Can any one recommend a good hair conditioner that helps dry brittle hair?
I had really a lot of hair before taking prednisone ( started last September) but it is not thin, brittle and dry. It upsets me more than any symptom of pmr!!
Any one know something that really works i would be pleased to hear. Thanks
I would love to know too. I had slightly greasy, straight, shoulder length hair. With pred I had hay like curly, dry hair that looked like a scarecrow! I tried everything under the sun. In the end I cut my hair very short.
That's what I have had to do. And I hate it!!
I quite liked my new style and people were quite complimentary, luckily. Much easier for swimming too.
My hair went curly too, thinner but curly. Get lots of compliments on it. Wondering what happens when I can eventually get off pred😄
Me,also
I now use any shampoo and conditioner that encourages the curls to stay and not frizz and a mousse for curly hair so it all looks natural. I’ll have get a perm if it goes straight when I can eventually get off pred as it’s so easy to maintain. The only positive of being on pred😄
Same here, mine was almost down to my bottom and thick..it's all basically gone now, completely different texture and awful..buying a hair piece this week.
Me too…
Me too....
I’ve spent a lot of money on different hair products in an attempt to tame my pred hair that has become thinner as well. The dry straw like frizz occasionally responds but it’s very hit and miss. I’ve had to stop being tempted to buy more conditioners to use up the products I have. I tend to use different ones for each wash which is reduced to once a week or even longer. I’m not sure for me that there’s the holy grail of hair products out there but good luck with your search.
Thanks. I just ordered some deep coconut oil treatment, some Aussie conditioner and a baby shampoo. Fingers crossed!
That sounds like a good start and not too expensive.
I use the Aussie conditioner too, as well as the Aussie Shine Shampoo.
How come I live in Oz but don't know about this brand? I think the tip, below, to rub some Bio-Oil (or any oil like almond or coconut) will nourish your dry hair. I make all my own skin and hair products. I am not saying it's because of this but my hair doesn't seem to have been affected by over seven years on pred. Perhaps I am just lucky?
Aussie conditioner helped mine and hairdresser advised leaving it on over night
my hair has also gone very dry, I found the Aussie 3 min miracle quite good.
Is the Brand name Aussie please ?
I find that after washing and conditioning with whatever I rub the palms of my hands with Bio oil and then stroke my hands through my hair. It seems to help!
My hair went dry and wavy but when I used any oil on it, my waves turned to curls which was worse. I now use any of the Aussie shampoos or conditioners and my hair seems much thicker now but still has the waves. I guess it’s a hit or miss what works for each individual.
Just 2 nights ago I tried this for the straw that has developed over the past 5 months. No idea if it will stop the breaking and splitting but hair feels and looks a lot better so far. tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/p...
Elvive total repair 5 conditioner
The French instructions say to leave it on for 2 mins.
Ok. Another to try later. Ta
I sometimes alternate between Elvive Volume Shampoo and conditioner. Good product IMHO
Since you are in France I doubt anything from the UK is much help - I can't get much in Italy, not that is recognisable at least.
My granddaughter swears by moroccanoil I think it is called
uk.moroccanoil.com/products...
and I was given some - it did help but with the cloud of curly hair I have it is hard work not overdosing!
The stuff is available in UK in Tesco....see link . Its called Elseve in France but its the same thing . Roll on L'Oréal ,your local friendly hair product manufacturer🤣......après-shampooing available partout.
Thanks for that.
I was going to suggest moroccanoil. There are sites in the UK that will ship to France.
I am using absolute collagen they do a hair shampoo and conditioner. I have seen a great improvement. It isn’t cheap but I think it has been worth it.
Sounds interesting. I'll look into it.Thanks
I got through my mad scientist hair phase with hair oil that is applied very sparingly to wet hair. John Frieda Frizzease.
SnazzyD - so funny, but I bet you didn't find it so! I have found my normally thick and relatively luxurious hair went to pot once PMR arrived. It seemed to come out in mounds, which was upsetting, and has turned v curly (as everyone has remarked). I've hated it, tbh, BUT recently I've had it cut really short and had it coloured. I am told I look 10 years younger but I think I look quite like a man. In fact one little boy called me Sir the other day, so that's convinced me😄 Whatever, it's a helluva lot easier to manage and looks quite thick again plus the Pred effect seems to suit it now that it's short. It's the only real plus from Pred I've found, apart from taking the original awful pain away, of course. Best to you, tempus fugi
I always suggest keeping an open mind because my hair was not consistent for more than a few months. My worst was when it nearly all fell out (reaction to GCA) over 2 weeks just before a cruise. I bought a wig that was then badly cut and Rome was 40C. By that time I also had a fair bit of facial hair and my cheeks were rosy and shiny from swelling. The white growback was quite striking but it soon went sideways from my head before turning into a period of lovliness but by then my bar was pretty low!
Goodness me, SnazzyD, that sounds hilarious the way you put it!😁 I suppose one can only laugh at times and try to keep going!
Yup
Tried that but it didn't really help unfortunately.
I have had loads of hair problems...chunks falling out...the rest vey brittle..the best thing I have found is Johnson's baby shampoo...hope it helps. (and only washing once a week)
I was about to say Aussie then I looked at all the responses and saw you had ordered some I saw it advertised on TV last night and sounds very good Hope it works well for you
I found that my hair became very thin a few months after starting on pred 4 yrs ago. My hairdresser recommended Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. It has been my “go to” ever since. Not only has it encouraged growth, it has kept my hair in good condition. There’s 3 strengths - I use No2. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I also take collagen and biotin supplements which have helped with skin and nail condition, and use Palmers Coconut Oil on my body after every shower, My skin elasticity and muscle wastage has definitely been affected by having to increase my pred dose recently so I’ve had to become more diligent with the body care routine.
My hair started thinning as well and I was also recommended Nioxin by the hair dresser. It seemed to make a bit of a difference, but I couldn’t stand the smell 🫤.
Morning ,me too with the frizzy dry hair,I look like a cross between Harpo Marx and Larry the Lamb!Have tried lots of things,but nothing seems to do much good but at present am using Argan Oil just a little,applied after rinsing out L’Oréal moisturising conditioner.It makes it feel a lot softer and easier to tame, but think the hot weather and humidity is not helping much either.Think it is just a problem we all have to deal with!”Pred Head” !😜☀️💇🏼♀️
so like another poster I used Nioxin which was good but have since moved to Champo which I really feel is helping. I use the shampoo, conditioner and serum, not the gummies. It's not cheap but one bottle lasts about 3 months for me - shoulder length hair and wash about 3 times a week.
I got the mad scientist hair too after 6 months on pred. And it was breaking and shedding at an enormous rate. The frizz was the worst thing. I was really miserable about it.
I would say that the first thing is to get a good cut that takes into account the change in texture of your hair. I had to go from below shoulder length to a bob just below my ears. I've always hated short hair on me, mainly because my mother always gave me a short back and sides, but my new hair cut does suit me. I had planned to grow out the hair colour, so I went from reddish brown to blonde and I get it done at the hairdresser, instead of doing it myself. Anyway, I liked the colour and a slightly fluffy blonde looked a lot better than a frizzy redhead, so I have kept it as blonde.
My hairdresser told me to try a pre wash mask once a week. Coconut oil, straight off the cooking shelf in the supermarket. Though I've never tried it as it looked so messy. I googled the best moisturising conditioners and there 2 or 3 on the list that I found good. I did have to experiment a bit.
The best for me has been the Herbal Essences coconut rehydrate. It made a dramatic difference. I also found L'oreal Elvive moisture locking good and OGX coconut milk in the chunky bottle. Also, the Pantene reconstruct mask in a tub, used as a normal conditioner worked fairly well. Some of these can be a bit pricey, but the supermarkets and SuperDrug often have them on offer, so that's when I stock up.
I think the temptation is to wash less frequently when your hair is very dry, but if you read the bottle, they often say something like, moisturises for up to 72 hrs. The frizz definitely gets worse if I leave it too long, so I still wash every other day. I also found that I need to be a lot more generous with the conditioner than I used to be when it wasn't so dry and I leave it in for longer before rinsing.
If it still looks a bit frizzy after washing, I use the tiniest amount of the Alberto Balsam argan oil spray to tame it. A tiny smidging on the palm of my hand that I smooth over the surface and then comb through.
And lastly, be careful how you dry your hair. Do not ruffle it with a towel. If you use a towel to get rid of excess moisture, run it down the hair shaft towards to tips so that the scales on the hair lie flat.
Take heart as your hair will grow back hopefully thicker. I have been taking Pred. for 4 years and lost a lot of my hair early on, however my hairdresser says it has now all returned thicker than before. I have highlighted mousy/ grey hair and use a purple shampoo to bring out the gold tones and avoid it looking brassy. My conditioner is Tresemme which I find works really well. Not sure what you can get hold of in France but most products are on line. Good luck on your PMR journey, it can be a rocky road but the Forum are always here to help.
you are in France, and just like Spain, I would go to a good pharmacy and ask them what they recommend. I found that in the ‘pharmacia’, in Calpe, Spain, they were very helpful with ‘hair stuff’ and also non alcohol body creams for my psoriasis prone skin 🙂
And also, my hairdresser here in Stonehaven, Scotland, was very bossy, but trimmed away the frizz ends every six weeks. As I tapered down, slowly, on ‘ye old preds, my hair started to ‘behave’
I have limited washing my hair to no more than 2x a week. Sometimes only once a week. Then I rub thru Moroccan hair oil , very sparsely, into my damp hair. I usually use the hair dryer and sometimes straighteners to style my hair . I then reapply the hair oil ( very little) throughout the week. I also now have a silk pillow case, which makes the world of difference . I no longer look like Medusa in the morning 🤣
I use Mane thickening spray, seal and control. Also use their shampoo and conditioner and sometimes touch up. maneuk.com/products/mane-ha...
They all work and not very expensive. But the thickening spray can also end up on your pillow, fortunately it washes out easily. I just use old towel on top of my pillow. I think it is a good product.
I started losing my thick hair but pred wasn’t the culprit - it was the alendronic acid tablets. I stopped taking them and my hair thickened up again very quickly. At present I am waiting for a scan to ensure my bones are okay.
I’ve used Garnier Remedy, smoothing hair mask. Think it’s the cocoa butter remedy one.
It’s lovely, very rich, my hair is long but thin now and this really nourishes it.
My hair got really thin when I was on high dose of pred. As it grew back it was dry, frizzy and unmanageable. I tried all sorts of conditioners but nothing worked. Gradually as I reduced the pred, and as the PMR and GCA became less aggressive my hair improved and now it's pretty much back to normal, although I still have both diseases and am still on 4.5mg of pred. I think your hair condition reflects your general health. I hated my hair being so alien to its normal state so sympathise with you.
I have been using Palmers Coconut there is no parabans on silicone in it & it so you can wash everyday if you want. It smells lovely. My hair seems thicker since using and definitely grown.
Oh my goodness, I thought it was just me! The picture on my profile is when I first started Pred. 19 months later , I've thin, frizzy curly hair, which I've had to cut short. Hate it, but, I have found Aldi's hair oil a godsend. I massage a teaspoon sized amount all over hair and scalp leave for an hour ( or overnight if possible) and wash out in the morning with a sulphate free shampoo. No conditioner, but I then use Pantene Grow Longer, leave in conditioner on my damp hair and quick blast with hairdryer and my hair is looking thicker and shinier. The hair oil is fab for face too. I just don't want it to sell out!
I live in nz and when this happened to me I did two things, first had my shoulder length hair cut, second I started taking marine collagen tablets. No more hair falling out. Mine are from a NZ company called Neat, not sure if they ship overseas, but the product is great for hair and, bonus, my nails stopped breaking. Maybe google to see ingredients etc and try and track similar in UK
Looking at their site -says this -
We offer free shipping within New Zealand, once you spend $100 on product in your cart, that option will automatically show at the checkout. What is your shipping policy? We are not currently shipping worldwide, unless by special arrangement - please contact us to discuss options.
Might do for high value orders…and guess shipping prices would be high. My daughter lives in NZ -me UK -and shipping anything is pricey..
Yes, shipping is expensive, I thought maybe there is a comparable product in UK? It would be worth investigating. The Neat product has worked so well for me.
Sure there are comparable items, but it’s always good to hear of specific brands… I’m hopefully coming to NZ later this year - so will look it up - and suggest for daughter as well - thanks…
Just have mine extremely short, not quite bald but very nearly. OH and equally the GC's think it looks a lot better like that.
😊
Philip Kingsley is the best. Not cheap but worth every penny..
That's the one that my hairdresser recommended.
Works for me and I have coloured hair.
I have really curly hair but like yourself it’s dry after a day or 2. I use Palmers coconut shampoo and conditioner from Tesco, it doesn’t break the bank and its chemical free.
I tried a few things and of them all, found Aussie SOS actually made a difference. Good luck
Try ‘NUXE’. Hair oil. You can get it from M&S. Brilliant stuff. Gentle shampoo, let hair dry naturally, rub in a few drops. Works wonders.
My once immaculate and sleek hair was so bad that I looked like Worzel Gummidge.
I now wash my hair less frequently and use elvive “more than” shampoo and Pantene miracle serum repair and protect conditioner. They both really thick and creamy and just rubbing them in you feel there’s going to be an improvement!
On a daily basis I use Pantene argan oil - 3 or 4 drops rubbed into the ends. At one time if I’d used all those products my hair would have looked like a lard tub 🤣 now they all just seem to soak in. Not perfect but so much better
Try Aveeno Conditioner - Volumising for fine hair. Fresh Greens Blend. Works for me and soothes scalp also.
My hair is very fine and I find that using John Frieda volume lift shampoo and conditioner makes it look thicker. It also feels in better condition.
I have the type of hair any horse would be proud to have hanging off its rear end, very thick and course. I used to use Mane & Tail and then I switched to Redken when I let my hair go grey. Both are good but the game changer is using Wow dream coat which I spray on my damp hair before I blow dry, it’s heat activated so needs to be blow dried. My hair is the softest it has ever been my whole life.
The Olaplex range ,found online is excellent. It isn’t cheap but it makes a huge difference to the condition. Olaplex No.4 & 5 Shampoo and Conditioner .
A cheaper option but just as good is Garnier Banana hair food conditioner found on Amazon, used following a shampoo for damaged hair . Hair starts to shine again but it’s the new hair that’ll better as you’re reducing Pred .
The Moroccan oils , also on Amazon., just a touch when you’ve washed and dried. You may find the conditioner is enough.
For thinning hair you can boost it with a thickening mousse for damaged hair .
A good cut helps too , I pin mine up every day , because it’s dry just a couple of hair grips hold it in place.
Condition does eventually return. My hair doesn’t know what to make of it all . I’m at the point of not caring now . It is what it is.
A good Indian head massage is a lovely treat, although you leave with greasy hair.
Hope you find something that helps you. x
I've used Oloplex for about a year and a 1/2. I purchase it either at my local hair salon or online as there is no difference in price. Each bottle is 30 dollars US Which might sound like a lot, but it lasts about six months period you only put a small dime or nickel size in your palm and rub together. It's amazing how it goes on. As referenced above, I use #4 shampoo and $5 conditioner, but there are different product #s depending on your color. I typically wash my hair about once a week.
It’s fantastic, you’re right it lasts , well worth the price.
Agree. Olaplex works for me
as you are in France the Phyto range are amazing conditioners and treatments but my desert island product of theirs , that I wouldn’t be without is - Phytospcific Moisturising Styling Cream you can apply daily to dry hair , moisturiser for the hair!Ihave frizzy /curly hair and have used Phyto products for over 40 years.
It doesn’t weigh the hair down at all
Hi, you’ve had lots of suggestions and I’m sure you’ll find something that works for you.
I too sport the worsel gummage look after 4 years on Pred. I previously had blonde, silky straight hair. I’ve spent a fortune on hair products looking for the holy grail of conditioners. I use Nexxus shampoo and conditioner (from Amazon). It’s expensive but a bottle lasts ages. Schwarzkopt Gliss liquid silk leave in conditioner works for me and I sleep on a silk pillowcase which definitely helps. 🤯
I stopped taking Ramapril for that reason. There’s a body wash company in uk called Faith. We bought the body wash and I’ve been using it for weeks now as a shampoo too. My hair feels great. I just add a little bit of Australian conditioner.
I've tried numerous expensive products for my thin, flyaway frizz. What I find works best is Head and Shoulders moisture conditioner mixed with some Elvive oil. But I have to finger comb my hair; as soon as I start brushing it, it's back to the frizz.
I recommend OGX Biotin and Collagen shampoo and conditioner, which I think is available in France. (Try Amazon). It improved my hair enormously when I was on pred. I continue to use this brand although I am now happily free from medication.
I don’t know if this is available in France…maybe it is online? The substance described below is certainly very effective….I have been using it for a long time & find the description below is accurate.
“ Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer, a deep conditioning, pre-shampoo hair mask. It's designed to deliver a rush of hydration inside the hair cuticle and help increase manageability, while working to smooth the outer layer of the hair shaft and seal in moisture to give hair a sleek, silky texture and shiny look. Formulated to help with numerous issues including dry and brittle hair, frizzy and flyaway hair, dull and lifeless hair, Philip Kingsley's hero product may just be the haircare miracle you've been after”
Hope it helps if you can access it.
I’ve had thinning but curly hair for a large part of my PMR journey.
A friend who is a cancer survivor recommended the soothe balm from herbal health when I had very thinning skin and bruised easily when I was taking larger doses of Pred which worked a treat I’ve just been away in used the bug repellent from the which also worked a treat
She’s just recommend this shampoo and the conditioner to me It’s costly but lasts for ages and so far so good for my hair.
Coping with the same thing. My hair stylist recommended a "bond" treatment that helps the hair shafts lie flat. It has worked pretty well for me. You apply it to wet hair for about 10 min before shampooing, about once a week. Brand names include K18 (my choice), Olaplex and others.
My hair is a total mess after 2 years+ on Pred. Some shanks fell out and are growing back as frizz. Other bits didn't and are straight but dry. The result is a nightmare of varying lengths and textures. To top it all off I developed scalp psoriasis about the time I was beginning to feel PMR symptoms a couple of years before diagnosis (maybe linked, maybe not) so I've avoided hairdressers and cut my own now.
I use a prescribed shampoo (containing ciclopirox) to control the psoriaisis and L'Oreal's Elseve Bond Repair as a conditioner.
I remember someone posting (with typos) a couple of years back about a gaystack and gold nails! Who was that? I still laugh about it 🤣
Aussie 3 minute miracle, I swear by it having naturally curly dry hair.Hope this helps.
Take care
Wendy xx
I spoke to my hair dressers and she got me shampoo & conditioner plus volume spray from her suppliers to help with my thin, course hair even though I don’t take pred.
I find that Kérastase Nutritive Bain satin riche is excellent and there is one for very dry hair. It is a shampoo, but it also conditions your hair. It is expensive, but worth it and just a little is sufficient to get a good result.
A hairdresser told me that ‘WoW’ is a good brand (not yet tried myself) I’m still using up all the other products I bought
I have also used Argon oil products, castor oil and serum. Vo5 heat defence serum just use a little (too much makes it look greasy) & leave in conditioner sprays are good. Products with Karatin too. I don’t think it’s a one size fits all though - it’s a minefield so good luck - try ordering the 100ml travel sizes of stuff to try too
Yes my hair has suffered if late too. Very dry and brittle. Most brands don't help but I do find the Olaplex one to be very good for my hair at least. It is expensive but it does last quite a while and we'll.
When my hair feels very dry I use Olive Oil. I only rub it. Into the ends and leave it for a while and the wash and condition as usual. I find Aussie 3 minute conditioner good.
Try the Cornnish Seaweed Bath Company shampoo and conditioner. Not cheap, but my hair feels much better since I started using it. Sounds like an advert, but it's not. My hair was flat and thin when I started on steroids. I hated it but now much better on this seaweed shampoo. Good luck x
Hi, I have found White Hot Intense Lustre Mask has help my hairs texture, I have very soft and fine hair, which turned fluffy in my initial start on preds.
it’s an intense conditioning mask for revitalise and dazzling white grey hair, (works on blonde too😉)I used it every wash at first now only when my hair needs it, I buy this online in the Uk, I’m sure it will be available online in France.
I also take Viviscal which helps my hair grow quickly but I wouldn’t say it’s any thicker.
Hope this helps.
Kerastase Resistance, gentle strengthening anti breakage conditioner. Available at amazon. I am not yet on pred but a friend who is recommended this.
As a former hairdresser I am aware that whatever hair we see can only be treated and 'polished' from outside. Making sure that your diet includes good olive oil, B vitamins and proteins to encourage healthy hair growth but the best you can do from the outside is find a gentle 'serum' to coat the scales (cuticle) of the hair shaft and stick it down. As a curly-haired person, I used to use mousse to stick the cuticle down and encourage the curl but I found that after sleeping on it, the coating broke down and turned to powder which made my hair dull. At the moment I am using TiGi Small Talk which is a thickening cream and seems to make my hair softer without going crunchy and gives me a few days before I need to wash again to bring back the shape. It is also nearly a year since I had my hair cut it is obviously growing slowly. And no real hair anywhere else on my body so shaving legs is a thing of the past!
Hair loss on pred
Hair loss
has any one noticed a problem with their hair since having PMR and being on steroids.
Hair issues
Magic help for hair loss and thinning hair.
