Your once beautiful and bouncing hair has started to fade into nothingness around the time you cross 60 or way before that. Everyone goes through it and it is a normal part of aging. It is faced by both male and female senior citizens as they get older. While hereditary plays a major role in hair fall and baldness, it can also be caused by the side effects of medications and treatments taken.
Do you know that an average senior citizen loses close to 75-100 hairs each day? Most of them grow back eventually. The real problem is when hair growth stops, causing hair thinning and baldness in seniors.
Apart from hereditary factors, seniors lose hair through various underlying causes. You are more likely to loss your hair if you have these conditions below
Hyperthyroidism
Diabetes
Anemia
Hypertension
Poor diet
Smoking
Other chronic conditions
The term “Balding” is often referred to as Androgenetic Alopecia medically. It is a condition where excessive hair loss from the head occurs. People usually start losing hair after their puberty. Baldness is mostly linked to hereditary. For example, if your father lost hair as an elderly man, chances are you too might lose hair around the same time. The typical symptoms of balding in seniors includes receding hairline, widening hair parts and thinning on top of the head, etc.
Even though balding is a non preventable condition, it can be delayed to a great extent if one maintains their hair properly. The best and the most proven method to prevent hair fall and nourish the hair is oiling!
Nourishes Your Hair
One of the most recognized and noticeable effects of oiling your hair is that it gets the hydration and nourishment it needs. Oils possess numerous vitamins and minerals essential for healthy hair.
Helps Improve Hair Growth
Coconut oil is recommended as a remedy for hair growth in many hair clinics across the globe. Oiling hair exfoliates the scalp promoting new hair growth. It is also clinically proven to delay/prevent baldness in seniors.
Prevents Lice
Lices grow mostly in a dry and flaky scalp. Lice also feeds on dead skins in the scalp. Applying oil to the scalp prevents dryness and removes dead skin easily. A few hair oils are specially manufactured for lice prevention and antibacterial properties.
Strengthens hair roots
By oiling your hair regularly, the hair roots get strengthened. It removes toxins from hair and promotes natural hair oil production in the roots, preventing early age hair loss. It reduces the fizz in the hair
Prevents Bacteria and Fungal infections
Most hair oils have antifungal and antibacterial properties. These oils when applied to the scalp prevents fungus and bacterial growth. They also prevent hair from UV rays and dirt from penetrating the scalp.
Do not wash the oil too soon
To reap the maximum benefit from oiling your hair make sure to leave it uninterrupted for at least one hour. This time frame lets the oil penetrate through the hair follicles and helps nourish the scalp.
Do not comb your hair after oiling
It is a known fact that hair follicles are much weaker after oiling or shower and hence avoid combing your hair as soon as you oil. This will cause the hair to break and fall.
Avoid over usage
Our bodies produce natural oils. Applying too much external oil and washing them with extra shampoo will strip off the hair’s natural oils along with the excess oils.
Do not massage too vigorously
Massaging the hair too vigorously can do more harm than good. Massages improve blood circulation in the scalp increasing hair growth
When it comes to hair oils, Coconut oil, Argan oil, Almond oil... the list goes on! With so many different options to choose from and different benefits for each oil. Since there are so many options to choose from, many seniors wonder which oils are the best to use for their hair type. This upcoming section will be a perfect guide for you to choose the right type of oil for your hair.
Coconut oil
When anyone thinks of hair oil, the first oil which comes to the mind in coconut oil. This is pretty much the holy grail of hair oil. It is a heat protectant which deeply moisturizes the hair strands and prevents damage and breakage. Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids, and hence penetrates the hair deeply leading to shiny hair. It is recommended to use organic coconut oils whenever possible rather than chemical ones. Coconut oil retains moisture and stays inside the hair instead of evaporating,
Recommend for : All senior hair types especially those with dry and dull hair. It is also ideal for seniors with slow hair growth
How to use : If your scalp is usually oily, apply coconut oil to the hair between mid-shaft to end, without the roots. Whereas in case of dry scale, apply onto the scalp as well. Heating coconut oil before applying also is beneficial. After applying, leave the oil for 30 minutes to an hour and rinse with shampoo. At least weekly once for best results.
Argan oil
Argan oils are produced from argan trees. Argan oil works wonders for senior hair. These oils are rich in fatty acids and antioxidants and multiple vitamins. Being golden in color, it is also referred to as ‘Liquid Gold’. Argan oils have very little processing and are devoid of any chemicals.
Recommend for : Frizzy or coarse hair that has been styled. Since it is less greasy, it is also suitable for seniors whose hair tends to get greasy.
How to use : Argan oil is much viscous than coconut oil and hence reduces the greasiness in the hair. Argan oil can be used frequently. The recommended usage is to pour a few drops in hand, rub them and then apply to hair avoiding roots. It is a quick anti-frizz n treatment.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is great for hair growth in seniors because it has vital nutrients such as vitamin E, minerals and proteins. Castor oils are derived from Castor beans. These oils support the keratin in hair, making it stronger and healthier. The cold pressed variant of castor oil is much better than other types. They have super dandruff fighting properties. Castor oils can also be applied to eyelashes to promote thick eyelashes growth.
Recommend for : Seniors with hair loss and lower hair growth rates. Also seniors who are having dandruff issues can remove dandruff through regular usage of castor oils
How to use : Castor oils work best when they are mixed just a few drops with your regular oil. Use this mixture to gently apply to your scalp and leave it overnight preferably. Repeat weekly.
Olive Oil
As much as olives are beneficial to our bodies, Olive oils are also beneficial to our hair. Olive oils contain compounds known as emollients. These compounds soften the hair strands and act as a nourishing agent. Olive oil is also rich in Vitamin E, which prevents damage from pollution. These oils are natural sunscreens for hair.
Ideal for : Damaged and frizzy hair in seniors. Seniors who have a long dandruff issues can try applying olive oil for excellent results
One size does not fit all. The same, applies for each of our hair types. Just because an oil has high positive reviews and advertisements doesn’t mean it is suitable for your hair type. The key to finding the correct oil is to keep trying and not be afraid to move on if it doesn’t work.
Visit 60Plus India’s website to get these hair products for seniors and speak to dermatologists specialized in senior hair care.
And of course, things like this don’t happen overnight and through long term usage, you can be sure to get healthy, shiny and long hair.
Author: Team 60plus India
Keywords: Oil, hair oiling, best hair oil for seniors, Cause of hairfall in seniors,
Balding in Seniors, Benefits of hair oiling in seniors, Mistakes to avoid while oiling hair, Coconut oil, Argan oil, Castor oil, Olive oil, Best oil for seniors.
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