Research Finds Thinning Hair Can Make Women Look 10 Years Older

The Daily Express has reported that it’s hair, not skin, that reveals your true age. In fact, it states that research suggests thinning hair can lead people to believe you’re ten years older than you actually are.

Like skin, hair shows signs of ageing. Instead of developing wrinkles, hair visibly thins with age, and by the age of 50, half of women will experience some degree of hair thinning, either from Female Hair Loss or other conditions such as Diffuse Hair Loss or Telogen Effluvium. This is supported by NHS research which recently revealed that more than eight million women in the UK suffer from hair loss to some degree.

Why does hair get thinner with age?

There are a number of reasons why hair appears thinner as you age. One is simply that as you get older hair follicles reduce in size, which prevents hair from growing as fully as it did before. In addition many women will experience Female Pattern Hair Loss, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia.

Female Pattern Hair Loss is a hereditary condition which results in thinning hair around the top of the head, the parting and the hairline. Unlike Male Pattern Hair Loss, women are not likely to lose all the hair on the top of their head, instead, hair in the affected area becomes thinner and more sparse, known as ‘diffused thinning’. Women traditionally start to experience thinning hair around the age of 30, and over time, hair grows finer and shorter with each growth cycle, leading to noticeably thinner hair at age 40 and above. However, studies show that more women are starting to lose their hair in their 20's now due to stress.

Can products help hair look younger?

Anti-ageing hair care is one of the fastest growing areas in the beauty industry and a number of cosmetic products have been released to help reduce the signs of hair ageing.

Although cosmetic products may temporarily improve the appearance of hair that has been damaged from daily wear and tear, there are is only one treatment that has been clinically proven to help combat female pattern hair loss and reverse genetically thinning hair in women and that is the topical medication, Minoxidil. 

Treating thinning hair in women

Click to View This Female Pattern Hair Loss & Chronic Telogen Effluvium Client's Full Results

Minoxidil is a pharmaceutical hair loss treatment licensed by the MHRA in the UK and ‘FDA Approved’ in the USA, specifically for the treatment of genetic hair loss in both men and women. It has been used to great effect by many of the Belgravia Centre's female clients and has been seen to produce promising regrowth for many hair loss conditions besides androgenetic alopecia, including Alopecia Areata.

You can find a wealth of photographic examples showing how formulations of high strength minoxidil from Belgravia's in-clinic pharmacies have helped clients to regrow their thinning hair, in our extensive Hair Loss Success Stories. One of those featured is Lucy, pictured right, who has seen tremendous results through following a comprehensive hair loss treatment plan for her Female Pattern Hair Loss and Chronic Telogen Effluvium.

Other ways to help thinning hair appear fuller

Besides treating the underlying cause of the hair loss, the best tips for making thinning hair appear fuller are to ensure your follicles receive the necessary nutrients for healthy hair. This can be achieved by adjusting your diet to include hair-friendly vitamins and minerals, or by taking a dietary supplement, such as Hair Vitalics. Healthy hair will always appear thicker than dry, brittle hair that is malnourished so helping your hair from within is a great first step.

You should also speak to your hairdresser about getting a haircut that adds the illusion of volume. This will generally involve getting layers as thin hair that is all one length tends to hang straight down which can make it appear limp.

Although many women rely on tightly affixed hair extensions and weaves to make their hair appear fuller, this temporary solution should be avoided as it can actually do more harm than good. The weight of these pieces can tug on the roots, causing excessive tension which can damage the follicles, leading to a hair loss condition known as Traction Alopecia.

Whilst nutritional aids and a good haircut may help to make the hair appear fuller, the best way to deal with any kind of hair loss is to address the actual cause of the condition. Visit a hair loss expert as soon as you notice any unusual shedding or thinning for personalised, specialist advice on your specific condition and stage of hair loss, as well as how best to treat it.