As we get older, our body undergoes many different changes, some of which will happen to our hair too. Our hair is in for a lot of changes as we age and signs of aging in hair can span from greying locks to a head of thinning mane. Here are some main changes that we should expect and how we can work around them to achieve the shiny, vibrant hair regardless of our age.
1. The hair turns grey
Hair turning grey is the obvious change that we will see as we age. Though there are a couple of reasons that this could happen, the most common reason we hear is that it is actually genetic. People who have grey prematurely or have different patterns of grey hair can ask their parents if theirs were the same. Nonetheless, some other reasons for greying could be stress, an unhealthy diet, extreme lifestyle, lack of sleep and serious illness. Hair goes grey because of the lack of melanin production after a certain age, which is what gives hair its colour. When we go grey, we have hair without colour and without protein. Of course, you can dye your hair to make it the colour you want. However, grey hair takes colour differently than pigmented hair. It is also important to use an anti-aging shampoo, conditioner and support products that will help to keep the hair as healthy and nourished as possible. Those with ingredients like omega fatty acids and colour safe formulas are great options.
2. The hair loses thickness
Given that hair grows on average a little less than half an inch per month, hair that is 12 inches in length has seen almost three years of ultraviolet light, friction from brushing, heat from blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons, and chemical exposure through colouring, perming, or straightening. Over time, the cuticle cells become raised and softened, making the hair appear rougher and more prone to breakage. Over time, hair follicles gradually produce thinner, smaller hairs, or none at all. This is referred to as senescent alopecia, although it may simply be a part of the natural aging process. Research also shows that around the age of 40, a woman’s hair also starts to grow finer as time passes, which makes the hair look and feel thinner. For a start, we should avoid excessive use of heat on the hair, such as limiting the use of hot tools like curling irons and flat irons.
3. The hair breaks easily
When the hair lacks protein, it does not only affect the hair colour but also affects the strength of the hair. A drop in the keratin protein levels will make the hair weaker and less elastic, which results in more breakage when the hair is tugged or pulled. This is also due to the cells on the outer protective cuticle will become more fragile as we age, making hair breakage seemingly inevitable. Especially for fine hair. We can look at using products that contain the protein, which can help fill in the tears and gaps and build hair’s strength back.
4. The hair changes texture
After a certain age, many women note that their hair becomes drier, and the texture seems to be coarser and more brittle than before. This is the result when the body’s production of sebum, a naturally-created lubricant of the skin and hair, slows down. The hair may also become more porous and lose its elasticity. A good news is that dealing with this problem is easy. We can start by evaluating our eating habits, such as getting a healthy diet, rich in anti-oxidant foods and try to focus on calcium-rich foods and foods containing vitamins A, E and C, as well as Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It is also crucial that we drink at least two litres of water a day.
5. The hair grows slower
Hair growth is controlled by several factors and is highly variable from person to person. Your age, gender and overall health all play an important role in determining how fast your hair will grow. The hair will grow slower as we age and spend less time in the growth phase and more in the resting phase. This means that it will grow more slowly, and will not be able to grow as long as it once did.
Take the above tips and steps to preserve your strands as you age gracefully.