having daily folic acid. Also my GP tested my thyroid levels and found they were way too high. In my case I believe the thyroid rather than the mtx was causing the loss so it may be worth discussing the loss with your GP to rule out other possible causes. Best of luck and hope you feel fabulous after your new cut and colour. x

[oldtimer]

I didn't have any extra problems when i was on MTX - have been dyeing my hair since my twenties - I've got piebald hair that I don't like! But I do use Aveda products which are supposed to be less harmful to hair (according to my d-i-l)

[julie_warwick]

Hi , I am on MTX and so far ( touch wood ) no hair loss. I dye my hair at home myself and don't seem to have done any harm x

[pharm3]

I've been on methotrexate and some thinning myself but kept colouring hair was advised to keep hair short seem to work for me. I do take folic acid 5 days a week.

[Angela123]

Hi there. I came off MTX after 14 weeks last year after losing a lot of my hair volume and frontal hair loss too, but this was more noticeable as my hair is very fine to start with. I also have my roots coloured every 5-6 weeks. MTX can make your hair go dry and brittle - it breaks off like glass. This happened for me, while the frontal hair loss was from the roots. After five months off the drug my hair is now recovered. It's thicker than it was but drier which I don't mind as it helps with volume. It was fine and limp before. You might be OK though. Try to persevere and not panic. Use lots of moisturiser and Redken anti-spam will protect the hair. Angela.

[Riedenise]

Hi Ive been on mtx since jan last year, I had very long hair, It was coming out in handfuls everytime I brushed it or washed it. I have continued to colour my hair myself at home through out this time, but had my hair cut 3 weeks ago to shoulder length & that seems to be helping as ive seen a remarkable difference in the loss its almost stopped. So not sure if its because my hair is shorter or that my body has become use to the mtx.

I also spoke to my Rheumy nurse & she upped my folic acid from one day to 3 days now. So give your Rheumy help line nurses a ring & ask for advice. take care, Rie x

[Angela123]

Sorry, that's Redken anti-snap.

[allanah]

Hiya, lost a bit f hair at the beginning, but then it settled after about 4 months. I dye may hair but you know its a secret h ah ha! had no adverse effects at all and i have enough obvious signs of RA without going grey as well. But my hair went very curly!! why I dont know and the docs say its not the drugs, but i still think it is, from very straight to very curly? oh well the family like it so it stays xx

[Neonkitty59]

A French shampoo (available online) called Phytoaxil is formulated for fine thinning hair and hair loss about £10 a medium tube. Super product. Smells a bit pungent/herby. Lasts quite a while. I used Shu Uemura products for styling which are pricey (approx £20 an item) but last forever, and they are great for giving volume and shine. I always go back to Pantene thickening shampoo which is a very standard item but one of the best I find. I used to use Klorane Nettle shampoo which was to thicken hair. Didn't lather much. I find my salon hair colourants which are L'Oreal, condition and thicken the hair. They are semi-permanent spatula highlights which are very fine. My hairdresser won't use much peroxide ever on me. Just the minimum to lift for a series of gold/honey highlights. (This photo of me is three years ago and my natural colour!!) He "texturises" my hair and actually layers/chops more into it on a collar length style a bit reminiscent of the 70's and those choppy layers make it look very full. Also, dry shampoos like Batiste sprayed on at the fringe/crown give volume and texture, and some Batiste's even have hints of colour in them now. Lastly .. there are loose hair powders which I also have one of. Something like Magic Dust in a little puffer type plastic bottle. These are absolutely brilliant for an instant revival to the hair but are a little bit sticky but make your hair/style look really fab.

[Neonkitty59]

L'Oreal "Super Dust" is the loose powder in a little bottle at £12.99.

[Dogrose]

My hair used to be corkscrew curly but in the last couple of years it has changed and got thinner and the curls much more open. Every time I brush it loads of hair comes out! xx

[Hammit39]

I too have been on methotrexate 6wks and wondered the same thing about my hair. I called my doctor and she told me it was fine, just make sure the salon used a very gentle brand of hair color. My hair is breaking off more since starting treatment and I am now wondering if I should continue to color. Best wishes to you!