Over time, hair fibers become thinner and drop out; unfortunately, they never regenerate. There are natural pigment changes that occur in hair as you age as well. Pigment cells stop producing as much pigment and eventually your once thick, chestnut hair becomes thin, fine and gray.
Elderly women are more likely to have a chronic illness that affects hair growth and production than younger women. Common conditions that may trigger hair loss include diabetes and hyperthyroidism. These diseases affect hormones and metabolism, which in turn affect hair growth and health.
Sometimes simply addressing a medical condition prompting hair loss will be enough for the hair to regrow. In other instances, a woman might consider a medication like minoxidil (Rogaine), which helps with certain types of hair loss, or another treatment to replace or regrow lost hair.
Keep in mind that rates of hair growth tend to decline after age 30.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of topical minoxidil in the elderly.
A lot of possible users over the age of 65 may have some form of disease or heart problems that may make them unsuitable for minoxidil, and unless they see a hair loss specialist or doctor to discuss their suitability for the medication, mitigating health issues may not be picked up on.
Treatment with over-the-counter minoxidil foam (5 percent) may prevent further hair loss and result in improved hair density. Apply the product at bedtime to wet hair and wash it out when you wake. Then style your hair as usual.
Vitamins B and D factor big in healthy hair. So do zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and the B vitamin biotin. Your doctor can test you for deficiencies. Ask them whether you should take a multivitamin or supplement and how much.
Lifestyle factors could include using certain hair products, wearing your hair up too tightly, experiencing high stress levels, or not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet. People who have immune system deficiencies could also have thinning hair.
As you age, your hair may continue to grow, but the growth will become slower, and the follicles that were once coarse and thick will often become finer, thinner and lighter in color.
Here's the hard truth: Little can be done to permanently change the diameter of individual hair strands. Thickening products can do wonders to temporarily plump hair strands, but when it comes down to it, fine hair is genetic and can't be changed.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
One of the most widely used and proven treatments is minoxidil (Rogaine and various generic products). It's available in liquid, foam, or shampoo options. Stronger forms of minoxidil are also available by prescription. Minoxidil may cause side effects like skin irritation or unwanted hair growth on skin near the scalp.
There are a variety of methods available for the regrowth of hair follicles, from using medication to massaging your scalp to stimulate your hair directly. Currently, the most effective way to reactivate your hair follicles is by using medication, such as finasteride and minoxidil.
Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair At a Glance:
Best Overall: Pura D'Or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo. Most Nourishing: Virtue Flourish Shampoo. Best Volume: Biolage Advanced Full Density Thickening Shampoo. Best Organic Formula: Andalou Naturals Argan Stem Cell Age Defying Shampoo.
When your hair is thinning, Dr. Farah says you only want to use shampoo on your scalp. "Typically, we would want the patient to focus shampoo on the scalp, massage into the scalp, and avoid it on the hair follicle [or strand]," she says.
Answer: Minoxidil is a product licensed for the treatment of hair loss in women and men over the age of 18. How old you are does not dictate whether or not the treatment will work, nor the extent of hair regrowth you will experience, but there are a few other things that will.
In dermatology, topical minoxidil (TMX) has been used for many types of alopecia. TMX is not FDA-approved in patients under 18 years old and there are no guidelines for its pediatric use.