Hair care for women over the age of 50 has never been more prominent in the public eye, and a large part of it is due to the renowned ladies who have gone grey (and turned it into a cultural phenomenon, no less). It’s a beneficial moment to investigate how you can foster the thickness and texture of your strands through ageing, erratic hormone fluctuations, periods of high stress, and beyond, thanks to advances in science and the beauty industry’s recognition that it needs to respond to the demands of hair care for women over the age of 50.
In this article, three professionals discuss hair care for women over the age of 50, explaining what happens to hair as it ages and what can be done to strengthen it so that it remains thick, smooth, and shiny well into old age.
What changes occur in the scalp and hair as we get older?
The passage of time always brings about some sort of hair transformation. Debra Lin, Ph.D., the chief scientific officer for the hair care company Better Not Younger, says, “There is more shedding and slower hair growth, more frizz and dryness, reduced volume, and loss of pigmentation in the hair strands resulting in more grey and white hairs.” Menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, has a significant influence on many women in addition to the natural ageing process. Lin adds that as oestrogen levels drop during menopause, dryness of the scalp and brittleness of the hair may result from a decrease in sebum production and an increase in sensitivity to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which may be connected to hair thinning and hair loss.
An official hello to #dermtwitter and #MedTwitter!! My name is Deborah A. Lin and I’m a rising MS4 at @umiamimedicine applying for #dermatology! So excited to continue connecting with peers and mentors along the way! Let’s gooo #Match2023 ?? pic.twitter.com/LYStl00kp4
— Deborah A. Lin (@deborahalin) April 20, 2022
According to Bridgitte Hill, a licenced trichologist and the creator of Root Cause Scalp Analysis, even a mild shift in hormones can have far-reaching effects on the scalp. Without regular care and attention, a person’s scalp will age and eventually deteriorate, causing thinning hair, as explained by Hill. “Scalp skin goes through the same changes as facial skin.”
Is there a way to maximize development and fortification?
Care for the scalp, protection of the hair, and a healthy diet are all crucial to healthy hair. It’s important to pay attention to your scalp at any age, but it’s especially important as you get older, and it’s important to take care of your scalp by keeping it clean, exfoliated, and moisturized. Hill maintains that “hair is an outgrowth of the scalp.”
There would be reduced possibility of scalp problems and hair loss if the microbiota and skin barrier of the scalp are kept steady. When buildup (from things like natural oils and styling products) becomes a problem, a gentle scalp massage with your fingers or a brush like Manta’s Healthy Hair Brush, and a thorough washing with a mild shampoo will help. Hair scientist, certified practitioner, and founder of natural hair blog Absolutely Everything Curly Gaby Longsworth, Ph.D., recommends staying away from sulfate-based shampoos because they can “cause and worsen frizz, dryness, and yellowing of grey hair,” all of which can contribute to the already-present brittleness of ageing hair.
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A lightweight supercharged scalp serum, such as Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Anti-Hair Fall or René Furterer’s Tonucia Natural Filler Concentrated Youth elixirs, can be applied afterward to assist revitalise the scalp. In order to repair and smooth the cuticle and offer extra moisture and protection to your strands, a lightweight, moisturising leave-in treatment can be applied. Be mindful of your hair and scalp, and don’t use too much product, as Lin advises.
The risk of product buildup and the inability to reapply as needed are both reduced if the product is applied sparingly to the hair or spread on the hands beforehand. Little goes a long way; don’t waste your money. There are several advantages to making the switch to accepting your natural grey and putting that energy towards improving what you already have. To keep your hair healthy and prevent it from breaking, avoid using chemical dyes. This will also help you keep your hair longer and thicker.
And last, a nutritious diet and/or nutritional supplements can provide the nutrients your hair needs to grow strong and healthy. Commonly associated with healthier hair and nails are foods high in iron, zinc, vitamin C, the B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Longsworth says that a daily multivitamin and collagen supplements are the best ways to fill nutritional deficiencies, with the latter being especially important after midlife because the body produces so much less collagen.
How can I add lift and volume to my thinning hair?
Longsworth believes that because grey hair cuticles are wider, more conditioner molecules can penetrate the hair. In light of this, she advises ladies with fine or thinning hair to either forego or use far less of harsh conditioners and leave-in treatments. As she explains, “too much product accumulation will weigh the hair down and cause it to stick to the scalp, making the hair appear even thinner.” Thin hair types are better off surrendering definition for volume.
Especially for longer hair, not all volumizing products are created equal in terms of how much lift and volume they can provide. Lin warns that “ageing hair is generally brittle, dry, and thin,” so it’s important to avoid products that add volume by roughening up the cuticle of the hair and drying it out. Instead, you should choose lightweight treatments that are formulated for your hair type and texture so that they add volume rather than leaving your hair feeling like straw.
Products that contain thickening chemicals like biotin, including the Lift Me Up spray by Better Not Younger and the Bleu Magnifier Thickening Spray by R+Co, provide instant volume. It’s also possible to utilize heat styling equipment, but you should be careful. Using a blow dryer on low heat with a heat protectant spray will help shield hair from heat damage while softening and conditioning strands, as Lin explains: “The heat can stress hair strands and cause damage, especially when applied directly to wet hair.”
So,
- How do I rehydrate my hair at 50?
- How do older women take care of their hair?
- How can I restore my aging hair?
- What happens to your hair when you turn 50?
- What is the best shampoo and conditioner for older hair?
- How often should a 50 year old woman wash her hair?
- Which lack of vitamin causes hair fall?
- Why does hair get frizzy as you age?
- What vitamin should I take for hair loss?
- How do you treat menopause hair?
- What should you not do when you turn 50?
- What age is considered old for a woman?
- How can I look younger at 50?
- What are the 5 signs of aging hair?
- What is the best shampoo for menopausal hair?
- Is baby shampoo good for seniors?
- What happens if you don’t wash your hair for 3 months?
- What happens if you don’t wash your hair for 2 weeks?
- What are the benefits of not washing your hair?
- What is the best supplement for female hair loss?
- What is the main reason for hair loss in females?
- How can I thicken my hair?
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