Why is my hair thinning as I get older?

As we get older, many of us are occupied with big life and health changes, so more subtle shifts, like the density of our hair, can be easily missed until a large chunk disappears.

We spoke to Ruth Collis, consultant trichologist and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) hair loss specialist based in West Sussex, to find out some common reasons behind hair thinning as we get older and to see if there is anything we can do to counteract this.

What are the most common reasons for age-related hair thinning?

Hormonal changes

“As we age and push past puberty, we are exposed to hormones for a longer period of time and if there’s a sensitivity to that, then it can cause thinning and miniaturisation of our hair,” explains Collis.

Many women begin to notice significant changes to their hair during pivotal hormonal and life changes, such as menopause.

“It varies on an individual basis, but it’s common common for women to notice hair loss and hair thinning around the stages of life driven by hormones, such as when they start their period, after childbirth and then during perimenopause and menopause,” says Collis.

“A lot of women find that they’ve been OK with their hair, but then suddenly when they get to perimenopause or menopause, the fluctuation in hormones can really accelerate that hair loss for them.”

Changes in cellular regeneration

“As we age, our cells just don’t replicate in the same way and we don’t heal as well as we used to, which has an impact on the quality of our hair,” says Collis.

Environmental factors

“It’s not always just genetic, there are also things that we do day-to-day, such as drinking and smoking, that make our hair health and hair thinning worse,” says Collis.”Over time, the negative effects of these things compounds.”

She highlights how certain medications, such as thyroid medication, can also impact your hair.

“There’s a correlation with medication and quality of hair,” says Collis.

“When you first initially start a lot of medications they can cause shedding and sometimes it will just even out, but there are some types that are well-known for producing less hair and finer hair as a side effect.”

Deficiencies

Some deficiencies, such as an iron deficiency, can impact your hair.

“Iron is essential for producing haemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen to the hair follicles, and the hair follicles are highly metabolic, [they require] a lot of energy and oxygen to keep them going,” says Collis.

“Therefore, if you’ve got a long-standing iron deficiency, that’s going to show up in your hair over the longer term.”

What are some of the first signs that people start to notice when their hair is thinning?

“Many women start to notice a more visible scalp or a parting that is widening, and men tend to initially notice receding, bald patches or that their crown is becoming more visible,” highlights Collis.

“People might also start to notice that their ponytail is getting thinner or slimmer or that their hair is becoming more difficult to hold into a style, because there’s not as much hair as there was there before.”

Here are some ways to keep your hair healthy and strong as you get older…

Think about your basics

“The key thing is to get your basics right,” says Collis. “If your sleep is not great and your nutrition isn’t there, that’s going to directly impact your hair because hair is a barometer for health.

“So, I always say to my patients, treat yourself like a toddler. Have you had enough food today? Have you had enough water? Have you had enough sleep?”

Focus on nutrition

“Eating a broad spectrum of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes and making sure that you are getting enough fibre and protein is really important for your hair health,” says Collis.

Spend time with people who make you feel loved

“Chronic stress can have a big impact on our hair health, so it’s important to spend time with people who will make you feel cared for and loved because oxytocin is really good at negating stress,” says Collis.

Get outdoors

“A lot of people are vitamin D deficient, especially in the UK, and vitamin D is really important for hair,” says Collis. “It plays an important role in reducing inflammation, kickstarting the circadian rhythm and combatting rising cortisol levels from stress.”

Keep your scalp environment clean

“If you want a good environment for your hair to grow, make sure that your scalp is really nice and clean,” recommends Collis.

Protect your scalp from the sun

“If your hair is thinning, make sure you’re protecting your scalp in hot weather because it’s the highest point of your head and gets burnt easily,” says Collis.”Wear a hat or try to avoid the midday sun.”

Seek professional advice

“If there is a drastic change to your scalp environment or your hair, then get it investigated by a professional,” advises Collis.