As you age, it’s natural for your body to go through various changes, including changes to your hair. Over time, your hair may change in color and texture, often becoming thinner or less abundant.
Fortunately, there are ways to support hair growth after age 40.
What Happens to Hair as You Age?
Color Change: Hair follicles, the structures in your scalp and skin that generate hair, produce less pigment as you age. This leads to the gradual graying of your hair.
Thinning Hair: The thick hair you enjoyed in your youth may start to thin out. Hair strands become finer, may fall out more frequently, or may not grow back at all.
Why Do You Lose Hair as You Age?
Several factors contribute to hair loss as you get older:
- Hereditary Traits: Genetics play a significant role in hair loss. If hair thinning or loss runs in your family, you may experience it too.
- Endocrine Disorders: Hormones, produced by glands in your endocrine system, can affect hair growth. An imbalance in these hormones, often due to endocrine disorders, can lead to hair loss.
- Thyroid Disorders: When your thyroid’s hormone production is disrupted, it can impact hair growth at the root, leading to thinning across your scalp and other areas like your eyebrows.
- Reduced Hormonal Support: Both male and female hormones influence hair growth. Androgens, a group of male hormones including testosterone, promote hair growth on the face and body and contribute to fuller hair on the head.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: A diet lacking essential nutrients can lead to hair loss.
- Menopause: During menopause, the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases, slowing hair growth and leading to thinning.
How to Care for Your Hair as You Age
You can support your hair growth as you age by following these tips:
- Wash Less Frequently: Over-washing can make your hair dry and brittle. Aim to wash your hair at least twice a week to keep your scalp clean without stripping away natural oils.
- Use Conditioner and Volumizer: Conditioning after shampooing helps replenish moisture and restore your hair’s natural sheen. Volumizers can strengthen each strand, giving your hair more volume.
- Choose the Right Products: If you color your hair, consult a professional stylist to select the safest dye and hair products for your type. They can also recommend the best shampoos and conditioners for your needs.
- Limit Heat Styling: Try to avoid using heat styling tools like blow dryers, curling wands, and flat irons daily. When you do use them, apply a heat protectant to add moisture and protect your hair from damage.
- Eat a Protein-Rich Diet: Hair follicles are primarily made of protein, so it’s important to include protein-rich foods like red meat, spinach, eggs, berries, and avocados in your diet. Consider taking a daily multivitamin to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
- Check Your Medications: Some medications can interfere with hair growth. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have, and they can offer advice on how to counteract negative effects.
When to See Your Doctor
While changes to your hair are a natural part of aging, healthy lifestyle choices can help you manage, slow, or prevent age-related hair loss.
However, certain symptoms may indicate an underlying health condition that requires medical attention. See your doctor if you experience:
- Sudden patchy hair loss
- More hair loss than usual when combing or washing
- A receding hairline, particularly if you’re a woman
Sudden hair loss can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as alopecia areata, where your immune system attacks your hair follicles. This can be triggered by severe stress.
If you’re concerned about hair loss or want to learn more about maintaining healthy hair as you age, your doctor can provide guidance and support.
