As we age, our hair undergoes changes just like our skin. Let’s explore why this happens and if there’s anything we can do about it. Let’s talk about why our hair changes as we get older.
As we age, why does everything seem to fall apart – our bodies, skin, and hair? Despite feeling grateful for growing older, it looks like we finally have things figured out, and then everything falls apart. Does anyone else feel this way?
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What Things Change with Age
As we age, many changes occur. While some are positive, others can be challenging. Knowing what to expect and how to cope can make these changes easier.
A few changes that occur to our hair as we age that create the most difference:
- Hair follicles get smaller.
- Sebum production declines
- Loss of pigmentation
- Hormones change.
Hair Follicles Get Smaller
It is normal to lose 50-100 strands of hair per day, which is not a concern for most people as long as their hair and scalp remain healthy and regenerate. However, this process slows down as we age.
Experts suggest that hair thickness typically reaches its highest point in a person’s early 40s and gradually decreases as they age.
As we age, the rate of hair growth slows down, and hair follicles shrink. Some follicles even stop producing hair altogether. As a result, we notice a reduction in the thickness of our hair.
Sebum Production Declines
As women age, oil production decreases, leading to dull, dry, and brittle hair and skin. Check out our blog post “Why is My Hair So Dry as I Age?”
As women go through menopause, their bodies produce less oil, causing hair and skin to feel drier.
Loss of Pigmentation
Our hair follicles produce less melanin as we age, resulting in gray or white hair. Gray hair has less pigmentation and sebum, giving it a wiry and dry texture.
Hormone Change
This big one is the catalyst for all the other things that make your hair change with age. It’s pretty much all tied to our hormones.
Most women start to see a shift beginning in their 40s. The better you care for your hair with a good haircare routine, the longer it will take to see some of the adverse effects of aging. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to avoid it altogether.
As we age, our body stops producing estrogen or slows its production. This slowdown affects our hair because it also slows down the production of our body’s oil and reduces its ability to retain moisture.
Haircare Tips For Aging Hair:
We can start doing these things at any age. They are helpful for everyone, especially as we age. But they will help, especially as our hair ages.
• See Your Doctor:
Before starting any hormone-related treatment, it’s important to see your doctor for a checkup and check your hormone levels for peace of mind. This will also help to rule out any other issues that might be underlying.
• Oil Treatments:
Weekly oil treatments are a big part of having a healthy scalp, regardless of age. My favorite oil to use is Rejuveniqe Oil. You can find that here. A weekly oil treatment will help balance and hydrate your scalp and hair.
• Hydrate:
Drinking enough water is essential for a hydrated scalp and hair. The human body is made up of 50-70% water, so experts recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces.
• Turn Down the Water Temperature:
I understand that taking a hot shower or bath can feel great, but it can also dry out your scalp and hair. Hot water strips your hair of natural oils, which is not helpful for mature hair that may already lack oils. Consider turning down the temperature a little.
• Protect from Sun Damage:
Protecting your scalp and hair from sun damage is important to avoid skin cancer and support hair health. Consider using sunscreen specifically for your scalp and hair, like Coola Scalp & Hair Mist, or wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat.
• Wash Less Often:
I used to wash my hair daily, but now I wash it less often. Most people don’t need to wash their hair daily, especially if their scalp and hair are dry. It’s a good idea to reassess your washing routine periodically. Just because you used to wash your hair every other day doesn’t mean you still need to. Our hair produces less oil as we get older, so we don’t need to wash it as often. Over-shampooing can dry out our scalp or make it think we have an oily scalp when we don’t.
Taking care of your hair and skin as you age can make a significant difference in how gracefully you age. Embracing the privilege of aging and investing time into self-care can help slow down the process. Remember, aging gracefully is a beautiful thing.
Please share in the comments any changes you’ve noticed in your hair as you’ve aged and any tips that have helped you.
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