Hair Advice for Women 50

"A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life." - Coco Chanel

I made the near-fatal mistake recently of calculating how much I spend at my hairdressers in an average year. Multiply that by the number of years I have been going there and I almost fell off the chair. Trust me - do not attempt this, it is dangerous.

Having said that, I gave up looking for the 'cheapest' salons many years ago. They are cheap for a reason. Thankfully my Mum stopped using her rusty scissors on me at a very young age so I was very familiar with finding the 'right' place for me. (and once we've found it girls-we do not like to switch to somewhere new do we?).

 

Our 'Crowning Glory' needs to be exactly right for us to feel and look our best. Its something we wake up with every morning and sleep with every night. When our hair isn't right we aren't right and no amount of hair spray or wine will convince us otherwise.

Changing our Hair Style after 50.

While we might get away with hiding other features of ourselves beneath heavy jumpers and tent-like dresses (come on – we've all done it), it's just not as easy when it comes to our hair (unless you buy a really, really big hat). There are hair products that are designed for specific hair types and, although they may be more expensive, there usually is a good reason for that. After all, we're worth it (!!!!).

Hair Problems post menopause:

Thinning - Low oestrogen levels affect the hair's growth cycle. Hair follicles also shrink with age, so the strands coming from them are finer.

Dry, Dull Strands - Lower oestrogen also means reduced sebum (oil) production, which normally lubricates the scalp. This can result in your hair becoming drier, duller, more brittle, and prone to breaking.

Texture Changes: Hormones often affect the shape of our hair follicles. Round circular follicles produce straight hair, while more oval-shaped follicles produce curly. The wiry feel of some strands stems from the lack of natural oils.

Fine hair - can be more sensitive and is less resistant to high temperatures from heat styling tools. Use clear gels, as well as products that contain cellulose and proteins. These will support the fullness and strength of your hair.

Medium/Normal Hair - Lucky you - medium hair tends to need slightly less attention in the form of unique treatments. A good quality shampoo will do the trick.

Thick hair - has lots of texture but is less manageable and often doesn't retain water. Use moisturising products to hydrate strands and reduce frizz.

Curly & Wavy Hair – can be frizzy, coarse, and porous. Wash hair with shampoos specially designed for curly or wavy hair. Conditioners and hair masks will help, too.

Styles and Colour

We've lived through everything from the Beehive to the Feather cut. From the 'Farrah Fawcett Major' to the 'Rachel' from Friends. How could we forget the Afro and the Bouffant. Luckily, we seem to have moved on from having to name our favourites now and can just go for what suits us most.

Any good hairdresser will be happy to consult with you about different styles and suitability for our age and our lifestyles. Be adventurous, live dangerously and don't forget-it'll grow out eventually!