Over the years, my hair constantly has fallen out…eventually it became so much so that I kept thinking its going to all go. My brush kept getting full of hair, as did the bathroom floor…yuck! Hair is in a constant cycle of growth, rest and renewal – it is natural for everybody to lose some hair each day…but mine was getting excessive.
Please note that I haven’t experienced what it is like to totally lose all my hair, due to disease, such as alopecia or to treatment such as chemo. Funnily enough, one of my first reactions after being told I had cancer was OMG, I am going to lose my hair, which is kind of a really strange thought as you would think that would be the least of my worries.
Its taken me a couple of years, and a couple of episodes of extensions, to get my hair to the length it is…halfway down my back..and it is now all natural. I know it sounds vain but I don’t want to lose it! Its the one of the few things I honestly like about my appearance!
I had to do something to take control and slow down the shedding..I want to hold to as much as I can! So after a bit of research, I found two things that have really helped…plus, of course, being put on medication as my thyroid has been removed due to the cancer!
So this is what helped me…
Firstly, I now don’t wash my hair every day. This took a bit of getting used to! I hate having dirty hair at the best of times but now I only wash my hair once or twice a week. Solution was to discover dry shampoo! This stuff is amazing…not only can it freshen up your hair, but can also add volume! Now you have to be careful to not look like you have white powder in your hair, especially if your hair is a darker colour. I spray it on the roots, massage it in and leave it for a minute or two. Then brush it out…voila!
There are heaps of different dry shampoos around – currently I use Batiste Dry Shampoo…in particular the Tropical scent, and now that my hair is red, the Batiste Coloured Dry Shampoo Vibrant and Red. It also can help to temporarily cover up greys/regrowth! The coloured dry shampoo comes in a number of different shades, but a word of warning with these, be careful how you spray them as colour can end up on clothing etc.
If you haven’t used dry shampoo, give it go!
Image courtesy of Batiste Hair
Secondly, I discovered the Michel Mercier Detangling Brush. I still use my beloved Mason Pearson brush, but I use the Detangling Brush after washing, or if my hair has a few knots in it. The unusual design of this brush helps to disperse the pressure placed on the hair during brushing, resulting in easier detangling, reduced hair loss and breakage, and no horrible pulling! It comes in three models…fine, normal and thick, plus there are three models for kids. I use the normal model (the green one!) for my hair.
Now it doesn’t stop hair coming out onto the brush, but it definitely helps! You can’t use it when blowdrying and styling, but I am finding it essential for brushing out my hair when it is wet after washing.
I bought mine from Priceline, but I have noticed them available in a few pharmacies too. Otherwise go to the Michel Mercier website for more info!
I am now finding that not so much hair ends up on the brush or on the floor, which is such a relief. My hair feels thicker and more healthy…and that makes me feel better!
