Let's face it: as we age, we find ourselves taking different care of our hair, skin, and nails. Whether it's for the better or worse, we all face changes to our bodies that require our own unique approach. Just like at 40 we might not need the acne medication we needed at 16, we will find out at 75 that we don't necessarily need the same health and beauty products we needed at 40 years old.
In honor of all the Glamorous Grandmas (and Grandpas!) out there, we're sharing our Senior Beauty Tips this week!
Body Care
A common change people notice as they age is that their skin has a harder time holding moisture. The cause of this can vary person to person, with some examples being illness, medication side-effects, and lifestyle habits.
We always stress the importance of staying moisturized. That can mean keeping a good lotion on hand to use as needed, moisturizing (but not greasy) body wash for bathing, and even paying attention to the type of face wash your loved one uses (some are more drying than others).
Fun Fact: since dry skin can be a big problem for some seniors, we actually recommend cutting back on showers/baths. In fact, many seniors should only bathe around once a week! Overcleansing can make already dry skin much worse, even with a good moisturizing regimen.
For some seniors, especially those suffering from Alzheimer's or other dementia-related illness, frequent bathing can be very difficult. There are no-rinse personal care products available that have been a huge relief to some caregivers. Find a link in the recommendations below.
Lastly, make sure to protect your skin! No one is too old for sunscreen on a sunny day. We recommend any product at SPF30--even better if it contains extra moisturizers.
You should always do what is best for your loved one's unique hygiene needs, especially if a trusted doctor has given specific recommendations.
Product Recommendations*:
POND'S Cold Cream Cleanser
No Rinse Personal Care Products - CaregiverProducts.com
Further Reading: Senior Citizen Hygiene Items - HubPages
Hair Care
As we age, our hair can become drier and thinner over time. Just like many of the changes we talk about in this blog, the cause of hair changes in your loved one could possibly be linked to anything from illness and medication side effects to lifestyle habits, such as poor nutrition.
No matter what the cause, you know that when Mom and Dad feel good about how they look, it can show in how they act, too!
First of all, does your loved one have a hairstyle that suits his/her features? A trusted salon stylist can help make recommendations.
Once your loved one is happy with a hair style, make sure to schedule regular trimmings.Since senior hair can become dry and brittle, it is good to prevent any damage that happens at the end of the follicle from traveling upward.
There are also many products on the market that are useful to aging hair. Dry shampoos have become more popular over time, and are convenient to use in between showers/baths.
If your loved one has a problem with over-dry hair, there are many spray-on dry oils on the market in bottles that fit conveniently in a handbag.
For those with gray or graying hair, it is good to pay attention to what type of shampoo is on hand. Did you know that it is not recommended for someone with graying hair to use shampoo formulated for blonde hair? Regular use can cause a yellow tint to appear!
Product Recommendations:
ConairPro Shiny Silver Ultra Shampoo
L'Oreal Homme Grey Anti-Yellowing Shampoo
L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Multi-Restorative Oil
Further Reading:
How to Care for Mature Hair - LoveToKnow
10 Essentials for Caring for an Eldery Person's Hair - AgingCare.com
Gorgeous Hair at Any Age - WebMD
Cosmetics
Finding the best makeup choices can sometimes be extremely overwhelming for seniors. We dug up this fantastic article from TODAY featuring a senior make-up tutorial! Click here to read the article, or watch the 14-minute long video below--it's worth every minute!
Key Takeaways:
Don't go too heavy or intense with makeup application - a little bit goes a long way!
Don't waste your money on expensive cosmetics
Don't follow trends! "Get the basics right."
Throw away expired products!
Nutrition
According to an article on examiner.com, two of the most important things you can do to improve the health of your skin and hair are to "Nourish from Within" and "Hydrate from Within."
It's true! When your body is dehydrated on a regular basis, it can show in the quality of your hair, skin, and nails. By making an effort to trade that can of soda for a glass of ice water, you could be helping your body in more ways than one.
What you eat also plays an important role in the quality of your skin. Even if your loved one is at a healthy weight (based on your doctor's recommendations), it is not an excuse to slack on important nutrients he/she needs. Diets of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can provide important antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that not only keep your loved one healthy, but can promote a healthy glow on the outside!
Further reading: Senior Health - Summer Skin Care Tips
Ask Us!
At any of our communities there are amenities available for your loved one to take care of any health/beauty needs. Have questions, or want to learn more about how your loved one can become part of our family? Contact us today!
*Note: We are not being compensated for any product or website recommendation in this blog. Simply put, we just want to provide resources for our residents, their families, and future members of the Senior Solutions Management Group family!
