HAIR LOSS AND THINNING AS WE AGE

Why Our Hair Thins as We Age

As we age, hair naturally thins, due to slower growth cycles and weaker follicles. Around 50% of people over 65 experience hair thinning or loss.

Hair loss, and loss of hair density, hair thinning and balding, typically referred to as alopecia, occurs in both males and females and affects all racial groups and ages. Genetic predisposition is the primary cause (Westgate et al., 2025).

Hair changes that come with aging include hair loss, density, slow growth, and poor texture, such as dry and brittle hair. Genetics can cause a form of baldness called alopecia. After menopause, hormonal changes can lower estrogen. Some medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases can cause hair problems and loss. Stress and illness can cause hair follicles to slow down or even cause hair to shed.

Conditions such as poor nutrition and anemia can result in vitamin deficiencies such as low protein, iron, and vitamins D & B12. Medications such as antidepressants, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapy can cause hair loss.

Many physical conditions, such as post-partum, hormonal and post-menopausal changes, seasonal hair shedding, obesity-related insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, low iron levels in women, and very low protein diets can cause hair loss and thinning.

Available Options💰💰💰

Each year, people around the globe spent over $1Billion on hair loss treatments and products, and that number is expected to grow to $13 Billion by 2025. The problems patients and consumers face are the amount of misinformation and how it influences their choices in solutions for their hair thinning and loss.

Most remedies include topical lotions, injections, and oral medications. Some common medicines are Minoxidil (Rogaine), which is an FDA approved over the counter topical treatment. It claims to stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow to the follicles. Many people claim it works for them, but it should be used consistently. 🧴💊

Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription medication for men, which slows hair loss and promotes re-growth. It’s not approved for women. It can cause sexual dysfunction, depression, and birth defects if handled by pregnant women. Platelet Rich Plasma Injections are made from your blood. It stimulates hair follicles growth. It’s expensive and is not proven to work. 💊

Minoxidil, developed for topical use for over 30 years for both male and female pattern hair loss proposes to increase blood flow to the follicles. For some scarring types of alopecia, once hair thinning/balding is diagnosed, the treatment requires continuous use, especially for pattern hair loss, and stopping treatment can cause a reversion to the original state of thinning or worse.

Corticosteroids have been shown to help hair grow again. You can take them as a pill, ointment, or injection. Some people have seen improvements from monthly injections of platelet-rich plasma injections. If you have more severe hair loss, you can try topical immunotherapy or combine several treatments.

Hair restoration surgery, like follicular unit transplants (FUT), follicular unit extraction (FUE), follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS), and laser treatments are another option.

Over the counter supplements such as biotin, collagen, vitamins and castor oil can nourish follicles from the inside out. Many people like it because it is natural, and they claim their hair grows faster and seems healthier. Also, they don’t have to worry about side effects as much.

Cosmetic treatments, such as spray-on hair fibers, thickening and volumizing shampoos and hair products can create thicker looking hair without treating the hair or affecting its growth.

Evidence for a holistic approach to improving hair includes proper nutrition, lifestyle, stress management, scalp and hair care, and management of co-morbidities and other health concerns (Westgate et al., 2025). These methods contribute to hair longevity in which follicle, scalp, and hair fibers are nourished.

Validity of Options

There are many products on the market that appeal to our insecurities, vulnerability and vanity as we age. But not all products are legitimate, work as they claim, or are priced fairly. To discern between legitimate and illegitimate claims, you should consider the following:

This article from www.webmd.com, titled “Smoke and Mirrors: Tips for Spotting Hair Restoration Scams” (Robinson & Gardner, 2025) provides an in-depth look at hair growth scams and how to identify them. The link is as follows: Smoke and Mirrors: Tips for Spotting Hair Restoration Scams.

Avoid products with big promises. Do you see words like “amazing,” “fast,” “immediate,” “instant?” Does the product claim to have nearly miraculous results, such as visible hair growth in a week? If so, it’s a red flag. Hair growth is a slow, gradual process that takes time.

Does the product provide the facts and evidence to back it up, or does it rely on testimonials or endorsements from celebrities?

Is the manufacturer transparent about the product’s ingredients, or do they use vague terms such as “all-natural blend”? It’s helpful to know that supplements and cosmetics such as vitamins and serums can be sold without proof of effectiveness, as they aren’t strictly regulated.

A product is more likely to be legitimate if it has FDA approval, Peer-reviewed research data is provided, clear warranty and refund policies are provided, legitimate doctor or pharmacy endorsements and recommendations are provided

Consider Self-Love💖💖💖

I’d like to offer another aspect of treatment to consider that perhaps cannot be provided by a lotion, pill, injection, or other therapy. Perhaps you might practice self-love and focus on nurturing yourself and increasing your feelings of self-worth. You might realize that your worth and self-esteem needn’t be dependent on your looks or based on public opinions.

Alternatives to Treatments💇

Should you still want to take some action, you may want to try some lower commitment non-invasive measures such as getting a new hairstyle with layers to give your hair height and body or trying some new hair products to give the look of thickness and body. You may also want to consider trying hair pieces or extensions, which are inexpensive and can easily be purchased online. Or you may find the use of cosmetics, such as hair colored powder which is helpful to disguise thinning areas on your scalp.

Do What's Right for You💗

Hair thinning and loss are a natural part of aging, and nothing to be ashamed of. But if you choose to enhance the appearance of your hair, there are many options to choose from, either invasively or cosmetically. Armed with knowledge, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions for yourself.

References

Robinson, K., Gardner, S. (2025). www.webmd.com Smoke and Mirrors: Tips for Spotting Hair Restoration Scams. Visited May 27, 2025. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/restoration-scams-alopecia-areata. Smoke and Mirrors: Tips for Spotting Hair Restoration Scams.

Westgate, G. E., Grohmann, D., & Sáez Moya, M. (2025). Hair Longevity-Evidence for a Multifactorial Holistic Approach to Managing Hair Aging Changes. Journal of Clinical Medicine,14(6), 1894. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14061894.