Anti-Aging and Acne Solutions

I see so many truly gorgeous women and men every day who are obviously working very hard to keep their bodies toned, spending time and money on great skin care products to keep their skin looking younger and healthier.  In addition, I know of women and men who have gone to very expensive lengths to get tummy tucks, breast augmentation, botox and other injectables.  However, all too often, women and men alike neglect a very important part of their apparance that can easily add years to an otherwise younger face or body:  their HAIR.

Your hair, condition of your hair, color and style can shave years off of your chronological age, or, unfortunately, add years…depending upon how you care for your hair and how you work with your dermatologist and/or stylist to truly address hair and anti-aging hair products and styles.

First of all, as we age, it is normal for our hair to thin.  The diameter of the hair shaft gets smaller, so those thinner strands make your hair style look like it has less volume.   The number of folicles may not change, but overall thickness and volume will for most men and many women.  Furthermore, this thinner hair shaft is more prone to breaking, so damage is more prevalent and is more obvious with a thinner head of hair.

You can get medical treatments for thinning hair, as stress, changes in diet, iron deficiencies and declining estrogen and hormonal levels take their toll on our hair as well.  Talk to your doctor or dermatologist about products with a 2 percent minoxidil solution, (known as Rogaine, over the counter) as that is the only FDA-approved treatment for female pattern baldness.  For male pattern baldness there are other treatments, such as a once-a-day pill called Propecia.  However, Propecia is NOT for use for women with thinning hair.  Unfortunately, there are all too many very expensive treatments that are sold as thinning hair solutions that may only thin your wallet.  Be sure to ask your dermatologist first!

Also, as we age, our hair can lose lustre and shine.  Why?  Our scalp gets drier and drier as our skin produces less ceramides and our oil glands produce less oil.  Dyes can add to the problem, as well as other harsh chemicals or treatments that we apply to our hair and scalp.  Work with your stylist to get the right shampoo and conditioner, as well as heat protection products for blow drying and straightening, gloss products, shine sprays and other treatments and solutions that can add shine and gloss to your hair.    You can also ask your dermatologist for suggestions regarding your scalp health and how to best address any scalp issues that may be impacting your hair, hair volume and lustre.

Here are some additional solutions to dealing with aging hair:

*  Too many people dye their hair either too dark, or too light.  If you dye your hair too dark, it can make you appear much older, as the contrast is simply too harsh.  If you dye your hair too light, it will wash you out and age you very quickly.  Work with your stylist to find the right color option for your hair, hair style, hair condition, skin tone and age.  Let’s face it, while we may have been beach blonde kids, we may not be destined to be beach blonde adults!  You can still find a great, attractive, youthful color that will create an overall youthful appearance without adding years to your appearance.

*  Too many people stick to a hair style that worked for them 10, 20, even 30 years ago.  For example, I still see way too many women working the still, feathered, high volume bang look from the 80’s.  While that worked for us when we were in our teens or twenties, it does not work for us in our forties!  The overly stiff hair styles can add years, as well as severely damage the thinning hair shafts when you brush out those styles.  Find a style that is softer, current, chic and age-appropriate.  Sometimes it is a good thing to let go of the past, and move forward to a new hair style that will shave years off of your look!

Guys, comb-overs simply don’t work.  And, ladies, comb-overs don’t work for us, either!  Again, work with your stylist to find style options that can minimize the appearance of a thinner area on your scalp, or an area that is balding.  There are options such as wiglets or hair pieces that can provide a natural look, when they are selected and used properly. 

Also, many women feel that if they add layers, they will automatically and magically add volume.  That is not necessarily true of thinning hair.  Opt for longer layers, which can add volume, not several shorter layers throughout your hair style.

*  Too many women, and sometimes even men, create very severe, pulled back or slicked back hair styles.  I love to wear a ponytail, however, I am wearing them much looser than I did years ago.  Not only does that severe look add years to your appearance, but it can also cause a lot of damage to your hair shaft that is more delicate.  You can still work a fun ponytail, but wear one that is looser and add some lift at the crown to create a more youthful ponytail look.    All too often, those slicked back hair styles only accentuate how thin your hair truly is, and you can opt for a hair style that has more volume and texture.

*  Too many people leave their hair too long, limp and lifeless.  I am the first to admit to wanting to have longer hair as I associate that with a more youthful look.  However, if you are going to wear your hair longer, you should ensure that it gets proper, frequent trims and that you add some volume to your hair with volumizing products (not stiff hairspray!).  There are many volumizers that your stylist can recommend, many even from the drug or convenience store that are affordable and effective at bringing lift and volume to your longer hair styles.

I can attest to recently getting six inches cut off of the length of my hair and getting immediate feedback on how much younger I looked, better rested…even asked if I had done facial treatments!  Getting rid of the excess hair, the damaged and lifeless ends truly brought more bounce, volume and youth to my hair AND my appearance!

*  Too many women wear bangs that are too severe and blunt.  Yes, bangs can be cheaper than botox for hiding some fine lines in the forehead.  But, the wrong bang style can actually add years to your face.  Get your bangs cut soft and a bit fingy, and brushing them slightly to the side creates a far more youthful look and feel.  Avoid the “wispy” bangs, as they will look, well, wispy…and can make your hair look thinner.

Work with your dermatologist to get great suggestion on medications and treatments, and work closely with your stylist to get the right color, cut and products.  One of the best pieces of advice I can give is that sometimes it can simply be time to get a new stylist.  Find someone you know with great hair, find out who their stylist is.  I have even asked women that I have seen in restaurants, at the mall, at the grocery store who does their hair!  Often, we get caught in a hair rut…and our stylist can be in a hair rut, too!  They may think that they are doing the right thing by giving us what we ask for, however, a great stylist will professionally steer you in the right direction for color and cut and you will love the results!  Or, they may be putting you in a look that “everyone” else has that is simply not right for you at all. You CAN look years younger with the right hair color, a great cut and products that give your hair fantastic, natural volume and sheen!