How Can I Stop Hair Thinning As I Age?
As you get older your body tends to process some nutrients, such as iron, less effectively. Iron is needed for healthy hair, so an iron deficiency can cause thin hair. Hair growth slows down and hair follicles shrink whilst hair shedding speeds up!
Hair can become dry, less glossy, and thin due to pollution, chemical treatments, and hormone issues. Poor diet and stress are another two factors that explain why hair gets thinner as you advance in years.
How can I stop my hair from thinning as I age? Find out more here…
Get hair savvy
Understanding how to keep your hair strong begins with knowing the facts:
- Hair is made of strands of protein
- Every single strand of hair lives from two to seven years
- Hair grows about six inches a year
- Age, genetics, diet, and overall health determine how fast hair grows
- Natural pigment changes occur in hair as you age
More reasons for hair loss
Losing your hair from male pattern baldness is a genetic condition which can be caused by a number of factors. Alopecia is a condition where patches of hair are lost – this may be hereditary or caused by an autoimmune response where the body mistakenly attacks itself.
Hair loss can also be related to surgical procedures, or illness, as well as scalp infections, and changes in hormone levels.
Keeping hair strong and thicker for longer
There are plenty of tips available to help you deal with changes that happen naturally – see some of them below:
Wash less often
Regardless of your hair type washing too frequently can result in hair becoming brittle and dry. Washing your hair twice a week should be sufficient using shampoos specifically designed for dry, normal, or oily hair types.
Condition after shampooing
A simple way to protect and maintain healthy hair is to use a conditioner to add moisture and replace natural oils lost during the washing process. Remember that volumisers help with plumping up hair strands adding more volume and strength.
Use heat styling products carefully
Hairdryers, curling tongs, and straighteners can all damage hair if used too often. Applying a heat protectant to hair prior to using styling tools will add a protective coating and extra moisture to lessen the heat during styling.
Eat a healthy diet
A lack of protein is often associated with hair loss, so nutrient-rich foods are essential. Try to regularly eat:
- Eggs – containing biotin
- Leafy green vegetables – full of vitamins A and C alongside folate and iron
- Berries – having vitamin C and other antioxidants
- Omega -3’s – comprising of fatty acids
- Avocados – holding vitamin E and fatty acids
Treating thinning hair
As your hair changes over time, there are other ways to enhance the look of your hair. See a range of resources here:
- Wear a wig made of natural hair that matches your hair colour
- Apply Minoxidil lotion twice daily to the scalp
- Take Finasteride in tablet form to halt further hair loss and promote re-growth
- Visit hair replacement London specialists – Cochrane & Co offer the finest hair replacement systems and hair systems in London
