Our hair evolves just like we do as we journey through life. It’s a reflection of our experiences, our joys, and our wisdom. But aging gracefully doesn’t mean we have to settle for less-than-fabulous locks.
For most women over 50, our hair feels drier and more brittle as we get older because our scalps make less natural oil.
To top it all off, our hair growth is not as fast as it used to be. And those pesky changes in hormones don’t help at all. Yes, they can change the way our hair feels and looks.
But we can keep our hair looking great at any age with a little care and knowledge. It is all about finding the right tools and methods to take care of and protect our priceless locks.
Let’s take a look at some great tips for taking care of your aging hair.
1. Regular Trims and Cuts
Regular trims and cuts are important for keeping hair healthy and looking good as it ages. As we age, the ends of our hair can dry out, become brittle, and split easily, making our hair look unkempt and frayed.
You can keep them from breaking again and help new, healthier growth by cutting off these damaged ends every six to eight weeks.
Trims also help get rid of any buildup or residue from hair products that can make hair look dull and heavy. Regular haircuts can also help reshape and style your hair, giving you a new, younger look that complements your face and makes you look better overall.
2. Nourish from Within
Eating right is very important for keeping your hair healthy as you age. A healthy, well-balanced diet full of proteins, vitamins, and minerals can nourish your hair from the inside out.
There are key nutrients for nourishing aging hair from the inside out. For hair growth and strength, biotin, a B-vitamin, deserves special mention.
You should also pay attention to iron because not getting enough of it can cause hair loss and thinning. Make sure you eat iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, lean meats, and so on.
For healthy hair and scalps, omega-3 fatty acids are also very important. You can find them in foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
Protein is also important for keeping hair strong and healthy because hair is mostly made up of protein. Adding lean protein sources to your diet, like eggs, chicken, and beans, will help your hair stay strong and healthy.
It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Being dehydrated can make your hair dry, brittle, and easy to break.
3. Gentle Cleansing
As hair ages, it becomes more fragile and easy to damage, so it is important to wash it gently. Soaps that are too harsh can strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and lifeless. Instead, choose mild shampoos that are free of sulfates and are made especially for hair that is getting older.
These shampoos are made to clean hair gently without removing its natural oils. This keeps your hair healthy and hydrated. Try to find shampoos that have moisturizing ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, or coconut oil. These can help your hair get back the moisture it lost and make it easier to style.
When you shampoo, focus on the scalp and massage it gently with your fingertips. Do not scrub or rub too hard, as this can break the hair. Rinse thoroughly to remove all product residue.
4. Gentle Conditioning
Every hair care routine needs to include conditioning, but it is even more important as hair gets older. It is important to add moisture and strengthen the hair shaft because older hair is more likely to break and dry out.
For aging hair, look for deep conditioning treatments or leave-in conditioners that are made just for that. Many of these products have healthy ingredients in them, like ceramides, keratin, or plant-based oils that help strengthen and smooth the hair cuticle, which makes it look smoother and more shiny.
Pay extra attention to the middle and ends of your hair when you use conditioner, as these are usually the driest and most likely to get damaged. Before you rinse your hair really well, leave the conditioner on for a few minutes to let the healthy ingredients get deep into the hair shaft.
5. Protect from Heat
Excessive heat exposure from styling tools like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands can wreak havoc on aging hair, leading to increased dryness, breakage, and damage.
Use heat protectant products on a regular basis to keep your locks safe from damage caused by heat. Buy a good heat protectant serum or spray. This barrier helps protect your hair from styling tools that do too much damage.
When using your styling tools, adjust the temperature settings. Choose the lowest setting that works whenever you can to keep your hair from getting too hot and damaged as it ages.
When you can, do not use heated styling tools on your hair; let it dry naturally. The best way to protect your hair from heat damage is to let it air dry for its overall health and integrity.
Aim to limit how often you use heat styling as well. Use heated styling tools only on special occasions or when you have to. Give your hair plenty of time to heal and grow back between styling sessions.
READ ALSO: Gray Hair Tips: Why You Should Love Your Silver Strands Even More
6. Accept Your Natural Color
Our hair naturally loses color as we age, which can cause it to turn gray or change color. Some people choose to love their natural silver or gray tones, while others color their hair to hide the signs of aging.
If you want to color your hair, you should only use high-quality hair dyes that are made for older hair and do not contain ammonia. The gentler and less damaging formulas in these products help keep the health of your hair while giving you natural-looking coverage.
If you want to avoid harsh chemicals and frequent touch-ups, you might also want to think about semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair colors that fade over time.
Keep in mind that hair color can be drying, so it is important to use deep conditioning treatments and hair masks that nourish your hair to protect it from any damage that might happen.
READ ALSO: Hair Color Do’s and Don’ts: How to Dye Gray Hair Over 50
7. Use Hair Treatments
Aging hair might benefit from extra treatments that nourish and strengthen it.
Keratin treatments add keratin to the hair, which is a protein that helps strengthen and smooth the hair cuticle. This makes the hair less frizzy and easier to style. These treatments can strengthen your hair and make it easier to style, giving you a smooth, put-together look.
Deep conditioning is one of the benefits of hair masks. They hydrate and nourish hair deeply, which helps restore its moisture, shine, and elasticity. If you use hair masks regularly, they can heal dry, brittle hair and make it softer and brighter.
Getting regular scalp treatments is important for keeping your scalp healthy. If your scalp is healthy, your hair will grow back and not thin or fall out. If you want to keep your scalp in great shape, look for treatments that clean, moisturize, and balance it.
If your hair is damaged or has too many pores, protein treatments can help. These treatments help rebuild and strengthen the hair shaft, which makes it stronger and less likely to break. Using protein treatments on a regular basis can strengthen your hair, making it stronger and less likely to get damaged.
READ ALSO: The Best Hair Care Products for Long, Luscious Hair
8. Protect from the Sun
Just as UV exposure can damage our skin, it can also have detrimental effects on our hair. Prolonged sun exposure can cause hair to become dry, brittle, and discolored, accelerating the aging process.
A stylish and useful way to protect your hair from UV rays is to wear a hat or scarf. A stylish hat or a light scarf can act as a physical shield to protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays. This will do more than just keep your hair healthy; it will also make you look better.
Another good idea is to use hair products that protect against UV rays. Look for hair care products that have UV filters or sunscreens that are made to protect hair. These UV protection products prevent hair dryness and discoloration.
Finding shade whenever possible protects hair simply and effectively. Limiting sun exposure, especially during peak UV hours, can greatly reduce hair damage. Use a parasol or shaded areas to stay safe outdoors.
READ ALSO: How to Protect Your Skin From the Sun Without Using Traditional Sunscreens
9. Manage Stress
Stress can cause hair thinning, shedding, and premature graying. As we age, stress management and self-care become more important for our overall well-being.
Do exercise daily. Working out can help you feel better overall and relieve stress. Getting your body moving, like on a brisk walk, in a dance class, or at the gym, can help lower stress hormones and raise endorphins, which are chemicals that make you feel good.
Mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation can help calm the mind and lower stress and anxiety. The way you deal with stress can change a lot if you do yoga or meditate for just a few minutes every day. These activities help you calm down, concentrate, and feel more at peace with yourself.
Getting enough sleep is important for dealing with stress and staying healthy in general. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of good sleep every night to give your mind and body a chance to rest and recover. Limit screen time before bed, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and create a comfortable sleep environment to improve sleep quality.
Deep breathing, aromatherapy, and soothing music can help you relax. Aromatherapy with lavender or chamomile oils and deep breathing exercises can reduce stress.
10. Consult a Professional
While the tips can help with aging hair issues, each person’s hair journey is unique. If you are having persistent shedding, thinning, or scalp issues, see a dermatologist or trichologist.
These experts can assess your hair and scalp health, identify causes, and recommend customised treatment or medication. They may also recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or low-level laser therapy to stimulate hair growth and address aging hair issues.
Getting professional advice can help you address your hair needs and concerns and maintain hair health as you age.
Closing Thoughts
Taking care of your aging hair requires a whole-person approach that includes good nutrition, gentle hair care routines, and keeping your hair away from things that can damage it.
Your hair does not have to lose its style or health just because it is getting older. If you follow these tips, you can keep your hair healthy, strong, and beautiful as you age.
Remember that hair loss is a normal part of aging, and if you take good care of your hair, you can be proud of it no matter what age you are.
It is important to love and care for your hair, so go ahead and treat those locks like the crowns they are!
♡ Love ♡,
Schellea
