Aging, as we know it, is certainly a beautiful thing in its own right, however, it can also be unbelievably frustrating. You find your perfect remedy to one ailment, only to be struck a week later by the next in what seems like a never-ending saga of bodily changes. So what is it about getting older and your hair changing so much, – we’re talking thinning, color change, coarseness, and curl – and what on earth are we supposed to do about it?

Recommended Video The good news is, it may be somewhat reversible. By that, I mean your hair may be negatively reacting to one or more factors in your life that can be easily changed. And while it may still be genetic, there are a number of things you might be able to do to repair your otherwise unruly hair to get it back to its former glory.

Fluctuating Hormones

Let’s be real, there are a lot of reasons your hormones may be doing the shuffle. It could be birth control, menstruation, pregnancy, or simply age (hello menopause)! All of these could cause any number of changes to your hair. A significant loss of estrogen causes hair follicles to shrink, which can lead to a reduction in the thickness of the hair. Additionally, during menopause, estrogen levels tend to drop and are replaced by androgen. This rise often results in a finer texture, and can also send varying signals to your hair follicles, physically changing their shape and creating a curl where your hair used to be straight, or vice-versa.

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One way to combat this is to introduce naturally estrogen-saturated foods into your diets, such as nuts, seeds, plant-based proteins like tofu and soybeans, berries, and red wine. While post-partum hair loss may seem extreme, it is temporary and simply due to your body getting back on track. Of course, if you think this is due to a change in birth control, talk to your doctor about what your other options may be.