As many of us will know, age changes a lot of things. The health and vitality of our hair for instance is one feature that takes a hit as we grow older, with countless individuals experiencing thinning and loss as the years roll by. If your hair is starting to look a little thinner, understanding the ‘why’ is the key to finding the solutions that could save those follicles.
Read on to discover just some of the factors that make hair thinning a common occurrence with age…
Your entire body experiences something of a slowdown with age, so it should come as no surprise that hair growth becomes a little sluggish too.
The growing or ‘anagen’ stage of the hair lifecycle usually takes 3 to 5 years on average. This phase becomes shorter in later life, with hair spending most of its cycle not actively growing. Reduced hair growth can become rather prominent producing a worrying amount of thinning for the person affected.
The anagen phase doesn’t just get shorter. It is known to produce poorer quality hair the older we become. That’s why older people tend to have smaller hair diameters, and the hair is thinner in texture and appearance as a result.
Sebum production also declines with age, exacerbating the thinness of hair. Without a healthy amount of sebum to fall back on, hair looks dull, lifeless and brittle.
Hormones fluctuate at various stages in our lives, particularly for women. Menopause is a very big event as we age, with the hormonal changes that it triggers affecting hair health significantly. Here Everyday Health explains how the menopause impacts the condition of the hair:
“Menopause, for example, causes estrogen levels to drop. Estrogen promotes hair growth and density and helps create the natural oils that smooth hair. The loss of estrogen can leave hair more brittle, dry, and prone to breakage. Hair becomes thinner because the diameter of each hair strand decreases after reaching its maximum diameter in your forties.”
Whatever our age, the condition of our hair is influenced by factors like stress, diet, exercise and hair care. As we become older however, our bodies become less tolerant to bad lifestyle choices and our hair pays the price.
While genetic factors can’t be prevented to put a stop to hair loss and thinning, factors like exposure to UV light, smoking and nutritional deficiencies can be managed to restore hair growth and prevent further thinning.
If you suffer from health problems, your medication may also be to blame for your thinning hair. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for alternatives to minimise side effects such as hair loss and thinning.
Even if hair thinning is age-related, there are several steps you can take to support hair health and enhance its appearance. Altering your hair care routine can provide great results for the short and long term. Your hair may need to be cared for differently during later life, with overwashing, overbrushing and excessive heat styling best avoided.
If your hair is greyer as well as thinner, colouring may have become something of a routine. Be sure to use dyes and systems that are gentler on the hair and scalp to ensure the very best outcome.
Your diet should contain all the nutrients to support hair health too. Biotin, zinc, magnesium and protein are just some of the essentials that should be a part of every meal. If they aren’t, try using supplements to boost hair growth.
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