Older hair

[Sarcelle]

I have natural undyed hair, it's a dark blonde with natural blonder highlights. Even though I never appreciated it enough for the colour, condition and no fuss when it was my crowning glory, in my middle aged years it has become a pain in the proverbial.

I have a few strands of grey underneath and at the temples, but no where else. But my God the texture has changed and nothing seems to bring back good condition. (I also have scalp issues which I keep under control once a week with Nizoral, and counter intuitively because of its harshness as a shampoo, it is my best head of hair during the week.) I seem to have wiry bits, and hair that is just a few inches long and wavy, when the rest of my hair is straight. It is definitely an age thing.

So, middle aged MNetters, has your hair changed texture, and what do you use/have found helps get the softness and shine back?

I have just washed my hair and applied a mask which gets a lot of raves for being a stellar hair treatment. It is Coco and Eve. Smells divine, but looking at my hair, no change.

I have tried so many products. I bought one of those Revlon hairdryer/stylers in one - nothing to write home about. I just watched a You Tube on how to straighten hair properly rather than swiping the straightener through a few times, still the texture is rough. I don't often use straighteners these days, and when I do, always with heat protector, but if I had just done what I just did a few years ago, the result would have been glossy locks.

My hair has been a nightmare post menopause, mainly through thinning but texture as well. I have tried a lot of different shampoos/conditioners, not made any easier by only using cruelty-free products which narrows down the range a bit. The best I have found in the budget range are Dove and Faith in Nature, and I stick to these! I also religiously use a serum before drying which helps a lot.

I am amazed at how different my hair is if I use a different shampoo (although I have found ones I like, I keep looking for the holy grail that will make my hair better than just OK) and one that doesn't suit as well as the tried and tested leaves my hair dull and lifeless.

The other thing that might be worth trying as a long term option is a hair vitamin - I take one daily. Not entirely convinced but it does no harm at least.

Mine hasn’t changed colour or texture (52 and still dark, no grey, post menopause, very thin owing to medication) so I’m lucky I suppose - I now only use soap on my hair. Any soap will do but currently enjoying Sophie Allport Hedgerow Soap from Waitrose. No SLS makes a difference to my hair and skin, it doesn’t dry out as much.

Mine hasnt changed but it was always frizzy and the colour of builders tea.

I tend to straighten the front and wear in a low (stylish?) Pony tail. Luckily my face suits a pony tail but im aware it will be perceived to be too young any minute now. Im 49

Im 57, think I'm post menopause (though did have a mini period, my first in six months, at Christmas). My texture hasn't changed and I started going grey at 17 so have dyed it since then. I have thick wavy hair but I've noticed a bit of thinning towards the front (no one else would notice as I still have alot of hair). I tried some shampoo for over 40s which has caffeine in it but can't say i noticed a difference. I am a fan of the Pantene range, though I tend to buy whatever's on offer. Conditioning is a must.

I have recently bought a natural boar bristle brush mixed with some nylon bristles and have been impressed. The boar bristles helps distribute the natural oils to the hair ends, the nylon bristles mean the brush can actually get through the hair thickness. It has made my hair softer and smoother.

@veryvery do you have a brand/model name?

@pipandmum I always condition, and have tried lots of different ones ranging from everyday to high end masks. Same result. The texture as gone to shit, so to speak. You can't see my grey hair, it is hidden in the lower layers, but the top layer which used to be very smooth is just rough looking. When Ingo grey I reckon I am going to go full badger fur.

Mine is this one:

www.superdrug.com/Denman/Denman-D81M-Medium-Nylon-Bristle-Cushion-Grooming-Brush/p/341602

The description of it suggests an underlying medical condition or deficiency - get your vitamin levels and thyroid function checked

Hask shampoo and conditioner and the Argan oil

Should say ‘and then argan oil’

Keratin straightening treatment/ it’s the only way!

I am 57 and post menopausal. I have thick coarse hair. I spend a lot at the hairdressers and have dyed my hair for years. I get a special deep treatment when I am there and it makes a huge difference to my hair. It is soft and shiny. It’s great for a couple of weeks after but there is some effect for about a month - when it begins to wear off and my hair gets dry and frizzy looking again.
I also can’t use cheap shampoo. I tried recently and after a couple of weeks saw a huge deterioration in the condition. My hairdresser at the time used something and showed me that she’d scraped off a white coating in my hair. She says it’s paraffin wax- used in cheap shampoos to get initial shine - but build up over time causes dullness and poor condition.