Whether you are a celebrity, a career woman, or a mom who has just reached middle age, you are fully aware of how the hair you wear influences your entire look. It is, in fact, the ultimate crown of many women.
Maintaining healthy and beautiful hair is a sign of youth and vitality. The problem is that once you age, your hair is one of those things that may have noticeable changes. You will notice its natural color slowly diminishing. Your hair may also start losing its shine and quality. Some women even notice their hair becoming thinner.
Fortunately, there are ways for you to improve your hair’s quality. Here are just some of the most effective hair and scalp care tips that work effectively for middle-aged women:
#1 – Give your scalp some TLC
Remember that your hair grows from your scalp. With that in mind, it is safe to say that a healthy scalp can help you grow healthy and beautiful hair. The problem is that you may have a hard time detecting scalp health issues unless you directly feel discomfort. In that case, you should consult your hairdresser and ask about your scalp’s current health and condition. That way, you will know right away if you need to start using a high-quality scalp serum to give the area the care needed.
You should also learn about some signs that your scalp is already unhealthy, like the following:
- Dryness
- Itchiness
- Flaky dry skin (dandruff)
- Uncontrollable frizz
- Brittle and dry hair
- Hair loss or thinning
- A scalp that is visible through your hair
If you experience a couple of these issues, then maybe your scalp’s health is in trouble. You may start changing your routines to save your scalp and eventually your hair from experiencing more damage. If possible, consult a hair and scalp expert to figure out the most appropriate way to care for your scalp and reverse its damage.
You should also start integrating the following into your daily routines as they can help save your scalp from further harm:
- Treat dandruff and dry scalp accordingly – Note that the two conditions are different. While the two may cause your scalp to get itchy, they have different causes. In most cases, yeast infection and an oily scalp could trigger dandruff. Dry scalp, on the other hand, occurs when the overall moisture level of your body changes.
The two also have different treatment approaches – a medicated shampoo for dandruff and rehydration for dry scalp. Make sure to pick the right approach for the specific condition you are dealing with. To find the best medicated shampoo for you, you could always look to a product comparison website to help.
- Massage your scalp every now and then – Another way to give your scalp the care it needs is to massage it from time to time. Scalp massages are beneficial as they stimulate proper blood flow. A good scalp massage can also exfoliate the area. It would be best to do the massage after you put on some conditioner to maximize its effects.
- Avoid tight hairstyles – Give your scalp tender loving care by ensuring that it does not get stressed out with tight hairstyles. You can still wear such hairstyles but only do so occasionally.
- Do not overexpose visible scalp to the sun – Ensure that any visible scalp, like the part line, is not overly exposed to the sun. You can protect it from excessive sun exposure with the help of sunscreen. Just apply this product to your scalp using a cotton bud. You may also want to wear a hat or put on a chemical-free scalp concealer.
Aside from these simple tips, you may also want to undergo blood tests regularly. This will give you an idea about the specific vitamins and minerals that you are currently lacking. It also helps detect if there are a vitamin and mineral deficiency that is negatively hampering your scalp’s health and hair growth. With that information, you can act accordingly and correct the deficit.
#2 – Stick to a diet plan that stimulates hair growth
In that case, it would definitely help you to increase your intake of protein and iron – two of the most essential nutrients for healthy hair. Also, keep in mind that restricting your diet too much may lead to hair loss and thinning.
If possible, take a blood test to determine if you are deficient in not only iron and protein but also Vitamin D and other essential minerals. Such deficiency may be what is causing your hair to lose its quality, shine, and thickness.
Middle-aged women, like you, who want to improve the quality of their hair can also greatly benefit from a diet plan rich in complete protein. Keep in mind that protein makes up the bulk of your hair follicles, which is the reason why a lack of it can lead to hair loss.
To avoid protein deficiency, it helps to take some low-fat red meat at least twice every week. It can help up your protein intake. Also, remember that aging may also cause your thyroid to slow down, causing you to experience tiredness. You may think that it is just normal because of aging but it could also be because of mild iron storage anemia. You can deal with that shortage by starting to consume low-fat red meat regularly, though you still have to do it in proper portions.
Aside from upping your protein intake, your hair and scalp will also greatly benefit from taking in the following nutrient-rich foods:
- Green leafy vegetables, including spinach – These veggies are rich in nutrients, like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, and folate that can all stimulate healthy hair growth.
- Fatty fish, such as salmon – Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, this food can also promote the growth of your hair.
- Eggs – Eggs have high biotin content. This is helpful in increasing your supply of hair protein.
- Berries, like raspberries and strawberries – These fruits have high antioxidant and Vitamin C content – both of which are good for your hair. You can expect your body to use this vitamin in stimulating the production of collagen, which is a hair protein that can build the strength of each strand. Aside from promoting healthy hair, Vitamin C can also strengthen your immune system.
- Avocado – Rich in Omega-3 and Vitamin E, avocados can also improve the health of your hair.
In addition to making some changes in your diet, you can also benefit from taking a multivitamin. Take it once daily to replenish those nutrients that you can’t possibly fulfill with the foods you take in.
#3 – Keep your hair protected from heat
Remember that both natural and artificial heat can damage your hair. It can cause dryness and brittleness, making each strand more prone to breakage. During the cold, winter season, you may be tempted to take a boiling hot shower and use your hairdryer more often than usual but avoid it as much as possible.
You may still go through such usual winter habits, but try to keep it at a minimum or avoid exposing your hair to heat as much as possible. If you can’t still avoid that, then make sure to moisturize and nourish your scalp and hair afterward.
You can also protect both your hair and scalp from excessive heat with these simple tips:
- Do not set your hot shower at an incredibly high setting – It should just be warm enough to make you feel comfortable during your shower but not too hot that it will end up damaging your hair.
- Put on a heat-protective spray – Do this every time you have to use a hair straightener, curling wand, blow dryer, or any other device that exposes your hair to artificial heat.
- Keep your blow dryer at the right distance – It should be around 20 centimeters away, at the very least, from your head.
- Invest in a diffuser for your blow dryer – This diffuser will prevent you from targeting concentrated heat on just one spot excessively.
- Use a hat whenever you need to go outdoors – Protect your hair by wearing a hat when you need to go under the sun. This tip is even more vital if your hair is the curly or fine type as it is more prone to getting damaged by the sun.
Mentioned are just simple tips but they are extremely helpful in keeping your hair fully protected from damaging heat.
#4 – Use the right shampoo and conditioner
Using the right shampoo and conditioner is even more important for women as they age, especially because their hair and scalp get more sensitive at this time. Go for a gentle shampoo – one that does not contain a lot of abrasive detergents that may lead to hair breakage and dryness.
Avoid those products with heavy waxes and silicones, too, as they may coat your hair, preventing the strands from absorbing the moisture needed to maintain their shine and softness. The right shampoo is that which can help build the ideal scalp environment for healthy hair growth. It should have a unique formula rich in body-building polymers capable of plumping your hair shaft.
If possible, this product also needs to have botanical extracts capable of protecting your hair from the effects of photoaging and oxidative stress. Check whether the shampoo has high natural moisturizing and oil content, too. These ingredients can make your scalp and hair healthier for a longer period than synthetics and silicones.
Your hair conditioner matters a lot, too. You need to condition your hair adequately to prevent dryness. It would be best to massage this product into your scalp instead of just the ends. You also have to be guided with these tips when using your conditioner:
- Get a conditioning treatment at least once every week – It also helps to have a professional treatment at your favorite hairdresser every time you do something that may dry your hair, like perming and dyeing.
- Towel dry hair – Towel-drying in between shampooing and conditioning can benefit your hair. It can help ensure that the conditioner will be completely absorbed by your hair. Massage the conditioner gently on your scalp, too.
Putting on a conditioner right after you shampoo your hair is vital in keeping your locks and scalp healthy. It should always be a vital part of your hair care routines. It moisturizes your hair, replenishing its natural oil and shine that usually get lost when shampooing.
Maximize the effects of your conditioner by using the appropriate volumizer, too. A good volumizing product works in strengthening each hair strand. It can plump your hair strands, increasing their volume and thickness.
#5 – Get frequent trims
Another hair care tip for middle-aged women that should form part of your routine is to get frequent trims. This is just a simple and short final tip but it is truly effective in making your hair grow healthily. Remember that as you age, your hair strands also tend to become more brittle, leading to split ends.
You can ditch that problem by giving your hair a regular trim. Make it a habit to have your stylist trim your hair even if you styled it short every 6 to 8 weeks. Visit your hairstylist during that period and you will notice your hair becoming healthier than usual.
Conclusion
Aging gracefully is possible by taking care of not only your body and skin but also your hair. The good news is that there are several ways to do it, like using the right products and eating a well-balanced diet that supports hair growth.
The best tip, though, is to wear your hair using a color, cut, or style that makes you look and feel your best. By doing that, you will feel more confident about yourself and be more motivated to give your scalp and hair the care and attention they need.
