When we talk about aging in beauty, we typically talk about skin.
We talk about the dark spots and wrinkles that pop up as we get older.
We talk about anti-aging skincare products and ingredients that can counteract these changes.
Similar to skin, hair undergoes gradual changes.
There are a couple of reasons that this could happen.
Most common and likely is that it’s genetic.
“It is all genetic.”
“When we go grey, we have hair without color and without protein,” explains Adams.
“Basically there is no such thing as grey hair, it is colorless hair.”
Of course you’re free to dye your hair to make it the color you want.
“Look for ingredients like omega fatty acids and color safe formulas.”
It gets thinner
Another more commonly known change in aging hair is that it gets thinner.
There are a couple of reasons for this as hair science expertDr.
Alan Baumanexplained to me.
First, density of hair decreases.
Second, hair grows in finer.
Then, there’s the actual loss of hair.
This actual loss of hair and inability to grow back can create a receding hairline or widening partline.
It loses volume
This somewhat goes hand-in-hand with the hair thinning.
This may cause women to over-style the hair that’s there.
This isn’t good for it, though.
In fact, Dr. Bauman claims it’s one of the biggest mistakes women make with aging hair.
Which brings us to the next point.
“A dip in the keratin protein levels make the hair weaker and less elastic,” explains Perna-Allor.
“Which means more breakage when tugged or pulled.”
Dr. Bauman also points out that fine hair is clearly more prone to breakage.
This has to do more with the scalp than it does the actual strands of hair.
He also notes that use of heat tools can make hair dryer.
“Excessive heat may provoke the scalp and the oil glands.
A similar reaction can happen when you over-wash your hair as Dr. Bauman explains.
“This can strip the oils from your hair and contribute to dryness.”
“Without protein the hair also changes texture,” explains Adams.
“Curly hair may go straight or straight hair may go curly.”
Also, grey hair is a coarser texture than hair with melanin.
It gets duller
The dullness and lack of shine has to do with previously mentioned changes.
Also, the drier hair is, the duller it’s going to look.
It’s just a natural part of life we have to deal with.
