At age 43 my hair seems different than it used to be. I am not sure how to describe it. Both more lifeless and more frizzed?

Are these normal changes? What should I expect over time?

Hi Jilly,

Mine went the same way at about the same age, so I think it is pretty normal. Up until then my hair had a natural wave and body to it, so even when it was long it didn't go limp. But after my early forties it lost loads of body and if it was anything longer than collar length it just lay there flat as a pancake.

You can help it along a bit by using a body building shampoo; also putting a colour on will increase body to some extent, but that's really all you can do. I tried vitamins and supplements but they made no difference at all.

Sadly, frizziness is normal too, but a good conditioner helps. Apart from that, the only solution is go shorter as you get older so that it's easier to deal with. Some women are lucky enough to look good with longer hair in their forties, fifties and beyond, but most of us end up with our limp, frizzy locks on the salon floor!

Mine slowly faded from dark brown to a sort of ash blonde, and got finer in texture. I now wear it very short and fluff it up with a brush after shampooing and spritz it with a little hair spray so it doesn't lay down and disappear.

I like it flatter and finer in texture, so i don't want to use anything to give it body. It always had more body than i could handle.

But it really could use some color. It's not even remotely pretty anymore. I might even put in some bright purple strands, just to play with it.

Yikes, Grace, i have no desire to go shorter. :-O That seems to signal old age to me. I'd rather have limp long hair than an 'old lady do'. I have not used conditioner in years, though - maybe it's time to try that again.

I refuse to dye my "salt & pepper" hair for two reasons = one, too much stress keeping up with the roots as my hair grows rast - second, it does damage your hair and as you get older, as hair does get more "brittle"...

I use a "leave in" conditioner after using a "clarifier" shampoo which helps to remove the product buildup that sometimes makes your hair look dirty, limp and so on. I then use a "moisturizer" shampoo.

They say we should use a special shampoo once in a while to keep the gray from turning yellow. I did this in the past before WalMart discontinued carrying such shampoo. Now I have to wait until I can afford to go to the beauty store as they cost so much more.

LOVE this thread - thank you ladies for sharing and will be checking back to see what awesome comments have been added.

At age 53, I refuse to call myself "over the hill" - but PROUD of my age and life's experiences. Be the best YOU can be.

Oh, nearly forgot, finally trimmed my hair ends yesterday - it does look better. They say that keeps the hair healthy and looking decent.

Any thoughts on trimming at our age and how often?

LOL, I had to really talk myself into doing this as I want to keep my hair long - not too long. It is just past my shoulders.

Hugs,
A

I think around shoulder length, a little up or down from that, seems ageless. A length anyone can carry off. I like that, and that's where mine will stay at this point.

I agree shoulder length can look good at any age. That's about where mine is now but I'd like to go shorter - not an old lady 'poodle perm' though - just something youthful and easy to manage.

Has anyone used the Wen system? I keep seeing it on infomercials and if the stories are true it must be wonderful stuff.

Poodle perm, yeah. LOL. I don't understand that hair style.

HA. I'm considering wigs. :P

I have wigs! Really cute ones in bright playful colors like fuschia, scarlet and lavender. I used to wear them out all the time before i got married.

I need to start doing that again.