How Your Hair Changes As You Age - And How You Should Change With It

Change is inevitable, especially when it comes to aging. There are so many things that happen to our bodies as we grow older, and one of the most noticeable is what happens to our hair. Hair loss, thinning, dullness, and graying might be some of the biggest concerns mature people have when it comes to hair. This means it will take a bit more work than simply having the right brushing techniques. 

Educating yourself on the changes in your hair is one thing you can do. While there's plenty of solid advice online for those seeking wisdom on how to keep hair looking youthful as they age, there's also a lot of misinformation and myths. So, you'll want to know the facts about aging hair before you do anything.

Dr. Ross Kopelman, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration in Palm Beach, said, "One of the biggest misconceptions is that hair loss and thinning are inevitable and that nothing can be done to stop them." While natural changes such as hair becoming drier and thinner will happen, Dr. Kopelman reassures everyone that there are all kinds of ways not only to delay these changes but, in some cases, even reverse them.

Another myth he hears often is that the texture of gray hair is very brittle and coarse. Dr. Kopelman explained that "graying hair may feel different due to changes in oil production, but it's not inherently weaker." The proper hair routine is key to getting aging hair back to looking hydrated and healthy. 

Now that we've debunked some of the biggest myths about aging hair, let's dive into what can be done to care for it properly.

Seeing your hair turn gray or thin out a bit can be overwhelming and scary as it's often one of the most visible signs of age. But, our expert Dr. Kopelman wants everyone to know that you don't have to be scared of aging hair. Rather it's something to understand and be proactive about. Once you've embraced your maturing hair, you can begin to focus on creating a proper care routine for your new silver mane. And, as Dr. Kopelman said, as long as you take the appropriate approach, you can absolutely have soft and healthy mature hair.

With that said, Dr. Kopelman stressed the importance of maintaining the right hair care regimen as it can make a stark difference. "Gentle cleansing, scalp stimulation, and targeted treatments can help preserve fullness, shine, and strength," he said. We've heard great things about Oribe's Silver Shampoo for the gentle cleansing of gray hair, and for some scalp stimulation at home, try a scalp massager like the HEETA Shampoo Scalp Brush Massager.

When it comes to genetic hair loss, Dr. Kopelman recommends a more targeted treatment plan. This might include using minoxidil (a topical solution), mesotherapy with dutasteride (an injection applied directly to the scalp), and finasteride (a solution that can be taken orally or topically).  For improving hair thickness, Dr. Kopelman's practice finds PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment especially effective. If hair loss is more advanced, it might be worth looking into hair transplantation. 

While there are a plethora of medical treatments you can seek for your mature hair, a solid hair care regimen at home can also do so much for your hair. Instead of trying to combat the changes happening to your hair, Dr. Kopelman encourages everyone to simply try and adapt their routine to their new hair's needs. 

He emphasizes hydration as a key component of healthy moisturized hair. "I recommend using sulfate-free shampoos, deep conditioning treatments, and lightweight oils to combat dryness," he said. When it comes to sulfate-free shampoo for gray hair, many are fans of the EverPure Silver Care Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner from L'Oreal Paris, and for lightweight oils, try VERB Ghost Weightless Hair Oil. 

Scalp health is just as important as hydration when it comes to having healthy locks at any age. Dr. Kopelman suggests daily scalp massages at home. Not only are scalp massages soothing, but they aid in the increase of blood circulation to your scalp, which according to this 2016 study in ePlasty, may stimulate hair growth. 

Dr. Kopelman also shared an encouraging message to everyone finding a new normal with maturing hair saying, "With the right care, I've seen many patients maintain strong, vibrant, youthful-looking hair well into their later years, and I believe it's entirely possible for anyone willing to take the right steps."