Alternative Names hair and nail changes associated with age, age-related changes in hair and nails
Definition Normal changes occur in the hair and nails as people age.
What is the information for this topic? Ageing can affect the hair and nails in different ways. One of the most obvious changes that occur with age is grey hair. Hair colour comes from a pigment or colour produced by the skin. The skin makes less pigment as a person gets older. Often, the genes determine when the hair starts to turn grey. Rarely, grey hair can begin as early as the late teen years. Many people begin to have grey hair in their thirties. Other people are in their fifties or older before losing hair colour. Roughly 40% of people have some greying of scalp hair in their forties. In many caucasians, hair turns grey earlier than it does for people of Asian descent. Usually, hair begins turning grey around the temples, then at the top of the scalp. The hair becomes lighter over time, eventually turning white. As a person gets older, body and facial hair will also turn grey. This usually happens later than scalp hair. Often, hair in the armpit, chest, and pubic areas does not turn grey. Vitamins, nutritional supplements, and over-the-counter products will not slow or stop hair from turning grey.
Another age-related change is hair loss. When a hair falls out, a new one grows to replace it. As a person ages, hairs do not grow back in as quickly. Hair strands become finer as well. These factors combine to give the appearance of much less hair.
Both men and women lose their hair as they age. About 25% of men show some signs of baldness by the age of 30. About two-thirds of men are bald or partially bald at the age of sixty. Usually men will notice that they lose hair from the top and the front of the scalp. This type of pattern is called male pattern baldness. It is associated with levels of the male hormone, testosterone. Women will also show a typical pattern of hair loss. As they age, hair becomes less dense all over and the scalp may become visible. This is called female pattern baldness. Finally, individuals may lose body and facial hair. Although the number of hairs is fewer, each hair may become coarser. Women may lose body hair but develop coarse facial hair. This tends to appear on the chin and around the lips. Men may find that eyebrow, ear and nose hair becomes longer and coarser.
Fingernails and toenails also change with age. Since nails and hair both contain protein, the nails and hair undergo similar changes. Nails grow more slowly and may lose some of their colour. This may cause them to be dull and brittle. They may also appear yellow. Nails often become very hard, thick, and curved. This is most noticeable in the toenails. Nails may also break or split from time to time. Sometimes, long straight ridges occur in the fingernails. This is another normal change associated with ageing.
Hair or nail changes may also occur as the result of infections, illness, nutrition problems or injury. People who are concerned about hair or nail changes should talk to their doctor.
Author: James Broomfield, MD Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
