Hair and the Older Woman

Bob hairstyle for a middle aged woman
Photo: Depositphotos
We all know the quote: "Time waits for no man." Well, it waits for no woman, either. Aging is a fact of life, and as we age, our bodies change. Most of the changes are ones we've come to expect - slowing metabolism, loss of skin elasticity, the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and the development of gray hair.
 
Yet, along with gray comes other changes in the hair. As we age, our hair loses some of its elasticity, density and may develop changes in texture and wave pattern. Gray hair almost always has a different texture. Your hair will need more moisture than in your youth, and you may find that your hair doesn't hold a style as well as it used to.
 
Choosing a Flattering Hairstyle
 
There's also the question of styles for older women. There used to be a school of thought that as a woman grew older, her hair should be shorter. Many older women of our mothers' and grandmothers' generations have short, layered styles and many of them prefer roller styles. I believe the attitude that older women should have shorter hair came from two sources: One is convenience, because shorter hair tends to be easier to style and care for. The other is (probably) that many short hairstyles are flattering to older women.
 
But there's no reason for women to feel restricted to shorter hairstyles as they get older. The important thing is that the style be flattering, and that it is appropriate to the type of hair you have. In other words, a classic hairstyle that would look good on you at 25-30 would likely look good on you at 50.
 
The key is to avoid "trendy" hairstyles. When you see a style you like that is being worn by someone considerably younger than you are in a magazine, you don't necessarily have to rule it out as an option. Rather, you should take the picture to your stylist and discuss the elements you like in the style. Your stylist can then offer you a style that uses those elements, but which will suit you much more. Doing this can allow you to keep your look updated, without looking like you are trying to look young.
 
Flattering bob for an older woman
Image: AI illustration
Here are some other tips for caring for your hair as you age:
 
Conditioning:
 
Conditioning is important for everyone, regardless of age, but older women may find that their hair is drier than when they were younger. For older women, it is a good idea to have a deep conditioning treatment every week to maintain the moisture level in their hair.
 
You'll also want to make sure to use shampoos and rinse-through conditioners that are formulated for extra-moisturizing protection, especially if you heat-style your hair.
 
Your hair also loses elasticity as you age, so a monthly protein pack treatment will help to restore strength to your hair, making it easier to style and helping styles to last longer. Also, by using an anti-frizz serum, you can help to smooth out the cuticle layer of the hair and prevent loss of moisture and proteins.
 
Aging hair graphic
 
Many shampoo and conditioning products are now made in "sleek and smooth" formulas that help to seal the cuticle layer and leave hair silky and shiny.
 
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