Have you seen the typical haircuts of elderly women? Usually, most old ladies look like they got the same short haircuts from the same barber! So, why do old ladies have short hair most of the time?
As women age and grow older, they are likely to have their bodies change and their faces become different. Further, their hair may change as well. Their hair becomes thinner while their hair color and texture also change. These are some of the reasons why a shorter hairstyle may look better on an older woman.
Let’s dig into why older women tend to have short hairstyles.
Key Points
- Hair growth tends to stop in females between 44 to 55 years of age.
- Lack of hormones, estrogen and progesterone, menopause, etc., affects hair growth.
- Older women can still grow long hair, which may take longer due to breakage and dryness.
- Short haircuts look modern and suit older women’s changing faces and skin.
- Thinning hair and texture changes are common in older age.
- Long hair takes more work and upkeep in older age.
- Women tend to cut their hair short at age 40 or 50 due to thinning and texture changes.
At What Age Does Hair Stop Growing in Females?
Hair tends to stop growing in females anywhere from 44 years of age to 55 years of age. That often relates to the same period that a woman goes through menopause.
Essentially, when a woman’s ovaries no longer produce estrogen and progesterone, she will enter menopause. Healthy hair growth needs the hormones estrogen and progesterone. When these hormones are no longer produced in the woman’s body, her hair stops growing.
Can Old Ladies Grow Long Hair?
Older women can still potentially grow long hair, but it may take much longer than in their younger years. The lack of progesterone and estrogen hormones in women who are in menopause often have much slower-growing hair.
Older women also have breakage and dryness issues with their hair, which also means it takes longer to grow long hair. Yet, with the help of hair products, older women can grow long hair without too much trouble.
Related: Can You Keep Long Hair After 65?
Why Do Most Old Ladies Prefer Short Hair?
There are numerous reasons why older women would rather have a short hairstyle. A few of these reasons are:
- A short hairstyle provides a modern look
- Their hair grows thinner and breaks off more easily
- The color and texture of hair change in older age
- Handling long hair takes too much work in older age
- Short hairstyles suit older women’s changing faces and skin
#1: Short Haircut Gives a More Modern Look.
A short haircut for older women makes them look a bit younger and more modern. The short hairstyle lifts an older woman’s aging face and gives it a more attractive look. To have a more youthful look, older women can benefit from a short haircut along with a focus on diet and exercise.
Yet, most hairstylists tend to agree that how short you cut your hair should depend on the health of the hair. More brittle and thin hair may require a short haircut.
#2: Hair Gets Thinner as People Grow Older.
As both men and women grow older, their hair tends to get thinner and less shiny. For women specifically, menopause leads them to have more slowly-growing hair that becomes thinner over time. Older women’s hair also looks more dull and bland over time.
Some aging women like pixie cuts, while others may have hair long enough to put up into ponytails or up in a bun. As the hair thins out, it’s up to each individual woman what type of short hairstyle to choose.
#3: Hair Texture and Pigment Changes As Women Age.
The pigment in an aging woman’s hair becomes duller and less vibrant over time. Older women tend to have graying hair. You are likely to see many more ladies dye their grey hair once they grow older. Women who had thick, coarse hair will see the texture become dryer and thin out more.
Further, with many hair follicles losing their ability to grow hair after a certain age, women will likely have a different hair texture over time.
#4: Older Women Don’t Have As Much Interest in Fussing Over Long Hair.
Long hair comes with tons of responsibilities. As women grow older, their hair becomes thinner and tends to break off more easily. To keep your hair from breaking off and keeping your cut long, you’ll need to use more hair products and essentially fuss over that long hair.
You can even use prescription medication like Topical minoxidil and the acne medicine spironolactone. You will also want to use hair conditioner regularly and avoid putting your hair into buns or ponytails. Older women, however, don’t want to spend their golden years fussing over long hair. That’s why they prefer short hairstyles.
#5: As Older Women’s Faces Change, Short Hair Suits Them Better.
When older women age, their faces change and even their skin becomes drier and more wrinkly. Their faces may look thinner and longer over time. Short hairstyles, however, generally suit longer faces better than hair that goes well past the shoulders.
At What Age Should a Woman Cut Her Hair Short?
Once women hit age 40, they are more likely to face those hair problems. Thinness and changes in texture and pigments are more common in women past age 40.
Women can still choose to use hair products and other materials to keep their hair long, but many women start to cut their hair short at 40 or 50 years of age.
As the hair grows thinner over time, it’s easier to cut hair short to avoid breakage and make it easier to maintain. When you hit middle age, you may also want to trim your hair short for a youthful look!