4 ways to care for long hair – whatever your age!
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Long gone are the days when long hair was only for the younger set. After all, with teens and twentysomethings going for grey hair and shorter cuts, it proves that hair and age don’t really have much to do with each other.
However, as we get older the condition of our hair does change, meaning you have to work a little harder if you want longer hair to be strong, healthy and shiny. Here are the haircare secrets that work, whatever your age…
1. Choose the right hairstyle for you
It doesn’t really matter how long you decide to go, just make sure it suits your face shape and the texture of your hair. If you have a round or square face, you may be better suited to a longer hairstyle. If you have a narrower face, then a cropped look could suit you more.
Similarly, if your hair is thin and wispy, keeping it above the shoulder in a blunt style is a good idea if you want it to appear thicker and fuller. On the other hand thick and wavy hair can benefit from being allowed to grow a little longer. There is no one rule according to your age bracket – the most important factor is what suits you.
2. Don’t let menopause maul your mane
There aren’t many parts of the body the menopause doesn’t affect – and your hair is no exception. While your hair will naturally age with you once you’re past the age of 20, the menopause will rapidly speed up this process. This is because the body produces less oestrogen, so hair becomes thinner and the speed of growth decreases.
Thin hair is brittle and prone to breakages, so be careful when it comes to heat styling and brushing – apply a heat defence spray, choose lower temperature settings and avoid using heat on your hair every day if you can. For extra protection, be sure to use a protein-based shampoo and conditioner to bolster hair strands, such as Pantene Repair and Protect Shampoo and Pantene Repair and Protect 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner.
3. Boost its inner strength with vitamins
If you are serious about keeping your hair longer, you need to take a look at your lifestyle. Once hair has left the scalp, half the work will already have been done, so make sure you are eating a diet rich in zinc, iron and Omega-3 fatty acids that will help boost growth and hair health.
A quick way to tell if your hair is lacking is to take a look at the rest of your body; if you’re suffering with dry skin or weak nails, the chances are your hair is missing out on something, too. You could take a multivitamin to make sure you are getting everything you need.
Trying to grow your hair long? Check out our 6 tips for growing your hair long.
4. Maintain your hairs precious natural oils
While you may have battled with greasy hair in your teens, you’ll probably have to contend with the opposite problem as you age.
Sebum (oil) production tends to slow down as we get older, especially once we hit the end of our 60s and 70s. A lack of oil can mean dry hair, which is another reason why it can be prone to damage and breakage. So scale back to washing your hair just once or twice a week, as over-washing can strip it of those precious natural oils.
Do you have long hair? What are your tips to care for it? Let us know in the comments section below. And for more secrets to keeping your hair healthy, visit Pantene.