Low-maintenance hairstyles for older adults with thin hair

Helpful advice on low-maintenance hairstyles for older adults with thinning hair

Hair tends to thin as people age, so finding low-maintenance hairstyles that help to give the illusion of volume can be incredibly confidence-boosting for older people. Here, we are exploring why hair gets thinner with age, the best low-maintenance hairstyles for thin hair, tips for adding volume, and more.At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about personal care, we can help.

The best low-maintenance hairstyles for thinning hair 

For men, hair management is usually simple if kept short, but for women there may be a little more maintenance needed. While there are a number of great hairstyles for people with thinning hair, here are some of the easiest to do on a daily basis that will give you a styled and put-together look without much effort each day. 

Great Women’s Hair Styles

Short Pixie CutPixie cuts are one of the lowest maintenance cuts you can get, so these are great for thinning hair to keep it looking tidy. For this style, hair is cropped very close to the head, so there is very little styling effort required each morning. Often, less is more when it comes to thinning hair, but it can help to have slightly more layers on the top to make hair appear fuller. You only need to wash and add a little mousse to a pixie cut, allowing you to leave the house in no time at all. In warmer temperatures this also means there is no hair to become sweaty around the face – practical for summer. You can do this style with straight hair or allow a little curl or wave in the hair for more texture.Bob CutBobs are timeless, and can be short or long depending on how much hair you have and your face shape; you can choose to have your bob sit under your chin, just at your jawline, or closer to your ears. If your hair is thinning, a slightly longer bob that reaches your chin or below is usually best, and makes thin hair look very neat and styled without taking up too much time. It also gives the illusion of more volume at the root, which is helpful if you want to make hair look fuller. Adding some layers can also give this style more movement and depth to avoid it looking flat on thinning hair. You can use a hair straightener to create this style, or simply blow dry. A light fringe can also help to make this style more personalised. Layered/Feathered Crop For hair that is closer to shoulder-length, a layered or feathered crop can be a great look. Both styles cut the hair so it features different lengths throughout, but layered hair focuses on adding volume and movement while feathered hair creates a lighter, more wispy look. If you think a feathered crop is not for you due to thinning hair, this style is actually a great way to make thinner hair look like an intentional style choice. Feathering also allows you to play with the direction lengths are going in, creating a more textured, choppy, tousled look that requires less rigid styling.Combed Curls For those with natural curls, don’t feel you need to straighten or tame these in order to create a tidy style. Instead, comb them out and embrace the frizz. Doing so offers you an incredibly low-maintenance look that lets you skip the heat styling, which could lead to healthier hair in the long run. You can use a diffuser to create loose curls, and with this style you don’t ever need to feel self-conscious about frizz as it’s part of the look and provides more volume. If you want a more defined curl, a curling iron or rollers could create this look, but try to avoid adding stress to your hair by winding hair tight around these tools. If you want to achieve this style but feel it just looks like bed-head, speak to your hairdresser for advice about how to keep this looking like an intentional style choice.Swept-Up BunFor an elegant up-do, a swept-up bun is an easy, sleek look that will help you to get out the door in the morning without fuss. In a bun, you can use tricks to create a larger bun and give the impression of thicker hair if needed. For example, using a hair donut (a piece of plastic that can be hidden under the bun) provides a base to wrap hair around and adds volume. If you want to put less stress on your hair, you can opt for a less severe bun that does not require hair spray to tame flyaways. Instead, embrace the tousled look and create a relaxed bun. This will be even easier to do if you are tight on time, and allows volume products to be added without weighing hair down. Either version of this style is a good way to keep longer hair up and off of your face if you are cooking, crafting, or doing other focused activities. 

Great Senior Men’s Haircuts 

Brushed Back Crew Cut A brushed back crew cut is a neat, easy style to achieve each day. Brushing it back creates volume at the top of the head, and does not require much daily upkeep past a quick comb. If you have hair loss at your temples this style will reveal it, but it is best to embrace this and not let it dictate how you choose to style your hair day-to-day.Short Afro CropFor anyone with natural afro hair, a short crop can be the best low-maintenance, sophisticated style if you do not want to spend a lot of time on your hair each day but still want to look tidy. Plus, this style looks great on grey hair, and does not draw additional attention to any hair loss or thinner patches. Textured Short Back and Sides A simple, easy-to-maintain look is keeping the back and sides short, but with some texture on top. This is helpful if hair is starting to thin at the front, as it allows you to grow it out on top in order to provide some volume to counteract thin-looking hair. The effect is the illusion of a textured, thicker look on top but with tidy sides and back. You can use some matte styling paste to move hair around and cover and thin spots.

Older individuals may also benefit from using a lightweight hair dryer or adjustable heat-styling tools that are designed to be easier for those who struggle with strength or dexterity. Doing this can make hair styling more simple and enjoyable, and enable you to try new and different styles you may not have been able to before. Similarly, having an easy, low-maintenance style can put the fun back into doing your hair each morning, so it feels like less of a chore and more of a creative opportunity.Thin hair does not need to mean limp, dull hair. Embracing your natural hair type, experimenting with a brand new style and trying out different tools and accessories can lead you to a low-maintenance hairstyle that helps you to feel confident every day. Home care can be a trusted support when it comes to daily hair management, and can help older adults to maintain a style they love and that supports their hair health. At Home Instead, our friendly Care Professionals can take time to learn how you like your hair done in the morning and do this as part of your personal care routine. From general companionship to mobility care, whatever support you need, reach out to your local Home Instead office to discuss your options. We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.