Natural shampoo to strengthen my hair-- any ideas?

**JerseyAngel** · 09-24-2011, 11:20 AM

I've noticed that my hair lately has been breaking a lot more frequently-- the shower drain is filled with it after a shower! I don't have any bald spots, but I am concerned that my stress levels might be affecting my hair.

I use to use a strengthening shampoo and conditioner that I bought from Target-- a brand name, but I would sorta prefer to stop putting harsh chemicals on my scalp and hair and am looking for something more natural.

I'm not ready to try to make my own shampoo and conditioner or go without either (at least for now) but I am hoping someone here might be able to personally recommend a natural brand I could buy from (either from a store like Whole Foods (or Target, Wal-Mart, KMart, etc) or online). Price is, of course, important and I'm hoping for something that is not too pricey (over $20 a bottle).

Thanks for your help!

**pollypurebred39** · 09-24-2011, 12:18 PM

I've heard good things about

Shampoos & Conditioners - Natural, Chemical-Free Hair Care

**Libby** · 09-24-2011, 03:13 PM

I would suggest seeing your doctor and getting a blood test done to see if your body is functioning properly. Are hair issues common amongst your family as well? Do you dye/colour your hair? Hows your diet - balanced?

I find that the natural shampoos though are gentler for the hair, better for the environment

but are more harsh on the hair. Makes mine more brittle and dry. Maybe I didn't give it a long enough trial? I have tried Whole Food's store brand - 365 - and they have several scents for various types of hair. 1L jug for $3.99 was a great price except my hair didn't like it one bit. I also noticed that my hair doesn't respond well to 'salon' type shampoos - you know, the $15/bottle types. I'm finding that my hair really responds well to the Tresseme Naturals line - its got some natural ingredients in it but its still a drug store brand. And its affordable.

Have you tried using baby shampoo to give your hair a break from all the changes? What about a leave in conditioner?

**hotprincesscm** · 09-24-2011, 03:19 PM

Have you started on any new medications? Medications will affect your hair. Stress will also....proper nutrition helps alot along with water intake. Also a vitamin/mineral found in any drug store called Biotin will help your hair as well. I'm a hair dresser...I'm educated in mostly salon products. I know most of the stuff you buy in "regular" stores like walmart, target etc....is pretty much junk. I have been using the WEN products lately. They are pricey..but I noticed a huge difference in my hair and scalp after the first week of usuage. It's something worth looking into. And they are much more natural than the salon brands and store brands.

**Uniwolf** · 09-24-2011, 03:20 PM

Are you sure that it is breaking, or is it just falling out, if it is falling out you may want to have a Thyroid pannel ran by your Dr. Have them give you a copy of the pannel (don't just let them run a T3 and T4 either, tell them you want the FULL pannel) Then go online and look up the ranges and see where yours fall. Then go from there. Some Dr.'s are very good about this others really are a pain about it.

**JerseyAngel** · 09-24-2011, 10:17 PM

Just a quick reply before bed...

I do eat a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, grains, and meats. Try to avoid sweets as much as possible. And I take a daily multi-vitamin to make up the difference.

I had blood work done recently because of a bad infection I got on my lip and the doctor said nothing abnormal came up.

I'm pretty sure it is stress related because I've had this happen before when I was going through a period of intense and long-term stress-- my hair fell out a lot more than it normally does. I'm seeing the same thing now-- when I brush my hair or take a shower I'm noticing a lot more hair than what normally comes out. I noticed it stops when I can get away from the stress and when I use shampoo geared towards strengthening the hair.

As far as the stress goes, I've dealt with some changes at my parents' home, started my second year of teaching at a school which brings on nerves because I was laid off during my second year of teaching at my first school, I was dealing with Back to Schol Night (which btw is one of the most terrifying nights for a teacher and it never gets to be easy), and I'm being observed this week by my headmaster. I'm assuming the going back to school is a shock to my system too-- my sleep patterns still are a little shaky.

Thank you all for the concern about my health though-- I'm feeling pretty healthy just stressed.

**shoiji** · 09-25-2011, 01:43 PM

I have used organix shampoo which can be found at drugstores and grocery stores. Hope you can find some ways to destress yourself. You might want to try eating jello which is supposed to be good for your hair and nails.

**MamaTreadler** · 09-25-2011, 04:50 PM

Well, I don't know how "natural" it is but around here lots of people use the Mane'n'Tail shampoo intended for horses. You can buy it in the pet section at Wal-Mart. I have a friend and she was losing her hair - just in her 30s - and it was coming out pretty fast. She started using Mane'n'Tail and the conditioner too and now about a year later she has more hair and healthier hair than she has had in years. I use it too, thinning is not a problem, I just like the stuff. It adds a lot of volume.

**Trishagirl** · 09-25-2011, 06:32 PM

You were talking about stress affecting your hair, I would take Holy basil leaf it's for your adrenals which controls stress. I took it and helps you relax when you feel stressed out. You can find it online at Vitamins & Supplements - Buy Discount Vitamins Online - Vitacost or at a healthfood store. Good luck!

**Libby** · 09-25-2011, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by JerseyAngel

I had blood work done recently because of a bad infection I got on my lip and the doctor said nothing abnormal came up.

The blood tests that doctors run are basic unless they're looking for something specific. Your stress/hair issues could be due to a thyroid imbalance however if you didn't mention anything about this to the doctor before your last blood test, chances are they probably didn't check off the box to test for it. It could be worth a trip back the doctor if you're very concerned.

**Contrary Housewife** · 09-26-2011, 11:37 AM

There's not much you can do to "fix" your hair once it has grown out. It is dead and damage can not be repaired, only covered up. The best thing to do is eat right, including appropriate portions of protein, and take your vitamins.

To take care of your hair you want to keep it simple. Do not wash it in hot hot water, try to keep it on the cooler side. Do not pile your hair into a tangle on top of your head, try to wash it in sections. Use a conditioner to replace moisture stripped by shampoo. Towel dry and do not comb until it is dry, wet hair is more fragile than dry and will break easier. Never use a blow drier, the heat damages hair. Stay away from chlorinated pools. Don't yank the comb through your hair, work out tangles gently from the bottom up. If the ends of your hair are uncomb-able, get a trim.

IMO the best thing for hair is to shampoo as infrequently as possible. Scalp oils keep your hair glossy and flexible. Shampoo strips this naturally protective layer and exposes your hair to damage.

**FOODZILLA** · 12-16-2011, 10:12 PM

Any shampoo and/or conditioner with BIOTIN in it will vastly improve the strength and thickness of your hair - not a thickener, but this is listed as a top ingredient in Nutrition for Preventional Healing and it works! You can get these shampoos at health food stores and also at GNC.

**frugalfranny** · 12-16-2011, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Libby

The blood tests that doctors run are basic unless they're looking for something specific. Your stress/hair issues could be due to a thyroid imbalance however if you didn't mention anything about this to the doctor before your last blood test, chances are they probably didn't check off the box to test for it. It could be worth a trip back the doctor if you're very concerned.

Yep.......was going to say something similar.

Are you taking something else (RX) type thing that could be causing it........often HB pressure pills will have this side affect.

If you think it is stress...........take a b complex.....see if it improves.

IMO.......I would take a biotin pill before I paid the xtra $ for some shampoo with biotin in it..........

**ladykemma2** · 12-17-2011, 02:16 AM

have your thyroid checked.

a lot of people do "conditioner only" washing with cheap suave aloe and waterliliy conditioner. shampoo once a week.

take conditioner and dilute by 1/3- 1/2 . slather scalp with it and scrub and scrub. rinse well.

**savvy_sniper** · 12-17-2011, 12:05 PM

Proper diet and lowering your stress level will help. Hair falling out is a symptom of SOMETHING (thyroid is one of them). No shampoo is going to strengthen your hair - it might hide damage.