Started with My Hair..

I just started using Infusium "repairology" shampoo and conditioner and my hair is sooo silky now. Failing that...I would say a good vitamin and lots of water! Good luck.

well....someone just pointed out to me about hormone fluxuations...it could be that....

how hydrated are you?

i would call my doctor and schedule a physical...get blood drawn to see what I'm deficient in....hope it's NOTHING serious!!!

I second the 'get your thyroid checked' suggestion. That's what it is for me!

Try taking a fish oil supplement to increase your Omega 3 fatty acids. This is great for restoring moisture balance to hair, skin and nails in addition to drinking water.

ETA: fatty fish like salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds and canola oil are other sources of Omega 3s

If it's ongoing and getting worse - look into having your thyroid levels tested.
Dry skin, brittle hair/nails can be an early sign of a thyroid problem.

I agree with the others about having your thyroid checked.

Also, before going into the pool, apply a generous amount of leave in conditioner to your hair. It helps the hair not absorb chlorine.

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Chlorine can really cause havoc with hair and skin. Try showering right afterwards (if you don't already), using a conditioner during and a lotion afterwards. Def increase your fluid intake. If none of these things have any effect and especially if you start noticing hair loss, fatigue, weight gain or sudden weight loss get your thyroid checked.

I think the chlorine in the pool may be a contributing factor. As well as this ridiculous heat we are experiencing. I would begin all over moisturizing and wearing a swim cap or using swimmers shampoo. Drastically increase the water you drink. Start with the obvious and rule that out 1st.

Definitely have a physical to rule out something medical. More water will probably help but the west coast is very dry and you have to moisturize all the time especially if you are swimming. And the older you get the more you have to mosturize. I live in LA and although it doesn't seem like it, it's a desert zone. I use conditioner every day and I never blow dry my hair. I use Aveno lotion and bath oil when I'm done with the shower while I'm still wet to keep in the moisture. I use Ahava Timeline face cream every night and put vaseline on my lips every night. I use Oil of Olay Complete with sunblock every morning before I leave the house. I also use Ahava hand lotion on my hands and arms when I go to bed. I can pretty much slide out of bed at night with all the creams I use. But I'm going to be 49 soon and no one thinks I'm over 40 so it definitely helps. You might want to get a humidifier for your house too to keep the air from getting too dry.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

ditto to getting your thyroid checked

my cuticles are taking a beating this summer..here are some tips for you..Barielle foot cream..can't beat it..the best..also get a foot file..i get them at Wholefoods..one that is on a wood stick and has the shape of a foot..the Barielle foot cream u can get on Ebay..it totally works..but their hand cream doesn't :(
a friend of mine has his own hair care line but told me Pantene is the best..told me to stop wasting my money on expensive shampoos ..i listened and he was right..hair is way shinier now..you also may want to get a filter on your shower..and start taking fish oil pills..and flax seed..
that's all i can think of right now..

D.

I just started swimming laps a few days a week and I have noticed my skin has been SO dry since then. For your hair, I think they sell (maybe at a salon store?) shampoo and conditioner for swimmers that helps to get all the chlorine out. Also maybe use a hair mask about once a week, and then when you get out of the shower, use a leave in conditioner also. But, also try drinking more water. I am hypothyroid and I don't have dry hair, but my hair does fall out, I mean A LOT! But I do have horribly dry skin. My knees look like the are constantly dirty (I shower daily), but it's really just very dry skin on them.

Do you condition your hair or have a skin care routine?
If not, then do so.

Also, drink lots of water.
It is hydrating for the body.

If your hair is fine... then it probably has split-ends... this thus creates 'breakage' in the hair too.
So keep ends routinely trimmed, to cut away the split-ends. To make the ends healthier.

Also, if you wear your hair in a pony tail all the time, the 'tension' of it being in a pony-tail, can cause breakage too, and if your hair is fine and dry.... which since you have breakage around your hairline and neckline... that could be why. Pony-tail tension/stress on the hair.

Thyroid issues and of couse age? The area where you live too is quite hot and dry right now?

Most likely not drinking enough water is the culprit. What you are experiencing is probably due to mild dehydration. It's very common. Additionally, swimming in a chlorinated pool enhances the symptoms of dehydration. If you don't already, you should make it a habit to shower down in regular water before entering the pool and again afterward. This helps minimize the absorption of chlorine which can definitely dry your hair and skin out and increases breakage of the hair. There could be other reasons for your symptoms, but I'd start with these easy fixes.

the pool water has lots of salts that extract the water from your hair and skin. Before you go in the pool soak your hair and rub that ultra conditioner in it. After rinse off your whole body and rinse out your hair (take a full shower if you can) and use lotion on your body and a salve on your lips.

Thyroid - get a blood test that not only checks TSH (this is ususally the only one that doctors will run) but the T4 AND T3 - you need to see what is 'free / unbound' as well.

drbrownstein.com has GREAT information on thyroid.

Yes, it sounds like you need to drink a lot more water. Generally, 'they' say that when your lips dry out it's because of dehydration. 'They' also say that once you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Soooo, up the water intake. I carry around one of those insulated cups with a straw and find that when I drink water with a straw, I drink a lot more water.

It's summer time and you live in a fairly dry area, so that's another reason to up your water intake. If you drink or have noticed more dryness after a night when you've been drinking, it's because alcohol will dehydrate and thus - more water intake is needed. Same goes for caffeine. For every glass of caffeinated beverage you drink add an extra glass of water to your daily intake.

Do a little test on yourself - pinch the skin on the back of your hand, if it doesn't IMMEDIATELY go back down, you are dehydrated. Although, the lips pretty much say the same thing.

Oh, another little tidbit I've heard - if you crave ice cream, you are likely just thirsty. Pff, um okay, sometimes I don't believe this, sometimes I just want yummy ice cream, but other times I've noticed that it's kinda true;)

Best,
S.