The Better Blog

100 sings of aging hair article by Better Not Younger features a woman with curly hair wearing glasses a shed looks like thinking

10 Signs Your Hair Is Aging

We know that aging is inevitable, but we might not know the signs of aging hair and what we should look out for. If you've noticed some not-so-subtle changes in your hair color, texture or general manageability at midlife, these might be signs of aging hair. Optimal hair care in your 30s, 40s and beyond will look different than in your teens and 20s because your hair has different needs and concerns as it ages.
 
At Better Not Younger, our entire focus is hair care for aging hair, no matter your unique hair concerns! Read on to learn more about the 10 signs of aging hair and how you can address each issue to make your mature tresses look their best!
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Help! I’m Seeing Sunspots Around My Hairline

Help! I’m Seeing Sunspots Around My Hairline

If you have noticed light brown or grayish patches on your skin at midlife, you're not alone! Nearly 83 million older Americans have discolored patches known as sunspots. They're especially common on the parts of the body most exposed to sunlight: the neck, forearms, hands and face—and this includes your hairline. 

The good news is that even though these sunspots might be unwanted and bothersome, they usually aren't cause for concern. They're simply clumps of melanin that appear due to sun exposure. And even though preventing sunspots is ideal, there are many ways to treat your existing sunspots to lighten and minimize the appearance of these dark patches and prevent further spots. 

Read on to learn more about preventing sunspots on your face and hairline, and what you can do about sunspots if you already have them!

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How to Bring Bounce Back to Your Curls

How to Bring Bounce Back to Your Curls

Throughout our lives, our hair is constantly changing, and as we get older, our hair absolutely needs more love than ever. Our strands start to age, which means they’re a bit weaker, a bit grayer and less springy—especially if we’ve got curls and even damaged curly hair. The natural curl pattern in our hair inevitably changes (and often not in a way we welcome), but getting curls back to the bounce we want can be done with the right techniques and the right products

If you’re looking to restore your natural curl pattern because your curls have lost their bounce or you have no curl definition at the roots and want to restore elasticity to natural hair, here’s everything you need to know.

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How Humidity Affects Different Hair Types

How Humidity Affects Different Hair Types

If you live somewhere with a lot of humid summer air, you've probably dealt with bad hair days due to humidity. Whether your hair falls flat or becomes a frizzy mess when it's humid out, it's no secret that humidity can wreak havoc on your hair.
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Why Does My Hair Tangle So Easily When Wet?

Why Does My Hair Tangle So Easily When Wet?

Tangled hair is a total pain. If your hair gets matted when wet or if your hair tangles after a shower you know how frustrating it can be, especially if you have thin aging hair that’s already a bit high-maintenance. Wet hair is one of the most common causes of tangled hair you’ll deal with—though your strands can get tangled for a number of reasons (more on that a little later!). The good news? Getting knots out of hair doesn’t have to be hard if you set yourself up for success. 

Taking care of your hair properly—like using the right products and understanding your hair type—can make it so that next time your hair is tangled after a shower, it won’t be an absolute nightmare. Here’s everything you need to know about why your hair gets so tangled, what to do when your hair gets matted when wet and why getting knots out of hair is no cause for panic.

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Got Frizz? Summer Alone Isn't to Blame

Got Frizz? Summer Alone Isn't to Blame

With age, especially as we enter menopause, frizzy hair can become an everyday battle. Along with more significant fatigue, hot flashes, and thinning hair, a change in hair smoothness from hormonal fluctuations is yet another menopause symptom (though one that often surprises many of us), and the hot, humid days of summer only make matters worse. But unruly, frizzy hair during or after menopause doesn’t have to be part of the plan. Keep reading for our list of 10 ways to tame menopause frizzy hair for smooth, manageable tresses all year round!

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A woman with straight brown shiny hair shaking her head as a sign of joy and freedom

20 Haircare Hacks for Any Summer Adventure

Whether you're skipping town solo for a weekend to recharge or embarking on a road trip with family and friends, nothing beats a summer escape! But trying to pack lightly for these trips usually means leaving our full beauty and hair-care routine behind. That’s why we compiled 20 hair-care hacks to keep your locks looking gorgeous even when you're away from home! Read to learn more about traveling with natural hair, prep tips for protecting your aging tresses from the elements and the best travel hair-care products to bring along to keep your hair looking sleek and healthy while you're on the road!

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A mature woman with healthy hair is about to eat a bowl of fruits while smiling happily.

4 Summer Fruits We Love for Our Hair

Fruits for hair health might not be something you ever considered when you sat down by the pool with your summer smoothie. But there’s more to that refreshing drink than just the delicious flavor! Some of your favorite fruits are actually quite beneficial when it comes to hair loss, scalp moisture and strengthening hair follicles. 

When we say fruits for hair, though, we don’t necessarily mean that you should take a strawberry and smash it up into your strands. While it may smell nice—and there are certainly plenty of DIY fruit hair masks you can whip up to nourish your hair and supplement the fruits you already feed your hair through your diet—there are added benefits to an actual fruit hair product that’s formulated to help your hair.

Hair-care products often use fruit extracts and oils, which can help boost scalp moisture and tone down breakage. These ingredients can do even more, though, like protect hair from free radicals, nourish hair follicles, and even bring back shine to dull, aging hair. Plus, fruit hair products often smell good, too! 

There’s a lot to love about fruits for hair health and how they can benefit your locks. Check out four of our favorite summer fruits for hair health and find out which Better Not Younger products you should reach for if you want to give fruit hair products a try.

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Better Not Younger features a woman looking herself at the mirror and checking her skin state carefully.

Should You Mix Salicylic Acid and Retinol During Menopause?

As we enter perimenopause and menopause, it's no secret that our skin undergoes some significant changes. Aging skin tends to be drier and less elastic than younger skin, and we might start experiencing the breakouts we dealt with as teenagers again. It's incredibly frustrating to be dealing with breakouts and aging skin simultaneously! Is there a way to tackle both at once? 

The answer is yes, by using salicylic acid and retinol. But proceed with caution so you don't irritate your skin! 

Salicylic acid is the gold standard for acne prevention, and topical retinol is the first-line treatment for wrinkles and loss of elasticity in aging skin. Keep reading to learn how to add salicylic acid and retinol into your skincare routine safely!

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Can I Take Hair, Skin and Nail Vitamins While Pregnant?

Can I Take Hair, Skin and Nail Vitamins While Pregnant?

Nothing beats the glowy skin and thicker, healthier hair that comes with pregnancy! As our bodies change and our hormones fluctuate, the increased estrogen and blood flow nourish the scalp, supporting healthy hair growth and optimal sebum production. (All this while growing a baby—aren't our bodies just incredible?)

Many of us see this gorgeous skin and hair and wonder if there's a way to support healthy hair, skin and nails even more while pregnant? What about taking biotin during pregnancy or a dedicated hair, skin and nail vitamin? Read on to learn more about taking hair, skin and nail vitamins while pregnant, what to watch out for, and some hair, skin and nail supplement options we love!

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Is It Better to Air-Dry or Diffuse Curly Hair?

Is It Better to Air-Dry or Diffuse Curly Hair?

Curly hair is having a moment in the spotlight! Tutorials for how to style curly locks are all over social media, and it seems like everyone wants to rock a curly look. Those of us with natural curls know that proper curl care is essential, especially during the drying phase.

With this new attention to curl care, people are debating whether it's better to air-dry or diffuse curly hair and whether we should diffuse our curls with hot or cold air for the best look.

We dug into the pros and cons of air-drying versus diffusing curly hair, along with the best temperature to use if you choose to diffuse. Keep reading to learn more about which option is best for your curls!

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5 Reasons We Love Burdock Root for Our Hair

5 Reasons We Love Burdock Root for Our Hair

Have you heard about burdock root? If you're like many of us, you might not be familiar with this beauty and wellness powerhouse plant! Eastern medicine practitioners have used burdock root for centuries to heal and prevent illness in the body. The extract from the burdock plant has also been widely touted for its restorative benefits in skincare and cosmetics. 
But what about burdock root's benefits for hair? Do its benefits end with skincare and medicine?
Absolutely not! In fact, burdock extract is great for our hair and scalps because it's rich in amino acids, essential fatty acids and vitamins that support hair and skin health. Plus, it's a natural, plant-based option for those of us looking for hair and scalp support without harsh chemicals.
Keep reading to learn more about how burdock root can benefit your hair, in addition to your scalp and skin!
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