Nothing is worse than looking at our bodies changing with age. Wouldn’t you agree with me?
We keep wishing that we could stop it, delay it somehow, but it is inevitable.
Just like our skin, our hair too faces the cruel effects of aging.
The original hair quality, quantity, and hair color of an individual affect the aging process of hair. Haircare routine and personal habits are also the major factors that affect hair aging.
Heredity is another thing to consider that determines the changes in the hair.
An individual receives genes from both their mother and father equally. The maternal (from the mother) and paternal (from the father) genetic makeup are other key components affecting hair aging.
So the changes that you see in your parents’ hair will most likely be seen in yours too.
These elements together show variability in great degrees in different people. So, the first signs of hair aging are also unpredictable.
Here are some common changes that you might notice if you are climbing up the age ladder.
Hair Thinning
Hair loss is the most common change that we see with advancing age. It is a natural part of the aging process to experience thinning of hair. It is dependent on genetic factors. Some people might start to notice their hair thinning as early as 30 years while others may go on without such changes till their 40s. After 40, more people notice hair fall that increases as they grow older. Hair loss due to old age is called senescent alopecia.
This can be attributed to the hormonal changes occurring in the body with the increasing age.
Men lose hair due to excess production of male hormones called androgens.
Women may notice that these changes correspond to their menopause.
As the growth rate slows with age, the growth of new hair is also not significant, which leads to an overall thinning of hair around the scalp.
To give a fuller look to your hair, you can get shorter haircuts with less layering. Keep your hair grease and oil-free for a voluminous look.
If your hair loss is intense, you can opt for a wig too.
Hair Greying
The most dreaded change after hair loss is greying of hair. Don’t you agree?
Greying affects people of different races differently. While the Caucasians complain about greying in their mid-30s, the Asians reportedly tend to grey a little later. Africans are the luckiest in this matter because they tend to start greying in their mid-40s on average.
The time of greying also depends on when your parents had their first greys. However, it is also true that your greying starts a lot later than your parents. Or sometimes, if you’re not-so-lucky, a lot earlier, even in your 20s.
This happens due to the loss of pigmentation in your hair. There are pigment-producing cells called melanocytes in our hair follicles. They produce the pigment melanin which is responsible for the color of our hair. As we grow older, these cells die and that’s why our hair lacks the color and turns grey, white, or silver.
Sometimes, melanocytes die in young people too due to stress, anxiety, or chemicals. Hence, the premature greying.
Although a bit troublesome, this can be overcome temporarily by hair coloring. Be sure to use safe hair colors or dyes that are free of harmful chemicals.
Reduced Thickness
Have you ever noticed? Every hair strand differs in thickness and diameter in the same individual. Apparently, when the person ages, the thickness of hair strands decreases making it more prone to breakage. The diameter of the hair tends to be smaller with progressing age.
Women undergoing menopause reportedly had hair of smaller diameter, with lower scalp hair density and growth rate.
Structural change
Aging affects the hair color, hair production, and also the structure of the hair fiber.
The hair fibers tend to show abnormal bending, stretching, and rigidity. In naturally straight hair, the hair fibers will start curling haphazardly. If your hair is curly, it loses its uniformity as you age and there is an increased appearance of frizz. You may see more split-ends and hair becomes more brittle.
This happens due to the age-related changes in molecular structure.
Texture
Your hair will feel coarser, drier, and stiffer in the advancing years. You will notice more frizz and flyaways on your hair. The curvature and diameter of the hair lose their uniformity. Your waves become inconsistent and straight strands become curly. Appropriate haircuts will surely make a difference to hide the inconsistencies.
Dryness
The number of sweat and sebaceous glands markedly decreases as age increases.
The scalp tends to be dry with lower sebum production and less natural oils.
On the plus side, you wouldn’t have to wash your hair as often as before because low sebum and oil make the hair less greasy.
In case it becomes very dry, you can use safe hair products that will help to moisturize your scalp. The best thing you can do is apply coconut oil to your hair. Coconut oil is good for the skin as well as your hair.
Dullness
Now that you’re older, your body changes. You cannot expect your hair to look like your child’s hair, can you? Naturally, it will lose its shine and lack the luster it used to have before. This can be fixed to a certain extent. The use of gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and hair oil can make a difference.
Colouring hair often to hide the greys is not a new thing as we age. This strips our hair of shine and moisture to make it look duller.
Bottom line:
Old age could be an alarming concept. All the changes in our bodies that take place would understandably make anyone feel vulnerable and insecure.
All these changes can be dealt with in many ways.
Moreover, if you really think about it and look at it differently, getting old is not as bad as you think.
It is reported that there are fewer migraines in old age. Fewer colds, fewer allergies and fewer responsibilities! Think of how much wiser you become!
You can enjoy life at your own pace without having to hurry to your job or look after the kids. You can leave behind the anxiety of adulthood and relish in peace of old age.
Would you agree? Comment below and let us know what changes you are experiencing with age.
We keep wishing that we could stop it, delay it somehow, but it is inevitable.
Just like our skin, our hair too faces the cruel effects of aging.
The original hair quality, quantity, and hair color of an individual affect the aging process of hair. Haircare routine and personal habits are also the major factors that affect hair aging.
Heredity is another thing to consider that determines the changes in the hair.
An individual receives genes from both their mother and father equally. The maternal (from the mother) and paternal (from the father) genetic makeup are other key components affecting hair aging.
So the changes that you see in your parents’ hair will most likely be seen in yours too.
These elements together show variability in great degrees in different people. So, the first signs of hair aging are also unpredictable.
Here are some common changes that you might notice if you are climbing up the age ladder.
Hair Thinning
Hair loss is the most common change that we see with advancing age. It is a natural part of the aging process to experience thinning of hair. It is dependent on genetic factors. Some people might start to notice their hair thinning as early as 30 years while others may go on without such changes till their 40s. After 40, more people notice hair fall that increases as they grow older. Hair loss due to old age is called senescent alopecia.
This can be attributed to the hormonal changes occurring in the body with the increasing age.
Men lose hair due to excess production of male hormones called androgens.
Women may notice that these changes correspond to their menopause.
As the growth rate slows with age, the growth of new hair is also not significant, which leads to an overall thinning of hair around the scalp.
To give a fuller look to your hair, you can get shorter haircuts with less layering. Keep your hair grease and oil-free for a voluminous look.
If your hair loss is intense, you can opt for a wig too.
Hair Greying
The most dreaded change after hair loss is greying of hair. Don’t you agree?
Greying affects people of different races differently. While the Caucasians complain about greying in their mid-30s, the Asians reportedly tend to grey a little later. Africans are the luckiest in this matter because they tend to start greying in their mid-40s on average.
The time of greying also depends on when your parents had their first greys. However, it is also true that your greying starts a lot later than your parents. Or sometimes, if you’re not-so-lucky, a lot earlier, even in your 20s.
This happens due to the loss of pigmentation in your hair. There are pigment-producing cells called melanocytes in our hair follicles. They produce the pigment melanin which is responsible for the color of our hair. As we grow older, these cells die and that’s why our hair lacks the color and turns grey, white, or silver.
Sometimes, melanocytes die in young people too due to stress, anxiety, or chemicals. Hence, the premature greying.
Although a bit troublesome, this can be overcome temporarily by hair coloring. Be sure to use safe hair colors or dyes that are free of harmful chemicals.
Reduced Thickness
Have you ever noticed? Every hair strand differs in thickness and diameter in the same individual. Apparently, when the person ages, the thickness of hair strands decreases making it more prone to breakage. The diameter of the hair tends to be smaller with progressing age.
Women undergoing menopause reportedly had hair of smaller diameter, with lower scalp hair density and growth rate.
Structural change
Aging affects the hair color, hair production, and also the structure of the hair fiber.
The hair fibers tend to show abnormal bending, stretching, and rigidity. In naturally straight hair, the hair fibers will start curling haphazardly. If your hair is curly, it loses its uniformity as you age and there is an increased appearance of frizz. You may see more split-ends and hair becomes more brittle.
This happens due to the age-related changes in molecular structure.
Texture
Your hair will feel coarser, drier, and stiffer in the advancing years. You will notice more frizz and flyaways on your hair. The curvature and diameter of the hair lose their uniformity. Your waves become inconsistent and straight strands become curly. Appropriate haircuts will surely make a difference to hide the inconsistencies.
Dryness
The number of sweat and sebaceous glands markedly decreases as age increases.
The scalp tends to be dry with lower sebum production and less natural oils.
On the plus side, you wouldn’t have to wash your hair as often as before because low sebum and oil make the hair less greasy.
In case it becomes very dry, you can use safe hair products that will help to moisturize your scalp. The best thing you can do is apply coconut oil to your hair. Coconut oil is good for the skin as well as your hair.
Dullness
Now that you’re older, your body changes. You cannot expect your hair to look like your child’s hair, can you? Naturally, it will lose its shine and lack the luster it used to have before. This can be fixed to a certain extent. The use of gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and hair oil can make a difference.
Colouring hair often to hide the greys is not a new thing as we age. This strips our hair of shine and moisture to make it look duller.
Bottom line:
Old age could be an alarming concept. All the changes in our bodies that take place would understandably make anyone feel vulnerable and insecure.
All these changes can be dealt with in many ways.
Moreover, if you really think about it and look at it differently, getting old is not as bad as you think.
It is reported that there are fewer migraines in old age. Fewer colds, fewer allergies and fewer responsibilities! Think of how much wiser you become!
You can enjoy life at your own pace without having to hurry to your job or look after the kids. You can leave behind the anxiety of adulthood and relish in peace of old age.
Would you agree? Comment below and let us know what changes you are experiencing with age.