How Women Over 50 Combat Dry Brittle Hair | Hair Biology (2024)

By Victoria Beeber

When we get older, our body starts to experience many changes — and our hair is no exception. As our hormones change naturally, our hair begins to grow differently than we’re used to. The first sign? Dry, thinning hair.

There are steps that you can take to offset the natural changes happening in your body. To keep your hair looking beautiful as you age, it needs special attention and the right products.

Why does hair get dry as we age?

How Women Over 50 Combat Dry Brittle Hair | Hair Biology (1)

As we get older, our hair texture changes dramatically. Hair will slowly become drier, coarser, and thinner over the years. The truth is that as we grow older, the oils that our scalp relies on for nourishment decrease, resulting in drier, frizzier hair. Along with a change in oil production, our body stops creating melanocytes, the substance that colors our hair. This reduction in pigment also changes the structure of our hair, giving it that distinctive brittle feel.

While it can be disappointing to see your hair texture change, there are ways to strengthen and repair your hair to keep rocking your favorite look

5 Tips to combat dry or brittle hair

How Women Over 50 Combat Dry Brittle Hair | Hair Biology (2)

1

Add Moisture to Replenish Natural Oils

As you age, it is more important than ever to add moisturizing products to your hair care routine. Incorporate a hydrating shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for your changing hair, followed by a serum or oil created for extra moisture. With the right products, your hair will remain as soft and smooth as silk.

2

Reduce Heat Products

Constantly using high-heat tools on your hair can create extra damage. Instead, try natural styles that don’t require heat like simple up-dos and ponytails. If you must use your straightening iron, make sure that you’re using a heat protectant to shield your strands from the damaging heat.

3

Add Some Shine

How Women Over 50 Combat Dry Brittle Hair | Hair Biology (3)

On top of using quality shampoo and conditioner, we recommend incorporating an oil-based serum into your routine. Our Argan Oil Taming Serum nourishes and softens dry, frizzy hair throughout the day.

A few sprays of serum will go a long way to wrangle wayward greys, frizzies, and flyaways while smoothing ends. Try it for yourself.

4

Get Regular Cuts

Last but not least, make sure that you’re getting your hair cut regularly. Keeping your hair trimmed will help remove split ends and damaged strands. This will keep your hair looking healthy and maintained in the long term.

5

Look at Your Diet

While you can’t stop your hair from aging, you can help by eating a nourishing diet. The key is to include a wide variety of foods throughout the day. Make sure that you are getting plentiful amounts of protein, fats, and carbs. Along with these important macros, ensure that you’re adding nutritious foods like spinach, berries, avocados, and eggs into your meals. These dense foods are loaded with nutrients your body (and hair) love.

How Women Over 50 Combat Dry Brittle Hair | Hair Biology (2024)

FAQs

How Women Over 50 Combat Dry Brittle Hair | Hair Biology? ›

Hydrating Treatments for Dry Hair

One of the most common issues with aging hair is dryness. To combat this, look for deep conditioning treatments that are rich in hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and oils such as argan or coconut.

How do you treat aging brittle hair? ›

Hydrating Treatments for Dry Hair

One of the most common issues with aging hair is dryness. To combat this, look for deep conditioning treatments that are rich in hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and oils such as argan or coconut.

How to fix dry brittle ends of hair? ›

Whether you have moisture-seeking curls or bleached-out hair, start with our top tips on how to treat dry hair.
  1. Cut Back on the Use of Heat. ...
  2. Use Moisture-locking Oils. ...
  3. Apply a Hair Mask Twice a Week. ...
  4. Get a Haircut or Trim. ...
  5. Use Moisturizing Ingredients in the Shower. ...
  6. Wash Less Frequently. ...
  7. Let Your Natural Color Shine.

How to make aging hair soft? ›

10 Anti-Aging Hair Care Tips
  1. See Your Doctor.
  2. Get the Right Cut.
  3. Delve Into Your Diet.
  4. When in Doubt, Moisturize.
  5. Hair Texture And Density.
  6. Brush With Greatness.
  7. Check the Label of Your Lather.
  8. Keep Your Cool.
Oct 26, 2022

How can I thicken my dry brittle hair? ›

How to Get Thicker Hair: Water Temperature. Another tip: washing your hair with steaming hot water will also leave it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. To grow thicker hair, wash your hair with lukewarm water, which will help your hair to maintain its moisture content naturally.

How can I bring my brittle hair back to life? ›

Keep reading to discover the 10 best tips and tricks for giving your dull and brittle hair a breath of fresh air.
  1. Get a New Hair Brush. ...
  2. Make a Deep Hair Cleanse. ...
  3. Get a Trim. ...
  4. Get a Deep Conditioning Treatment. ...
  5. Eat The Right Foods. ...
  6. Hydrate. ...
  7. Stay Away From Hot Tools. ...
  8. Don't Dye Your Hair (For a While)

Can dry brittle hair be restored? ›

Unfortunately, it is not possible to “repair” damaged hair as it is not a living tissue, so it can't heal itself. However, you can certainly help ease the signs of dryness and prevent further damage or breakage.

Why has my hair become so dry and brittle? ›

You may develop brittle hair due to environmental conditions like dryness or heat, your styling method, and some medical conditions, including thyroid issues. Dry hair develops when your hair doesn't get or retain enough moisture. This reduces its sheen and can make it appear frizzy and dull.

How do you restore dry brittle natural hair? ›

This article outlines eight different home remedies to try and some possible causes of dry hair.
  1. Limit heat styling. ...
  2. Wash hair less often. ...
  3. Use products to suit the hair type. ...
  4. Protect the hair while swimming. ...
  5. Use a silk wrap, pillowcase, or bonnet while sleeping. ...
  6. Find the right stylist. ...
  7. Protect the hair from the sun.
Jun 6, 2024

How to thicken hair after 50? ›

10 Ways to Get Thicker, Healthier-Looking Hair Over 50
  1. Get the right style. ...
  2. Pay attention to your scalp. ...
  3. Use a strengthening shampoo. ...
  4. Use a leave-in conditioner … ...
  5. Get a volume boost with color. ...
  6. Find gentle styling tools. ...
  7. Trim your ends. ...
  8. Use the right styling product.
Aug 19, 2021

What is the best conditioner for dry hair during menopause? ›

Our gentle Pantene Hair Biology Revitalize & Soothe conditioner is specifically designed for menopause. It revitalizes your dry hair, gives it a boost of moisture and shine, while keeping hair's volume. Discover Pantene Pro-V Hair Biology with a new tailored made collection for your hair's biology needs at every age.

What can I put in my hair to make it really soft? ›

Oil your hair regularly. If you have dry hair, do not wash your hair without oiling your hair for at least 1 hour before shampooing. You can make use of any hair-healthy oil, such as coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, or argan oil. Massaging the scalp with oil is especially good for a dry scalp.

Why is my hair so dry after 50? ›

“The hair's cuticle layer holds in your hair's lipids that help prevent water loss,” explains Thomas. That's compounded by the fact that, as we age, our hair cuticle becomes less resilient after damage. Less protection equals more dehydration.

Does drinking water help dry brittle hair? ›

Drinking adequate water keeps strands strong and the scalp moisturised, providing hair the nutrients it requires. Simple measures like sipping water during the day, eating hydrating nourishment, and utilising moisturising hair products assist in keeping hair healthy.

How to hydrate hair overnight? ›

Overnight hair mask for dry, frizzy hair

For hair that's dry and prone to frizz, you'll want a mask that's deeply hydrating and restorative. If you want to add moisture to your hair, banana and honey are two ingredients that work well in an overnight hair mask.

Can brittle hair be restored? ›

“You can improve the quality of hair after slight chemical damage using bond-building products that will rebuild the amino acid bonds that make up the keratin in hair, however, you cannot restore split ends or breakage in severely damaged hair,” details Caspara.

How can I make my brittle hair stronger? ›

Change Your Haircare Routine
  1. Wash your hair less frequently.
  2. Don't dye or bleach your hair and avoid chemical straightening products.
  3. Gently towel dry your hair instead of using a blow dryer.
  4. Don't use hot curling or straightening irons.
  5. Concentrate shampoo on your scalp, not the entire length of your hair.

How to make old hair look younger? ›

12 Ways to Get Younger Looking Hair
  1. Go easy on wet hair. ...
  2. Keep things cool…. ...
  3. Protect your hair from the sun. ...
  4. Go au natural. ...
  5. Find the Perfect Cut and Opt for Additional Volume. ...
  6. Take your vitamins. ...
  7. Monitor your diet. ...
  8. Consider highlighting instead of all over color.
Jan 20, 2024

Does your hair get brittle as you age? ›

Not only does the hair growth slow with age, but the follicles also get finer and thinner, making hair more prone to breakage. The loss of melanin in hair follicles as we age is also combined with a loss of protein, making the hair that much more fragile.

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