Ageing is a complex process involving various genetic, hormonal and environmental mechanisms. Just like skin, the scalp and hair are subject to internal (chronological) and external ageing due to environmental factors.
Natural Hair Ageing Process
Hair is continuously renewing itself in a three-stage cycle: anagen (growth), catagen (transition) and telogen (rest). With age, the anagen phase shortens, leading to slower hair regrowth and deterioration at multiple levels. Hair becomes thinner, drier, more fragile and brittle, losing colour, volume and eventually falling out permanently. These changes originate in the living part of the hair – the hair follicle, from the bulb to the bulge – and can also affect the scalp, making it drier and more sensitive.
Keratin proteins, the fundamental building blocks of hair strands, are held together by various chemical bonds, including hydrogen, disulphide and ionic bonds. As we age, these bonds weaken, further contributing to the decline in hair quality. This programmed ageing and decline in the appearance of hair can be mitigated by targeting key mechanisms in the hair cycle, aiming to prolong the anagen phase and extend the lifespan of healthy hair.
Young vs. aged hair: structural and functional differences
Mechanisms of Hair Ageing
- Genetic Factors: Genetic predispositions can significantly influence the rate and pattern of hair ageing.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly those associated with ageing, such as decreased levels of estrogen and testosterone, impact hair growth and health. During menopause and andropause, these hormonal shifts become more pronounced, leading to noticeable hair ageing effects, including thinning, reduced volume and altered texture.
- Molecular Changes: As hair ages, the molecular structure of keratin proteins—the building blocks of hair—undergoe changes. The chemical bonds that maintain hair strength, such as hydrogen, ionic and disulfide bonds, weaken over time. This degradation affects the hair’s integrity, making it duller, drier and less resilient.
- Structural Changes: With age, hair follicles gradually shrink, resulting in the production of finer, weaker hair strands. This alters the overall structure of hair , including the density and organisation of keratin fibres, this can lead to thinner hair and changes in texture, making it more prone to damage and breakage.
- Visible / Age-related Changes: The ageing process leads to visible changes such as reduced resilience, volume and loss of colour. Hair may appear more brittle and fragile due to decreased moisture retention and weakened internal bonds. Additionally, the scalp can become drier and more sensitive, further affecting the appearance and health of the hair.
Factors that Accelerate Hair Ageing
- Heat Styling Tools: With age, the hair’s moisture content diminishes, reducing the number of hydrogen bonds. External factors like frequent use of heat styling tools and excessive washing exacerbate this reduction.
- Chemical Treatments: Frequent use of hair dyes, perms and relaxers can damage the hair’s structural integrity. These treatments can weaken the hair shaft, disulphide bonds and contribute to breakage and thinning.
- Environmental Stressors: Exposure to harsh chemicals, UV radiation and pollution can cause oxidative stress, damaging the scalp and hair.
- Environmental pollutants: As the scalp ages, its natural pH balance varies, weakening the ionic bonds in the hair. Harsh chemicals can also disrupt these bonds.
- UV radiation and pollution: With age, disulphide bonds weaken due to decreased cysteine production and are further compromised by UV radiation and pollution.
- Stress: Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which disrupt the hair growth cycle and alter the hair’s molecular structure, causing it to become finer and less resilient. Additionally, stress-induced oxidative damage can weaken the hair shaft, resulting in changes to texture and overall hair quality.
Strategies to Mitigate Hair Ageing
To combat the effects of hair ageing, Oat Cosmetics has developed EcoPep (Avena sativa (Oat) Peptide), a high-purity natural peptide in powder form. This innovative active revitalises hair and works at multiple levels for molecular, structural and visible repair, combatting premature ageing:
- Molecular Reparation with EcoPep:
At the molecular level, EcoPep addresses the core of hair ageing by repairing keratin proteins damaged by external aggressors, such as heat styling tools. It helps restore the integrity of weakened hydrogen and disulfide bonds, crucial for maintaining hair strength and resilience. By preventing further deterioration, EcoPep enhances overall hair quality and resilience, making it a powerful solution against molecular hair ageing. - Structural Reparation with EcoPep:
On a structural level, EcoPep plays a vital role in repairing hair damaged by chemical treatments. It works to reorganise and densify keratin fibres, resulting in healthier, more structured hair. This structural improvement not only promotes hair strength but also helps maintain the integrity of hair strands, reducing breakage and thinning. - Visible Structural Reparation with EcoPep:
Visibly, EcoPep delivers noticeable results by enhancing hair thickness, even after 3 months of exposure to environmental stressors. By strengthening damaged hair and preventing breakage, it contributes to a fuller, more voluminous appearance. This visible repair ensures that hair looks and feels healthier, combating the common signs of hair ageing such as thinning and loss of volume.
Understanding the mechanisms behind hair ageing is crucial for developing effective strategies to maintain healthy, youthful hair. EcoPep addresses molecular, structural and visible factors, making it possible to slow down the natural ageing process of hair. This holistic approach enhances the vitality and appearance of hair, ensuring that it remains vibrant and resilient as we age.
Discover the science behind EcoPep’s multi-action benefits, revitalising the scalp and hair.
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