Are you noticing more hair in your comb? This is just one of the signs of aging that both men and women, age 50 and above, are, we are sad-to-report, experiencing.

Each single hair has a normal life of between 2 and 7 years. After that span, the hair falls out and is replaced with a new hair. But, as you age, the rate of hair growth slows. The hair strands become smaller and have less pigment. The thick, coarse hair of a young adult will become thin, fine and light-colored hair. And, some hair follicles stop producing new hairs all together.

Men can start showing signs of baldness at the age of 30, and some are nearly bald by age 60. Women of all ages can have hair loss and thinning by the time they reach their 40’s and early 50’s.

Elizabeth Cunnane-Phillips, a trichologist, has said, “I see it as a universal problem for women: hormonal fluctuations, genetic predisposition, elevated stress, poor nutritional intake, and not enough cleansing all have the ability to contribute. As we get older, the diameter of the individual hairs can decrease, resulting in a noticeable change in volume that will marginally decrease.”There are things that can be done about it.  Listed here are a few that we recommend.

• Elevated hormone levels and stress are your enemies. Focus on increasing circulation and decreasing anxiety whenever possible.

• The increased circulation that results from exercise can help a scalp feel younger.

• Mind Your Diet. It’s true –you are what you eat. This saying is even more valid when it comes to the health of your hair. A healthy, balanced diet made up of animal protein and complex carbohydrates makes for happy hair, and ensures that each individual hair is growing to its full potential in length and density.

• Lighten up. As we age, our complexion changes and our skin changes color. It is recommended to choose a lighter hair color which will help to brighten your over-all complexion.

• Take your vitamins. Besides eating right, as mentioned above, it is advisable to take vitamins in addition to your stand-by multivitamin. We recommend iron, B12 and zinc, but check with your doctor first.

For more information on hair changes with aging, call Hairline Clinic at 800.322.1237.