Four signs of aging hair and how to treat them
Do you recall Sun-In bleach spray, Rave hair spray and Mane N’ Tail Shampoo from the 80s and 90s? These were the days when we recklessly experimented with the trendiest hair products, and didn’t care what these hair products did to our hair. Yes, we admit some products damaged our hair, turned it copper orange and caused split ends but it didn’t stop us from using them over and over again. The thing is, our hair was young then. It grew out quickly and survived our abuse.
But now, in our 40s or over, we are very mindful of every single product we apply on our hair and skin. Let’s face it, our hair is aging like the rest of our body. We realize our hair is becoming unmanageable and out of shape. And we have the dreadful hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause to thank for. Gray is sprouting front, centre and back. The silky touch is replaced with dry Loofah texture! and that beautiful shine is eclipsed by dullness and drought.
So what’s going on ladies? And these signs of aging tresses and if so, what can we do about them?
Dry and dull hair
Most of us will notice a change in the texture and appearance of hair after 40. Like I said it feels like Loofah or dry hay, course and breakable. These changes are a result of the steady decline of Estrogen which allows testosterone levels (male hormone) to dominate. Although testosterone helps women live longer, it also causes dry and thinning hair (sure thinner on the head but thicker on the chin)! The other cause of dry and dull hair is the natural loss of fatty acids and keratin proteins.
What can you do about it?
First thing, cut down on styling and exposing hair to heat elements like blow dryers and flattening or curling irons. Apparently, not only does it dry hair, heat can also damage the follicles at the front of the scalp and stop growing new hair (yikes). So it’s best to limit any hair-styling tools for a few days or for a week at a time to minimize the damage.
Second, take your vitamins including Vitamins A, C and E, all of which help promote tissue growth. As well, don’t forget a healthy diet rich with antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and calcium. Basically ladies, in our 40s and beyond, we must pay more attention to what we eat and focus on healthy and fresh food.
Lastly, invest in hair care products rich in supplements and natural ingredients like oils and vitamins.
Strength and elasticity
In our 40s, hair becomes more fragile due to a decrease in keratin protein level leaving it weaker and less elastic when pulled or stressed. As well, even the individual strands of hair become thinner – thanks to the natural aging process. So it becomes more important to use protective shields and high-quality conditioners, essential and natural oils like olive oil and coconut oil treatments. As well, we should use shampoos and conditioners with Keratin protein ingredient to help protect hair strands from breakage.
Grey hair
Although grey hair can happen as early as our teens (I had my first gray hair at 16), it’s perceived as the one major sign of aging after 40. The reality is, grey hair appears at any stage of our lives and is hereditary or genetic. People who have grey hair in their teens or early twenties are probably lacking melanin production which gives hair its color. And as we age, melanin production slows down so as we shed hair, new hair grows in grey.
However, there are a bunch of reasons (other than genetics) that turn hair “silver” including low levels of vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. Apparently as we age, our body has a harder time absorbing B12 and the lower levels of this vitamin affect the production of melanin. As well, low levels of Vitamin D cause all kinds of health issues including grey hair.
So what’s the solution?
The most common solution to grey is dying your hair. It’s the quickest way to cover the aging strands but it can be costly if your hair grows quickly like mine. The other way is to embrace silver hair and that’s an empowering idea. I see an increasing number of women and social media influencers sporting grey hair to prove that women still look beautiful and strong regardless of their hair color.
The other option is to check Vitamin B12 and D levels by getting blood work request from your doctor. You may need to take supplements to help boost melanin production if you are lacking in Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D.
Thinning and slower growth rate
In my opinion, this is the worst nightmare as a woman. Like many, I was blessed with thick hair but female pattern baldness is common in my family too. And apparently 50% of women will experience some sort of hair loss by the age of 50 (by the way the same stat applies to men over 50).
Why does it happen? Aging of course reduces hair growth rate. But so do changes in hormone levels for women over 40. And another major cause is an under-active thyroid.
What can you do about it?
If you notice a significant loss of hair or not sure about the cause, the best thing to do is to consult with your doctor and get hormone levels tested. This is something every woman in her 40s should be requesting especially during an annual physical examination. Once the doctor identifies the cause, she can recommend proper medical solutions. I’ve recently heard that PRP treatment could help stimulate hair growth but there isn’t enough research or evidence to support this claim.
Summary:
Hair aging is common after 40. Most women will experience one or multiple signs of aging specifically during perimenopause. The signs consist of dryness, grey hair, thinning hair and frequent breakage. Although we cannot stop the aging process, we can still make proper and healthy choices to minimize the impact of aging. This includes checking our hormones and vitamin levels, eating well, investing in reputable anti-aging hair products, and reducing the use of styling and harsh chemicals. Remember ladies, the best crown to wear on your head is your hair so take proper care of this precious accessory.
