6 Ways To Beat Thinning Hair
You could say I’ve made peace with my deep-set facial wrinkles, but thinning hair is another story. While I’ve never had a thick mane, I’ve always had a reasonable amount of hair which, clearly, I had taken for granted! Now, in menopause, I would do almost anything to make it appear thicker.
I keep reminding myself that most celebrities over the age of 50 who sport a full and lustrous mane are, usually, wearing a clip-in hair piece and, of course, have a hair stylist on hand to ramp up the volume. Either that, or they are genetically blessed.
I’ll try anything, but a piece? I’m not that high maintenance … yet. Thankfully there are products and treatments that can help. As with skincare, at our age good hair requires time and a routine. These are the tips for hair that is in retreat.
1. Exfoliate your scalp
This relatively new-to-market product works in a similar way to the exfoliator you use on your face. It sloughs off dead skin cells and product build-up, stimulating new follicles to grow that little bit quicker. Jennifer Aniston’s hair guru reveals she does this once a month (or, more accurately, he does it for her). Your hair will feel extra clean and it includes peppermint oil, which really stimulates blood flow to the scalp. Just remember to keep your eyes closed while you’re exfoliating.
GROW Longer Stronger Stimulating Hair Scrub | $16.99
2. Pop a targeted supplement
My hair colourist put me on to this one (her mum is my age and swears by it). Full of hair-boosting zinc, biotin and silica, it not only nourishes my hair but keeps my nails healthy, too.
Caruso’s Hair Food | $45.99
3. Use a results-driven shampoo
I’ve always used luxe versions of shampoo until I discovered this more budget-friendly brand a few years ago when I was making the switch to using “clean” beauty products. I noticed an immediate improvement in my fine blonde locks and I’ve been using it ever since.
Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore Bamboo Fibers shampoo, conditioner | $21.99
4. Use a root lift
This root lift doesn’t leave my hair feeling sticky, stiff or itchy. The founder of Aussie international success Original + Mineral, Jose Byrce Smith, is our age and understands that thinning hair is a real struggle. With extracts of lilly pilly, Davidson plum and lemon aspen, as well as rice protein, this is her go-to, and mine, too.
Atonic Thickening Spritz | $35.95
5. Talk to your hair
Yep, a bit kooky but a well-known celebrity hairdresser once (confidentially) told me he asked all his clients to offer encouraging words to their locks. He advises them to do it while massaging their roots with a tiny amount of jojoba oil, which stimulates hair growth.
The Jojoba Company’s Jojoba Oil | $19.95
6. Embrace dry shampoo
… on clean hair! You’re probably a pro at freshening up dirty locks, but using dry shampoo on clean hair makes your hair appear thicker. A few sprays on to the root area is also going to give you day-long, high-hair hold. My favourite dry shampoo uses botanicals that work on slowing down hair loss while creating volume.
Evolis Style + Treat Dry Shampoo | $30