How does hair age?
Many consider gray hair to be the first signs of hair aging. However, this is not the case. The loss of pigment can occur for various reasons unrelated to age, both at 25 and 30 years. And some people have almost no gray hair at the age of 50. Not the color is a sign of the age of the hair. As you age, the hair becomes thinner, less elastic, loses shine and is prone to premature loss. The older we get, the more sparse the hair of thin and dull hair on the head becomes. Thinning is associated with dehydration of each hair and a lack of nutrients in them, and the lack of shine is due to a violation of the smooth structure of the hair surface. With age, the hair cuticle wears out faster, becomes uneven and ceases to reflect light (hence the loss of shine by the hair).
The most serious problem of aging hair is that blood circulation in the scalp worsens with age (this is due to a change in the hormonal background and a weakening of the activity of some hormones responsible for the functioning of the blood vessels of the scalp). As a result, the hair follicles receive less nutrition, and this affects the decrease in the lifespan of the hair in them. Scientists have calculated that on average one hair bulb produces 30 hairs, each of which lives from 3 to 7 years, depending on the circumstances. With age, the resources of the hair follicles are naturally depleted, and we cannot influence this. But it is in our hands to change the «circumstances of life» and the health of each hair. Agree, he will live on his head for 3 years, or 7 years — these are two big differences.
How to take care of aging hair?
Regular massage of the scalp to improve blood circulation. If you are used to washing your hair in a hurry — change your habits. Massage the scalp thoroughly and with pleasure during the application of shampoo, and then the rinse balm.
Soft regenerating peeling of the scalp. With its help, you cleanse the skin of dead cells and enhance the process of renewal of scalp cells. There are special requirements for scalp peeling products: first of all, the product must be gentle and not lead to damage to the hair roots and their bases.
Choose shampoos that moisturize and nourish your hair. Well-suited products for weakened hair, which contain essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, biotin, all kinds of oils that restore the smooth surface of the hair without weighting.
Be sure to use balms-rinses. 2 in 1 products (shampoo and balm in one bottle) are good for saving time, but they do not give the level of hair care that we need. Choose moisturizing balms-conditioners that help restore the water balance inside the hair, nourish dry dull hair, restoring volume and shine to them.
Apply nourishing masks for the scalp and hair at least 1 time a week. Don’t be lazy, add this procedure to your weekly calendar. This will strengthen the hair follicles and protect the hair from premature loss. There are also special masks for deep hair restoration that work with the structure of the hairs damaged by time and external factors.
Use anti-aging hair serums. Unlike masks, these products do not need to be washed off after application. They are used for intensive hair care. There are a number of anti-aging serums that nourish, restore the structure (and hence shine) of hair, fill thinned areas, preventing breakage and further thinning. Many serums can be used from several times a week to twice a day, depending on the purpose and degree of the problem.
Color your hair with the right means. Contrary to popular belief, coloring can be a good help to strengthen the hair, since the pigments of the dye are able to smooth the surface of the hair and protect it from breakage. The shine after coloring just indicates that the hairs become smooth, dense and begin to reflect light well again. However, the paint should not contain aggressive substances that destroy the structure of the hair and irritate the scalp. Otherwise, in the long run, the effect will be exactly the opposite. For the same reason, it is highly discouraged to lighten aging hair.
Take antioxidants and adjust your diet. No matter how good the external hair and scalp care is, all your efforts can come to naught if your diet is far from the standard. Skin and hair belong to the system of excretory organs. If you do not eat in a balanced way, if there are few healthy foods in your diet, if you are deficient in vitamins and minerals every day, consume a lot of sugars, carbohydrates, and even smoke, then your hair, like your skin, will age much faster than those of your peers who lead a healthy lifestyle. Beauty requires sacrifice. But not in the form of painful rejuvenation procedures under the surgeon’s scalpel. Reconsider your food preferences, remove excess from the diet, which harms not only the figure, but also the skin. Be sure to include foods with antioxidant properties in your diet. Or at least take antioxidant vitamin complexes for skin and hair.
Do not comb wet hair. The hairs are hygroscopic, when wet, they absorb a significant amount of water, while the hairs seem to swell, which leads to the fact that the scales of the hair shaft do not fit tightly together. In this condition, the hair is very vulnerable. A comb can easily damage the surface of a hair swollen from moisture, deform it and even break it.
Do not blow dry your hair after washing. Plan your hair washing procedure so that you have time to let your hair dry naturally. Forced drying, especially with hot air, negates all moisturizing procedures.
