This is largely thanks to social media, Sloan says, as both older celebrities like Moore and everyday women post photos of themselves bucking the short hair trend. Awareness around hair health has also led more to embrace long hair later in life since women better understand the products they need to help them sustain longer hair more easily.
The Australian Institute of Trichology’s education director Dr Simone Lee says the availability of advanced hair enhancement procedures, such as hair colouring, hair replacement and lengthening services, have dramatically increased.
Nicole Kidman, 58, has kept her locks long.Credit: Getty Images
She says longer hair can camouflage patchy hair loss and other scalp conditions, and can enhance facial shapes and stature. Longer hair could also be considered an “anti-ageing” strategy since it often creates the impression of youth.
What happens to hair as we age?
Beyond social expectations, there are also practical reasons why older women have long decided to cut their hair short.
The porosity of hair changes as we age, Lee says, which can alter the level of moisture and therefore result in drier hair. The strands themselves can also feel coarser or wirier and appear thinner.
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“The hair’s overall strength may weaken, and its elasticity could deteriorate,” she says. “The loss of melanin pigment and the reduced keratin protein can also make hair appear duller.”
Director of the International Association of Trichologists Chelcey Salinger says hormonal changes, such as those during and after menopause, frequently impact hair. As estrogen decreases, androgens (considered a male hormone) have more influence, which can slow hair growth and thin hair.
Salinger says external factors can also exacerbate post-menopausal hair loss, such as lack of sleep, poor diet, stress and nutritional deficiencies.
“Poor blood sugar control is linked to worsening of hair thinning. So being as healthy as you can be is vital.”
Most minor changes are normal. However, Lee says you should seek a physician’s advice if you notice excessive hair loss or other dramatic and sudden changes (for example, a widening of the hair part or less dense ponytails when pulled back), as these could indicate underlying health conditions.
Sarah Jessica Parker kept her signature long blonde hair for And Just Like That.
Hair care tips for ageing women
1. Don’t fear the grey
Sloan says grey hair can brighten some people’s face rather than age them. Bold cuts (like a sharp bob, textured pixie or long layers) can make grey hair look modern and fresh. Silver or ash toners keep grey hair looking cool, toning away any unwanted “yellowing” and adding plenty of shine.
2. Highlights are your friend
Don’t assume the colour you dyed your hair in your 20s and 30s will look as good in your 60s, Sloan says. Your skin tone changes with age, so your hair colour should too. Highlights can add brightness and dimension and, for those with a darker base, lighter tones through the mid-lengths can help grey regrowth blend more seamlessly.
3. Begin with a great cut
The better the cut, the less time spent styling later on, Sloan says: “Textured styles with plenty of movement are easier to work with than any style that has a defined look, as the definition can be trickier to get sitting correctly.”
Long or short?
Though plenty of older women are growing their hair out, shorter hair is appealing for many. Sloan says some older women don’t want to deal with the maintenance long hair requires.
“They may be experiencing hair thinning or changing texture, so they want to create the look and feel of fuller hair by taking it shorter,” he says.
Author Elizabeth Gilbert decided to shave her head after years of long hair appointments and frustration. She said she has never felt so empowered.Credit: Deborah Lopez
When in doubt, speak with a hair stylist. Sloan says professionals will be able to offer recommendations based on lifestyle, field of work, how much time and effort you can dedicate to hairstyling, as well as skin tone, hair texture and face shape.
“A lot of the time, it isn’t actually about hair. It’s about learning how clients want to be seen and making sure they feel just as vibrant and relevant as they did in their 20s and 30s. I’ll show them options and explain what’s realistic, but then I hand the power back to them.”
Eat Pray Love author Elizabeth Gilbert decided to shave her head after years of trying to tame her hair. It left her feeling not only empowered, but also more herself than ever.
“When I saw myself with no hair, I thought I looked gorgeous, and I still do,” she wrote in an Oprah Daily article last year.
“The prettier my hair looks in the old pictures, the sadder it makes me feel – to imagine that I gave so much of my time and attention and money to trying to look like something I am not. Something that I am not even sure is attractive – except for the fact that everyone always said it was.”
What products are good for ageing hair?
Regardless of whether you prefer long or short hair, Lee says protein products, particularly wheat proteins, may help strengthen the internal layers of hair. Additionally, keratin proteins can change both the external and internal structure of hair, which can help it appear smoother and less damaged.
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However, these products should be used carefully. “Excessive use can lead to protein build-up, making hair appear dull, brittle and more fragile,” Lee says.
“I avoid products that contain parabens and sulphates due to their potential for negative effects on hair and scalp skin … Instead, I tend to recommend topical treatments that include specific antioxidants to help reduce free radical damage, slow down cellular turnover in the scalp, decrease skin irritation and dryness and balance scalp microorganisms.”
Salinger, meanwhile, says she regularly prescribes oral and topical minoxidil, which aid hair growth, though her recommendations vary between individuals.
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