22 Sep Hair Changes at Midlife

Happy Friday friends!

Boy do I wish I had more pictures that i could share with you of my hair back in the ’80s. Yes, i was into heavy metal, I played a Stratocaster guitar, and I had BIG HAIR! I know there was never a back yard bonfire, so they have to be somewhere at my mom’s house. I do remember when I was of drinking age, having a can of “Coors light” on my leg, my red electric guitar making it’s debut, me all in black and a head of big curled hair in the picture. I was cool. ( or at least i thought that at the time). Remember Aqua-Net? I think I owned stock in the company!

( not the best photo, but look at that perm!)

Anyhow, let’s fast forward those days ( but i do have many a hair stories for the future…) and talk about hair at Midlife and beyond. I am almost 50, and i think it has been the last 3 years or so where I notice a difference in my hair. The color. The texture. The amount. I used to go to a salon Bella Lago Salon and Spa, where i met my current stylist, who knew about my condition and was so lovely to work with. While my hair processed, she would lead me into another room ( the eyebrow room) where I could lay down for the amount of time needed. My condition was worse when i began seeing her about 6 yrs ago. Then, however, i noticed my hair was a bit thicker and would grow faster. My hair had some shine and looked healthy.

( This was just last year but i used hot rollers. I need to use them more!)

Here are some things i have noticed just in the past 3 years, that my stylist will attest to;

1. The grays are really coming in. Most are at the hairline at the sides and also at the top of my head. i have not only gray but white hair. Sometimes I really do wish I could just go gray, but my skin tone being fair, to me, would just make me look drawn or significantly older. I do have them covered with INOA, which is a No Ammonia product.

1. Texture My sister and I went to lunch the other day and I asked her if the texture of her hair has changed. She is 43. She agreed when I said my hair has been more course over the last 3 yrs or so. My stylist recommended an oil- Kerestase and i really love it. It is going to take some time to condition properly, but when I take a bath at 5 am, I use the oils on my ends and a bit through the hair. I wrap it in a hair  turban, ( forget about the sexy look!) and go back to bed. When I wake, I rinse my hair with cooler water. This has helped the coarseness and dryness some and I think improve over time.  I also need to get my hair trimmed more often. The texture is the result of some things i will discuss further.

2. Growth- My hair used to grow pretty fast, but now I think it has slowed down. My hair has always been more fine, I suppose i didn’t think of it that way when i was younger, as not only did I have BIG hair in the 80s, but i got perms! Oh, yes, remember perms! Now, my hair is fine and i also notice my eyebrows not growing.

Hair Changes after Menopause

My situation is a bit complicated. I had to go on BC pills to stop my period, in order to avoid having my pelvis dislocate. With EDS, i have hypermobility, which causes laxity to ligaments and tendons. That in turn would dislocate my pelvis (causing the glutes and lower leg muscles to tighten and cause pain). Since i couldn’t have that, I went on a Low-dose bc called lo-Loestrin. it is low in estrogen, but I haven’t had this dislocation since being on it. I don’t know for certain if i am in Menopause, but mom was 47 and the average is 51. I can’t find out for certain unless I go off the pills, and at the present, it isn’t worth it due to the repercussions of my illness.

• Low Estrogen levels- which i have can cause enough unpleasant symptoms, but in regard to hair, this can cause a thinning of hair or a change in texture that is noticable. Women can also get thin, fine hair on the face and chin. I use hot rollers to add volume or more fullness to my hair. To combat the dryness, I let my hair mostly air dry and then spend less time with a dryer. I have also read that a blunt cut or even cut will make hair appear thinner. I have thought about an assymetrical bob at some point.
• Medication– I take various medication for my EDS. Medication can certainly change hair’s texture. When i first saw my stylist, I was not taking all i am now.
• Nutrition– I enjoy a variety of foods, but do not eat red meat or lamb. I eat mostly chicken and fish, lots of fruits and veggies, dairy..grains, I feel once you eat healthy, you crave healtier foods. Because of my illness, I get my blood checked once a year. Low iron levels can cause hair texture to change as well as other deficiencies.

Tell me in the comment section; Have you noticed a change in your hair at midlife? After Menopause? What did you do to change it, if anything/

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

Jess xo

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