My Hair Use to Be...

What's happening with my hair?

A woman has a lot to endure as she ages. Change is one of the biggest. When one thinks of the changes that a woman goes through as she ages, the first few things that comes to mind are her chronological age, her boobs and her ability or inability to have children. While those are the most popular, there are many more. 

Let's see; there is changing of the hormones, which for many, can bring about menopause. There is also weight gain, changes in the appearance of skin by means of moles, wrinkles, age spots and much more to name a few. 

Of all the changes a woman has to endure and live with, hair loss is one of those changes many women struggle with and can also downright deny that subtle to drastic changes are indeed occurring. In my professional opinion, more should be done to prepare a woman for the possibilities of hair loss and thinning as they age. Because America is such a image conscious place to live, preparing one for all the changes that will take place and what to do as those changes occur are just as important as preparing a new employee to prepare his taxes and investment portfolio to benefit him or her as he/she ages.

As a professional cosmetologist, I am often asked by women how come they were never told what to expect about their hair as they age. Many women are frustrated and in denial about how severe hair thinning and hair loss can be. The popular stereotype is that women begin to loose their hair in their sixties. Many also feel that at the age of sixty, looking attractive is not important. Those two school of thoughts can only be broken down to one thing and one thing only; myths. Regardless the age, sex, race, class and so on many women want to look nice and adorn themselves at any age. One is never too old to look nice or to want to look nice.

I tell every guest I service of all ages from every walk of life, "I'm in the beauty business. I'm not the person to step in front of and throw away any facet of beauty. The beauty salon is all about beauty!" That statement always brings a smile to a person's face. While we all have different definitions of beauty and how we want to express it; it is beauty nonetheless. However, there are things done in the name of beauty and anti-aging beauty that actually speeds up the process of aging and compromises hair with more speed and intensity. 

Just as we all know aging is innate and it will occur, does not mean that we have to speed things along and make the aging process go faster. While many women desire to age gracefully with time there are those in between and in the midst of it all who want to maintain some level of enhanced beauty. With that, I will examine The Top 5 things Done to our Hair to speed aging up and how we can slow that baby down!

The Top 5 things Done to our Hair that speeds up the its aging process (drum roll please)... 

1. Treating your hair as you did when you were in your teens and twenties:  Believe it or not, the life expectancy of one strand of hair is 7 years. So every seven years, you practically have an entire new head of hair. When the hair is replenished, it is typically thinner (in diameter) and some follicles (the hole the hair actually grows from) can die off; thus making hair thinner and less dense (the number of hairs per cubic inch). As you age, I suggest upping the anty on the quality of hair care products one uses on their hair. The three words you should look for on the bottle or advertisement are: antioxidants (they fight off environmental stressors that deteriorates hair and makes it look older), protein (soy, wheat and hydrolyzed keratin are the best they rebuild and strengthen keeping it from snapping and breaking) and shine enhancers (olive oils, jojoba and other exotic fruit oils are great for giving the hair slip and adding sheen to the hair without weighing the hair down).
2. Infrequent Shampooing: Remember when you were younger, you could go for weeks without shampooing your hair? The operative word in that sentence is younger. Remember hair gets softer as we age, so infrequent shampooing leaves hair coated, limp and dull; hence unwanted breakage. The scalp is secreting yeast. The less often it is shampooed, the more the yeast will spread throughout the hair; thus making it porous, weak, fragile and prone to breakage. Shampoo your hair at least once per week. Remember, shampoo is to your hair what soap is to skin and soap powder is to clothes. Need I say more? Lastly, be sure to invest in quality products. Be leery of over the counter and savvy salon products that over promise and under deliver. Money back guarantee is a must.
3. Infrequent or Discontinued Hair Cuts:  As we age so does our time and money. So while both may be slipping through our fingers faster than we we can count it; save a few bucks for a hair cut every 8-10 weeks. Again, keep in mind; hair is more fragile as we age. Typically around the age of 35, women and men really notice a big difference in their hair. A hair cut is to your hair, what filing is to finger nails! Remember to shop around for a master cutter, get a consultation, pre-book your appointment before you leave and yes cutting hair under a full moon grows hair a wee bit faster. So download a lunar app on your phone or purchase a calendar with one and boom...that's it!
4. Incorrect Styling Tools: In the era of the "natural hair" phenomenon; nothing damages the scalp and hair more than the wrong styling tools. I am more than aware of the reported dangers of chemicals on hair. However, I tend to lend my expertise to the realities of practicalities. So why every self proclaimed or self taught expert on natural hair is bad mouthing, bad blogging, bad writing and every other bad thing-ing about chemical relaxers, straighteners or hair color; I tend to know it is what is done to the hair the most that is the culprit. So for all practical intents and purposes most people comb, tease, pick, brush, slick, clip, pull, tuck, scrunch, braid, twist, blow dry, roller set, wrap and everything in between when it comes to caring for and grooming the hair. Keeping that in mind; it is the styling tools that come into contact with the scalp and hair more than chemicals. If those styling tools are the wrong kind, damaged hair is the result. Improper and poor quality styling tools lead to scratching, scarring and in some instances cutting of the scalp. Improper and poor quality tools coupled with the wrong technique on how to use them is the equivalent of using a butter knife to cut raw meat. Proper tool selection and how to use them is very important. A consultation with your licensed beauty professional can help with this problem.
5. Medication and Vitamin Supplements: Another culprit to speeding up the aging process on hair are medications and vitamin supplements. There are medications that can promote hair thinning, dryness, hair loss and scalp irritation. In the event side affects from the medication begins or will affect your hair; speak with your doctor for help. Keep in mind your M.D, Gynecologists, Oncologist and all those other "gists" are NOT dermatologists. Be sure to have your doctor refer you to one for proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not play doctor. Do not ask your cosmetologist to play doctor. The inner workings of your organs, how they are nourished and scalp are the foundation of the health of the hair. Hair care products, styling tools and cosmetologists makes hair look and feel healthy. With that said, DO NOT discontinue medications without talking to your doctor first. Inform your doctor of any changes in your hair and scalp. Lastly, while vitamin supplements can help; they are not a cure all to re-grow and re-fortify hair. Ask your doctor about the benefits of vitamins and other supplements as it relates to your health and hair. 

In conclusion the hair you had on your head at 14, 21, 28,35,42,49,56 or 61 years of age and so on are not the same. Your hair changes as you age.  Your hair care regimen, products, styling products and styling techniques must change as you age as well. A consultation with a professional cosmetologist and/or a visit to the dermatologist is the best place to start with adjusting your hair care as you age. If it works use it. If it does not, seek help. If you do not have a professional stylist, feel free to contact those 1-800 and 1-866 numbers on the side of the box from the products you purchased. I also recommend visiting the company's website. Companies love to hear from their consumers. Trust me, it is how they get better. Everyone does not have to to go to the hair salon to have healthy hair at any age. Hair loss and thinning are the norm for all humans; both male and female. While we can not totally make our hair what it "use to be," we do not have to speed up the thinning and hair loss process and make it into something that "won't be...." on our heads that is!