How to Keep Hair Healthy After 50

From regular trimming to using natural products. That's how easy it is to keep your hair healthy after 50.

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Leonardo Biolatto.

Written by Aylin Stefany Rodriguez Vinasco

Last update: 13 July, 2023

Maintaining healthy hair is something that all women want at any age, but after 50 it’s imperative. At this age, physical and hormonal changes are very evident, impacting the hair. Here’s how to keep hair healthy after 50!

The arrival of menopause and even hair treatments carried out throughout life all take their toll. If not taken care of, hair can fall out, and become brittle, thin, dull and lifeless. You don’t want it to happen to you? We’ll tell you some care tips to keep your hair healthy after 50.

7 ways to keep your hair healthy after 50

Although the ideal thing is to consult a professional dermatologist, some practices are beneficial and you can start them today. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Use special products

There are hundreds of hair care products on the market that promise different benefits. If you’re a woman of 50 or older, it would be recommended to use specific products for the specific conditions of your hair.

For example, considering that hair loss is common at this age, prioritize anti-hair loss products and products with antioxidants. Also, avoid using shampoos with parabens.

Rinse with lukewarm water after applying the products.

2. Nourish your hair from the inside out

Health professionals explain that hair has very specific nutritional needs. Among the most important are the requirements of amino acids, vitamins C, A and B complex, and minerals such as zinc and iron.

These nutrients can be acquired by consuming food and applying treatments to the hair. So, to have healthy hair after 50 it would be advisable to consume the following:

• Nuts
• Orange fruits and vegetables
• Spinach and green vegetables
• Fish

3. Avoid invasive treatments

The use of hair dryers, straighteners and tongs, among other elements, can accelerate hair loss and deep damage to the hair. If you want to style your hair with these tools, use  moderate temperatures and apply heat protectors.

If you don’t want to show off your gray hair naturally, opt for ammonia- and alcohol-free hair dyes. There are some natural dyes, such as henna, that give shine.

4. Stimulate circulation

Activate your scalp’s blood circulation by massaging it. Not only will you increase irrigation, but you will also reduce stress and muscle tension in the neck and temples.

Doing it at home is very simple. Without any pressure on the strands, massage the scalp with your fingertips. Do this in all areas and work your way down to the neck.

5. Take advantage of natural resources

Natural products have outstanding properties, so it’s a great idea to take advantage of them to make treatments at home:

• Banana: provides high levels of potassium.
• Olive oil: rich in antioxidants.
• Rosemary: vasodilator and circulation activator.
• Almond oil: rich in vitamin E and antioxidant.
• Onion: activates circulation and increases blood flow.

6. Cut your hair regularly

Another tip for healthy hair after 50 is to cut your hair. It is recommended to cut your hair every two to three months. Even if it’s just the ends, if you like to wear your hair long.

You don’t have to cut a lot. Two to three centimeters will be more than enough to eliminate dry, split and weakened ends.

7. Consult a professional

If you are 50 years old or older and, despite following the proposed treatments and advice, you suffer from hair loss, then consult a professional. It’s normal for women to lose a bit of hair throughout their lives, but when this is excessive, then it’s necessary to put your hair into the hands of specialists.

Why take more care of your hair after 50?

When you reach this age, the female body undergoes major transformations. With them, some situations become more frequent:

• Female androgenetic alopecia: as supported by publications, hair loss in women is becoming more and more frequent. This type of alopecia that we mentioned, occurs from 30 to 40 years of age and can continue. Its causes are related to hormonal changes.
• Frontal fibrosing alopecia: menopause not only causes bone and cardiovascular alterations, but also transforms skin conditions. And, of course, hair also changes. In addition to being linked to female androgenetic alopecia, premenopause and postmenopause are associated with frontal fibrosing alopecia. Experts indicate that this type of baldness manifests itself with thinning hair on the frontal and frontoparietal hairline.
• Appearance of gray hair: these white hair strands appear due to the aging of hair follicles and the decrease of melanocytes. Although it was believed that these hairs were weak, it’s now known that gray hairs have a larger diameter than pigmented hair. However, the hair shaft loses quality.

In addition, women over 50 may lose hair for other reasons:

• Malnutrition
• Anxiety and depression
• Thyroid problems
• Consumption of toxic substances

Enjoy a healthy head of hair at 50!

Now that you know how to have healthy hair after 50, you can show off beautiful, shiny hair. Gray hair or not, the most important thing is to have healthy hair.

Your hair is part of your body. It’s exposed to many sources of damage and can suffer a lot. Start taking care of it today.