How Hair Changes as You Age — and How to Support Healthy Growth
It's a fact of life: age brings changes from head to toe, and our hair sends clear signals that time is passing. Graying and thinning — fewer hairs on your head, plus each strand becoming finer — are unavoidable. But understanding why these changes happen is the first step toward managing them well. A great hair care routine paired with the right hair care products can go a long way toward protecting your hair as you age.
Why Hair Growth Slows with Age
A single hair strand has a normal life of two to seven years and grows an average of half an inch per month, or about six inches a year. Age, diet, genetics, and overall health all determine how fast and how well hair grows.
Hair growth rate is influenced by genes, environment, and the products you use. Hereditary traits, endocrine and thyroid disorders, reduced hormonal support, and nutritional deficiencies can all contribute to thinning. Some shedding is entirely normal — it is typical to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day.
The hair growth cycle includes a resting phase called the telogen phase. This phase should last approximately three months, but certain disorders and illnesses can extend it, preventing the hair shaft from entering the anagen (growth) phase. If you are experiencing thinning, we recommend choosing healthy hair care products and visiting your doctor to ensure your thyroid and endocrine systems are functioning properly.
Common Hair Changes with Age
Graying Hair: Why It Happens
Color changes are among the first signs of aging. Hair follicles produce less melanin over time, causing hair to appear gray. This typically begins at the temples and extends elsewhere. Body and facial hair may also gray, but often later than scalp hair.
It is a myth that plucking gray hair causes more to grow in its place. Plucking can, however, traumatize the follicle and compromise future healthy hair growth.
Genetics determine when and where gray hair appears. No supplement, vitamin, or product will prevent it. Chemical color is the only temporary remedy, though it is a high-maintenance commitment. Melanin not only gives hair its color but also adds substance, so graying often means finer strands and reduced volume overall.
Thinning Hair: What to Expect
Hair thickness changes over time regardless of color. Hair is composed of many layers of a protein called keratin, and a single strand is typically rooted for two to seven years before it falls out and new growth replaces it. As hair ages, its life cycle shortens, new growth tends to be finer, and many follicles stop producing new hairs altogether.
According to the American Hair Loss Association, approximately 25% of men may begin showing signs of baldness before age 21; 66% will experience hair loss by 35, and 85% will have significantly less hair by 50. Women can develop a similar pattern as the scalp becomes more visible with age. Menopause is a key factor for women in their 50s, when sex hormones that stimulate follicle activity diminish and testosterone becomes relatively more dominant.
Take note: Sudden hair loss can be a sign of an underlying health issue and warrants a visit with your doctor. It may also indicate an allergic reaction to shampoo or other hair care products.
How to Support and Boost Hair Growth
1. Wash Less Frequently
How often you wash your hair depends on your hair type, but washing too frequently or with harsh detergents can cause dryness and brittleness. As we age, skin secretes less of its natural moisture (sebum), so switching to the gentlest possible cleanser is wise. New Wash contains no detergent whatsoever and is an ideal choice for aging hair.
2. Maintain Moisture
Leave-in conditioners such as Hair Balm are a more effective delivery method than rinse-out conditioner. They work throughout the day, can add volume, and address frizz and wispy ends. This is especially important for longer hair, where consistent moisture helps limit breakage and split ends.
3. Go with the Gray
Color-treating is a personal choice, but it puts extra stress on already fragile strands. If you have gone silver or white, consider it a canvas for occasional temporary tints rather than a permanent chemical commitment. Consulting a professional before any color work is always a good idea.
4. Minimize Heat Styling
Daily use of blow dryers, wands, and irons depletes moisture and compromises vulnerable strands that can no longer bounce back from damage as readily as they once did. If you do need to heat style, apply a heat protectant first to create a barrier and help offset any damage.
5. Eat a Complete Diet
Hair follicles are primarily made of protein, and insufficient intake is directly linked to hair loss. The thyroid system also slows with age, which can reduce iron storage efficiency — a mild iron deficiency can masquerade as fatigue. Beyond protein and iron, the following foods are known to support healthy hair growth:
- Spinach and leafy greens, which supply folate, iron, and vitamins A and C
- Eggs, which contain biotin — essential for hair protein synthesis
- Fatty fish such as salmon, which provide omega-3 fatty acids
- Berries and other fruits rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that support collagen production
- Avocados, loaded with vitamin E and omega-3s
6. Reduce Stress
Elevated stress hormones can contribute to hair loss above and beyond natural aging processes. Managing stress through meditation, breathwork, or consistent sleep supports both hair health and overall wellbeing.
7. Exercise Regularly
Physical activity improves circulation, which can stimulate follicles and support hair growth. Even gentle movement makes a meaningful difference. A scalp massage after exercise can further encourage blood flow to the scalp and promote a healthy growth environment.
External Factors That Affect Hair Growth
Medications
Some medications prescribed for heart disease or high cholesterol can affect hair growth. Ask your doctor whether anything you currently take may interfere with the hair growth cycle. Women who stop taking hormone replacement therapy can also expect some hair shedding during the transition period.
Post-COVID Hair Loss
Some COVID-19 survivors notice significant hair shedding during recovery. Researchers attribute this largely to telogen effluvium, a condition in which physiological or psychological stress disrupts the hair growth cycle. It typically manifests about three months after a stressful event — such as severe illness, surgery, or significant emotional trauma. COVID-related symptoms, including high fever, elevate the stress hormone cortisol, which further affects hair integrity and length. Dr. Esther Freeman, director of the Dermatology COVID-19 Registry, has documented this pattern across thousands of cases from 38 countries. The good news: telogen effluvium generally resolves within six months, after which hair gradually returns to its normal growth cycle.
