It's rare to see an elderly person with a full, thick head of hair. That's because hair spends more time in the third phase of a three-part cycle the older we get. There are, in fact, three stages that hair goes through—a growth (anagen) phase, a transition (anagen to catagen) phase, and a resting (catagen) phase, during the course of this cycle. As you get older, your hair spends more time in the last phase -- the resting phase -- which means you're shedding hair faster than it's able to grow back in.
Compounding the problem is the fact that the hair that does grow back in, grows back thinner and finer than the hair that we've lost. That's because our follicles actually shrink, and are unable to produce the same density of hair as they once did. (Much of this has to do with genetics, so if you see an older woman, for example, with thick hair and wonder what she's doing that you're not, you can probably chalk at least some of her good fortune up to her genes!)
Thick Hair is a Symbol of Youth
Hair loss can be an especially hard pill to swallow when our youth blessed us with thick, shiny hair or a head-full of bouncy curls. There's no question that thick, shiny, bouncy hair is a symbol of youth, and we're living in a culture that values youth.
Check out any red carpet and you'll see most stars (the ones who haven't shaved their heads for a movie role, that is!) sporting full, beautifully styled hair -- many of which are faking it with extensions and hairpieces expertly added by hair stylists!)
All is Not Lost
The first thing to do when you notice that you're seeing more of your scalp than you have in the past is to see a trichologist (a doctor who specializes in hair and scalp disorders) to rule out any medical concerns such as a thyroid deficiency or an autoimmune disorder, for example.
Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also contribute to hair loss and/or thinning. They include iron, certain B vitamins, copper, vitamin C and vitamin E.**
If your doctor confirms that you're in good health and it's just Father Time that's taking its toll on your hair via an out-of-whack growth cycle and wispy re-growth, there's no need to throw up your hands in despair! There are things that you can do to slow the process and protect and enhance the hair you do have.
What Can Help?
There are concrete steps you can take on your own. Your first step is to consult with our team of hair loss experts at New Look Institute in San Jose who will help you discover personalized solutions to your hair loss.
If you're a man or a woman living in the San Jose, California region, and noticing that your hair is thinner than it used to be, contact us at New Look Institute for a free consultation. You'll feel better knowing that you've taken action and put your trust in a team of professionals who can actually offer solutions that fit your individual needs -- solutions that you may never have known existed. The consultation is free and the results are real! We've been helping people of all ages with hair loss for two decades and we're committed to helping you find your perfect solution too.
Take our free hair loss quiz, or contact our team at New Look Institute for a free, private consultation. You will be so glad you took that first step toward finding a solution that works for you, and you'll be happy with the results, we promise!
