Hair Care As You Grow Older

With ageing the whole body slows down, including the hair follicles, which becomes less efficient. As we get older and age, our hair colour gets lighter. This is the result of the hair follicles producing less melanin to colour the hair. This should not be confusing with the greying of hair whereas the hair follicles stop producing melanin altogether. A single hair has a lifespan of four to five years and then falls out and is replaced by new hair. The hair strands become smaller and have less pigment sand the hair follicles stop producing new pairs altogether. Grey hair transforms the overall look of the hair colour. As a result of this, we spend much time and money on styling, colouring, treating and transplanting hair. Ultimately, many age-related hair changes are hard to prevent because they are genetically controlled. But this does not prevent us from having hair that is healthy and attractive. On an average, we lose between 70 and 100 hairs per day. When we are young, we replace these lost hairs with new ones but, as we grow older, hair loss speeds up and new growth slows down. Some hair follicles become sluggish and have long resting phases, other hair follicles appear to be completely diactivated. When a person is ageing and starts wrinkling around the face, particularly around the eyes and mouth, and tries to keep his hair dark which he had in his younger days, will only make his wrinkles more visible as the colour will not look natural. Most hairdressers will advise you to use a hair colour two to three shades lighter than the original shade or tell you to use highlights which gives it a soft effect.

The specific shade which an individual should use is determined by factors such as his or her skin tone but it should be lighter as the person ages. As we get older, hair tends to become drier and needs more moisture than was needed before. A person who previously had greasy hair might be suffering from dry hair now after aging. The hair may secrete oil and sebum but the hair growth may not have enough moisture and will become dry and brittle. There is also a change in texture and elasticity of the hair as we get older. At the same time, there is greying. The changes in texture happens because the size of the hair follicles grows smaller and the hair growth also slows. As a result, where there is hair loss, no new hair grows. Because of loss of oil, the hair loses it natural shine. it is more common in women than men. Also because of menopause, the hair slows down in growth, leaving it weaker and less healthy. Men are also not spared when it comes to hair. When they age, a time comes when they face balding and thinning of the hair. Hair follicles that are effected by male pattern baldness start to produce a new type of hair known as vellus hair. These are thin and delicate and they only grow to a short length. Because they are difficult to see, vellus hairs may give the impression of baldness. Men can predict whether they will go bald simply by looking at older male members of their family.

Ways To Keep Hair Healthy As You Grow Older:

• The first impression is the best impression. When a person first meets you, you are judged by your appearance and that includes your hair. Keeping your hair healthy not only helps you to look younger but also helps you to feel good about yourself. To change the colour of your hair, do not use shades that are too dark or too light. Use two shades lighter or two shades darker.
• Sun protection is also very essential. There are sunscreens especially made for the hair but using a hat will also protect your hair from the ultraviolet rays. Use a protein treatment once a month, it will add bounce to the hair.
• There is nothing more healthier than a head full of hair, even if it is greying. Special formulated shampoos and conditioners which are suited for greying hair are available, So use those specific products.
• The demand for anti-aging products is not confined to skincare and many companies are competing to add sun protection and a host of other ingredients into hair care products to meet the demands of their consumers. IN Europe, there are several treatments which treat visible signs of greying over a period of five weeks, and the treatment includes adding vitamins, essential oils and micro silicones to protect and nourish the hair.
• Hair loss is common with ageing, so have a lot of calcium in your diet. The important thing is how your body functions and calcium helps to strengthen the roots and hair follicles.
• Don’t over shampoo. If you do it once a day, its fine but more than that removes the oil from the hair leaving it dry. This leads to breakage. Too much shampoo causes hair loss so you will not want to make that mistake.
• Try a Haircut. Your hair can be many years old, so it reflects all your body has been through in that time. For instance, if you were sick a few months back, then the hair that grew in during that period might be thin and brittle. It will remain that way until it’s cut off. For anti aging hair care, it might be time to get rid of damaged hair and focus on taking better care of the hair that is still healthy.
• Try L-Carnitine. A recent study showed that L-Carnitine stimulated hair growth. Red meat (particularly lamb) and dairy products are the primary sources of carnitine. It can also be found in fish, poultry, wheat, asparagus, avocados, and peanut butter.
• Try not to use colour more than once every six weeks, particularly if they contain bleach agents.
• Sleek back hairstyle is a great hair style for older women. After washing and conditioning, the hair is combed in a backward direction. This gives a young look to the older woman.
• To condition dry brittle hair, boil 3 tablespoons of ground sesame seeds in a little water for 10 minutes, strain through muslin and allow to cool. Massage the mixture into the hair and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
• Aromatherapists recommend the following tonic to revitalize hair. Mix 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil, 10 drops of juniper essential oil and 15 drops of rosemary essential oil in 50 ml/2 fl oz of surgical spirit (alcohol). Massage a small amount of this mixture into damp hair and leave to dry naturally. Wash your hands afterwards.
• Dietary therapists recommend eliminating coffee, tea and sugar from the diet in order to promote hair health. Useful nutrients include essential fatty acids for dry or brittle hair, zinc for poor hair growth and a general multivitamin and mineral supplement for overall hair health.