Properly care for hair in old age

In the course of our lives, our bodies change. The skin becomes more wrinkled, the eyesight decreases, the teeth cause problems. But our hair also ages! Sure, they turn gray. But did you know that the structure of hair also changes? In order to maintain the beauty of the hair, the care products must be tailored to the individual hair type. But what does the optimal hair care look like?

Mature hair is more demanding than when we are young. As we age, the body produces less and less melanin, the pigment responsible for our individual hair color. The hair becomes colorless. The missing melanin is replaced by air bubbles, thus the hair surface changes. Gray hair is more porous and less shiny. The resistance to external influences, such as heating and blow-drying air, chlorinated water or UV radiation also decreases. The hair must now be well supplied with nutrients. Therefore, there are suitable care products for every hair type, which make the hair shine again.

For most people, hair becomes finer with age. The influence of hormones during and after menopause causes hair to grow back thinner and lose volume. They appear stringy and weak. Shampoos for dry hair are unsuitable here, as they only weigh it down further. This also applies to products with silicone. Hair treatments and conditioners should be especially suitable for fine hair. For women, it is recommended to use a volume shampoo with polymers (artificial hair thickeners) for the roots and a moisturizer for the lengths. If the hair still hangs down flat, it can help to change the washing routine and use the conditioner before the shampoo. When styling, volumizing powder, mousse or hairspray provide more stability. Blow-drying overhead also creates volume.

The human head of hair grows about 1.5 centimeters per month. Since various substances from the body are deposited in the hair during growth and the hair also "decays" much more slowly, hair growth sometimes provides valuable information in the scientific fields of forensic anthropology and forensic medicine.

Due to the changed hair structure, the hair loses elasticity and breaks more quickly. In general, hair prone to breakage should therefore be washed with a mild shampoo and pampered with an intensive hair treatment once or twice a week. Nourishing ingredients such as lipids, amino acids or panthenol are ideal for stressed hair surfaces. They strengthen the hair and make it more malleable. Products with keratin replenish brittle areas. There are also special keratin treatments at the hairdresser.

Natural hair care is becoming increasingly popular. Natural cosmetics companies (for example Weleda, Lavera or Sante) use purely plant-based ingredients in their product range. And more and more well-known cosmetics brands are also focusing on natural active ingredients in hair care. They provide hair with valuable ingredients, such as organic almond oil, organic mallow blossom or organic orange. Certified natural cosmetics seals such as COSMOS or BDIH ensure that certain standards are met. Among other things, the products must not contain any questionable ingredients such as parabens, silicones or microplastics.

1. The water used for shampooing should be lukewarm at most. If the temperature is too high, the hair and scalp are unnecessarily stressed. When rinsing, make sure that cleansing and care products are completely removed, otherwise the hair will look dull or stringy later. Use cold water for the final rinse. This closes the cuticle on the hair surface and makes it shine.
2. Wet hair is sensitive. Therefore, after washing, hair should not be rubbed dry, but wrapped in a towel and gently squeezed. It is gentlest if the hair can air dry afterwards. Before blow-drying, a heat protection should be applied and the hairdryer should only be set to lukewarm.
3. Make sure you use the right hairbrush. Mechanical influences can have a negative effect on thin and dry hair as we age. When brushing, the outer hair layer is attacked, so the hair should be combed as gently as possible. Brushes with widely spaced, rounded bristles gently detangle the hair. A comb with natural bristles has the advantage that it heats up less when blow-drying. Also, avoid hair elastics that are too narrow and tight hair accessories.
4. In the evening, it is important to thoroughly brush out styling products such as hairspray or mousse so that the hair can recover at night. If you have dry hair, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase if possible. Pillowcases made of cotton can draw additional moisture from the hair. And never go to bed with wet hair!

It is important for healthy hair growth that it is sufficiently supplied with vitamins and trace elements from the inside. Deficiencies can lead to dull, lackluster hair and even hair loss as we age. Are you taking enough iron? In case of a deficiency, the body's own reserves are broken. This causes the hair to become drier. In case of a proven deficiency, foods rich in iron, such as meat, cereals, vegetables or legumes, should be consumed in particular.

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, supports the production of keratin in the hair. It is found in yeast, liver, milk and dairy products, egg yolks, nuts and oatmeal. The trace element zinc can also influence hair growth and shine. Zinc sources include meat, fish, seafood, cheese nuts, sunflower seeds and eggs. Zinc from animal sources can be somewhat better utilized by the body.

If you can: avoid stress, because it (along with genes) can cause us to get gray hair early. Also, chronic stress can alter the hair cycle, triggering hair loss.

Even the most magnificent mane eventually comes to age. But no matter what the condition of the hair, it is important to care for it carefully. Because well-groomed, shiny hair gives a vital impression and makes us appear more confident. When buying shampoo should definitely pay attention to the type of hair. Then, if you follow the basic rules for the daily care routine, you can enjoy healthy and shiny hair!