What came to your mind when you read that title? Maybe you thought of those first few gray hairs appearing at your temples – certainly a common sign of ageing. But is that all you can expect or does your hair spring other surprises on you as you go through life?
Maybe not surprisingly, it’s the latter.
We work hard every day to help people make the most of their hair, whether its utilizing non-surgical hair replacements systems and prosthetics, toppers and volumizers to cover the effects of thinning hair or hair loss or adopting a range of hair loss prevention techniques. While most of us go through a range of hairstyles as we go through life, our approach to taking care of our hair is also likely to change.
What Are the First Signs of Aging Hair?
Setting aside the usual white or gray hairs appearing, you may notice your hair feels like it is losing volume. The lifespan of a single hair is anything between two and seven years. As we age, each strand of hair tends to become thinner. When you consider the effect, this has on your head of hair, you’ll notice that it feels thinner all over and doesn’t have the same body it may have had previously.
You may not necessarily lose hair as you age, although this may occur. Women can suffer from female pattern baldness, which tends to present as a more diffuse type of hair loss, rather than the familiar receding hairline more common in men’s hair loss.
If your hair has become thinner, look for a shampoo and conditioner designed to add more volume. Your hair stylist can suggest something that would work for your hair type and color. It’s also good to get a regular trim to get rid of any split ends; older hair tends to be more brittle, so you don’t want those split ends to get out of control.
Can Your Hair Get More Brittle as You Age?
Yes, it can. A daily biotin supplement can help with this, and with your nails. One thing about living in the time that we do is that there are hair care product ranges catering to people with all types of hair textures and concerns. You should be able to find a suitable shampoo and conditioner that helps your hair lock in the moisture. These products protect the outside of the hair cuticle.
Consider also buying a hairbrush designed to go easier on your hair when you brush it. Brushing is as important as ever, to help prevent knots and tangles. However, you should make sure you’re gentle and use a brush designed to help you with this.
Why Does Hair Get Wiry as You Age?
Here’s another potential change you might notice at some point if you haven’t already. Your scalp produces oils to help nourish your hair. As you get older, the production of oils slows down. That’s why you can go longer between shampoos without your hair looking oily, as it might have done in your younger years. This does have its advantages, but it can lead your hair to look drier and wiry. If you notice this happening, consider a regular deep conditioning treatment to make sure you protect your hair and give it the most nourishment.
Eating healthy whole foods is of utmost importance as we age. This is obvious for many reasons, but eating a good diet will help ensure you get enough vitamins and minerals to support healthy hair growth throughout your life.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that in some cases, a change in haircut might be a good move. If you do notice your hair has less volume or is more brittle than it used to be, switching up your style can help combat these issues. Your hair stylist may be able to suggest a style that works better if your hair is a lot drier than it used to be.
We all experience changes in our hair as we age. Those changes can begin when we’re young too – even in our later teenage years. However, there are lots of ways you can make the most of your hair as you age, so you still look your very best. If you are experiencing hair loss or thinning hair there are proven hair loss prevention treatments that can help. To learn more, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts for a complimentary, in-person consultation.
