"When I was younger, my hair was smooth and straight, but now that I'm in my 40s, it's started to get wavy."
"My hair is getting bumpier and more uneven, and it's constantly dry and frizzy..."
These age-related changes in hair quality are what is commonly known as "aging hair."
We've recently seen a significant increase in the number of people coming to our clinic for consultations because they are deeply troubled by this "deterioration of hair quality."

As we age, the phenomenon of hair becoming less manageable or more prone to frizz is deeply related to the aging of the scalp.
The type of hair that will grow is already determined before it even emerges from the scalp.

However, when people generally think about fixing frizzy hair, many lack the correct knowledge about why hair becomes wavy with age. Despite the scalp being the cause, they tend to try to change "the hair itself" by applying treatments or straightening treatments to the newly grown hair.
So, in this article, I'll discuss the medical causes of frizzy hair and the necessary measures to address them fundamentally.

Reasons for hair quality deterioration with age

There are two main reasons why hair becomes more frizzy and dry with age.

1: Dry scalp
Just like the skin on your face, your scalp loses its ability to retain moisture as you age, making it more prone to dryness.
If the scalp, which is the foundation of healthy hair, lacks moisture, then naturally, the hair that grows from it will also lack sufficient moisture.
As a result,Dry, frizzy, and unruly hair can become difficult to manage.

2: Distortion of hair follicles due to sagging scalp
As I've mentioned in previous columns, just as wrinkles and sagging appear on the face, the scalp also sags with age.
When the scalp sags, the shape of the hair follicles inside becomes distorted and deformed as they are pulled by the sagging.
People with straight hair have hair follicles that are perfectly circular in shape within the scalp.
However, as we age, the shape of the hair follicles changes, and the hair that grows out from them will be bumpy and wavy from the start.
Since the hair is already curly from the roots, to fundamentally improve the hair quality, it's necessary to change the "quality of the scalp itself," such as correcting the distortion of the hair follicles rather than just the hair that has grown out.

▼This article provides a detailed explanation of the causes of frizzy or unruly hair.
 

Unnaturalness caused by hair straightening treatments

Many people generally address this frizz and dryness in their hair by getting "hair straightening treatments" or "hair quality improvement treatments" at a hair salon.
Certainly, these are effective treatments for temporarily making the surface of the hair look nice.
However, the newly growing roots remain wavy, so for some people, the waviness returns in as little as a week, which can be bothersome.

While the first time you get a hair straightening treatment, the results are usually the most impressive. However, if you continue to apply heat from the iron and other tools, your hair will become increasingly damaged, especially at the ends. Even if it looks nice temporarily, it doesn't address the root cause, and you'll end up having to repeat the treatment for 5, 10, or even 15 years.

Furthermore, especially for women, hair tends to become thinner with age, particularly after the age of 40. If you get a hair straightening treatment when your hair is already thinning overall, it can easily result in a loss of volume and a flat, lifeless look, as well as an unnatural appearance where the hair loses its texture and looks thinner overall.
for that reason,Instead of simply repeating hair straightening treatments, another option is to find a hairstyle that works well with the natural curl of the hair, making the most of it.

▼The effects of hair straightening on the scalp and hair
 I want you to see it before straightening your hair. That curly hair may get worse.

Regenerative medicine as a fundamental solution

So, what kind of solution can Dr. TOUHI CLINIC propose? It's "regenerative medicine for the scalp."
Unlike hair straightening treatments that only temporarily fix the surface,At our clinic, we offer a treatment that fundamentally improves the hair growth itself by directly injecting regenerative medicine into the scalp.

While repeated hair straightening treatments carry the risk of accumulating damage to the hair and worsening its condition, regenerative medicine injections, when received regularly and repeatedly, gradually improve the condition of the scalp, which forms the foundation of the hair.
By skillfully managing your natural hair texture with a style that makes the most of it, and continuing with regenerative medicine, it's possible to fundamentally change the "distortion of the hair follicles," which is the cause of curly hair.
This allows you to aim for the smooth, silky hairstyle you've always dreamed of, using your natural hair texture rather than relying on temporary improvements to appearance.

▼Aging hair that couldn't be fixed even with hair straightening! Dramatically transformed the back view with injection treatment!
 

The importance of maintaining a healthy scalp

The fact that "hair quality won't change unless you improve the shape of your hair follicles and the quality of your scalp" is actually still not correctly understood by many people.
This is because we tend to focus on methods that offer immediate results and directly address the visible "hair itself."

However, it might be easier to understand if you think of it in terms of skincare. 
When your skin is in poor condition, if you take good care of it every day or receive regular intensive treatments at a beauty clinic, your pores will become less noticeable and your skin texture will become smoother.
The scalp is exactly the same.
By providing proper care to the scalp, sagging skin will tighten, and the shape of deformed pores and hair follicles will also be neatly restored.

Of course, patience is required because of the hair growth cycle, and it takes a period of one to two years, but by diligently continuing the treatment, the impression of your hair from behind will change dramatically. Among our patients, there are actually some who have improved their hair quality so beautifully on their own that it looks as if they had just had a hair straightening treatment.

▼Perfect for daily scalp care! Introducing Dr.TOUHI hair care products.

Summary

In this article, we discussed the causes of hair frizz in your 40s and beyond, and their fundamental solutions.
To solve frizz and dryness in hair, it's crucial not only to directly address the hair itself, but also to improve the condition of the hair follicles and the underlying scalp. The focus should be on the "scalp," not the hair.

At our clinic, we offer regenerative medicine treatments such as scalp injections based on the latest knowledge, as well as care tailored to each patient's scalp condition.
If you're struggling to manage your hair despite using treatments, or if you're worried about continuing with chemical straightening treatments, please come in for a consultation before giving up. We'll help you understand the condition of your scalp.
All of our staff look forward to the day when we can help you restore healthy hair from the foundation up.