Is Your Hair Making You Look Older Than You Are?

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I’ve been coloring my hair for years. Until somewhat recently, it was a dark, vibrant red (thanks to frequent trips to the salon), and I was unaware that I was making a midlife hair mistake — choosing a color that was demanding and expensive for me to maintain. While my color was gorgeous, my “grow-out” was not — and it made me look older.

Midlife women are prone to making hair mistakes that can age them, says hairstylist Morgan Thomas, 38. Part of the reason is that your hair changes as you get older. “As we age, we lose hair volume, and we lose collagen,” explains Thomas. “Your hair often feels more lifeless than it did before.” Your oil production also slows, which makes your hair more brittle, resulting in duller, frizzier and older-looking hair. And no one wants that! Fear not — we’ve got the rundown on the seven biggest midlife hair mistakes.

Mistake: Sticking with the Same Shade of Hair Color

Been sticking with that same shade for years (or decades)? It’s probably time to mix it up. “As we age, our skin color changes, so we need to switch up our hair color,” says Thomas. “If you’re still coloring your hair, you’ll want to go warmer — in the direction of golds and away from ashier tones.” Not sure about the right shade? Make an appointment with a professional colorist to help you choose the most flattering tone for your skin and eye color. It’s well worth the expense.

Mistake: Failing to Update Your Cut

As you get older, your hair texture changes. You may lose volume or discover that your gray hair is coarser and curlier than its earlier shade. A different type of hair requires a different kind of cut. “Nothing is going to make you look more dated than the hairstyle you wore in your 20s or 30s,” warns Thomas. “You want to implement a cut that is going to work for your hair texture. That might be updating your cut with more layers to give you height, changing the shape of the cut or adding a fringe or bangs so that it flatters your face shape.”

Mistake: Choosing the Wrong Type of Color for Your Lifestyle

If you’re committed to hiding all your gray (and you have a lot), plan on coloring your hair every four weeks or so. If that’s too much for your schedule or budget, consider opting for a different type of color. A lot of women in their 40s and beyond choose a mix of highlights and lowlights to blend their gray instead of using permanent hair color that leaves a harsh line as it grows out, says Thomas. Permanent color can age you before your time; semi-permanent or demi color fades beautifully, leaving less of a telltale “before and after” line. “Choose a color schedule that works for you, not against you,” she adds.

Mistake: Using the Wrong Type of Hair Care Products

You may need to switch up your hair care products. “Your needs are different,” explains Thomas. “The same moisturizer that worked at 25 doesn’t work at 65.” A lot of midlife women use volume products to restore lost density, but they can also dry out your hair. The solution? Make sure you’re using some kind of moisturizing product or hair mask every week or so. “It’s a fine balance between catering to the volume and not skimping on the moisture that we’re already lacking as we age,” explains Thomas. For a sleek, healthy look, use a lightweight shine spray instead of a heavy oil or serum that can weigh your hair down.

Mistake: Wearing Your Hair Too Long

Surprise! This isn’t necessarily a mistake. “If you have enough density and your hair isn’t thinning out, long hair can look really beautiful at any age,” says Thomas. Take a careful look at your coif — if your hair is verging on stringy or lackluster, it may be time to shorten your cut. Limp, straggly locks are aging.

Mistake: Ignoring Age-Related Hair Loss

If you notice hair loss, don’t ignore it. “If you can jump on it and treat it right away, you’ll see better benefits,” says Thomas. Thinning hair doesn’t get better on its own. There are foams, sprays and drugs like Minoxidil or Rogaine that can help — keep in mind, though, that these only tend to work while you’re taking them, so it is a long-term commitment. Talk to your dermatologist about the best option if you’re worried about hair loss.

Mistake: Not Replacing Your Tools

Finally, it may be time to get rid of that trusty flat iron if you’ve had it a while. Styling tools (think curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers) age just like we do. They tend to get hotter, don’t work as well and can damage hair. If your tool is several years old, consider replacing it. And if you dry, curl or flat iron your hair frequently, use a heat protectant to shield the hair shaft from damage and keep it strong and shiny.

When you have healthy hair, a flattering style and a color that suits you, you’ll feel and look younger — which means every day can be a “good hair day.”

Do you wear your hair short or long? Let us know in the comments below.