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SENIOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS

SENIOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS

 

There’s an amazing, off-beat, artsy movie by Josh Radnor (Ted from How I Met Your Mother) that delves into the dilemma of aging. In it, there’s a quote by Richard Jenkins that really hits hard. It goes, “Since I was 19, I have never felt not 19. But I shave my face, and I look in the mirror, and I’m forced to say, ‘This is not a 19-year-old staring back at me.’”

It hits true for all of us who cross the threshold of our forties and fifties, and especially when we look in the mirror and see that it’s not a 19-year-old staring back at us, but someone with signs of age on their face. Thinning, silvering hair, wrinkles, crow’s feet, the loss of definition—these are all quite telltale signs of our aging process, and quite common and inevitable markers of the fact that we’re growing old.

But not all of it is necessarily a bad thing. The jarring realization of our aging aside, there’s some bit of comfort to be had in the knowledge that all the uncertain, hard, and hustling period of our life is behind us, and that we can comfortably throw our feet up and relax our golden years.

And granted, our facial features have a way of tethering us to our identities, including our hair. But while aging is inevitable, hair thinning does not have to be. 

Let’s explore the causes, reasons, and the solutions to addressing hair thinning effectively, and in coming blog articles, we’ll talk about other signs of aging and how to tackle them as well.

What Causes Hair Thinning in Seniors?

Some of it is just part and parcel of aging gracefully, but there are other reasons behind it too.

Hormonal Shifts

As we age, the hormones in our bodies tend to throw a couple of curveballs. Menopause in women and testosteronal shifts in men are two quite major reasons why our bodies undergo a lot of the changes in seniority. There’s another hormone called DHT which shrinks hair follicles, making it harder for them to support healthy hair growth.

Gaps in Nutrition

We’ve all heard the good old phrase “You are what you eat” and while we do attribute it to our body health, we rarely think about its connection to our hair. Deficiencies in nutrients like zinc, iron, and biotin can weaken our hair from the root.

Health Conditions

The root cause of our hair thinning, sometimes, is what’s happening inside your body. Health conditions such as thyroid imbalance, autoimmune disorders, and stress-induced conditions such as alopecia can accelerate hair loss too. The side effect of medication for high blood pressure, arthritis, and cancer also contribute to hair loss and thinning.

The Culprits to Avoid

Sometimes, our long-standing habits might be contributing to hair thinning and hair loss. Heat and chemicals can make our hair look great temporarily, sure, but in the long-term can fry the strands.

Tight hairstyles like braids, ponytails, and buns might unintentionally cause a condition called traction alopecia.

Sulfates and Alcohol in products can strip your scalp of natural oils, leaving hair brittle.

Ignoring scalp health hinders your hair’s ability to grow fully and thickly. Your scalp is akin to the soil for your hair. If it’s unclogged with product buildup or lacks moisture, it will be difficult for your hair to grow strong and full.

Steps To Boost Hair Health

The good news is that you can slow and even reverse hair thinning by:

Nourish from within

It starts with what you put in your body: foods rich in omega-3s, iron, and biotin are going to be your best allies. Foods that include the aforementioned nutrients are spinach, lentils, salmon, eggs, and nuts.

And, of course, stay hydrated. Dry hair is brittle hair.

Invest in scalp care

A healthy scalp is the bedrock of amazing hair. Exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation. Scalp massages can work wonders—besides feeling mind blowing—especially when paired with a natural oil such as jojoba oil.

Switch to gentler products

Look for shampoos and conditioners that have natural, hair-friendly ingredients including niacin, keratin, and biotin. Ditch the ones that contain sulfates and alcohols, as they make things worse.

Do give topical treatments a try

Over-the-counter products such as minoxidil have shown great promise in reactivating dormant hair follicles. Use them as directed and observe the results gradually.

A professional knows best

If hair thinning still persists, don’t hesitate to see a dermatologist, because they’ll be able to diagnose any underlying conditions and recommend advanced treatments such as platelet-rich plasma therapy, where your own blood is used to rejuvenate follicles.

Adjust your lifestyle

Simple lifestyle adjustments such as getting your regular 7-8 hours of quality sleep, smoking cessation, and stress management via yoga and meditation can really help boost the quality of your hair and prevent it from thinning.

Let’s Give Our Hair the Care It Deserves

Hair thinning does not have to define how you feel about yourself. If you’re ready to take the first step, let’s consider adding a natural, nourishing solution to your routine. Jojoba oil is one of the most effective ways to rejuvenate thinning hair.

Its ability to hydrate, strengthen, and protect makes it an excellent remedy for anyone looking to improve their hair health. Moreover, it is moisturizing, antibacterial, antioxidant, and an overall very gentle product that can do wonders for your hair and scalp health.

Click here to get your premium jojoba oil and bring vibrance back to your hair.

You deserve to feel confident in your reflection again. Don’t let hair thinning hold you back; embrace the changes with care, and rediscover the joy of healthy and lush hair!

7 Responses

  1. Hi Alison – I have been very fortunate that I have been blessed with a good head of hair. Now, with that said, I have noticed that it has started to thin a little and it certainly gotten gray…borderline white. I really appreciate the nutritional advice especially coming from you with your advanced education and knowledge in these matters. As I age, I am noticing things change about me and your advice in these blogs is extremely beneficial for me as I’ve noticed it’s not talked a lot about at least in the circles that I hang out in every day. Thank you for your expertise and your professional advice! Have a great week!

  2. I am also fortunate as Ernie mentioned to have a head of hair that even my hairdresser comments on. I take collagen- I think that helps. I shampoo my hair about once a week. I think that helps and of course I’m almost 74 and I seem to be getting healthier the more I take care of myself. I work on my mindset all the time I think that helps. All in all, we create our own reality by deliberately plucking out thoughts that are limiting.

  3. Mentally, I’m still 19, but the mirror likes to tell a different story. I love how you shifted from that hard truth about aging to focusing on the silver linings—no pun intended with all the talk about gray hairs! I have been blessed with very thick hair. I’m not a fan now, but I’ve been told I will be very thankful in the future. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I’ll have a look into jojoba oil.

  4. Hi Alison,
    Aging is something we all face, it happens to the best of us… I just turned fifty this past Sep. and age has started catching up with me. It’s refreshing to see it approached with both realism and positivity. I appreciate the advice and easy-to-follow steps to care for thinning hair, which I have been experiencing. It’s a great reminder that slight changes in habits and products can make a big difference. Thank you for sharing these tips and for promoting self-care in such a kind and relatable way!
    Meredith

  5. Alison, Aging brings its challenges, but I feel very lucky and blessed to have inherited thick hair from both my parents, which has stayed with me even as I grow older. Your points about the importance of scalp care and proper nutrition are insightful, as I’ve started paying more attention to how my diet and hydration affect my overall health. I also appreciate the practical advice on avoiding harmful habits. The idea of nurturing hair from within and incorporating simple lifestyle changes like stress management and better sleep is something I’m actively working on. Your reminder to embrace these changes with care and patience truly encourages me to take better steps for self-care. Atif

    1. Hi Atif,

      It’s wonderful to hear that you’ve been blessed with thick hair, and it’s so great that you’re already paying attention to how diet, hydration, and overall self-care affect your health. Nurturing hair from within really starts with those small lifestyle changes—like managing stress and getting better sleep—which I can tell you’re already embracing. It’s all about balance and patience, and it’s encouraging to see you take such a mindful approach to self-care. Keep it up, and remember that consistency is key—it’s the little things that make the biggest difference over time!

      Wishing you all the best,
      Alison

  6. Hey, Alison!
    Thank you so much for sharing this post! My hair is thinning, so I’m going to take your advice to heart. Jojoba oil… Do you add it in as a leave-in serum or as a conditioner you wash out? Or do you use it directly on the scalp? So curious! Thank you for these tips!
    Nakina

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