Age gracefully with one gorgeous mane of hair.
You hear a lot about your skin developing fine lines and wrinkles when it comes to aging, but not so much about what happens with your hair as you age. But it, too, goes through changes as you get older. “Greying is one of the major changes and it’s all related to melanin production in both your skin and hair winding down,” says Jeni Thomas, Pantene Senior Scientist. And decreased melanin production translates to duller, less vibrant, coarser hair.
“Each actual hair fibre changes, too,” adds Thomas. “In your late 30s to early 40s each strand of hair gets thinner in diameter.” Why? “There’s less protein in it, so it’s less strong.” And if you’ve always been able to grow your hair down to your waist, you may find your mane may not reach that length as you get older. “Your hair’s growing state changes, from about five to 10 years to three to five years and this determines how long you can grow your hair,” explains Thomas.
Anti-aging hair strategies
Feed your hair well
“For healthy hair, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting enough iron, B12, folic acid and omega 3s,” says Joy McCarthy, certified holistic nutritionist at Toronto’s 889 Yonge. “Omega 3s are great for shine and overall hair health, and salmon is a great source.” Protein in general, so fish such as salmon, eggs, chicken, are all fantastic for hair growth (not to mention your skin) given that your hair is composed of protein, notes McCarthy.
“Make sure you’re eating your leafy greens, too, such as kale, spinach and arugula, too, as they’re a source of vitamins A, C and K.” She recommends going organic when it comes to leafy greens as the pesticides sprayed on the non-organic varieties may impact your hormonal balance. Also helpful for maintaining hormonal balance? Eating good fats in the form of nuts including almonds, walnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
And while you’re at the grocery store, stock up on whole grains as well. They can help prevent thinning, damaged hair and decrease hair loss. Think brown rice, quinoa and kamut (an ancient type of wheat). Plus, you’ll want to pick up some lemons, too. “Drinking lemon water helps stimulate your digestive juices for good gut health,” says McCarthy. And a healthy digestive system will help ensure you’re breaking down your food well and absorbing all the vitamins and minerals you need for a healthy head of hair.
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