Happy Hump Day!
Hello gorgeous, it is Hump Day and time to answer questions! Does your dry, brittle, aging hair have you searching for the fountain of hair youth in a bottle? It does for a friend of mine. Therefore, today’s Wednesday Q&A with Ask the Pro Stylist will address aging hair concerns and provide beauty tips to combat the hairy signs of maturing.
What Does Aging Hair Look Like?
As the body ages, so do the skin and hair, but there is help to fight the aging process and have youthful, healthy, shiny, voluminous hair. The hair responds to aging the same way the skin does; it loses pigmentation (grays), gets wrinkled (wiry), and becomes dry and brittle. The hair is the accessory most often noticed and can be a huge determinant of age if not cared for properly.
A Note on Gray Hair
While gray hair is a fabulous trend, I will always be of the mindset that gray hair ages the face. Why? Because it lacks pigment, and the older we become, the skin starts to lose pigment, thereby creating a sallow effect. But, to each his own. Do what you want to do!
Menopause and its Effect on Hair
During menopause, we lose estrogen, the hair-friendly hormone. As a result, normal daily hair loss increases. In addition, a loss of estrogen means a decrease in the hair’s volume and a lack of luster. Finally, the hair becomes dryer and more brittle causing breakage. So, what can we do for younger-looking hair?
Healthy Younger-Looking Hair Starts from Within
You are what you eat is not is not merely a phrase, but a fact. White foods age us inside and out; meaning sugars and processed foods take longer to digest and provide no nutritional benefit. Drinking water lubricates the skin, which in turn affects the scalp and creates healthy hair follicles. Traces of collagen are found in the hair, but an increase in its intake also strengthens hair follicles, leading to stronger hair. Supplement with biotin, probiotics for a clean gut, and collagen for healthy hair growth and more volume. A nutritious diet of healthy fats such as avocado, lean protein, eggs, and tomato, among other vitamin-rich foods lends to healthy, shiny hair.
Go Lighter
Going one shade lighter than your natural hair color not only gives a youthful appearance, but it brightens your skin, and the grays aren’t as noticeable against a lighter shade. Or, if you forget what your natural hair looks like, find a picture of yourself as a toddler and aim for that color, which will be slightly lighter than your young adult/teen hair color.
Get Healthy Trims
While some are of the thought that long hair ages the face, I, however, am not. Hair without a shape that is too long could drag the face down, accentuating saggy jowls, but there is nothing written that says when you reach 50 you need to chop the mane. Instead, maintaining the hair with healthy trims every 6-8 weeks keeps the ends from splitting and avoids breakage. My suggestion is to find a flattering style that you love.
Condition, Condition, Condition
And use the correct styling and hair care products for your texture and curl pattern. Currently, when lying on the beach or when in need of a deep condition, I love Kenra Nourishing Hair Masque. To keep my color bright and hair soft, I use Redken shampoo and conditioner for blondes and flip flop between Frizz Dismiss and All-Soft. To style my hair straight, I live for Bumble and bumble Bond-Building Repair Styling Cream for a sleek look that holds without hairspray. To finish, I dab a drop of designline Silk Drops Repair & Shine serum for intense luster.
Don’t Try This at Home
Regardless of where my current career journey finds me, I am always a licensed cosmetologist. As such, I am not an advocate of DIY haircuts and at-home hair color, or hair color that is sold to non-professionals (newsflash – it is not professional). Therefore, please do not email or find me on social media asking me how to do anything. I will only guide and teach a pro.
That being said, for optimal results seek the advice of a haircare professional who will provide outstanding, trained service and recommend the best haircare for you! Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging your hair. In addition, I guarantee you will end up in the salon for corrections, which is costly.
Happy Styling!
Hopefully, this Wednesday’s Q&A gave you a few ideas for younger-looking hair such as healthy eating, great products, and an understanding of aging hair. If you have a product for review or a question like today’s beauty tips for youthful hair, please email me at asktheprostylist@gmail.com. Until then, happy styling!
©Deirdre Haggerty, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is unlawful to reproduce this article or any part therein without prior written permission and consent from the author.
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A writer, author, NY & NJ State licensed cosmetologist, store and salon manager, beauty educator and executive school director, Deirdre Haggerty has been actively involved in the hair and beauty industry in New York & New Jersey for over 30 years.
Now get online help to pass your licensing exams in any of the states throught the country. Send Deirdre an email for more information regarding an online tutoring sesssion for the written and practical exams at asktheprostylist@gmail.com.
