How to make old hair look healthy

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By Arar Han

More hair in the drain? Dry and frizzy hair that just won't behave?

Aging hair can be a pain. Let's talk about how to take care of it—with some Whitney Houston inspiration. You can do a lot to make your beautiful mane extend beyond that "One Moment in Time!"

"All At Once"

We all know about going gray, but hair loss is thought of as something only men have to worry about, right?

Unfortunately, that's not quite true. As your hormones change, your hair will thin. You will lose some hair, and it might even start to grow in different places—less on your head and more everywhere else! Your scalp will produce less oil, making your hair drier and more brittle, leading to the dreaded frizzies.

Don't despair, "It'll Be Okay"! There's a lot you can do to "Get it Back":

"I Didn't Know My Own Strength"

If your hair is already thinning, don't help it along by pulling it out. Be gentle when brushing and styling. Follow these three tips:

• Use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush.
• Gently work out tangles—don't try to pull them out.
• Don't pull your hair back too tight. Tight buns and ponytails cause a lot of extra stress on delicate strands. Loosen it up for healthier hair.

"I Have Nothing" (Without Moisture)

Your hair is producing less oil, making your hair dry and prone to breaking and being frizzy. The first step is to stop stripping your hair of the moisture it's got.

• Use shampoo without sulfates or alcohol and conditioner without silicones. These ingredients might give you short-term shininess, but they take out moisture.
• Avoid heat treatments like curling irons and straighteners. There are other ways to style your hair that don't involve cooking it. Embrace your natural texture!

Then you can give your hair the moisture it craves.

• Use protein-rich hair treatments.
• Stimulate growth by massaging your scalp with a nutritional oil like coconut, olive or jojoba oil.
• Try topical medication like Minoxidil to stimulate regrowth. It is rubbed onto the scalp, and some people see regrowth after 12 weeks.

"So Emotional"

Have you been stressed lately? With less stress you will not only be happier, but your hair will be healthier. Here are some easy ways to de-stress:

• Get more sleep.
• Write down your worries before bed. It will help your brain settle down and get a good night of rest.
• Exercise regularly.
• Try meditation or yoga or get a massage.
• Take some time for yourself. Take a bath, light a candle, read a book.
• Get outside. Enjoy the sun and fresh air.

"Hold On, Help Is on the Way"

Feed your hair with the right food and vitamins. Make sure you are getting enough of the following nutrients:

• Omega-3 fatty acids. You can get it from salmon, sardines, walnuts and avocados.
• Biotin, a B vitamin. Good sources include meat, walnuts, and leafy greens.
• Iron. Hair loss is a common symptom of being anemic.
• Protein. This is what your hair is made of. You can get protein from traditional sources like fish, chicken, beef and pork, or you can turn to other sources like tofu, black beans, chickpeas or dairy products.

Hair grows one centimeter a month, so it will take about six months to see the results of taking vitamins and changing your diet.

"Worth It"

The best thing you can do for your hair is to take care of yourself. That includes your diet, your emotions and your health. Aging hair can be a pain, but it is also beautiful and something to "Celebrate." Stand tall, smile and be "Unashamed." Own your aging with confidence.

Arar Han is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist and co-CEO of Alert-One, a personal safety technology firm with offices nationwide. Arar holds a dual degree in philosophy and human development from Boston College, summa cum laude, and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She hopes it'll be years before she needs to take her own aging hair advice, but she's confident these treatments and strategies will keep her locks shining for years to come.

While the telltale signs of age might be easy to pick out on our faces, that's not necessarily the case for our hair. But hair ages: Strands slowly lose the shine, thickness and melanin (AKA its natural pigment) that it had at its peak. Though a great arsenal of hair-care products certainly can do the heavy lifting in restoring and repairing your mane, there are plenty of small, easy tweaks to your daily routine that can make a big difference in your hair's health. Experts share their practical tricks to keeping your hair shiny and strong—no matter your age.

By Christa Joanna Lee

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  1

  Be Smart About Your Diet

  "Healthy hair not only relies on how you physically treat it on the outside, but it's what you put into your body that matters more. Since your hair is made of 90 percent protein, it's important to have a well-balanced diet full of fruits, veggies and proteins to aid healthy hair growth," says UK celebrity hairstylist Mark Hill.

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  Turn Down the Heat

  "Take advantage of the warmer weather and try air drying your hair instead of using blowdryers that can fry your strands. Natural texture is totally on trend and sleeping in two loose braids creates a 'styled' look the next day without relying on hot tools," says TRESemmé hairstylist Jeanie Syfu.

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  And We *Really* Mean Turn Down the Heat

  "A cold water rinse leave the hair glossy and shiny by helping seal down the hair shaft so each strand is super smooth," says celebrity hairstylist Wendy Iles.

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  Don't Follow Marcia Brady's Lead

  It turns out Brady's 100-brush-strokes mantra was a little overzealous: "If you have tangled hair, a few gentle strokes with a natural bristle or no-snag hair brush is all it takes," says Hill. "Always brush in the same direction and avoid brushing wet hair to prevent split ends."

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  Choose the Right Vitamins

  "Vitamin C (found in foods like oranges, broccoli and bell peppers) helps boost collagen while vitamin E (tofu, spinach and nuts) stimulates circulation and hydrates hair follicles from the root," says Syfu.

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  Throw on a Hat When Your Outside

  "You put sunscreen on your body to protect your skin, but often times the scalp is overlooked. Sunburn not only gives you an itchy, flaky scalp, but also damages the hair follicle in the process," says celebrity hairstylist Michael Duenas.

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  Give Yourself a Massage

  "Using a scalp massager—or simply your fingers—helps stimulate the hair follicles and distributes the natural oils in your hair that make it look glossy and youthful," says Syfu.

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  (c) George Clerk

  8

  Skip the Shower

  "Don't wash your hair every day. Since water has a higher pH balance than your hair, it lifts the cuticle and removes some of the natural oils that make it healthy," says Cutler stylist Micki Charles.

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  9

  Stay Hydrated—Especially in Summer

  "It's the oldest trick in the book, and truly the top trick to getting your hair to look its best. When you don't drink enough water, your hair and skin dry out, which can also slow down the process of new hair growth," says Syfu.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

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