How Your Hair Changes Over Time

You may be looking in the mirror and feel convinced you don’t have the same hair you had 20 years ago. It’s true – just like your skin, hair ages as well. In fact, by the time you reach menopause your hair may become dry, brittle, and lose its shine. Here are some of the bigger changes to look for and how to fight them off to get healthy, ageless hair.

1. Texture.As you age, the curvature of your hair changes as well. It may become wiry, kinky and unmanageable. This also makes your hair more vulnerable to damage, since each kink creates a weak spot on your hair.
   Luckily, you can counteract the texture changes by using hair products that protect from damage and also keep your hair smooth. You should minimize hair brushing as well, since it breaks the cuticle and causes more damage. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your hair.
2. Dryness.You may have noticed that your hair becomes dryer and dryer each year. That’s because as you age your scalp produces less sebum, which is the oil responsible for naturally conditioning your hair. Sebum also adds a layer of protection from heat and friction.
   You can prevent your hair from drying out by reducing the number of times you shampoo it or alternating with a dry shampoo. Also, you can use a leave-in conditioner or a moisturizing hair mask to boost and lock in all the moisture.
3. Thinning.The number of hair fibers on your scalp begins to decrease in your 20s, and by the time you’re 60 the number can drop by 30-35%. Plus, in your 40s the diameter of your hair strands will start to shrink too, so you may end up with overall thinner hair. Scientists blame changes in hormone levels for these effects.
   The best defense for thinning hair is using a keratin-enriched shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner that will boost up the hair that’s left. You can also use a root-lifting product to get more volume from your hair. Stay away from heated styling tools and back-combing styles, which will just damage your hair more.
4. Color fading.As you get older, your scalp produces less melanin. Melanin is responsible for adding color to your hair. It also protects your hair from UV rays, and it even adds extra shine. However, as you produce less melanin, your hair color will fade to gray and your hair will become duller. By age 50, 50 percent of the population will be 50 percent gray, according to WebMD.
   Covering gray hair with an artificial hair color can be a quick and simple way to make your hair look younger. Warm tones, such as chocolate brown or golden blonde, work well to cover grays and soften your features. It’s a good idea to pick your color carefully, since a complementary shade can make you look years younger.