Question:
why hair is so brittle and dry and what can i do to help it

   — marywyatt (posted on February 2, 2006)

February 2, 2006
hi......I have not had surgery yet, just starting the process now!!! Anyway, my hair gets really dry in the winter, so I have a few tricks...........there is a product called cholesterol that is located with African American hair products........I put a ton of it in my hair and put a hair cap on and leave it in for a good 30 minutes......it might take a couple of washings to get it all out....but it does work wonders on my hair, which is down to the bottom of my back!! I also use mayonnaise the same way.....try one, maybe it will work for you
   — shaughnessyd

February 2, 2006
I would start deep conditioning 2-3 times a week until your hair becomes less brittle. Using the products suggested above is a great way to start. I also reccomend on top of the shower cap wrapping a hot towel around your head. (heat it in the dryer.... or if you don't have a dryer like I don't, i throw a towel in the microwave for 45 seconds.) The heat from the towel helps open the hair folicle which allows for deeper penitration of the conditioner. Once your hair is less brittle, deep condition once a week to keep it healthy!
   — Karyn6899

February 2, 2006
I use Aveda products. they have a deep conditioner called Damage relief or Damage Control. I use their shampoo called Shampure - its very gentle then use the conditioner. I also use their Damage Control spray - which is leave in conditioner. I am 4 months post op and noticing my hair is much dryer than it has ever been. i know some is due to winter and some due to having a perm before surgery - but the rest is probably due to surgery. i've also been told taking the omega3 fatty acids supplement and jello helps too. i take COROMEGA - check them out at www.coromega.com. good luck. I buy all my aveda stuff online too at www.aveda.com if i can't get to the salon.
   — akirsch

February 3, 2006
Fish oil capsules, recommended by my nutritionist.
   — classite

February 4, 2006
try also taking biotin and zinc supplements for 6 weeks as this helps strengthen the hair
   — elenav

February 4, 2006
I have been a stylist for 18 years and can tell you that there are many things that atribute to both the dryness and hairloss that many people experience after WLS. First is the anestesia (which you can't do much about), then is the nutrition factor. You must be getting enough protien, vitamins and minerals in your system to produce healthy hair. Look into Juice Plus products, they are great, I take them. Also there is a difference between reconstructive products and moisturizing products. You must have hair that will hold the moisture you put into it or it won't help much. To repair damage to your hair from chemical processes and environmental factors you need a reconstructive product first, the best I have found is K-Pack by Joico. Then to add moisture you need a deep moisturizer, the ones suggested above are good or you may also try the one in the K-Pack line as well for that. Keep up drinking your water too. good luck!
   — cuttinoutback

February 8, 2006
The things I would look at, in order: protein (in supplement form), dry form vit E, water intake and are you avoiding fats? If you want to take fish oils, you'll get more benefit from Coromega than the pills. Since you are malabsorbing fats and oils to a degree, there's no guarantee that you'll benefit from taking in more oil. Coromega is a non-oil fish oil, if you can manage that thought. It's more like pudding.
   — vitalady