10 Signs of Aging Hair—and What to Do About Them

10 Warning Signs Of Aging Hair

Aging is an inevitable fact of life—and it signs progress over time.

For many of us, the first signs of aging show up in our hair. Graying, dryness, even color fade can make our complexion look duller and more worn.

Hair is often thought of as our crowning glory, and when it starts to undergo changes, our clients may look to us for a solution to the problem. Here are 10 warning signs of aging hair—and ways to reverse their impact.

1. Gray Hair

Graying is one of the first signs of aging hair, and is caused by the lack of pigment produced in aging hair follicles.

Most people in their 30s and 40s will notice their first sign of gray. While many will cover up with boxed or professional hair color, lots of people are choosing to embrace it. Going silver isn’t necessarily a bad thing and can look quite alluring if great care is taken—some fashion-forward individuals are choosing gray tresses on purpose.

2. Dry Hair

Aging hair can become drier, due to shrinking oil glands that keep natural oil from reaching the hair as it should, according to Florida dermatologist Heather Hilary-Lloyd, in an article from the Huffington Post.

A simple remedy for age-related dryness is adding moisture and oil. Moisturizing with gentle shampoos and conditioners, followed by a hair serum or oil, will help keep hair soft and manageable.

3. Thinning Hair

Hair follicles can also create thinning hair, which can make a person appear as though he or she is going bald. We produce about 100 hairs a day; however, if the hair is more fragile and breaking at a faster rate than it grows, thinning can occur.

Myoxin is known to give hair a fuller look. Other natural remedies for thinning hair include avocado oil, coconut oil and aloe vera juice.

4. Brittle Hair

When hair is too dry, it lacks the elasticity to withstand handling from combs, hair bands and clips, which can cause breakage.

When hair is brittle, nix chemicals and hot tools. Instead, add protein-rich conditioner to strengthen the bonds within the hair. Also consider a biotin supplement, which encourages healthy hair production and reduces the appearance of weathered hair.

5. Loss of Hair Volume

Since a loss of volume can make hair appear thin, avoid heavy products, as they can weigh the hair down.

Think big by trying products that are lightweight while adding volume, such as Aveda’s Volumizing Tonic. Another option is for the person to hold his or her head upside-down when blow-drying to release more mass.

6. Dull Hair

Lack of shine, which can be caused by environmental factors such as smoking, hormonal imbalances, a buildup of product, pollution, or overexposure to the sun can all lead to hair dullness.

Clarify hair at least once a month to rid tresses of any nutrient-blocking residue; follow with a hydrating conditioner. Top with nourishing oils such as olive, vitamin E or apricot oil to help hair gain the shine and clarity it lacks.

8. Texture Changes in Hair

Hair texture changes can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur in pregnancy or menopause, and can also happen when one experiences an illness or undergoes chemotherapy.

Also, hair’s texture alters naturally every five to seven years. Though we don’t know exactly why this occurs, hormones are one of the biggest culprits. The only remedy is to simply go with the flow of changes in hair and adjust your haircare regimen accordingly.

9. Courser Hair

You may also notice products that once restored hair to health are now ineffective. This can happen because the cuticle layer of hair thins as we age, giving it less ability to lock in moisture.

Additionally, people tend to color-treat hair more often as they get older, which can also contribute to a drier, wirier texture.

As tempting as it might be, never pluck gray hairs, as it can cause them to become rougher in comparison to the rest of hair. Weekly deep-conditioning and glossing treatments also work wonders for adding softness.

10. Stressed Hair

Stress can negatively impact the hair, inside and out. While stress doesn’t actually turn your hair gray or white, it can hasten the process when you begin to grow some gray hairs in your 30s or 40s.

There are many ways to manage stress. Find what works best for you—a head massage, deep breathing or healing treatments are great ways to implement relaxation into your day.

Listen to your body—and your hair will thank you.