Hair Care after 40

I recently noticed I have a bald spot on the crown of my head.

It’s embarrassing and baffling and upsetting.

I have noticed I have much less hair these last few years. I used to wrap a hair band around twice and it was tight, but now it can wrap around about five or six times.

It’s funny that all the fairy tales of the wicked stepmothers, queens, and aging women…are in a personal battle against the wrinkles and gray hair…while being devastated by the presence of the young and effortlessly beautiful princesses with their bright skin and gorgeous hair.

It’s like watching ourselves waste away and become useless and undesirable while the girls become their most powerful.

It certainly reduces our confidence.

Sure, I could cut my hair short or style it differently. I don’t really want to accept it. I won’t go without a fight.

I know many say to go all natural and avoid heat and chemicals. Most of us know how to keep our healthy by not overheating, overstyling, not using damaging tight hair bands all the time.

I only go to a salon about every quarter for a cut and partial highlights. It’s so frustrating finding a new stylist every time we move with the military. I adored my stylist in Utah – Brianna! I didn’t color my hair in Germany. It took me so long when we moved to Ohio to get an update.

It took me a long time to find a stylist in Ohio. Here is my first cut and color in Ohio in 2017, then Stephanie quit the business. The lighting is awful, but this was such a pretty cut and color.

I went shorter and assymetrical for a couple years, but I never liked that salon or the stylists after Stephanie left. It took me years to find someone I like and trust.

Then COVID hit and all the salons closed. My long straight hair did me no favors in 2021.

My hair grew so long until I found my stylist Jena.

I am so happy with my stylist Jena now. I love her pricing and I am in and out in about an hour.

Here’s my latest hair update for summer 2024:

I think the shorter length and lots of layers help disguise my thinning hair.

What can we do to minimize or reverse hair loss as we age?

Medical checkup

It’s always a good idea to rule out medical issues when we have any symptoms that are concerning.

Some prescription or even OTC medications could cause hair loss, like those prescribed for blood pressure.

There is a phenomenon called “COVID hair” that many suffer from with hair loss or thinning.

Stress often affects our health and appearance. Reducing stress and changing our lifestyle, getting enough sleep, etc., can really help us.

Request labs or bloodwork to check for iron deficiency or anemia, thyroid complications, hormones, vitamin D deficiency. All of these concerns can affect our hair and skin in addition to our overall health.

A dermatologist referral can often check scalp health to determine if hair health is a skin issue like alopecia. They can also prescribe products that are more powerful than over-the-counter items.

Some women may benefit from HRT, that could help a variety of symptoms.

What hair care products can help with hair loss or thinning?

Many of these remedies can help our overall health and we can age gracefully and beautifully and confidently.

Topical

Even if we have underlying health concerns, we can use topical solutions to help our hair look and be healthier.

Hair care products with rosemary, lavendar, tea tree oil can help our hair grow while looking and feeling thicker and healthier.

Essential oils like rosemary, cedarwood, lavender, ylang ylang, clary sage mixed in witch hazel or a nourishing oil like castor oil can help promote hair growth.

Castor oil is an ancient remedy to help our skin glow. Scalp massage is a nice way to relax or put a silk cap on and sleep while it soaks in real good.

DHT Blocker products can help. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a leading cause of alopecia and hair loss associated with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

Minoxidil or Rogaine as the name brand has often been used for men, but women can use a diluted version or not as frequently to limit side effects. There are also ingestible tablets that can be prescribed. There are generic versions of liquid and foam applications at Walmart and other stores for cheaper cost.

Nioxin are hair care products for several hair and scalp concerns.

Some products recommended by ladies in my online groups:

• BondiBoost 
• Vegamour
• Viviscal

(I won’t recommend some popular MLM products that keep getting recommended online.)

Supplements

Many of these are recommended by some ladies in my online groups. I take lots of supplements and vitamins every morning.

I’ve taken Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions Hair, Skin & Nails for years.

Prenatal vitamins often have a lot of what our bodies want and need and can be an easy and more cost effective fix.

Nutrafol – this is super expensive, but gets rave reviews from so many people. I assume it’s easier to take one supplement that has everything we need than a lot and it probably breaks even.

Multi B Complex – help stimulate the hair growth cycle and many health benefits.

Biotin – water-soluble B vitamin that helps in hair thinning, hair loss, and other hair problems like scalp dryness or rough hair.

Collagen – helps improve hair by providing amino acids and fighting damaged hair follicles.

Maca – growth booster & hair loss prevention active ingredient rich in peptides & sugars.

Zinc – a potent inhibitor of hair follicle regression and it accelerates hair follicle recovery.

Vitamin E – helps support a healthy scalp and hair as it has natural antioxidant effects.

Vitamin D – influences hair follicle cycling and so important for our overall health.

Saw Palmetto – wards off hair loss and increase hair density by decreasing levels of 5-alpha reductase, a specific enzyme related to hair loss.

Horsetail – helps reduce hair loss and boosts the strength of hair and hair follicles besides adding shine and luster to the hair. Aids in bone health.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) can help some, but it upsets my tummy. It is a sulfur compound known for its anti-inflammatory effect. It may also support hair growth.

Foods

It’s always wise to eat our way to health and beauty. We won’t see instant results, but long-term, we should have health benefits.

Protein and Collagen – rich in amino acids that your body needs to build keratin, the protein that makes up hair.

Green tea – the primary plant chemical called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is associated with health benefits like weight loss, heart health, and brain health.

Coconut Oil – applications in beauty, skin care, hair care, and overall health because it contains a high percentage of fat from medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), primarily in the form of lauric acid.

Onions – high content of antioxidants like quercetin.

Turmeric – shown to reduce pain from arthritis, improve cholesterol levels, and enhance exercise recovery.

Pumpkin Seeds – rich in iron, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants. can also work as a DHT blocker.

Edamame – soy with isoflavones can reduce DHT levels.

Often the undesirable symptoms we see in our hair, skin, and nails can be an underlying health issues we need to address. It is not wrong or vain to want to feel and look our best.

We need to talk about women’s health and aging without shame.

Resources:

• The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Mary Claire Haver, MD
• It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told) by Dr. Karen Tang
• The Menopause Brain: New Science Empowers Women to Navigate the Pivotal Transition with Knowledge and Confidence by Lisa Mosconi, PhD
• The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism by Dr. Jen Gunter
• Hysterical: Why We Need to Talk About Women, Hormones, and Mental Health by Eleanor Morgan
• I’m So Effing Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout, Boost Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life by Amy Shah, MD
• Motherwhelmed: Challenging Norms, Untangling Truths, and Restoring Our Worth to the World by Beth Berry

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