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No Longer Your Crowning Glory
 Jeanne
Davis reports on tricks and treats for thinning hair
Hair loss is very common among
older women. As we acquire more birthdays, we produce less hair, and the
individual ones we grow are thinner. Older hair is also more prone to
dryness and breakage than young hair.
Much of the thinning is the
result of what is misnamed ‘male pattern baldness’ (Androgenetic Alopecia),
since it affects women too, though the pattern is a slightly different one.
Hair loss in women is not the typical receding hair line and crown loss that
men commonly experience as they age. Instead, there is usually general
thinning of hair with loss predominantly over the top and sides of the
head. The condition usually gets worse after the menopause.
Some (horrible) myths about hair loss in women
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It means you are not a proper woman, haven’t got the normal XY
chromosomes
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It’s caused by washing your hair too often.
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Or from too much brushing and combing
·
Or from hair dyes and perms
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It may result from wearing hats and wigs
·
Shaving your head will make the hair regrow thicker
·
Standing on your head a lot will help reinvigorate hair
·
Hair loss is a sign of an overactive brain
·
There is a miracle cure out there waiting for you
(Scan the net and you’ll
see all sorts of miracle cures on offer, from herbal lotions to mechanical
devices. Sadly, they don’t work.)
Medical treatment: a drug
that may work
Minoxidil is a drug first
developed for treating high blood pressure and found to have the side effect
of thickening hair growth in some people. It is now available as a lotion to
apply directly to the scalp. But no one really knows how it works and it
doesn’t work for everyone. Studies show that only about 20 per cent of women
between 18 and 45 have moderate regrowth, while another 40 per cent have
minimal regrowth. But the hair may be very fine and pale. Minoxidil works
best on younger people, with early hair loss. A big disadvantage is that you
have to carry on using Minoxidil indefinitely or the new hair will fall out
again.
Cosmetic products:
thickeners, volumizers, conditioners
These are products that claim
to thicken hair and make it look fuller. They include shampoos,
conditioners, gels, volumizers, produced for curly hair, frizzy hair,
straight hair, dry hair, coloured hair. How do you choose?
John Frieda, internationally
known hair expert, says reading the full product description on all the
ranges of a brand should explain which is suited to the individual hair
type. He adds that if the right products for your personal style preference
are used, a great result can be achieved.
Check out the John Frieda
products, as well as Charles Worthington and L’Oreal. If you have any
further questions after reading the information, usually there’s a telephone
number on the pack that you can call. Your hair stylist may also be able to
recommend the right product for you.
Faking it: hair pieces and
extensions
Hair pieces can be effective
but not all of them work well. The new hair extensions that you can clip on
can be really great for changing looks without causing any damage. Talk to
your hairdresser if you want to try some, though they are best for special
occasions unless you have plenty of time and patience. Some extensions which
are more permanent can do damage and are definitely not do-it-yourself
territory. If you want one, go to a professional.
Does colouring thicken
hair?
Some colouring techniques can
thicken hair. Tints and High/Low lights do this because molecules in the dye
expand in the hair shaft. Semi permanents don’t thicken because the dye just
sits under the hair cuticle. Colour will not harm the hair if it is applied
by professionals or if you follow packet instructions carefully.
Over-processed and bleached hair can get badly damaged.
Shaun, expert hair colourist,
at the Richard Ward salon, advises: “Be careful with the colour you choose.
A too-dark shade will contrast against the much paler scalp and will
emphasise the thinning. Too light a shade also exposes the thinness.”
What are the most
flattering styles for older women?
On the whole, says Robert
Shipton, senior stylist at John Frieda, it is better to keep your hair all
one length when it is thinning, but depending on your face shape and hair
type, ie curly or frizzy, layering or graduation can help to give the
appearance of thicker hair if cut and styled well.
The same rules apply for all
ages, says Frieda – the shape of your face , hair growth, lifestyle,
etc. The style must incorporate all of these aspects into a wearable,
flattering look.
There are, however, one or
two guidelines:
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Flat, close-to-the-head styles can make hair look thinner –
though it can emphasise good bone structure
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Bouncy, curly or wavy styles can add the illusion of fullness
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Long hair can look lifeless or too young
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Softly swept styles can make a flattering frame for the face
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Shorter hair tends to look cool and fresh
Treat your hair with tender
loving care
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Periodically change shampoo and conditioner to avoid build-up
and start afresh.
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Go to the very best hair stylist for advice on your hair
–conditioning, colour, cut.
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Get recommendations from friends or colleagues whose hair
looks good to you. Read the beauty pages of newspapers, magazines.
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Explain your needs carefully to your hairdresser. Don’t be
shy. Don’t accept what they say if you have doubts. On the other hand, if
the stylist is honest enough to tell you the long tresses of Jerry Hall or
the baby doll mop of Goldie Hawn is not a flattering look for you, do
listen.
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Be ready to change the colour and style you’ve always
worn. Everything else is changing as you grow older - your shape, your skin
tone. Go blonde if you are naturally going grey. Or try some blonde
streaks. Add a red tone to your normal brown if you are naturally turning to
salt and pepper. Rejoice in your new look.
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A vast industry is out there to help with all and
every beauty concern. In this column every month laterlife.com will report on ideas
and products, old and new. All with the focus on maturity of course.
