There’s no denying that ageing is a privilege, however, if left unchecked, the impact it has on the health of your hair can be profound. From hair loss and thinning to dryness and changes in texture - there’s plenty to contend with as the years roll by.
Thankfully, there are some lifestyle tweaks, product picks and hair care practices you can employ to slow down the rate at which your tresses age. Here we ask Ricardo Vila Nova to break down the science of hair ageing, debunk some myths, and explore the best treatments and lifestyle practices to help slow down the process and keep your hair looking its best.
Hair ageing explained
Many of the bodies functions slow as we age, making cell replication and repair more challenging. But why does this happen exactly? Ricardo Vila Nova explains that numerous factors are at play when it comes to ageing. “When it comes to how your hair will age, your genes play a major role. If your parents or grandparents experienced noticeable changes like early greying or thinning, it’s likely that you will too. The fluctuation of hormonal levels in men but particularly in women during menopause play a part in what your hair will look like too. For women the reduction in oestrogen and progesterone can impact hair growth and texture. Then, there’s the reduction in blood circulation to contend with. As we get older, blood flow to the scalp decreases, which means hair follicles receive less oxygen and nutrients. This slowdown can lead to weaker hair and slower regrowth. And finally environmental and lifestyle factors like sun exposure, pollution, stress, poor diet, heat styling and laxed hair care practices can all contribute to premature hair ageing.”
One of the most obvious signs of hair ageing is the appearance of grey hairs. This happens when the cells responsible for producing pigment in the hair follicles begin to slow down or stop producing melanin. As a result, hair grows without any colour, leading to grey strands. “This process is largely genetic, but environmental factors like stress and smoking can accelerate it,” explains Vila Nova.
One not so obvious sign of hair ageing is a shorter hair growth phase. Even before any grey hairs rear their heads, you may find it impossible to grow your strands longer than a certain length or the length of time it takes to grow each inch of hair has noticeably increased. “Many people put this issue down to styling practices and assume their hair is breaking off, and that’s why it doesn’t seem to grow past a certain point. But, if your hair isn’t overly dry, or brittle and has very few split ends than it’s more likely that hair ageing is the culprit,” says Vila Nova.
Hair also tends to lose volume with women noticing thinning around the crown or temples, while men typically experience a receding hairline or bald spots on the scalp. “Tresses also become drier, brittle, less elastic, and lacklustre in appearance as the scalps production of sebum decreases. And hair can also split and break more easily as the natural keratin in our hair strands weakens due to genetics, heat styling and environmental aggressors,” shares Vila Nova.
And it’s worth noting that the signs of hair ageing can appear at an early age, with many people experiencing slow growth, shedding, greying and thinning from around the age of 30 onwards.
Now that we understand why hair ages, let’s explore ways to slow down the process and promote healthier, more youthful-looking hair.
Key actives
Biotin is a B-vitamin that promotes hair strength and growth, while keratin helps to rebuild the protein structure of ageing hair. Peptides also work wonders at supporting hair follicles and encourage growth by stimulating collagen production and improving scalp health. “Look for shampoos and conditioners that contain these ingredients to improve hair texture and resilience,” advises Vila Nova. He’s also a big fan of growth factors, which stimulate growth as well aiding in healing and regeneration. Found in platelet rich plasma (PRP), as well as in exosomes – it’s no surprise that these two treatments are two of Ricardo’s most favourite growth boosters. “They have both heralded significant increases in hair growth for those with various forms of alopecia, and also make for the perfect preventative treatment to support your natural hair growth cycle and the health of your hair and scalp overall,” shares Vila Nova.
Scalp care
Just as you would care for your skin, you need to take care of your scalp. “Cleansing your scalp regularly with the right type of shampoo is incredibly important, because when oil, dirt, and styling products build up, they can clog hair follicles and prevent your hair from getting the nutrients it needs to thrive. Over time this can lead to premature ageing that leaves your tresses dry, brittle and prone to breakage,” shares Vila Nova.
Scalp massage is also incredibly helpful to get more oxygen and nutrients to your follicles as it encourages the dilation of blood vessels allowing for an increase in blood circulation. “Studies have shown that just 4 minutes of daily scalp massage yields impressive results, which is why all treatments at 212.2 Ricardo Vila Nova Hair Doctors, start with a relaxing and circulation boosting head massage,” adds Vila Nova.
Diet and Supplements
A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats can support hair health. Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, and vitamins A, C, and E, are essential for maintaining hair’s strength and shine. Protein is also key, as “95 per cent of our hair is composed of the protein keratin, which is made up of amino acids broken down by the body from the protein you consume. So, if you don’t eat enough of the stuff, you can’t grow healthy hair,” explains Vila Nova.
However, it’s not uncommon for people to not have enough vitamin D, iron, and B vitamins. Luckily At 212.2 Ricardo Vila Nova Hair Doctors, you can get vitamins mainlined to your follicles thanks to their innovative Growth Accelerator Treatment, where a peptide and vitamin cocktail is injected or microneedled into the scalp to regenerate the follicles and support the hair growth cycle – to slowdown hair loss and scalp ageing.
Hair ageing is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to stave it off for as long as possible. To find out how best to implement slow-ageing haircare that’s personalised to your unique needs book a consultation here.
