There are several types of medications, some taken daily that cause dry hair including anti-depressants, certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, gout, antifungal and high blood pressure medication, weight loss drugs, hormonal therapy, and more.
Results: The most commonly implicated medication classes were antineoplastic agents (n = 974 patients), antiepileptics [valproate, carbamazepine, perampanel (n = 56)], retinoids [acitretin, isotretinoin, alitretinoin, etretinate (n = 15)], immunomodulators [diphenylcyclopropenone, interferon-alpha, nivolumab (n = 3)], ...
Dry hair can develop from the products you use, how often you use them, and how you manage and style your hair. This includes: Washing your hair too often – this can strip the natural oils, leading to dry hair. Excessive blow-drying and straightening – too much heat exposure can dry out the cuticle and cause damage.
Issue #1: We're producing less oil.
Your body's just not making enough oil to coat the strands, which keeps them pliable and lustrous. So even if you bemoaned your greasy scalp during puberty, now it feels more like the shine pipeline is shutting down.
Over-styling, washing, chemicals, and heat products often contribute to brittle hair. Sometimes, hormonal imbalances or malnutrition can cause it. You can improve your hair's moisture content by limiting hair-washing, conditioning every time you wash, and limiting how much you expose your hair to high-heat products.
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. These drugs can cause hair loss by creating stress, which then causes hair to go into the telogen stage prematurely. Hair loss may be noted about 2 months after starting the medication [17].
Certain drugs can even alter and change the chemical and physical structure of the hair shaft, leading to weaker or damaged hair. Most often, hair loss and decreases in hair health result from another symptom of substance use — stress.
Vitamin D deficiency can manifest as dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Moderate to excessive shedding and thinning hair may also occur. Studies have even proven that low levels of vitamin D are also responsible for premature graying. Diagnosing vitamin D deficiency involves a simple blood test to check levels.
Sjogren's, a common autoimmune disease, is often overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Medical Conditions and Illness
Sudden hair changes in texture could signal a more serious condition. Anemia and insufficient vitamin D levels can bring on thinning hair. A thyroid disease can also result in a sudden change in the texture of your hair.
Other medicines that can affect hair and hair texture are beta-blockers, antidepressants, blood pressure medication, acne treatments, and painkillers. On the plus side, when you stop those kinds of medications hair usually reverts to its prior state.
Finasteride (Propecia).
This is a prescription drug for men. You take it daily as a pill. Many men taking finasteride experience a slowing of hair loss, and some may show new hair growth. It may take a few months to tell whether it's working for you.
Coca-Cola makes hair look shinier as it is acidic (so closes the cuticle). Other ingredients like high fructose corn syrup would make the hair sticky and gritty. It won't actually clean the hair or scalp, which would be a problem in the long term, especially for the scalp.
Medications are designed to treat a variety of health conditions, but sometimes they can have unwanted side effects. Certain drugs can contribute to excess hair growth, changes in hair color or texture, or hair loss. Drug-induced hair loss, like any other type of hair loss, can have a real effect on your self-esteem.
However, some ototoxic drugs, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics and specific chemotherapy agents like cisplatin, carry a risk of causing permanent hearing loss. These medications can damage the hair cells within the cochlea, which play a vital role in transmitting sound signals to the brain.
Yes, it has been documented that prednisone can result in hair thinning or hair loss. However, not every person who takes prednisone experiences this side effect.
Although the competition was stiff, after researching and testing dozens of formulas, we named the amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo our top pick for the best shampoo for dry hair.
“Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera, which hydrate without leaving a greasy residue,” says Garshick. “Use a lightweight conditioner and avoid heavy oils or creams. A leave-in conditioner spray or a volumizing conditioner can also help add moisture without making hair flat.”