Age Specific Hair Care Tips

We all know that the skin of women in their 20s is different from that of women in their 30s, and that the skin in our 40s is different from the skin in our 50s and 60s. The same can be said about our hair. In our 30s and 40s, our hair changes. It starts to lose its color; the scalp oil production decreases, and the hair is less dense and thinner than before.

How do you maintain great looking, healthy hair when you are in your 20s?

Your hair is delicate and precious. Getting used to correct hair care will help you keep your hair dense, healthy and shiny for many years to come. Here are a few healthy hair tips for women in their 20s.

Your scalp first.

A healthy scalp is essential to hair growth. If you're dealing with an itchy, dry, flaky scalp or dandruff, shampoo every day or two with a haircare shampoo that has zinc pyrithione and salicylic acid in it. Massage this shampoo into your scalp, leave it for 3 minutes and rinse it off. You can use your regular shampoo for the hair strands.

From the inside out.

Vitamins, minerals and proteins are all essential for strong hair. If your diet lacks some of these, consider adding hair supplements and collagen peptides to your daily routine. In addition to having healthier hair, it will also help with skin and nails.

Do not harm.

Hot water can dry out your strands. Always shampoo your hair with lukewarm water and finish your shower with a blast of cool water. This cold-water rinse will close the hair cuticle and seal in more moisture, giving your strands a smoother look.

Overuse of hair color, relaxers, and perms weaken your hair. Make sure to use milder hair shampoos and conditioners that are designed for chemically-treated strands. Sulfates in some formulas (the chemical that makes the nice foam seen in some shampoos) can dry out hair. Always look for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners.

Rubbing a towel to dry hair is the quickest way to frizzy hair. Use an old t-shirt to dry your hair, especially if you have curls. Squeezing the water out with the t-shirt will keep the hair cuticle flat and smooth.

Using the wrong type of hairbrush can damage your hair. For fine hair, the best brushes will be the ones with boar-bristle that will provide you with smoother hair and more volume. For curly and coily hair, the better option will be a synthetic fiber brush. These materials are more flexible for detangling thicker strands.

Hairstyle is important.

Ditch the dreaded post-ponytail crease. Look for a stress-free hairstyle that you can easily transition from up to down and back again. Wearing a tight ponytail day after day can have adverse effects on your hair. Too-tight styles can cause hair loss or traction alopecia, which is gradual thinning caused by too much force on the hair. Even if you are experiencing more hair shedding or hair thinning, you can benefit from a trim. Snipping off the split ends every six to eight weeks will make your hair appear healthier.

Avoid heat styling as much as possible.

Excessive heat cooks your hair. If your strands are breaking, your flatiron or blow-dryer may be the cause; for best results, limit the use of hot hair tools to no more than once or twice a week. Using a diffuser can get the much desired "waves" without the heat of curling irons. Applying salt spray or a mousse before using the diffuser will enhance your natural waves and curls.

Don't forget the conditioner.

Use a conditioner every time you wash your hair. Conditioner helps keep the moisture in your hair. If you have fine hair, use conditioner first, leave it on your hair for 4 minutes, and wash it off with your shampoo.

Detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb.

Wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage than dry hair. If you must brush damp hair, use a wide-tooth comb and lots of conditioner to protect your strands from snapping. Start your detangling routine at the ends of your strands, and work your way up towards the roots.

Use the right pillowcase.

The friction between your hair and skin on a cotton pillowcase can enhance frizz. Using a silk pillowcase or sleeping on a silk scarf will minimize the wear and tear on your hair and skin while you sleep.

What is the optimal haircare for women in their 30s and 40s?

The optimal hair care for women in their 30s should be based on color-safe moisturizing shampoo combined with scalp stimulating nourishing hair serums.

The right shampoo will keep your scalp and hair hydrated and reduce hair dryness and fizz. Using the right scalp serum with DHT blockers will minimize hair shedding and maintain hair density and strength.

Women with a familial tendency for hair thinning can benefit at this stage from DHT blocking oral supplements that also include the vitamins and minerals needed for healthier hair regrowth. As women get closer to menopause in their 40s and 50s, the sex hormone levels responsible for hair growth decrease, and some follicles can even stop producing new hair altogether.

In our 40s and 50s, our hair texture continues to change. Further decrease in scalp oil results in dull-looking hair that is more fragile and vulnerable to styling—accumulating sun exposure causes more oxidative stress to hair strands, causing even more breakage and split ends.

What are the best treatment products to prevent hair aging?

As we age, hair care should combine topical treatment of the scalp with suitable serums and shampoos, combined with oral supplements to support hair growth from the inside out.

For best results, women in this age group should look for a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo. Try to avoid mass-market one size fits all shampoo. Look for a shampoo specially formulated to restore natural hair regrowth and combine it with an active hair restore serum and the right hair supplements.

An excellent addition for women in their 40s and 50s are marine collagen peptides. These marine collagen peptides provide amino acids that are essential to building stronger, heathery hair. For optimal results, look for marine collagen that includes hyaluronic acid and vitamin C; 2 ingredients that will further help with new collagen building.

Women in their 40s and 50s that experience visible hair loss will benefit from using Minoxidil 2%. Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved anti-hair loss treatment for women and is proven in multiple clinical studies to be very safe and effective.

What are the best products that will keep your hair dense and healthy in your 40s and 50s?

• A shampoo specially formulated for people with hair loss
• Scalp treatment serum
• Minoxidil
• Hair care oral supplements (vitamins, minerals and DHT blockers)
• Collagen peptides

Slowing hair graying

For most Caucasians, graying begins in their mid-30s. People of Asian descent will usually see initial hair graying in their late 30s and people of African descent in their mid-40s. It is believed that one plant, Fo-ti, can help slow hair graying. Check this link for more info.

Summary:

The 10 best tips to keep your hair healthy and shiny

1. Be gentle when brushing and styling.
2. Style your hair with a wide-toothed comb instead of a hairbrush.
3. Be gentle when you detangle your hair. Do not pull on your strands.
4. Avoid tight buns and ponytails - they damage your hair follicles.
5. Use a shampoo without harsh, hair damaging ingredients like sulfates or "bad" alcohols.
6. Avoid heat treatments like curling irons and hair straighteners.
7. Use shampoos that are formulated to help with hair growth.
8. Most women need to wash their hair every 2 - 3 days. Washing the hair every day will make your scalp and hair drier. Washing every week will cause oil, dead skin cells, and products to accumulate on your scalp.
9. Coat your hair with thick conditioner cream before you go for a swim.
10. Avoid harsh "frizzy hair" chemicals.

Find the most effective hair growth products for you by taking the free hair assessment.