Why Does Hair Texture Change?

[Time to do something]

I was just thinking today about something that may seem odd but wondered what the answer was. Maybe there is someone out there who could answer this and maybe it happens to all of us. When I was younger my hair was fine and soft. As I've gotten older it has become more wiry and coarse. Why does hair do that as we age (or at least mine)?

[Bleachcola12]

Time,

 

Very good question and a question I have always thought about. Mid 2006 my hair was thick but not curly, and then january of 2007 it became MORE thick and incredibly more curly. Of course, that was before the hairloss... Would love for a doc or someone else to chime in

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

It is relatively common to see changes in a person's hair texture as well as some of the other hair characteristics as they age. There are several reasons why this can occur, including alterations in the glandular function and changes in the patients diet and overall health. Not to mention the many unknown factors that probably effect a patients hair quality.

[Time to do something]

Thanks for your reply Dr. Charles. With that said is there a way to get back my softer hair? I'd rather have that back than the coarse hair I have now. My hair has been coarse for years but when I was a kid it was more like silk vs. straw. What do you mean by glandular function? My diet is clean and health good so I don't think that is the issue unless I'm eating something I'm not aware of that can cause hair to become coarse. Maybe I fall into the "unknown factors" category.

[Bleachcola12]

Dr. Charles,

 

I have a quick question, when my hair seemed to change is when I did a cycle of anabolic steroids, I am guessing that might have had something to do with it? Is it even possible?

[Time to do something]

I think I found the answer. However, it doesn't say if there is anything that can be done to return to the previous more desirable texture. Any thoughts?

 

The texture of human hair can change for many reasons, but almost every person's hair texture changes as that person experiences puberty. During a child's early teen or pre-teen years, myriad chemical changes occur in the body to prepare the adolescent for reproductive capabilities. Among these changes are chemical alterations to the hair on the legs, body, genitals and head. It is very common for young children with fine, silky hair to develop coarse, wavy hair as a result of puberty. Some adults even experience changes in their hair's natural wave pattern as a result of natural growth. Although all of the effects of aging on hair are not fully understood, a person's hair naturally changes textures (and even colors) as the person gets older. Hair on men, for example, naturally falls out and is replaced by hair that is progressively thinner and more coarse. As the man gets older, his hair becomes thinner and eventually falls out because of this pattern.