3 Easy Ways to Combat Age-Related Hair Loss and Regrow Strands
Stress, hormone flux, and genetics are all factors that contribute to age-related hair loss. More than half of women over 40 deal with thinner-looking tresses, so we found the latest ways and science-backed remedies to easily thicken hair — no matter the cause!
Sparse spots? Try a Supplement
While there are ways to conceal bald patches, getting to the root of the problem can reverse them altogether! To the rescue: astaxanthin, like Naomi Organic Astaxanthin (Buy at NaomiW.com, $35). The microalgae-derived antioxidant inhibits enzymes responsible for creating dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone linked to balding, says Philadelphia-based dermatologist Erum Ilyas, MD. In fact, one study found that taking 10 mg. of astaxanthin daily lowered DHT levels by 40 percent in three months to “fill in” spots.
Stalled growth? Opt for a Serum
Hair follicles shrink over time, causing more of them to enter a hibernation phase that stunts growth. But a scalp serum infused with Redensyl, like Actsyl-3 Hair Growth Serum (Buy at Walmart, $24.99), can help wake them up! Applied to the scalp, this compound made from green tea and larch tree extracts has been shown to awaken dormant hair follicles and prolong the growth phase, increasing growth by up to 214 percent in three months. Massage a dime-size amount of serum onto the scalp before bed each night.
Excessive fallout? Go for This Combo
Environmental factors like pollution and free radicals can inflame the scalp and contribute to age-related hair loss. This weakens the grip our scalp has on hair, so it falls out prematurely, says Dr. Ilyas. The easy solution? Hair products infused with piroctone olamine to fight free radicals, zinc pyrithione to rebalance scalp skin, and B vitamins to strengthen skin’s barrier. Scientists say these nutrients relieve oxidative stress and fortify hair at the root to limit fallout. Plus, a clinical study found those using this blend had 2,400 more hairs on their head after six months of daily use.
Find the nutrient combo in: Keep It Anchored Essentials Kit for Women (Buy at KeepItAnchored.com, $59; use code 20FWW&KIA for 20 percent off at checkout), which comes with shampoo and scalp essence infused with the nutrients. Use the shampoo every other day and the essence on non-shampoo days.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for Women.
