Aging Backwards Tuesday Tips #26: Healthy Hair, Youthful Hair

We spend countless hours - not to mention dollars - trying to improve the appearance of aging skin, but what about our hair? As we age, our hair loses its color and can appear dull, faded and coarse. Factors that age hair include sun and harsh weather, hormonal changes, chemical treatments, heat styling, lack of protein and the natural slow-down of cell regeneration. Even certain medications such as high blood pressure and cholesterol medicines can age hair. So what can you do to make your hair look more youthful?

Aging Backwards Happy Hair Tips

1) Choose the right hairstyle. Having a hairstyle that flatters your face and shows your personality is one way to look younger. Look through magazines for hairstyles and pick out styles you like on people who have hair similar to yours, regardless of their ages. Bring them to a hairstylist you trust and let them guide you and give you the best cut for your face shape and hair type.

2) Check your iron levels. Non-genetic hair loss is much worse in women who are deficient in iron and those who have low levels of the B vitamins. Nine out of ten women ages 16 - 50 and one in three women over 50 are deficient in iron.

3) Go natural. If you constantly use heat to dry and style your hair, trying letting it dry naturally whenever possible. When it's almost dry, you can roll it up in large velcro rollers to smooth and style without heat or damage.

4) Rinse with cold. For shiny hair, give it a final rinse with cold water. This will close the cuticle and leave a smooth, shiny surface. Using the cold blast button on the blow-dryer has a similar smoothing effect.

5) Try a different style. Thanks to the digital age, you can "try on" hairstyles by uploading your photo to virtual try on studios. The Hair Styler lets you fill out a comprehensive form that helps you find the perfect hairstyle for you. Questions include gender, complexion, face shape, eye color, age, hair texture, hair density, hair type (wavy, curly or straight), current length, desired length, height, hair color, cowlicks, length of your neck and more. As I said...it's comprehensive.

6) Try a different color. Clairol.com has a color quiz that will help you match your color to your "inner beauty."

7) Go wig shopping. Want to change your hairstyle temporarily for special occasions? Keep some cute wigs in your closet and transform your look whenever you want for as long as you want.

8) Go easy on products. Less is more when it comes to hair products and that includes shampooing. Washing hair every day can strip it of natural oils. If possible, try shampooing every other day and use light, alcohol-free products that won't weigh your hair down.

9) Try scalp massage. Massaging the scalp enhances blood circulation and helps strengthen the roots of the hair, promoting new hair growth. Not only does the massage work wonders for your hair, but it also relaxes the mind and nervous system.

10) Nourish your hair. Eating a well-balanced diet is not just good for your body, it's good for your hair as well. One particularly hair-friendly food is seaweed. Some people even claim it helps to re-grow hair. According to research, seaweed promotes the growth of thicker, more lustrous hair. Find it online at Maine Coast Sea Vegetables.

So, if you're feeling adventuresome, try something different with your hair and remember, it's only hair. If you experiment and hate the style, it grows back. If you experiment with the color and change your mind, just re-color it. Hair is one of the few things we can afford to make mistakes with and not regret, at least not permanently.