Strong, voluminous and easy-to-manage hair is the dream. Since you hit your forties, age has not been your friend, leaving your once dreamlike hair dry and weak. Weak hair roots can lead to breakage, hair fall and thinning. In additional to fluctuating hormones, there are several other factors that can lead to brittle hair. Continue reading for everything you need to know about strengthening weak hair in your forties.

What is Weak Hair?

Weak hair is often limp, thin, and falling out. A single strand of hair has a life expectancy of about two to seven years. Facts such as age, diet, and genetics play a part in how fast and strong strands grow. As you age, hair has a shorter life cycle. Typically, this hair is replaced with new finer hair; however, with age this growth slows. Hair that is lost from breakage isn’t the same as normal loss. Breakage from weakness is when the strand breaks below the scalp. Weak hair often looks like:

• Split ends

• Lackluster hair

• Scalp sensitivity 

• Frizz and Fly-aways

• Roughness

Common Causes of Weak Hair

Generally, these are the three most common causes of weak hair in your forties.

1. Menopause

Every woman will undergo the natural biological process of menopause. Estrogen, the hormone that aids hair growth by extending your hair’s growing phase, decreases during menopause. Women can experience menopausal hair changes in different ways, such as increased scalp visibility, receding hairlines, thinner ponytails or a reduction in thickness.  If you’re experiencing hair loss try a Massive Aloe Vera Hair Mask For 3 Times Hair Growth.

2. Excessive Styling

Tight hairstyles, frequent braids and hair extensions cause stress on the hair shaft and can lead to weaker hair. Dying, perming, excessive heat styling like straightening, curling and blow-drying damage the cuticle, which is the outer protective layer of hair.

3. Imbalanced Diet

The effects of an imbalanced diet will manifest in your hair. Eating healthy is essential for healthy and strong hair. A lack of vitamin A, B, C, D, E, iron, zinc, and protein can cause weak hair. 

How to Strengthen Weak Hair

It’s never too late—we don’t have to settle for weak hair. Here are a few ways to redeem strong, healthy strands for the many years to come. 

1. Only Wash 2-3 Times a Week

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times, but seriously... don’t over wash your hair. Although your hair may appear oily or greasy, try not to wash your hair more than 3 times a week. When you over wash your hair, your sebaceous glands over-compensate for the loss of oils stripped by your shampoo. By washing your hair less, you will train the oil glands to not over-produce oil. 

2. Stay Away from Sulfates

Sulfates are harsh chemicals used as cleansing agents. Sulfates are commonly found in household cleaners, detergents... and shampoo. The salt found in sulfates will strip away the natural moisture in your hair. Moisture retention becomes increasingly important in preventing aging hair from split ends and breakage. To avoid brittleness and lock in moisture, use a natural, mild shampoo. Ingredients in a gentle, hydrating shampoo might include aloe vera, glycerin, jojoba oil, or shea butter. 

3. Well-Balanced Diet 

Hormones are made from fats, so it’s important to consume enough healthy fats in your diet. Great sources of omega-3 include salmon, herring, chia seeds and walnuts. Additionally, extra- virgin olive oil and avocados for omega-9s. A diet low in simple carbohydrates may be beneficial because age-related changes in insulin sensitivity affect how we process sugars, which can negatively affect your hair.

Whole foods with mild, plant-based estrogens, like flaxseed or miso, can also help some women. Additionally, high-collagen foods, like bone broth, because the collagen depletion that occurs with age affects the quality of your skin and hair. Also, keratin is the protein that is the building block of your hair strands. Keratin is made up from amino acids, which your body gets from protein-rich foods like red meat, beans, eggs, milk, and kale. Supplements that benefit hair health include vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, iodine, iron and zinc.

4. Stay Hydrated

Another diet-related tip... drink your eight glasses of water! Beyond supporting overall health, proper hydration directly influences the growth of your hair. Water is a source of energy for every cell in your body, including cells that generate new hair. When you’re dehydrated, it can leave your hair thirsty. This may cause hair to appear dry and brittle.

5. Avoid Excessive Heat Styling

Heat is not weak hair’s friend. Try embracing your hair’s natural texture by taking a break from heat styling. Heat strips your hair of natural oils that keep it moisturized and smooth. It removes keratin at the follicle level, which can result in thin and coarse hair. It is essential to maintain your hair’s hydration in your middle age. If you do choose to use hot tools, always use an alcohol-free heat protectant and use a low temperature setting.

6. Don’t Neglect Your Scalp

Scalp care is gaining ground in the haircare industry. Strong hair starts with the environment it grows from! A scalp serum is a beneficial way to repair damage, increase growth and moisture, and protect against environmental damage. A scalp serum contains concentrated active ingredients that target specific concerns like dryness, thinning, and sensitivity. If your scalp is prone to dryness, a serum will gently remove excess buildup, while providing more hydration. Find a serum that includes soothing ingredients like tea tree oil or coconut oil.

To take it to the next level, you can introduce a deep scalp cleanser into your routine. This will exfoliate, clean and stimulate your scalp skin. It is important to rid your scalp of any buildup and draw out impurities that will cause dryness and itchiness. 

7. Be Gentle

Weak hair is delicate and prone to damage. To promote growth and minimize breakage, choose gentle hair accessories. Instead of using plastic elastics, opt for fabric-wrapped hair ties. Additionally, a soft-bristle brush, made from natural materials, stimulates hair strength and growth. A boar-bristle brush triggers natural oil production in the scalp and reduces frizz. It is essential to brush weak hair with care. Detangling your hair from the bottom up allows you to gently work through each knot, rather than yanking your way through. When detangling, it can also be helpful to split your hair into four sections. To minimize breakage, start brushing your ends and concentrate on the tangles there, and then tackle the mid-shaft. Finish by brushing from your roots to yours tips in a single stroke.

Wrapping it Up

From vitamins to gentle products, there are several solutions to nourish weak hair. Most importantly, avoiding heat styling and implementing a well-balanced diet are important aspects of this process. Now that you’ve done the research, it’s time to put it to work! It is possible to achieve your strongest, healthiest hair in your forties.