You might notice changes in your hair as you get older, and that’s completely normal. While it’s well known that many people start getting gray hair as they age, you might not realize that your hair type can change, too. If you have straight hair, your hair may become slightly curly or wavy as you age. That’s because the shape of your hair follicles changes over time. Your hair’s wave pattern can also change, and you may notice different wave patterns in each section of your head as you age. If you have curly hair, your curl pattern can change. Your curls may loosen, drop, or create a new curl pattern. All of this happens for various reasons, including UV light exposure, genetics, inflammation, smoking, stress, or hormonal changes. As you age, your hair can become finer, meaning each strand is smaller in diameter. This is the result of new hair growth cycles. As you get older, the active growth phase of hair follicles shortens, making it possible for you to notice finer hair strands. The softness and smoothness of your hair can also change over time, feeling dry, coarse, and wiry. This is primarily due to less oil production. Your hair may become thinner over time due to shrinking hair follicles and growing fewer strands. While you can’t stop your hair from aging, you can avoid harsh chemicals, sulfates, and excessive styling, which all cause damage, dryness and thinning. Some anti-aging products with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, or targeted scalp treatments can improve texture and reduce hair loss.
