How To Keep Your Hair Healthy & Shiny As You Age Better
Getting older can present its fair share of frustrations and challenges — and unique joys! There are a lot of hormonal shifts that happen as we age, as well as adjustments to be made to our lifestyles. A lifestyle adjustment worth investing in is maintaining healthy hair as we age.
Aging gracefully and confidently is completely possible. There is enough to worry about as we get older, and looking in the mirror to notice new issues such as dry hair, hair loss, split ends, or dandruff can add to our stress. Fortunately, having shiny, nourished hair while aging is achievable with a solid haircare routine.
As we age, multiple factors contribute to differences in our hair. Aging hair is more prone to breakage, and hair growth can slow. Our normal hair care regime is sometimes no match for susceptibility to split ends and frizz. Our scalp produces fewer natural oils, resulting in dryness and the problems that come along with that. Shifting how we care for our hair can improve our aging process.
Once we identify our hair needs while getting older, things will effortlessly fall into place. Here are some of our favorite tips on keeping your hair healthy and shiny as you age.
Why Is My Hair Getting Frizzy As I Get Older?
Most of the changes we experience as we get older are gradual, but they are still changes. For aging women, hair can begin to gray and become more susceptible to dryness. Some women will also notice that their hair has become frizzy.
There are many reasons why our hair looks frizzier as we age. Some frizzy hair culprits are changes in hormones, thinning hair, and reduced production of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce pigments and give hair its color.
When melanocyte production decreases, hair will become gray, leading to drier hair. When we add on any heat styling we may need, such as a straightener or a curling iron, it can also lead to dryness — which in turn, means more frizz.
Treating frizzy hair is an easy enough job with our Full Transparency Pure Revitalizing Shampoo. The Full Transparency shampoo combats frizziness by hydrating the hair while adding shine and strengthening it. This was made with you in mind if you have a sensitive scalp or need something hypoallergenic. It has been dermatologist-tested to ensure your scalp is kept healthy and clean, right down to the hair follicles.
How Do You Hydrate Aging Hair?
We touched upon the fact that hormonal factors can make our hair dry as we age. Letting our hair air-dry instead of reaching for the blow dryer is a simple way to retain our hair’s moisture. If using hot tools is a part of your routine you can’t bear to part with, a great heat protectant can help keep hair hydrated.
Our No Remorse: Heat Protection Taming Spray shields hair from damage caused by heat. You can apply this product to dry or wet hair and reapply as needed to moisturize your hair! Go ahead and blowdry your hair without worrying about dehydrating your mane.
Hydrating hair is simple and can begin with a new shower routine! Our Full Transparency Pure Revitalizing Shampoo contains hydrating ingredients like chia seeds and yuzu.
Chia seeds are an interesting ingredient that is considered a superfood! They are an incredible source of omega-3s, zinc, and phosphorus. Chia seeds aren’t just good for you to eat, they can also be good for your hair. Chia seeds can absorb up to 10 times their weight in liquid which we at Better Not Younger have harnessed to help hydrate aging, dry hair.
Yuzu is a citrus fruit most commonly found in East Asian countries. This amazing fruit is filled with vitamins and nutrients that are perfect for nourishing and hydrating alongside the chia seeds.
Tips for Healthy Hair After Age 40
Along with finding the right products to support your aging hair, there are lifestyle shifts you can make to further age with grace and ease.
Here are a few of our favorite tips:
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Stay hydrated. Since dryness often makes its mark after menopause, it makes sense for hydration to be something to strive for. This can go beyond the surface of moisturizers and conditioners and straight to the source — consuming an adequate amount of water daily can make a huge difference! Our bodies thrive when we are properly hydrated, and you will notice this reflected in your hair and skin.
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Keep an eye on your diet. Much like ensuring you are drinking enough h2o, a healthy diet is a part of a good foundation to age better. Our hair is made up of protein, which is an important macronutrient that is a part of a well-rounded diet. Muscles can decrease in volume and strength as we age. For this reason, older adults require more protein than younger people. Give your body a balance of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, and your hair will thank you.
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Look into supplements that support hair health. This hits on the diet bullet point, too! Numerous vitamins and nutrients are beneficial for hair growth, can help slow hair loss, and prevent hair thinning. You can find quite a few of these compounds in our Significant Other: Hair, Skin, & Nails Supplement, perfect for achieving stronger and fuller-looking hair. Vitamins A, B, and biotin join forces to promote healthier hair from within.
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Rinse your hair with cold water. Everyone loves a warm shower, but hot and warm water can dry out your skin and hair — especially aging hair. After conditioning or applying a deep conditioner to your hair, give your hair a rinse in cold water to close the cuticle and seal in the moisture.
- Treat your hair with care. Since aging hair can become more brittle and fragile, being too rough with your hair can exacerbate hair loss or a receding hairline. Hairstyles that are too tight can compromise the integrity of your hair. Opt for a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush when you detangle to avoid hair breakage and have spa days at home for yourself (or with friends!) full of nourishing coconut oil hair masks and our Hair Redemption Restorative Butter Masque. Cucumber slices on your eyes are optional.
The Best Products To Achieve Shiny Hair
While there are many possibilities when it comes to amplifying your hair’s shine, adding styling products that can complement your hair care goals can show some compelling results and make you feel confident when you look into the mirror.
Our full transparency shampoo can shine even more with the addition of our Full Transparency Shine Revitalizing Conditioner. It is a perfect way to round out your shower routine by adding another opportunity to boost shine and protect your hair.
To reinvigorate aging hair, chia seeds are accompanied by mongongo oil in this conditioner. Mongongo oil comes from the nuts of the mongongo tree and is high in omega-6s. Mongongo oil is also an abundant source of vitamins like vitamin E.
If you travel frequently and need hair that can keep up and look its best, these hair products have you covered. Our Purest Shine Revitalizing Duo Kit is a travel-size version of our shampoo and conditioner to take on the go. The travel-size bottles include an eco-friendly organic travel pouch.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that our hair texture and needs change as we age. This is something that everyone will experience, so figuring out the best ways to maintain healthy hair and lustrous shine as we age better is an amazing act of self-care. Evade damaged hair by learning how to keep your hair healthy and shiny after age 40.
Your aging hair needs will depend on your hair type. But everyone can benefit from a few simple hair tips, such as avoiding sulfates and diving into the world of leave-in products. Learning what conditioners can serve you best is a great way to promote hair health as we age!
Taking advantage of hair masks, supplements, and other tips keeps aging hair healthy — from the hair cuticle to the hair shaft. For more personalized recommendations, take our hair quiz today and say hello to better aging!
Sources:
Aging Changes in Skin | MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Chia Seeds | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
What is the Structure of Hair? | NCBI Bookshelf
Protein and Older Adults | PMC.
Hot Showers Can Dry Out Your Skin | University of Utah Health
Mongongo Oil Facts and Health Benefits | Health Benefits Times