Yes, your hair is changing

With age comes many bodily changes and hair can be one of them. Dr. Oyetewa Asempa, assistant professor of dermatology and director of the Skin of Color Clinic at Baylor Medicine, shares some of the common ways hair changes manifest throughout our lives.

“Our hair changes as we age due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These changes are part of the natural aging process of the body,” Asempa said.

Some common changes as we age include:

• Graying: Hair loses color due to a decrease in pigment production by hair follicles.
• Texture: Hair may become coarse or wiry.
• Thinning: Individual hair strands become finer, and the density of hair may decrease as some follicles stop producing hair altogether.
• Dryness and brittleness: The scalp produces less sebum (oil) with age, leading to drier hair.
• Slower growth: Hair growth rate decreases as follicles spend more time in the resting phase (telogen) of the hair growth cycle.
• Hair loss: Some individuals experience androgenetic alopecia or other forms of hair loss as they age.

Men and women experience hair loss, although in slightly different ways. Men are more likely to experience androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) starting at the temples and the crown. This often leads to complete loss of hair in certain areas of the scalp. Women usually experience diffuse thinning or widening of the part, often starting during menopause, but it can start much earlier. Women are less likely to become completely bald on the scalp but are more likely to notice changes in hair texture and increased brittleness due to hormonal fluctuations.

Asempa explains the role of genetic and environmental factors and offers up some best-practices to protect your hair.

“Genetics play a large role in the timing of hair graying, hair thinning or hair loss. Hormonal changes, such as reduced levels of estrogen in women or increased sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in men, also influence hair changes,” explains Asempa. “Many external factors like sun exposure, pollution, chemical treatments, heat styling tools and traumatic hairstyles can weaken the hair shaft over time. Nutritional deficiencies and certain medical conditions may also accelerate or worsen age-related changes.”

While aging-related changes cannot be entirely prevented, certain practices can help slow the process or minimize damage:

• Gentle hair care: Avoid traumatic styling, chemical treatments and excessive heat.
• Diet: Ensure adequate intake of protein, iron, zinc, biotin and vitamins like A, D and E.
• Take care of your scalp: Use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners and consider scalp treatments with exfoliants like glycolic acid or salicylic acid if you have a scaly scalp to maintain a healthy environment for hair growth.
• See a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. There are so many treatments they can do. Medications like minoxidil or finasteride, platelet-rich plasma therapy or hair transplants may be options.
• Protect against the sun: Protect your hair and scalp from the sun with hats or UV-blocking sprays.

Hair changes are typical with age but also can be signs of underlying health conditions. Sudden hair loss can indicate a thyroid disorder, nutritional deficiency, a medication side effect or an autoimmune condition like alopecia areata. Brittle hair may point to iron deficiency, hypothyroidism or other nutritional deficiencies. Hair shedding in clumps could be a sign of telogen effluvium, often triggered by emotional stress, surgery, illness or hormonal imbalances.

“If something feels off with your hair, it’s worth checking in with a dermatologist. Hair is often a reflection of your overall health, so catching underlying issues early can help,” Asempa said. “While some changes are just part of aging, it’s also about embracing the process and keeping your hair as healthy as possible along the way. The longer you have hair loss, the less likely you’ll be able to see improvement with your treatments. Try to come as soon as possible for the best chance of improvement.”

By Aaron Nieto