You may be thinking “age is no longer my friend” when looking at your thin, fragile locks in the mirror. The natural aging process impacts the color, texture, and thickness of it. Thin hair refers to the number of individual strands and how close/far apart your strands are from each other. On average, there are 100,000 hairs on your head; however, this number declines with age as follicles stop replacing fallen strands. As your hair thins, scalp visibility increases and strands are prone to breakage. Read on to understand why hair becomes thinner and fragile with age.
5 Causes of Thinning Hair with Age
1. Hormone Fluctuation
Women find that their hair changes in volume, length, and texture around menopause. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of post-menopausal women will encounter bald spots or hair thinning. Estrogen, the hormone that aids its growth by extending your hair’s growing phase, decreases during menopause. Conversely, testosterone, a male hormone that negatively affects our hair follicles, increases. When testosterone comes into contact with enzymes in your scalp and skin, it turns into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks hair follicles, which causes them to grow thinner than before. Additionally, menopause causes inflammation which can destroy its follicles and leave scarring. Ultimately, the inflammation can cause the hairline above the forehead to recede.
2. Genetics
One of the most common causes of its thinning and loss is a hereditary condition, called androgenic alopecia, that occurs with aging. This condition is most commonly known as female-pattern baldness. It occurs gradually in predictable patterns—often women notice thinning hair along with the crown of their scalp. This condition progresses slowly over years and can be slowed, and even prevented with the right treatment.
3. Nutritional Deficiency
As you age, your body absorbs nutrients less efficiently. Many vitamins like Vitamin A, B, C, D, and E, iron, and zinc provide your hair follicles the power to fortify stronger hair. An iron deficiency is most commonly associated with its loss. A lack of iron often points to a vitamin C deficiency, due to the fact that vitamin C is responsible for absorbing iron from food. As you age, a nutritional imbalance will weaken your strands and contribute to hair loss. Remember to feed your hair from the inside out!
4. Medication
Its loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, and high blood pressure. It is best to consult your healthcare team to learn about the possible effects your medication may have on your hair.
5. Stress
The hormonal shifts of menopause affect your brain chemistry, which can trigger a heightened response to anxiety and depression. Your follicles can react to anxiety by stunting their growth and then shredding the strands a few months later. When you are experiencing stress, your cortisol levels increase. Cortisol is a hormone known to negatively affect the function and cyclic regulation of its follicle. Additionally, stress can trigger compulsive pulling or an auto-immune response in which your blood cells attack your its follicles. Whether it is caused by an emotional event or hormone imbalance, the stress-related its loss is often temporary and will regrow with the proper care.
What Can You Do About Thinning Hair?
There is no home remedy to fix your hormones or genetics, but here’s what you can control to slow hair thinning:
- Stimulate its follicles with scalp serum and a deep-scalp cleanser.
- Use gentle, non-sulfate hair products like the ones from the Better Not Younger brand.
- Ensure you are consuming a colorful and nutrient-rich diet.
- Stay calm through regular exercise, meditation, or personal time
- Beware of over styling and over-brushing
- Replace tight hairstyles with low, loose styles
- Use one piece clip in hair extensions or any type of hair extensions so you can spare your own hair from chemical products when styling.
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