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6 Hair Changes You Can Expect With Age—and How To Address Them

 

Getting older has its perks, but each year brings a few changes that many of us aren't exactly thrilled with. These changes occur from head to toe—so, unsurprisingly, some of them include our hair.

But how exactly does aging impact our hair, and is there anything you can do to fight the changes you don't like? We tapped board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, and hairstylist Sanda Petrut to find out the answers. Read on for everything you need to know about caring for and managing your hair as you get older.

Meet the Experts

• Brendan Camp, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS NYC.
• Sanda Petrut is a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

You'll See More Grays

The older we get, the more common gray strands become. But gray hair isn't just a change to your hair's color. "As hair grays, its texture and appearance often change, with strands becoming coarser and duller," says Petrut.

Camp says "Hair coloring is the easiest way to address graying hair, though the effects are temporary." Petrut recommends "highlights or lowlights [to] create a more uniform look by blending gray hair seamlessly," and suggests a gloss treatment to restore luster to dull gray hair.

There is one potential silver lining: If your grays are caused by stress, they won't always be permanent. "While there is no specific treatment to reverse the graying process, there are studies that have described repigmentation occurring in hairs that had previously turned white or gray," says Camp.1

Growth May Slow Down

As you age, your hair growth rate might slow from the standard centimeter per month. To combat this, you'll first want to find out if you're deficient in any nutrients. "Low iron and vitamin D have been associated with hair loss," says Camp, adding that vitamin therapy can aid in speeding growth back up. But if you're a-ok on your Bs and Es, it's likely just aging slowing growth down.

Petrut says there are numerous available options to speed up growth, such as minoxidil, adding that "a healthy scalp microbiome is critical for optimal hair growth." Additionally, "Regular haircuts are essential for maintaining healthy growth, as they remove split ends that can cause breakage and make the hair appear thinner," she says.

Your Hair Can Get Thinner

Similar to slower growth, you might notice your hair has an overall thinner appearance. This is normal as we age, but most people don't care for it. Hair growth products can help in this case, too. "Oral minoxidil is used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure, and one of the side effects is hair growth," explains Camp. "Topical minoxidil products capitalize on that side effect to help retain hair." Petrut adds "Supplements, such as biotin or natural oils like castor oil, may help."

Just be sure to give whatever you try sufficient time to work. "If you use a hair growth product for only a month before moving on to the next one, you are not giving the product enough time to prove itself," says Camp. "Use a hair growth product for at least three to four months before deciding if it is helpful or not."

The Frizz Factor Intensifies

Even for those who have never dealt with it before, frizzy hair can become a nuisance in our later years. "To minimize frizz, focus on infusing moisture and hydration back into the hair through your routine," says Petrut. "Incorporating a leave-in conditioner on damp hair can enhance hydration before styling." Camp says a hair oil can help as well: "Hair oils repair dry, damaged hair by restoring moisture, providing important vitamins and nutrients, and limiting frizz, shedding and breakage."

You Might Lose Hair

If you notice more strands on your brush or in your hands when you run them through your hair, don't be shocked: You might lose more hair as you age than you did in your youth. Hair growth products are also useful in this situation. Camp says they're typically divided into men's and women's categories, but you should "compare the ingredient list in men's and women's products; they may be the same or similar." He notes that "men's and women's topical minoxidil may come in different concentrations; lower concentrations may need to be used more than once a day than higher concentration products."

Petrut says "Scalp massages can also stimulate blood circulation, which supports the delivery of nutrients to hair follicles." Lastly, hair oils could help here too; they "do not directly cause hair growth, but rather improve scalp conditions that may improve the health of scalp skin and hair follicles," she says.

Curl Patterns Change

Just when you've gotten the hang of the perfect routine for your curl pattern, you might notice that suddenly, things are different. Like all the other changes, this too is normal. "Aging can also affect curl patterns, making it essential to adapt your hair care routine," says Petrut, who recommends you "start by understanding and embracing the new texture of your curls."

"Working with your hair's natural pattern is key," says Petrut. "Selecting the right products based on hair type is essential—lightweight creams are ideal for fine hair, while heavier, butter-based products work best for coarse textures." She also suggests using deep conditioning masks or treatments weekly "for deeper nourishment" and "to maintain elasticity and overall hair health."

You might also want to re-examine your wash schedule. "If too much oil is removed from the hair shaft it may be at risk of dryness, which can make the hair more fragile, susceptible to fracture, frizzy, or dull in appearance," says Camp.

The Final Takeaway

As we age, our hair can go through myriad changes, from graying to thinning to, well, looking entirely different than it did before. Thankfully, you don't have to lay back and accept these changes. Instead, you can combat each with alterations to your haircare routine and the products you use. "By embracing these professional strategies, you can address the challenges of aging hair while celebrating its natural beauty and health," says Petrut—and we couldn't agree more.