Serious hair growth after 40?

[LaFemmeNegrita]

I'm over 40, and wonder if ambitious hair growth goals are a bit far-reaching at this point. Has anyone here experienced dramatic hair growth after, say, age 35?

 

[JavaLoKa]

Hi LaFemme,
I'll be 39 shortly, and I believe hair growth goals aren't far-fetched after 40 at all, only because I believe it depends on how a person takes care of their hair at any age. I have longer, healthier hair now, than I ever had in my teens and twenties. My goal is waist-length by April 04', and I'm stickin' to it. By the way, I have a cousin, who it totally gray (has had premature gray since her teens), 45 yrs. old, and her hair is butt-cheek length...her hair starting growing in her 30's, because she started taking care of it.

Jav

 

[Robin41]

What difference does your age make? Is hair growth supposed to slow down as you age?

I'm 42 and my hair is growing better than ever since I've found these boards and learned to take care of it.

 

[LaFemmeNegrita]

I've heard some hair-or stories about women over 40, and wondered if those experiences have been mirrored here. But maybe those stories are more about abusing one's hair over time, than age. I guess our poor manes can only fight the abuse for so long, eh?

Thanks for your feedback, chickies!

 

[jamaraa]

Yes, hair growth, like many other biological processes DO slow as you age.....BUT that doesn't mean that you can't or won't reach your hair growth goals. It may take a bit longer than someone 18, but so what! LOL....it can happen w/ just as good results, but it might take a bit longer.

 

[jamaraa]

Forgot to add something....IMHO, the BIGGEST culprit for older women (say mid 40s on) having short(er) hair is that of hair dressers! Many have this nutty idea that once a woman reaches a certain age, her hair should be X length, so this may be part of the reason why you see women of all races of a certain age w/ hair to X length. Most who DO have long hair tend to be the sorts who avoid hair dressers. This applies to women of all races.

Both my mother (mid 50s) and grandmother (late 70s) have hair that grows quite rapidly...some of that can be genetic....but they both have hairdressers who believe in cutting. My mother, who has almost bra length relaxed hair presently, has asked me to keep her ends in good condition so he can have no excuse to pull out the scssors

. She wants a bit more length. As for my grandmother, she doesn't mind because longer hair gets on her nerves, but I will add that her hair was as long as my mother's when she was in her 50s.

This should be a choice that YOU make, not your hairdresser.

 

[mrsdst]

I am glad someone touched on this topic. I am 35+ and my hair is the longest it has ever been. I have been questioned my many friends and family member about "When will I cut me hair?" "How long do I intend to let it get?" And suggestions on cuts for a 40 year old lady." I almost was convinced that I should cut it but I started to think, if it's healthy, why should I cut it? I feel ladies sometimes cut their hair out of conveience. But if I am willing to work at it, why shouldn't I keep it?
It is currently 9 inches at the bangs, 13 inches in the top and 9 inches at the nape. It reaches my collar-bone in the front and it about 2 inches from my bra strap (if I am measuring correctly).

mrsdst

 

[sweetcocoa]

I have! My hair is the longest it's been in 15 years. I am now 48. Up until about 30 I always had long hair...then I kept it cut for a while. In recent years I had problems with bad hair habits. I've come back and then some. I'm aiming for bra strap then I'm stopping at that.

 

[jetcitygirl]

My Mom is 65 and she has to get her hair cut every 3 weeks to maintain her twa. It doesn't look a bit thinner than it was when she was 25 either! I wish my hair grew as fast as hers does! She's always complaining about having to her hair cut so often (grumble, some people's problems...) Nope I don't think getting older necessarily means that long, healthy hair is unattainable. I'm 36 and so far my hair grows at the same rate as it always has.

 

[Dar5546]

Inspirational.

 

[cybra]

I so agree with JavaLoka. I'm in my 40's and have never had healthier hair in my life. Yes, I've had my hair longer, but, since coming to this forum my hair has been seriously growing like a weed and it looks so much BETTER. I am so pleased to have found this forum...I guess I owe my success to my daughter, who was part of this forum first.

If you read this, thanks again Sweetie (sniff).

 

[Mariaat40]

I've also heard this - that after 40 the rate of hair growth can slow and hair can become thinner. I'll be 44 this month and my hair is just above my shoulder blades - with an ultimate goal of bra strap length. Growth hasn't been a problem for me. Just patience.

In terms of length, I think it really depends upon the individual rather than the age. I've certainly seen older women who I thought would look more attractive with shorter hair. But I think that black women tend to have more youthful faces that can carry off very long hair at a later stage in life. As I look at pics of myself with shorter hair I think I look much better with long hair. But it's untimately your choice and not about what "should" and "shouldn't" be done at a given age.

 

[adrienne0914]

i turned 41 in september. ALL of the progress that i've made came after i was 35. so i think it's more about care than age.

and whenever i look at my "before" pic, i think i looked so much older then than now.

 

[YOTEGRA]

Come on ladies at 40 your'e just getting into your prime. Don't let other people dictate to you what you should or shouldn't do after a certain age. I'll be 37 in a couple of months and I would like to think that my hair as well as other things are only getting better with age. My hair is past my shoulders and like many other ladies here, I would like to grow it to bra strap length.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, girl..

I grew back all my 6 inches that the evil hairdresser took.
And it's still going at 43

 

[Ayeshia]

look at Cathy Howse, she's almost fifty and she has beautiful hair! Now unless you have a genetic disorder like female pattern baldness or sumthing you should be able to achieve your goals like everyone else. Good LUCK