A woman’s hair growth typically slows down and stops completely between the ages of 50 and 80. There are several factors that determine when an individual woman’s hair will stop growing.
What Causes Hair Growth to Slow Down With Age?
As women get older, their hair growth slows down and may eventually stop due to the following factors:
- Hormonal changes – Estrogen levels decline as women go through menopause, which can cause hair follicles to shrink and produce thinner, shorter hairs.
- Genetics – Hair growth patterns are largely determined by genetics. If your mother or grandmother experienced early hair growth cessation, you are more likely to as well.
- Oxidative stress – Accumulation of free radical damage over time can impair the function of hair follicles.
- Nutrient deficiencies – Lower levels of nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 can disrupt the hair growth cycle.
- Scalp conditions – Problems like dandruff, psoriasis, and fungal infections can inflame and clog hair follicles, preventing hair growth.
- Medical conditions – Thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, and anemia can influence hair growth cycles and cause excessive shedding.
- Medications – Drug treatments for conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and cancer sometimes list hair loss as a side effect.
As these various factors accumulate over the years, many women find that their hair eventually stops growing entirely.
What Age Does Hair Typically Stop Growing?
On average, most women will experience a noticeable decrease in hair growth in their 50s. However, the specific age when hair growth ceases completely can vary significantly based on the individual:
- 50-60 years – Most women begin to see slower hair growth by age 50. By age 60, many have experienced complete cessation of hair growth.
- 40-50 years – It’s uncommon, but some women start to see reduced hair growth in their 40s and complete cessation by 50.
- 60-70 years – If a woman still has relatively robust hair growth in her 50s, she may not see complete cessation until her 60s or even 70s.
- 70-80 years – A small percentage of women retain some hair growth capacity up until age 80 before it finally stops.
The most commonly reported age range for complete halt of hair growth is between 50 and 60 years old. However, exceptions in both directions are not uncommon.
Factors That Influence When Hair Stops Growing
There are a variety of factors that can shift when a woman experiences complete hair growth cessation either earlier or later than the average timeline:
Causes of Early Hair Growth Cessation
- Genetics – If your mother or grandmother had early cessation of hair growth, you are genetically predisposed to it as well.
- Autoimmune disorders – Conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and alopecia areata can cause hair follicles to stop working earlier than expected.
- Scalp conditions – Long term issues with dandruff, psoriasis, eczema, and fungal infections can accelerate hair follicle damage.
- Nutrient deficiencies – Chronically low iron, zinc, or vitamin B12 levels can contribute to earlier hair growth cessation.
- Stress – High stress levels over many years increase oxidative damage and hormonal disruption, potentially halting hair growth sooner.
Causes of Later Hair Growth Cessation
- Genetics – If the women in your family had hair growth into their 70s and 80s, you may as well.
- Good nutrition – Eating a nutrient-rich diet helps minimize deficiencies that can disrupt the hair growth cycle.
- Scalp massage – Massaging the scalp stimulates blood flow and can keep hair follicles active longer.
- Stress management – Managing stress and limiting exposure to environmental toxins reduces oxidative damage to hair follicles.
- Healthy hormones – Maintaining hormone balance can prevent or delay age-related hormonal shifts that slow hair growth.
Typical Signs of Completely Stopped Hair Growth
How can you tell when your hair has completely stopped growing? Here are some of the key signs:
- No new hair growth – You don’t see any new hairs peeking through your scalp, even around your hairline.
- No hair length increase – Your hair doesn’t get any longer, even after months without trims or cuts.
- Thinning hair – Overall hair density decreases as no new hair replaces what is shed.
- Receding hairline – The frontal hairline recedes back further and further over time.
- Wider part – Your part becomes wider as overall hair density decreases.
- More scalp showing – You see more scalp shining through as you lose hair density.
Keep in mind that you may still be losing hair even if growth has stopped. Hair loss occurs in cycles, so remaining hair strands may fall out even when no new growth comes in.
What to Do When Your Hair Stops Growing
It can be upsetting and alarming when you realize your hair is no longer growing. Here are some tips for coping with complete hair growth cessation:
Consult Your Doctor
See your doctor to rule out any underlying scalp or health conditions that could be preventing hair growth. Blood tests can check for nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, or autoimmune diseases that may be factors.
Consider Medications
Medications like minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride can sometimes help restart hair growth. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor to see if these drugs may be appropriate for your situation.
Try Supplements
Hair growth supplements containing nutrients like biotin, vitamin D, iron, zinc, vitamin C, and antioxidants may support hair health. Ask your doctor about dosage and safety.
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress takes a toll on hair growth over time. Try stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, journaling, or spending time outdoors.
Improve Your Diet
Eat a balanced, micronutrient-rich diet with plenty of protein, veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats. Stay hydrated and limit processed foods.
Stimulate Your Scalp
Gently massaging your scalp may stimulate blood flow and potentially restart some hair growth, even if minimal.
Consider a Hair Transplant
Surgical hair transplant procedures can restore hair to thinning areas by extracting follicles from the back of the scalp and implanting them where needed.
Try Hair Extensions or Wigs
Extensions and wigs offer instant fullness and length if you are self-conscious about hair loss. High-quality natural wigs are hard to distinguish from real hair.
Focus on Inner Wellness
While you may not be able to restart significant hair growth, working on your overall happiness and self-confidence can help you embrace this natural transition.
The Emotional Impact of Stopped Hair Growth
It’s natural to feel upset, frustrated, or saddened when your hair stops growing. Hair is closely tied to femininity and identity, so losing your locks can take an emotional toll. Know that it’s okay to grieve this change, but also try to focus on inner positivity. Remind yourself of all your other wonderful qualities besides your hair. With time, self-acceptance can overcome the superficiality of looks. There are still many ways to express your beauty and individuality even with thin or no hair.
Does Everyone’s Hair Stop Growing Eventually?
Yes, complete cessation of hair growth eventually happens to virtually everyone as they age. The hair growth cycle slows down over time until follicles stop producing new hairs completely. This process occurs in both men and women but tends to begin earlier in women, starting at menopause.
While individual variance exists based on genetics, health, and environment, by age 80, very few individuals of any gender have much active hair growth. The aging process takes its toll on follicles’ ability to cycle and regenerate. However, accepting this inevitability and focusing on self-care can help you embrace hair changes with grace.
Conclusion
Most women experience a slowing of hair growth starting in their 50s, with complete cessation occurring between ages 50 and 80. Genetics, health conditions, hormones, and other factors influence when exactly hair stops growing for each person. While frustrating, ceased hair growth is a natural part of the aging process that can be managed with treatments, supplements, wigs, and a focus on inner positivity. Knowing that hair changes are inevitable can help you make peace with this transition.
