If you\u2019re experiencing age-related hair loss \u2014 such as female or male-pattern baldness \u2014 this isn\u2019t an indicator of poor health<\/a>. But, you may still feel psychosocial and psychological effects such as stress, anxiety, and depression. So, by providing information on how hair grows and what you may be able to do to support it, hopefully, I can help you through these feelings or prevent them from ever happening at all!<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with exploring how hair grows\u2026<\/p>\n There\u2019s more to a strand of hair than you may think. See, each hair starts within its own hair follicle<\/a>. You have about 5 million hair follicles<\/a> across the entirety of your body, except for your lips, palms, and the soles of your feet.<\/strong> They extend into the second (middle) layer of your skin, with some even reaching into your third (deepest) skin layer.<\/p>\n At the bottom of these hair follicles is the hair bulb. This is where blood vessels are connected to the follicle to feed it nutrients and oxygen. This fresh supply helps your hair cells divide and push upward, gradually hardening to form what will become hair.<\/p>\n Your hair shape and color are also determined by the bulb. Here, specific cells, called melanocytes, make the pigment called melanin that gives your hair its color. And the shape of hair is determined by the shape of your hair follicle.<\/p>\n Within your hair follicle is also a sebaceous gland, where your hair oil \u2014 called sebum \u2014 is created. This oil helps to keep your hair hydrated. There\u2019s also a tiny muscle called the arrector pili muscle that\u2019s attached to each hair follicle. Its main task is to make your hair stand up straight when you get goosebumps.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s the hair shaft, the beginning of the hair that you see above your skin. Your hair is made of a protein called keratin<\/a><\/strong> that\u2019s compacted and fused together. Keratin is a remarkably strong protein that\u2019s quite resistant to wear and tear. It\u2019s also the same material that nails, claws, hoofs, horns, and feathers are made of.<\/p>\n Your hair shaft is made up of <\/b>three layers<\/b><\/a>:<\/b><\/p>\n The process of hair growth is intricate and complicated, meaning there\u2019s a lot of room for something to go wrong. But this is just the beginning. Hair follicles aren\u2019t constantly pushing out new hairs. Instead, they\u2019re constantly moving through different phases known as the hair growth cycle.<\/p>\n Your hair follicles cycle through four different stages to help create new hairs for continual growth. From your eyebrows to your arm hair, these cycles can vary all over your body. But let\u2019s focus on the hair follicle cycle of your scalp.<\/p>\n There are four stages to <\/b>hair growth<\/b>:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Anagen: the growing phase \u2014 <\/b>This is the longest phase of the cycle. It averages about three to five years but lasts as long as seven years in some cases. During this phase, hair follicles push out hairs that will continue to grow until they are cut or end their lifespan and fall out. At any time, about 90% of the hairs on your head are in this stage.<\/p>\n Catagen: the transition phase \u2014 <\/b>This stage picks up right where the anagen phase left off, lasting about 10 or so days. At this time, hair follicles shrink, growth slows, and the hair separates from the follicle. Roughly 5% of your hairs are in this stage at any time.<\/p>\n Telogen: the resting phase \u2014 <\/b>This typically lasts around three months. After the hair separates from the follicle in the catagen phase, new hairs begin to form in the follicle. The recently separated hair remains in place, neither growing nor falling out.<\/p>\n Exogen: the shedding phase \u2014 <\/b>This phase is why you lose, on average, 50\u2013100 hairs daily. During this phase, which lasts about two to five months, new hairs typically grow in the follicles to replace the fallen hair, as the anagen cycle begins.<\/p>\n Sometimes, thinning hair just has to do with the hair growth cycle getting \u201cstuck,\u201d meaning your head is shedding hair (the exogen phase) without reentering the growing (anagen) phase.<\/strong> As you\u2019ll learn later on in this article, there are certain nutrients that help regulate this cycle to keep it in full swing.<\/p>\n Outside of the hair growth cycle stalling, let\u2019s explore other common reasons why hair may change as we age and the science behind it.<\/p>\n As you age, you may notice changes in your hair, which can affect everything from the color to the shape and thickness.<\/p>\n Hair follicles contain melanocytes \u2014 cells that produce melanin, which determines your hair color. Without the pigment melanin provides, your hair would always be white or gray. And this is precisely the color our hair turns as we age.<\/p>\n As such, gray hair is believed to be caused by<\/a> exhausted melanocytes in an aging hair follicle.<\/strong> It\u2019s thought that oxidative stress caused by free radicals may be what wears down these cells.<\/p>\n If you have gray hair, you\u2019re also more susceptible to damaged or lost hair. Gray hair is more sensitive<\/a> to breakage through combing and the effects of UV rays, which can weaken hair through protein loss, cause color changes, and increase free radicals.<\/p>\n A reduction in your hair\u2019s natural oils also decreases with the incidence of gray hair. The natural production of hair oils<\/a> via the sebaceous glands remains high until the age of 45\u201350 when it starts to decline.<\/strong> This decline is greater in women than in men.<\/p>\n Hair curvature also tends to increase with age<\/a>. Remember when I said that the outer layer of your hair is made of a scaly collection of cells facing downward to protect the inner layers? Well, with curly hair, there are more spots where this protective cover can be slightly lifted, leaving the inner layers vulnerable to damage and dehydration.<\/p>\n All of this mixed together makes it difficult to keep and maintain healthy hair as you age.<\/p>\n Most experts agree that the following<\/a> are the main reasons why people lose their hair as they age:<\/p>\n For women, research has shown that hair diameter actually increases with age<\/a>, up until they\u2019re in their forties, when it tends to begin decreasing. This is why most women won\u2019t notice thinning hair until they\u2019re older. Meanwhile, men were found to have hair diameters peak in their late teens<\/a> and then decrease relatively rapidly as they aged.<\/p>\n The unfortunate part is that we don\u2019t fully know the reasons why people lose or don\u2019t lose their hair. Like most things, the true cause of hair loss probably isn\u2019t just one singular thing that\u2019s the same for everyone but rather a mixture of the main causes mentioned above.<\/p>\n For example, the hair growth cycle is highly affected by various hormones<\/a>. Increased levels of cortisol \u2014 a hormone released when we\u2019re stressed \u2014 can negatively impact the function and cycle regulation of hair follicles<\/a>. And postmenopausal women have been shown to have significantly lower hair diameters than nonmenopausal women<\/a>, likely due to the hormonal effects of menopause.<\/strong><\/p>\n To thicken the plot even more, a 2018 study in the International Journal of Trichology<\/i> found<\/a> that hair loss in balding participants sometimes went through periods of stability and even remission. This could indicate that lifestyle factors might be able to slow or even prevent balding in some individuals.<\/p>\n Research<\/a> also indicates that, as we age, our hair follicles may stop producing new hairs altogether. And in those with certain genetic factors, aging might actually shrink their hair follicles<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are clearly many factors that impact the health of your hair \u2014 and not all of them are in your control. But there are some things you can do that will help bend the odds, perhaps even dramatically. This is why I believe a holistic approach is the key to a healthy head of hair. Below, I\u2019ll list ten ways for you to nurture your hair so you can have the healthiest locks possible.<\/p>\n Your hair is pretty vulnerable up there on your head. And even some things you may do to it with good intentions may actually be harming it. So let\u2019s look at ten ways you can protect your hair as you age.<\/p>\n Hormones are chemical messengers within your body responsible for sending signals between your body\u2019s systems and regulating the cells within.<\/p>\n Hormones have a major impact on the hair cycle and hair follicle structure, with many hormones controlling hair growth, cycle, and density.<\/p>\n Here are some of the hormones that <\/b>affect<\/b><\/a> hair growth and health:<\/b><\/p>\n For more on how to balance hormones naturally, see FRN\u2019s article, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Shampooing removes dirt and debris from your hair and scalp, helping to keep them healthy. But you may not need to shampoo every day or even every week. It all comes down to how dry vs oily your hair is naturally.<\/p>\n Your hair is likely naturally dry if it is:<\/b><\/p>\n Hair can also vary based on ethnicity. For example, people of African descent tend to have curlier hair, while people of Asian descent tend to have thicker hair. This means people of these ethnicities may be more likely to have naturally dry hair<\/a>, may need to shampoo less frequently, and may benefit from supplemental moisture.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you instead have naturally oily hair, it will be best to shampoo more regularly to keep your hair and scalp happy. Hair that\u2019s very fine or straight is more likely to be oily.<\/p>\n Be sure not to damage your hair by over- or under-washing. Pay attention to when your hair looks and feels oily, and only shampoo when needed. Otherwise, rinsing with water should be sufficient between washes.<\/p>\n Many shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products contain harmful ingredients that may offer short-term effects like a shiny or silky feel but ultimately harm your hair long-term.<\/p>\n Here are some ingredients you should watch out for when buying hair products:<\/b><\/p>\n Other harmful hair ingredients include alcohol, chemical dyes, or added fragrances. I don\u2019t say all this to scare you but to let you know that some of your hair \u201ccare\u201d products may actually be working against the care of your hair. But it\u2019s not hopeless! Consider homemade alternatives<\/a> when possible, or use brands you trust.<\/p>\n While you may wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, did you know that UV rays can damage your hair, too?<\/p>\n Both UVA and UVB rays cause damage to your hair<\/a> by breaking down crucial protein bonds and creating holes within the protective cuticle layer.<\/strong> This slowly destroys the structural integrity of your hair. The lighter your hair, the more at risk it is from UV damage due to lower levels of melanin (which protects against UV rays<\/a>).<\/p>\n Pollution is another threat to your hair\u2019s health. There are several different types of pollutants in our air and environment that can damage your hair follicles<\/a>. This could affect hair growth, sebum production, and more.<\/p>\n Consider wearing a hat instead of having the sun beat down on your hair. And give your hair a good wash if you think you may have been exposed to air pollution.<\/p>\n Healthy hair starts with the hair follicles within the scalp. As such, keeping a healthy scalp is key to hair that grows strong and happy.<\/p>\n A healthy scalp is clean and hydrated, with good blood circulation and balanced oil production. Signs that your scalp is struggling include inflammation, itchiness, and flaking (dandruff).<\/p>\n Often, an unhealthy scalp can be easily fixed. If you\u2019re struggling with an unhealthy scalp, it\u2019s likely caused by a hair product, over- or under-washing, UV damage, a nutritional deficiency, or one of the other things discussed in this article.<\/strong> Consult with your health care team (such as a dermatologist) if you want help getting to the root (so to speak!) of the problem.<\/p>\n As discussed earlier, the stress hormone cortisol can negatively affect hair follicles. A study<\/a> done on mice (FRN\u2019s view on the use of animals in medical research is here<\/a>) demonstrated that removing stress hormone glands allowed for new growth and hair follicle regeneration, which didn\u2019t slow with age. Not that removing stress hormone glands altogether is necessarily a good idea, but this study does underline the stress-hair connection.<\/p>\n Stress can also cause certain hair loss conditions<\/a>, including trichotillomania, where hair is lost through fidgeting or pulling, and alopecia areata, where the body\u2019s immune system attacks hair follicles.<\/p>\n The good news is that stress-induced hair loss doesn\u2019t have to be permanent. Though easier said than done, finding ways to de-stress<\/a> can help regular hair growth return.<\/strong><\/p>\n While medications can help you with certain health conditions, they may come with unwanted side effects such as hair loss. This can result from the hair growth cycle being disrupted or sent into the resting phase indefinitely, which is medically known as telogen effluvium. In this case, hairs fall out in high numbers prematurely, and the hair follicles struggle to grow new hairs fast enough.<\/p>\n Many different types of medications are thought to <\/b>cause hair loss<\/b><\/a>, including:<\/b><\/p>\n If you\u2019re on a medication that could impact your hair health, discuss your options with your doctor. Simply knowing whether or not your medication might be causing hair loss can help you better understand your hair situation.<\/p>\n Sometimes, the little things we do each day add up and damage (or protect) our hair. Following these general hair care dos and don\u2019ts can go a long way toward protecting your hair.<\/p>\n Good hair care habits <\/b>include<\/b><\/a>:<\/b><\/p>\n Daily efforts to avoid stressing out your hair and focusing on upkeep can have a great impact on your locks long-term.<\/p>\n Your hair is mainly made up of a protein called keratin<\/a>. To properly build keratin, your body needs the building blocks of protein: amino acids. By consuming proteins in your diet, you can get a wide range of amino acids for keratin production.<\/p>\n This is why low protein levels are linked to hair thinning and hair loss<\/a>.<\/strong> See, hair growth isn\u2019t on the top of the priority list in your body. If you\u2019re low on protein, your body will use the limited protein it has for more necessary functions, such as muscle control and structural support. As such, your hair will have to go without. And since your hair is almost fully protein, your hair going without protein might mean you going without hair.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that too much protein can also be a problem<\/a> (especially if it comes from animal products) and that you can get plenty of protein from plant-based sources.<\/p>\n For more on how much protein you need and the best ways to get it, see FRN\u2019s article, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n But there are other important nutrients to take in, too, if you want healthy hair.<\/p>\n While hair is mostly made of keratin, it and its follicles require other nutrients besides protein for proper health and function.<\/p>\n Outside of essential nutrients that are beneficial to your hair health, there are also a number of ingredients that have been shown to be beneficial for growth:<\/p>\n As you can see, your hair relies heavily on not just what you do to it topically but what you provide it internally. To have strong and nourished hair, ensure you\u2019re taking in nutrients and ingredients to help your hair follicles thrive.<\/p>\n Though there are many options for people who are worried about lost or thinning hair, sometimes hair loss comes with age, and there isn\u2019t much we can do about it. But if you\u2019re going bald, it\u2019s not all bad.<\/p>\n First, it\u2019s important to remember that losing your hair isn\u2019t an indicator of poor health. You can be in top-tier health and still experience hair loss.<\/strong> But if you\u2019re losing your hair, you don\u2019t have to lose yourself. It may be a difficult adjustment, but accepting your new look and remembering that you are not your hair may be your best option.<\/p>\n For men, one study<\/a> found that women actually found bald men who had a good personality more attractive than non-bald men with a similar personality. And another study<\/a> showed that bald men were consistently rated as more intelligent, influential, knowledgeable, well-educated, of high social status, honest, and helpful than their non-bald counterparts.<\/p>\n For women, embracing baldness can be more difficult. More men experience baldness, but a bald woman may stick out from the crowd, meaning more people will notice you. This extra attention may not be for everyone, but some women are leaning into their baldness<\/a>, showing others that it\u2019s okay to be a bald woman<\/a>. Famous examples include model Amber Rose, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, and actress and TV host Ricki Lake.<\/p>\n For those who don\u2019t want to stand out so much, there are plenty of different types of wigs, headscarves, and other accessories to play with.<\/p>\n Now that you know the ins and outs of hair, the latest research on why people lose their hair as they age, and ways you can support your hair, I hope next time you look in the mirror, you see more than just hair, but an intricate cycle of growth sprouting from your follicles.<\/p>\n The color, shape, texture, and longevity of your hair are some things you can influence, perhaps even profoundly. But they\u2019re also not completely within your control.<\/p>\n And there\u2019s still one more piece of information I want to share with you\u2026<\/p>\n Why are hairdressers never late for work?<\/i><\/p>\n Because they know all the shortcuts!<\/p>\n <\/span>This cutting-edge formula includes biotin, vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium, pumpkin seed oil, black cumin seed oil, and cinnamon \u2014 all delivered in a micelle liposomal form that enhances absorption and effectiveness. It\u2019s a potent hair health supplement that’s <\/span>100% vegan, third-party tested, non-GMO, and made in the USA. Plus, it tastes delicious. <\/span>Click here to learn more<\/a> and access a special discount just for Food Revolution Network readers.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span>If you make a purchase using that link, EverBella will contribute a portion of the proceeds to Food Revolution Network’s mission. Thank you!<\/em><\/div>\n Featured Image: iStock.com\/shurkin_son<\/i><\/p>\n Ever wondered why your hair changes as you get older? From graying to thinning, our hair goes through significant transformations with age. But what triggers these changes, and how can we nurture our hair to keep it looking its best? In this article, we uncover the hair growth cycle, the main causes of hair loss, and effective strategies to maintain healthy hair through the years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":152,"featured_media":51611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,2639,2640],"tags":[2338,2627,1023,2553,2554],"class_list":["post-51609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-blog","category-health","category-lifestyle","tag-hormones","tag-longevity","tag-mental-health","tag-product-recommendations","tag-self-care","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Hair Growth Cycle Explained<\/h2>\n
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What\u2019s in a Hair Follicle?<\/h3>\n
The Hair Shaft<\/h3>\n
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What Are the Stages of the Hair Growth Cycle?<\/h3>\n
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Why Does Hair Change as You Age?<\/h2>\n
Graying and Other Changes<\/h3>\n
The Main Causes of Hair Loss<\/h3>\n
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The Science Behind Hair Loss as We Age<\/h3>\n
10 Ways to Keep Your Hair Strong and Healthy as You Age<\/h2>\n
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1. Keep Hormones Balanced<\/h3>\n
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2. Don\u2019t Wash Every Day \u2014 or Do?<\/h3>\n
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3. Choose the Right Products<\/h3>\n
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4. Be Wary of Environmental Factors<\/h3>\n
5. Take Scalp Care<\/h3>\n
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6. Monitor Stress Levels<\/h3>\n
7. Check Your Medications<\/h3>\n
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8. Practice Good Hair Habits<\/h3>\n
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9. Get the Right Amount of Protein<\/h3>\n
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10. Take in Other Hair-Healthy Nutrients<\/h3>\n
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Bald Doesn\u2019t Mean Bad<\/h2>\n
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Taking Care of Your Hair<\/h2>\n
Tell us in the comments:<\/h4>\n
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Read Next:<\/h4>\n
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