Dr Abdulaziz Balwi, a hair specialist based at Elithair, said: “Hair typically reaches its peak condition around the age of 30. After this period, gradual changes occur, including reductions in hair diameter, density, and pigmentation.”
Hair reduces in diameter post your 40s, which also means the hair is more likely to break more easily. “These age-related changes can be further exacerbated by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors,” Dr Balwi added. Intrinsic factors in includes hormonal changes, metabolic function, and genetics.
External factors include stress levels, UV exposure, smoking and chemical treatments, such as hair dye, straightening and perms.
“It is important to remember that hair ageing is highly variable from person to person,” said Dr Bawli.
This will depend on “ethnicity, lifestyle, genetic predisposition and graphical location”.
These factors will impact the hair diameter, density, colour, strength and texture.
Dr Bawli advised: “Strategic hairstyle management can significantly improve the perception of volume and body, effectively ‘rewinding’ the visible signs of ageing.”
By simply opting for a “layered cut” with a voluminous style, you could make yourself appear younger than you are.
More voluminous hair can be achieved by “creating an illusion of fullness” with thickening shampoos and root-lifting sprays.
Even colouring the hair a darker shade “can help camouflage greys and give the appearance of thicker hair”.
For a more drastic approach to looking younger, more invasive interventions could be considered.
Dr Bawli added: “On a clinical level, treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) have shown promising results in stimulating hair follicles and improving hair density.”
While a more costly option, if you don’t want to have a clinical treatment, you will need to work with what you have.
Dr Bawli concluded: “Ultimately, while age-related changes in hair are inevitable, a combination of hairstyle choices and targeted treatments can significantly improve both the appearance and health of hair over time.”
