We fuss over serums, creams, and oils for our faces, but when it comes to hair, many of us adopt the laissez-faire approach. But no more – consider this your follicle wake-up call! "Hair ages just like skin," says Mark Blake, leading global trichologist and Nioxin ambassador, meaning it deserves the same well-thought-out routine. And while we can't bottle time, we can slow the clock with the right approach to haircare.
How does hair age?
So, what does hair ageing actually mean? According to Mark, it's all about nutrition. "Hair ageing happens because as we get older, our bodies absorb nutrients and vitamins less efficiently, meaning the building blocks for healthy hair don’t reach the hair as effectively." Hi, hello, thinning, dullness and greying stands.
So, even if you eat like a wellness oracle, your follicles might not receive the memo. The upside? "Hair quality today is usually at its peak, so the goal is to maintain it and slow down ageing as much as possible." In other words: Prevention, as always, beats cure.
Can you reverse hair ageing?
Unfortunately, time machines only exist in Busted songs and Back To The Future movies, but smart science is very real – and far more useful than a DeLorean. Forget miracle potions, think defence strategy.
Mark explains, "Topical anti-ageing hair products can help. While reversal is very rare, studies and brand claims show many people notice improvement." Ingredients that nourish the scalp, penetrate follicles, and support hair at its root are the key. After all, if you're going to build something lasting, you start with the foundation. And the foundation here is your scalp.
"The scalp actually ages six times faster than the skin on your face and twelve times faster than the skin on your body," Mark reveals. If the soil depletes, so does the harvest, meaning investing in scalp care isn't indulgent, it's essential.
Greying is a big topic among ageing hair worries, and with that comes the question: Can certain products delay it? "Certain products may help slow or slightly reverse greying," Mark admits, but genetics, diet, and even skin tone play the starring roles. "Caucasians tend to grey around 34," he says, "while those with coily or darker hair may see silver strands closer to 44." And as previously mentioned, nutrient deficiencies, especially zinc, can also accelerate the process.
Haircare that works
Of course, you can't rework your DNA, but fuelling your body with the correct nutrients and implementing a smart anti-ageing haircare routine counts. Not to mention early adoption! Mark suggests that men should start around 19, women around 22–23, because hair doesn't wait for anyone.
When it comes to product ingredients, Mark recommends black oat peptides to maintain melanin, caffeine to energise follicles, niacinamide to strengthen strands, and hyaluronic acid to moisturise and prevent breakage. Below, see our top anti-ageing haircare picks:
Anti-ageing haircare products
Nioxin Age Defense Shampoo for Ageing Hair 475ml
Nioxin Age Defense Conditioner for Ageing Hair 475ml
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Scalp Serum
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub 150ml
All in all, we don't just need to feed our faces, but we need to feed our follicles, too. Ageing is inevitable, but premature decline? That's negotiable.
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
