Thanks in no small part to the famous women who’ve gone grey (and made it a cultural phenomenon, no less), hair care for women over 50 has never been more top of mind. Between advancing science and the beauty industry recognizing its need to cater to the needs of aging hair, it’s a fruitful time to examine how you can nurture the thickness and texture of your strands through aging, radical hormonal shifts, and periods of high stress, and beyond.
Scalp and Hair as we ages?
The hair and scalp go through many changes as we age. Hair follicles shrink, causing the hair to thin out. The scalp may become drier, making the hair more prone to breakage. Pigmentation in the hair may also change, resulting in greying or whitening of the hair. All of these changes can be frustrating, but there are ways to care for your aging hair to keep it looking its best.
Tips for caring for aging hair:
– Use a mild shampoo and conditioner. Avoid products that are harsh or dry.
– Be gentle when washing and brushing your hair. Avoid excessive heat styling.
– Use leave-in conditioners or oils to help moisturize the hair and scalp.
– Consider using a volumizing shampoo or mousse to help give the hair more body.
– If you colour your hair, choose a shade one or two shades lighter than your natural colour. Darker colours can make hair look thinner.
Your aging hair can still look beautiful and healthy with gentle care and attention.
Strength and Growth Of Aging Hairs
Start by ensuring a clean scalp and healthy hair follicles. “The hair bulb is the living part of the hair,” explains Dr Edmond I-S. Chen, Hair Restoration Specialist at Toronto Western Hospital. “If your follicle is clogged with sebum, sweat, dead skin cells or other debris, it can impact the growth phase of your hair cycle and stunt hair growth.”
To cleanse your scalp, use a mild Hair Cleanser that won’t strip away natural oils. Exfoliating once or twice a week will also help to slough away dead skin cells and improve circulation. And don’t forget to moisturize! A good Hair Mask or Hair Oil will help to keep your scalp hydrated and encourage healthy hair growth.
In addition to taking care of your scalp, you’ll also want to focus on protecting your strands. Keeping away from things that can cause harm, as over-brushing or utilizing brutal synthetic substances, is significant for keeping up with sound hair,” says Dr Chen. “Limit heat styling however much as could reasonably be expected, and in the event that you really do utilize heat devices, try to utilize an intensity protectant.”
Finally, remember that what you eat has a direct impact on the health of your hair. A diet rich in protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients is essential for strong, healthy hair. So be sure to include plenty of lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds in your diet. And if you’re not getting enough of certain nutrients from food, talk to your doctor about taking a supplement.
Hair Care
How can you optimize strength and growth? Start by ensuring a clean scalp and healthy hair follicles. “The hair bulb is the living part of the hair,” explains Dr Edmond I-S. Chen, Hair Restoration Specialist at Toronto Western Hospital. “If your follicle is clogged with sebum, sweat, dead skin cells or other debris, it can impact the growth phase of your hair cycle and stunt hair growth.”
Styling aging Hair
According to celebrity hairstylist Lorac Longsworth, the key is to avoid heavy conditioners and leave-in treatments. “Silver hairs have more space at the fingernail skin, and along these lines, conditioner particles will enter rapidly and in higher sums,” she makes sense of. “An excessive amount of item development will burden the hair and influence it to adhere to the scalp, causing the hair to show up significantly more slender.”
If you’re worried about your hair looking flat or lifeless, Longworth recommends using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner and avoiding products that are overly rich or greasy. When styling, focus on creating lift at the roots and giving your hair some extra oomph with a volumizing mousse or spray. And for an extra boost of volume, try using a diffuser when blow-drying.