How Your Hair Changes As You Age

There are a lot of things to love about getting older, and also a few things that can be challenging. Even if we didn't wake up with new aches and pains or find ourselves getting tired faster with each passing year, the beauty industry spends a lot of time and money pointing out things it thinks we should worry about, from aging hands to tips for treating every individual wrinkle type. Ultimately, whether you prefer to hide signs of aging or embrace them is up to you. But visible or not, the one thing we definitely can't avoid is eventual, inexorable change — even to our hair.

That's right: For all the time we spend talking about fine lines or age spots, there are also oft-ignored changes taking place from our roots to our tips. To find out more, Glam spoke exclusively to certified trichologist Penny James of the Penny James Trichology Center. As a specialist in the hair and scalp, James was able to shine some light on the frequently overlooked mysteries of aging hair.

First and foremost, James reminds us that — with factors like genetics and lifestyle at play — no two aging experiences are alike. "Every person's hair will age differently," the trichologist explains. For instance, "Some people will have a thick, full head of hair way into their 80s, and for others, the hair follicles will start to shrink." Still, there are some commonalities, and James helpfully outlined a few telltale effects of aging that many people experience.

They say that nothing stays the same, and this evidently includes our hair. Our hormones to our metabolisms all undergo shifts in later life, and these physiological changes can have a trickle-down effect on the state of our manes. "Hair growth slows down as we get older," Penny James explains to Glam. "As we age, the growth stage (anagen) slows down, and the hair becomes thinner and often grows slowly and not as robustly as it did when you were in your 30s." Moreover, "The hair gets pushed into the telogen (falling out) phase quickly."

Slower growth and less volume are already enough to make us reexamine our haircare routines, but those aren't the only alterations to expect as we age. "Hair texture can change, often becoming brittle, wiry, and difficult to manage," James warns. "If you have longer hair, you will notice the ends are looking more fragile and thinner."

Of course, the most recognizable sign of aging hair is often the color. "Melanocytes are the cells responsible for depleting their color molecules. They are responsible for our hair to gray as we age," says James. But this isn't something to feel self-conscious about, as the trichologist emphasizes, "It is perfectly normal." Going silver can even be a refreshing style change. For inspiration, just look at celebrities who proudly show off their gray hair, like Helen Mirren and Jennifer Aniston. However, if you'd like to stave off changes to your hair for a little longer, that's your prerogative — and there are steps you can take to empower your aging locks.

Many wellness issues don't have straightforward answers. From gut health to mental health, the many systems in our bodies are irrevocably interconnected — and whether you're trying to tackle acne-prone skin or tweak your lifestyle habits to live longer, a holistic approach seems to be key. As Penny James reveals to Glam, this is equally applicable when it comes to our aging hair. "Hormones, life stress, poor diet, and lack of nutrients affect the hair follicle and accelerate hair aging," the expert explains.

So, if you're hoping to slow the march of time and promote youthful vigor among your tresses, there are many different tacks you can (and should) take. "The key to keeping your hair looking its very best is to take care of your health, eat well, take your vitamins, reduce stress, and avoid toxic people," says James. Nutrition-wise, the trichologist further specifies that you should "make sure you have enough amino acids, nutrients, proteins, and healthy fats in your diet."

Furthermore, preventing damage is critical as your hair gets thinner and more brittle. "Be careful with your styling habits," James urges. You may even want to use haircare that supports thicker, healthier strands, like the Pura D'Or Professional Grade Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner Set, which is formulated to strengthen, hydrate, and volumize hair. Though the duo is a little pricey at $49.79, customers at Amazon gave it 4.4 stars from over 2,700 ratings — a testament that makes products like this worth consideration as we make a lifestyle-wide adjustment to aging hair.