In 2025, there was an unusual amount of talk about hair loss: from the rise of growth-boosting serums to the innovative update of outdated hair extension techniques. Although the conversation crosses ages – women of all ages want fuller, more voluminous hair – more mature women are particularly affected.
According to research from hair care brand Philip Kingsley, more than 20% of women under 50 experience hair thinning; that figure rises to about 65% during and after menopause.
“Let me start by saying that our hair and hair follicles age, just like our skin,” says trichologist Anabel Kingsley. “It’s rare to see someone in their mid-40s or 50s with exactly the same hair quality as they did in their early 20s. Anything that affects your sex hormones can affect your hair, and for women, menopause is a time of major hormonal shifts.”
Here, Kingsley, trichologist Sofia Baig and Andy Jones, director of product development at Champo, explain the relationship between hair loss and aging, plus their best advice for long-term protection of your hair quality and encouraging new growth in your 40s and beyond.
The link between age and hair loss
Important to remember: hair loss is a natural part of aging for many people, especially women.
“Research shows that changes in hair density and thickness can start as early as your late 20s and early 30s, due to a combination of genetics and hormonal fluctuations,” says Baig.
Those hormonal shifts can impact just about everything: from skin density and weight to mental health and general well-being.
“As we approach menopause, estrogen levels drop and the ratio of androgens to estrogen increases,” Kingsley explains. “That shifting balance between estrogens and androgens can cause hair loss and changes in density, especially if you are genetically sensitive and the hair follicles on your scalp respond to normal levels of male hormones.”
She clarifies that estrogen is a ‘hair-friendly’ hormone that helps keep hair in the growth phase for up to seven years, and protects follicles from the negative effects of testosterone. When estrogen drops during menopause, many women experience temporary hair loss and thinner, shorter regrowth in response to fluctuating hormone levels.
Androgens, such as testosterone, meanwhile, shorten the hair growth cycle, especially when estrogen drops and the follicles are less protected. In genetically susceptible women, this can cause the follicles to shrink, resulting in finer hair, a shorter maximum hair length and a more visible scalp.
The main causes of hair loss after 40
It is certain that hormones play a major role in hair density; but according to Champo’s Andy Jones, it’s far from the only factor.
He emphasizes that hair loss in mature women is often caused by a mix of internal and external triggers:
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Genetics and family history of hair thinning
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Stress, illness or nutritional deficiencies
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Scalp health and circulation
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Styling and environmental damage (heat, coloring, pollution)
Dermatologist Dr. Leila Asfour adds: “An important cause that you should always have checked is a thyroid disorder. These become more common as we get older, especially in women. You can have this tested through a thyroid function test at your GP.”
Due to this multitude of causes, the treatment of age-related hair loss is complex and requires the intervention of an experienced trichologist. Kingsley explains that you need to distinguish between two forms of hair loss: Telogen Effluvium and female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
“Telogen Effluvium is a progressive, gradual thinning on the scalp where the hair follicles become smaller, as do the hairs they produce,” she says. “The growth phase of the cycle becomes shorter, the follicles produce fewer hairs and the fibers become finer and can no longer grow as long.”
About androgenetic alopecia, she says that the causes have not yet been fully unraveled. “Until recently, female pattern baldness was thought to be caused by exactly the same mechanism as male pattern baldness; and while this may be true in some women, the condition is much more complex.”
“Hair thinning can be triggered at different times in a woman’s life, and the cause is likely related to that,” Kingsley said. “What triggers androgenetic alopecia in a 20-year-old is different from what triggers it in a perimenopausal 40-year-old or a 50-year-old in menopause.”
How do you restore thickness to thinning hair?
Because treating hair loss can be complex, it is essential to consult an experienced trichologist who can diagnose your specific problem and identify the underlying causes. There is both clinical and anecdotal evidence for modern growth serums and supplements, but they do not automatically address health or scalp issues.
“Prevention is always better than cure,” says Kingsley. “Especially with androgenic baldness, as this is a progressive form of hair loss. In our Trichological Clinics we carry out a holistic 360° consultation: we look at health, medical and genetic history, lifestyle, diet, hair and scalp condition and we send clients for blood tests to identify possible causes.”
From there, your trichologist can go down different avenues, says Baig.
“Effective treatments for hair loss include prescription medications, red light therapy, exosome therapy, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), and scalp detox treatments,” she explains.
Kingsley adds that with active hair thinning you should always address the hormonal sensitivity of your hair follicles. This can be done with one or a combination of the following:
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Hair follicle stimulants such as minoxidil, in the form of daily topical scalp drops
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Oral anti-androgen anticonceptiepillen
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Anti-androgen medication
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Stress management (stress can increase DHT levels in your body)
In addition, a balanced diet, good scalp maintenance and gentle hair care remain crucial for every hair type, as do regular trimming, less heat styling and limiting external stressors. Are you worried about hair loss at any age? Always contact your doctor first to discuss a medically substantiated treatment plan.