Looking after your hair as you age (for ladies and gents)

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Blonde, brunette or redhead, all hair changes with age. Grey hairs generally start to appear from the thirties onwards, though as you hit milestones like the fifties and sixties you may start to notice your hair becoming thinner, weaker and more brittle. This is because age changes the growth cycle of hair follicles and sees the body create less melanin, which affects the appearance and health of your mane. Thankfully, with a few lifestyle tweaks and a little TLC you can keep your locks looking and feeling lustre.

Indulge in scalp massages

Not only to scalp massages feel amazing but they can also stimulate growth, eliminate dandruff and unclog hair follicles. Use your fingertips to gently knead your scalp in the shower or invest in a palm-sized brush or electronic massager.

Invest in a silk pillowcase

Hair becomes more brittle with age which means it’s easier to snap and harder to tame. Silk pillowcases can be a gamechanger when it comes to keeping your hair smooth and glossy. Unlike cotton, the natural fibre doesn’t snag hair strands and is a great way to keep a blow-dry or soft wave looking fresh for days. As an added bonus, silk pillowcases promote skin hydration and prevent sleep creases on your face.

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Swap hairspray for serum

Older hair is naturally drier and coarser, so try to cut back on parching products like hairspray or dry shampoo. The alcohol content can dehydrate your locks while the polymers promote dullness. If you need to keep flyaways in check opt for a lightweight, hydrating serum that simultaneously smooths and locks moisture into the hair cuticle. You can also treat yourself to a weekly treatment designed to promote strength, shine, moisture and elasticity.

Learn to love natural oils

If you take an all-natural approach to health, wellness and beauty you’ll love the concept of deeply nourishing oil treatments. Working to smooth and hydrate hair follicles from the inside out, slathering your mid-lengths to tips in coconut or jojoba oil and leaving to soak overnight could save your hair and reverse the ageing process.

Choose the right brush

Caring for fine, brittle hair calls for some extra TLC during the brushing process. It’s worth investing in a brush that’s designed to glide through the hair and minimise snags and abrasion. Look for brushes with a cushioned base and rounded prongs.

Experiment with shampoos and conditioners

While it’s easy to get away with using generic shampoos and conditioners in your youth, ageing hair often calls for a little more luxury. Many professional salon brands develop treatments designed especially for older hair follicles. If you’re embracing your greys you can also experiment with purple shampoos and conditioners, which are designed to tone silver hair and eliminate the brassiness and yellow hues that can often appear with age.

Tips, tricks and secrets are always worth sharing, so if you have any tried and tested techniques on how to care for ageing hair, we’d love to hear from you.