Hair is a vital component of our physical appearance for men and women alike. Think about it; the presentation of our hair is often the first thing we notice in the morning upon looking in the mirror, and it receives arguably the most attention throughout the day. The daily washes, blow-drying, brushing, and styling have become maintenance habits we subconsciously endure, more so than any of our other devoted self-care routines. Not to mention those of us who’ve invested in numerous hair products with hopes of emulating the luscious locks we see in commercials and magazine ads.

The constant focus on our hair has also led many to attempt to prolong its youthfulness. To slow down our hair’s aging process and keep our natural color and fullness for as long as possible. According to a 2018 study: A Comment on the Science of Hair Aging, published in the International Journal of Trichology, the aging of hair affects the hair color, production, and structural properties of the hair fiber, causing changes to our hair’s appearance and manageability compared to our younger years. While physical changes due to aging may be inevitable, there are ways to care for your hair to support the process. Here are some tips:

Practice Stress Relief

If you are trying to delay your hair from thinning or turning gray, practicing stress relief would be an excellent place to start. Research conducted in a 2009 study on Oxidative Stress in Ageing of Hair, published in the International Journal of Trichology, found that oxidative stress plays a large part in the timeline of the aging of our skin and hair. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and obesity are just some unhealthy habits contributing to this type of stress.

Guilty of any of these habits? A few lifestyle changes would help slow the progression of the visible signs of aging, As suggested in the 2019 article published on Medical News Today, How Does Oxidative Stress Affect the Body? quitting smoking, adopting a regular exercise regimen, eating a well-balanced diet, and limiting your sugar, fat, and processed food intake are some ways to relieve stress. You could also incorporate superfoods like fish and berries that are good for your hair growth and are perfect vitamin-C boosters.

Maintaining Good Hair Hygiene

Evidence of aging hair generally includes dryness, thinning, and damaged strands, but maintaining good hair hygiene is encouraged to protect your hair from these occurrences. A 2006 publication in the Interventions of Aging, titled, Pharmacologic Interventions in Aging Hair, recommends frequently shampooing your hair, especially when dealing with greasy locks.

Regular cleanings can combat thinning hair by making it appear fuller and fluffier than if you left it unwashed. The same can be said about permanent wavy hair, which can give the illusion that your hair is thicker and more voluminous. For those with dry and damaged hair, consider intensive conditioning and using products specifically targeted for that hair type. Products that are designed to repair dry, damaged locks help to regain the smoothness and softness lacking in the hair. As a guide, look for hair care products that list cationic polymers, hydrolyzed proteins, and silicones, such as dimethicone, as their ingredients.

Avoid Causing Additional Damage

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is crucial to avoid causing additional damage to your hair to slow the aging process. For example, bleaching and other treatments on your hair may do more harm than good, regardless of your efforts to regain your youthful look. The chemicals in these treatments can be very hard on your hair, resulting in more stress and having the opposite effect.

According to an article titled, Healthy Hair: What Is It?, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings in 2007, making these types of changes to the hair is categorized as “weathering” of the hair shaft and causes the rendering of the hair to become structurally weaker, be more prone to tangling, and have a rougher appearance than if you kept your natural roots. In this case, consider swapping out your regular treatments with a less harmful approach to avoid needing to take more drastic measures in the future.

References:

Trüeb RM, Rezende HD, Dias MFRG. A Comment on the Science of Hair Aging. Int J Trichology. 2018 Nov-Dec;10(6):245-254. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_56_18. PMID: 30783331; PMCID: PMC6369639.

Trüeb RM. Pharmacologic interventions in aging hair. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(2):121-9. doi: 10.2147/ciia.2006.1.2.121. PMID: 18044109; PMCID: PMC2695167.

Trüeb RM. Oxidative stress in ageing of hair. Int J Trichology. 2009 Jan;1(1):6-14. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.51923. PMID: 20805969; PMCID: PMC2929555.

Rodney D. Sinclair, Healthy Hair: What Is it?, Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, Volume 12, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 2-5, ISSN 1087-0024, https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jidsymp.5650046.

Eske, Jamie, “How does oxidative stress affect the body,” Medical News Today, 2019 April 3.

Written by Courtney Ciandella

How To Care For Your Aging Hair

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