40+ hair may not grow at the speed it used to, but that doesn’t mean that growth improvements are unattainable. To enhance hair growth in your middle age, it is essential to nourish your strands starting at the follicle level. Continue reading for five optimal tips to improve hair growth over 40.
Why Does Hair Slow with Age?
Many women start to see the side effects of ageing hair during menopause. During menopause, low levels of estrogen and progesterone are related to hair thinning and hair loss. Hormonal imbalances extend the amount of time the hair remains in the resting phase rather than the growing phase. This eventually leads to hair growing slower and thinner. Additional causes of slow hair growth include family history, a nutritional imbalance, medications, and smoking.
5 Optimal Tips to Improve Hair Growth
Give Yourself Daily Scalp Massages
Hair growth starts with the scalp. Scalp massages stimulate hair growth by stretching the cells of hair follicles and increasing blood circulation. A healthy blood flow helps to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to your hair follicles. Additionally, it will increase the time your hair stays in the growing phase. You can give yourself a daily scalp massage using your fingers or a gentle scalp brush. This is a relaxing way to bolster hair growth.
Boost Your Intake of Fatty-Acids
Fatty acids can promote hair growth and relieve dry scalp conditions. Healthy fats, like omega-3, contain proteins and nutrients that nourish hair follicles. Additionally, fatty acids are known to reduce follicle inflammation. Introduce healthy fats into your diet through salmon, tuna, halibut, walnuts, fish oil, canola oil, and spinach.
Don’t miss: Best Hair Skin and Nails Vitamins/Supplements
Get Regular Trims
Regular trims are a must to achieve healthy, long locks. It is necessary to snip away split ends to maintain strong strands. If ends are left frayed, they can split up the shaft of your hair, causing more breakage. Routine dustings will help maintain the integrity of your ends, making way for healthier hair growth. For optimal growth, it is recommended to trim your hair every 6-8 weeks.
Lock in Moisture
Moisture retention is an important aspect of improving hair growth. Firstly, the conditioner seals the hair’s cuticle, which locks in nutrients and protects against pollution. Ensure your conditioner contains strengthening, hydrating properties, like the one from Better Not Younger. Rice bran protein, argan oil, and seed oil are powerful ingredients in supporting dynamic hair growth.
To go one step further, you can introduce a deep conditioner into your hair care routine. A deep conditioner is designed to penetrate the cuticle to provide intense hydration.
Treat Your Hair Gently
As you age, hair should be treated more gently:
- Treating your hair with care includes gentle brushing. Practice safe brushing by first detangling your ends and then work your way up to your hair shaft.
- Keep your heat-styling at a minimum to avoid damage. Excessive heat exposure opens your cuticle, leaving strands vulnerable to external hair threats.
- You can use a microfiber towel and a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and potential breakage.
Smooth fabrics prevent your tresses from tangling and snagging. These three gentle techniques help strengthen hair, which will support a healthy growth cycle.
Conclusion
40+ hair growth doesn’t have to be frustrating. From scalp massages to a nutritional diet and gentle haircare practices, you can enjoy hair growth for many years to come.
