Leflunamide and hair changes

[Julia31]

Hi. I've been on leflunamide now for seven years and for the last few years have noticed my previously straight hair turning very curly in parts. I've just sorted of accepted this. I haven't dyed my hair now for years and decided to let my natural grey grow. Now however I've noticed it starting to go a gingery red in places. Initially it was under my fringe, so is hidden but I've noticed it appearing throughout my hair now. I'm finding it rather disconcerting! I wondered if anyone else has had this happen to them on leflunamide or any other medication? I think it's time to mention it to my rheumatologist! Best wishes to all.

[Mmrr]

I understand where you are coming from. I'm on leflunomide as well as Filgotinib. I still have my hair dyed, but my once lush, shiny hair has gone very dry and wavy. No matter what I do to it, it looks messy.

My hairdresser thought it was the effects of the meds and aging.

[Julia31 in reply to Mmrr]

Thank you Mmrr. I'm sorry you're having hair problems too. Mine has also become dry. My hairdresser says she has one other client whose hair has suddenly become curly but she thinks that's due to the menopause in her case. As I'm well past that stage (66) we are pretty sure it's leflunamide that have caused it. It's interesting to know you still dye your hair as maybe that's an option for me if the red colour becomes more prominent!

[bpeal1]

My previously very straight hair has gone very curly since I’ve been on leflunomide (I’ve been on it 12 years). I never liked my straight hair as I could never get it to curl or hold a wave so I actually really like my new hair!🤣

[Julia31 in reply to bpeal1]

Thanks for your reply bpeal1. I'm glad you like your new curly hair 😊. I don't mind it, other than the top is still very straight and the back and underneath very curly! It's the colour change that I find more disconcerting but I will keep monitoring it! I'm glad to know that it's not just me experiencing hair changes on leflunamide!

[Wannabeabago]

When medications make hair fall out, the hair that grows back is curly for a while, just like after chemo.

[bpeal1 in reply to Wannabeabago]

My hair never fell out - thankfully!

[Wannabeabago in reply to bpeal1]

Mine didn’t ’fall out’ per se but i do she’d more than i usually would, it’s fine, I have thick hair and my point is it grows back. I see all the little curly hairs popping through. I don’t mind it.

[Green230461]

My hair went curly in places with RA not sure why 🥰

[Julia31 in reply to Green230461]

Thank you for your reply Green230461. Do you think it could just be the RA itself that caused it rather than any medication you were on ?

[Green230461 in reply to Julia31]

My hair dresser said it was chemical changes! When she dyed my hair-same colour for years it went a totally different colour 🤣

[Julia31 in reply to Green230461]

Gosh! I hope it was a colour you were happy with! My hairdresser did once say she would rather not colour mine now since it's gone curly because she wasn't sure how the colour would come out due to the changes caused by (we think) my meds.

[Green230461 in reply to Julia31]

My hairdresser does a patch test now at the back of my ear and skin test on inside of elbow for new products 🤪

[Julia31 in reply to Green230461]

Thanks. If I do decide to have it dyed again, I'll suggest this definitely!

[Nana-8]

my hair has just gotten thinner and grayer on Leflunomide. I know the methotrexate made it come out quickly just the few months I was on it.

[Julia31 in reply to Nana-8]

Thank you for your reply Nana-8. These meds affect us all in different ways don't they. Because it's grown curly my hair looks thicker now and I know I am lucky in this way. It's a bit odd as the top layers are very straight so sometimes the combination makes me look a bit wild 😂