8 Best Ways To Take Care Senior’s Hair

As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, and one of the most common challenges seniors face is thinning hair. Unlike widespread hair loss, thinning hair doesn’t necessarily cause baldness. However, it does create the appearance of sparser spots of hair on your head.  

Thinning hair usually occurs gradually. Changing to less abrasive hair care products or treatments can help us better care for our essential grooming to reduce further damage to our hair and scalp.

8 Tips for Caring for Thinning Hair

SOFT-BRISTLED BRUSH

Use a wide-toothed comb or a soft-bristled brush to gently brush and detangle hair, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots. Avoid pulling or tugging on the hair, especially when it’s wet. Consider a paddle handle and boar bristle hairbrush for seniors with fine or thinning hair.   

MILD SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER PRODUCTS

Use sulfate-free shampoos (avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) specifically formulated for thinning hair or sensitive scalps. Look for shampoos with nourishing ingredients like biotin, keratin, and vitamins to strengthen and volumize hair. Baby shampoo is also a good option because it’s gentle and has no fragrance or chemicals.

GENTLE MASSAGE THE SCALP

Regularly massage the scalp with hydrating oils like argan or jojoba. This helps moisturize the scalp, increases blood circulation, and stimulates hair follicles. Avoid hair sprays or dyes containing Polyethylene glycol (PEGs), which tend to remove our hair’s natural moisture.  

LIMIT HAIR WASH

Avoid washing your hair too frequently, as excessive washing can strip away natural oils and lead to dryness and breakage. It’s recommended that seniors wash their hair no more than 2-3 times a week. Additionally, be mindful of your products, as many hair dyes and sprays contain harmful toxins that can potentially cause cancer and disrupt hormone balance. To minimize these risks, opt for shampoo or conditioner without Benzene, Phthalates, and Parabens (such as methylparaben and propylparaben).

LEAST DAMAGING HEAT TOOLS

Limit heat-styling tools such as hair dryers, curling or flat irons, and straighteners, which cause breakage and damage to the hair. If heat styling is necessary, blow dry on the coolest setting. Use microfiber towels to dry hair or embrace the natural texture without heat.  

SHORT SLEEK HAIRSTYLE

Consider creating a new hairdo with shorter hairstyles, such as pixie or layered bob cuts, to create the illusion of volume and thickness. Other attractive styles are The Shag, Layered Waves, The Updo or Bangs. 

BALANCED DIET

Remember to focus on a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Include foods high in biotin, such as eggs, nuts, and avocados. If you maintain a balanced diet, you are unlikely to have low biotin levels. However, there has been an increase in the use of supplemental forms of biotin in recent years, often due to marketing claims of increased energy and improved hair growth. It’s important to note that if you take vitamin B5 supplements, you should avoid taking biotin simultaneously, as they can reduce each other’s effectiveness when taken together.

“PROP” ALCOHOL

Alcohol is a commonly used ingredient to help retain moisture, but certain alcohols containing “prop” can damage hair strands. Avoid isopropyl alcohol or Propanol, and instead opt for hair products made with simple, natural, non-toxic ingredients such as coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, and tea tree oil.