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I didn’t start hiking long distances until I was well into my 60s. During my life, I had backpacked and hiked for several days at a time. Aside from a 3-week trek to Mount Everest in my 20-ties, I never spent weeks on the trail. During a tough time in my marriage in my late 50-ties, I sought the high mountains of the Himalayas to get away from the confusion at home. Far horizons, empty landscapes, and a challenge that would test my limits and reveal my true capabilities were what I wanted. 

I took a 12-day trip with a guide and donkey man in a roadless area of Ladakh, India, above 13,000 feet altitude. A place to get lost, a place to meet your maker, as they say. That trip opened up the notion that long hikes are more than exercise, more than meeting a physical challenge. That’s where I discovered what walking really does for me.

Walking Is Basic Survival

Long-distance walking and hiking is a daily rhythm, a simplified life centered on basic survival. It connects with the nomadic part of our DNA. Humans walked to find food, grazing grounds, and shelter. Walking is basic survival. High in the Himalayas, I discovered my vitality, my connection with the world around me, my ability to extend myself both physically and mentally. At those heights, I found the essence of living. I write about this trek in my memoir, Fly Free: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Walking the Path.

The realization that I was part of a bigger world, and that my body and mind breathe with the heartbeat of the universe, drove me to return to the long trail again and again. On the long trail, I discovered who I was and am. Since I was in my mid-60s when I started hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I didn’t have the stamina of the younger through-hikers.

One Step at a Time

I didn’t aim at achieving an athletic feat. I was wise enough to hike the trail in sections. I found out when I had been out on the trail long enough and needed to integrate what I had experienced and go home. Each time I went out for a couple of weeks, or a month, I learned something about myself and my place in the world. The trail taught me that becoming doesn’t stop as you age, not at 60 or 70. Becoming deepens.

With each slow step, with each climb up a pass, each descent, I learned what aging is. It is not a loss of ability; it is a managing of abilities. It is a deepening of understanding, a slowing down so I can savor and delight in what the world has to offer me. I found that the body is still capable. And when I completed the Pacific Crest Trail at age 75, I had found a deep vitality and a comfort with my body that has served me since as health and aging challenges present themselves.

There Is Grace, Growth and Change

I wrote another book Body and Grace, a Woman’s Hike to Wholeness on the Pacific Crest Trail, in which I chronicle my journey on the long trail; share the things I learned and the challenges I overcame. Not only did I learn that the body is still capable at 65 and 75, I found something more transformational: I learned that there is such a thing as Grace, a benevolent force that protects me and guides me as I journey through life. I trust things will work out. It’s the biggest gift the trail gave me.

After I finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I didn’t hang up the pack. I bought a new one, a lighter one, and started hiking sections of the Continental Divide Trail; I hiked pilgrimages in Europe. I adjusted my gear, found lighter models, so when I go walk for a week now and then, my load is lighter. The walks are a refresher for my spirit, because my spirit is still growing. This season of life – I am in my 80th year now – is still very much alive. The trail taught me that there is no end to growing and changing.

Take a Long Walk

If you are a woman 60 and beyond, longing to feel vitality and looking for a new direction, discover what walking can really do for you; take a long walk. Instead of shrinking in a chair looking for entertainment, use your body to move you to new horizons. Explore new neighborhoods, new countries if you can afford it, and discover yourself in a new way. Walk! There is wisdom in your miles.

Let’s Reflect:

What’s the longest walk you’ve taken? What did you learn about yourself in those hours/days?

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There is a particular kind of grief that doesn’t have a funeral.

No one sends flowers when your favorite restaurant closes after 50 years. There is no ceremony when the beach bar where you spent a hundred perfect afternoons nails a sign on the door and goes quiet forever. My wife and I created so many memories with friends and family at these two places that we are left lost with their loss.

The world moves on however, mostly unbothered. But you and I are left standing there with a reservation to nowhere, holding decades of memory and no clear place to put them. This is the grief of lost places. And it may be one of the least-acknowledged losses of a life well-lived.

What Billy Joel Understood

In 1983, Billy Joel wrote “Keeping the Faith” as his way of explaining a creative revival – a debt he felt he owed to the music, the friends, and the culture of his youth. The song is a love letter to a world that no longer exists: the matador boots, the shark skin jackets, the 45s spinning on a turntable, the particular electricity of being young in a specific time and place. Joel grew up in Levittown, Long Island, and despite the judgment and criticism common in that small-town world, he found identity and solace in his friends and in the music they shared together.

What makes the song remarkable is its honesty. Joel doesn’t pretend the past was perfect. He offers one of the most quietly wise lines in his entire catalog: “the good old days weren’t always good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.” He isn’t asking us to live there. He’s asking us to carry it – the feeling, the identity, the fire that got lit in us – forward into whoever we are becoming.

That distinction matters enormously. And it becomes more urgent with every place we lose.

The Places That Made Us

We don’t fully understand what our places mean to us until they’re gone. The restaurant isn’t just a restaurant. It’s the table where you celebrated, argued, reconciled, and laughed until something came out of your nose. It’s the waiter who knew your order and hugged you when you arrived. It’s years of dinners that somehow became the architecture of a life. When it closes, you don’t just lose a place to eat. You lose a place to be – a physical location where your history was stored and your identity was reflected back at you.

The beach bar is the same. Shipwreck in St. Kitts wasn’t just rum punches at sunset. It was who we were when we were there. The version of yourself that exists only in certain latitudes, with certain people, in the warm unhurried hours of an afternoon that refuses to end. When it closes, that version of you loses its address.

Psychologists call these locations memory palaces – physical spaces so saturated with experience that simply walking through the door triggered a cascade of identity and emotion. When the space disappears, the cascade has nowhere to go. That’s not sentiment. That’s neuroscience.

This Happens at Every Stage

We tend to think of this kind of loss as something that accumulates only with age. But it visits us throughout life, each time in a different costume.

The childhood home sold to strangers. The college bar that became a bank. The neighborhood that priced you out. The office building you worked in for 20 years, demolished for condominiums. Each generation has its own version of the closed door, the dark window, the sign that says thank you for the memories as if a laminated notice could possibly cover it.

What changes as we age is not the loss itself, but our growing awareness of what the loss means. Younger people experience it as shock – the world was supposed to hold still. Older people experience it as pattern recognition – this is what time does, and it does it without asking. That recognition is not resignation. In the right hands, it becomes wisdom.

How We Carry It Forward

Joel’s answer to the vanishing world of his youth was not to mourn it into paralysis. It was to make something from it. The entire album – An Innocent Man – was his way of saying: this shaped me, and I won’t pretend otherwise, and I’m not ashamed of what I’m made of. Joel related: “The material was coming so easily and so quickly, and I was having so much fun doing it. I was kind of reliving my youth.”

This is the model. Not preservation – you cannot preserve what is gone. Not denial – the restaurant is not coming back, and Shipwreck’s particular magic existed only in that particular place. But integration. Folding what you loved into who you are, so that the place lives in you even when you can no longer visit it.

• This means telling the stories.
• It means finding the photograph and putting it somewhere you can see it.
• It means ordering the same drink somewhere new and tipping your glass to the place that first introduced you to it.
• It means letting the people who shared those places with you know – explicitly, today, not eventually – what those years meant.

It also means staying open to what comes next.

Joel’s most generous line is that tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems. Not that tomorrow replaces what was lost – nothing does. But that the capacity for meaning, for joy, for the kind of belonging that makes a place sacred, is not finite. It doesn’t run out when the doors close.

Still Playing

The closed restaurant. The shuttered beach bar. The empty booth, the dark stage, the locked door. These are not the end of the story. They are proof that something worth grieving existed – that you were paying enough attention to love a place well, that you lived richly enough to accumulate losses worth feeling.

Billy Joel went to the grave of his musical youth, picked up what mattered, and walked back into the present with his arms full.

You can do the same.

The good old days weren’t always good. But they were real, and they were yours, and nobody gets to take that part.

Keep the faith.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Taking a trip down memory lane, which places if years past that were your favorite no longer exist? What do you remember them for?

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A couple of weeks ago, I was out to dinner with friends when I noticed something fascinating. Every time a server emerged from the kitchen carrying plates of food, heads turned throughout the restaurant.

Not all the heads. Just the hungry ones.

People would glance up hopefully, trying not to look too eager. Then they’d track the server’s progress across the room like air traffic controllers guiding a plane to the runway.

And when those plates landed on their table?

Grins.

Big, goofy grins.

Happiness in Small Things

I’ve become convinced that most of life’s happiness comes from small things. We don’t throw parties because you hit every green light on your way to work. No one posts on Facebook because they got a parking spot near the door. Few people will be crowned homecoming queen, but nearly everyone experiences the delight of hearing, “Your table is ready.”

Recently I heard the term “glimmer” used to describe those tiny moments that unexpectedly make your day better. The kind of thing that sounds ridiculous when you explain it to someone else but somehow makes you smile every single time. It made me wonder: What other ordinary moments cause almost everyone to smile?

I’m not talking about major life events. I’m talking about those tiny, unexpected victories that catch us off guard. The moments that make us grin before we even realize we’re doing it. The moments that would make even the grumpiest among us beam.

Well, maybe not everyone. There is probably a person somewhere who frowns when the server arrives with their food, but I’m guessing that person also complains about loud giggling babies and rainbows.

Here are seven everyday moments that almost always make me smile.

The Dentist Says, “No Cavities,” And I Briefly Believe I’ve Mastered Adulthood

I am gripping the arms of the reclined chair, praying to the Flossing gods, promising them I will do a better job caring for my teeth if they come through with a good report. I don’t merely hope for good news at the dentist. I bargain. I promise to floss daily. Twice daily. I promise to floss teeth I don’t even own.

Then the dentist says, “No cavities, no crowns needed, no weird receding gums.” I immediately begin mentally calculating how long I can coast before my next appointment. Present Sue is always making promises that Future Sue has no intention of keeping.

Restaurant Bliss

I don’t eat out very often. When I finally decide on a restaurant, it’s usually one I’ve been thinking about for days. One of my favorite Mexican restaurants serves amazing fajitas. Long before my food arrives, I become obsessed with listening for that distinctive sizzling sound coming from the kitchen.

Every time a server emerges carrying a cast-iron platter, heads turn. Mine included.

Is that my order? Nope.

Is that my order? Still no.

Then it happens. The server stops at my table. The sizzling platter is placed in front of me. Suddenly my blood pressure drops ten points. Smiles all around.

Restaurant bliss isn’t limited to the food itself. There’s also the unexpected joy of being told the wait will be 45 minutes and hearing my name called after only 10. That little beeper suddenly starts flashing and vibrating in your pocket, and you feel as though you’ve won a prize.

And let’s not forget takeout bliss. Just when I think all the fries are gone, I discover a few stragglers hiding at the bottom of the bag. Unexpected bonus fries may not change your life, but they can certainly improve your afternoon.

Like I said, it’s the little things.

Finding Cash in a Coat Pocket

The weather has turned colder, and I reluctantly head to the basement closet to retrieve my winter coat. Summer Sue is always optimistic. Winter Sue is always cold. As I slide my hands into the pockets, I feel something.

Wait. Is that money?

The amount doesn’t matter. Five dollars feels like a gift from Past Sue. Twenty dollars feels like Past Sue was in a hurry and uncharacteristically without her huge “Mom purse.” Anything over twenty, and I’m suddenly wondering if my retirement strategy has been hiding money from myself.

Thank you, Past Sue. You were more thoughtful (and forgetful) than I remember.

A Store Playing Music from My Youth

My husband and I are making our way up and down the aisles of our ginormous grocery store when the first few notes of Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun come over the speakers.

I freeze.

I know that song.

Within seconds, I’m pushing a shopping cart down Aisle 10 while mentally singing into my hairbrush in my dorm room in 1983.

Everyone else is buying cereal.

I’m starring in a music video. That’s when I realize “cart dancing” is a real thing.

When a favorite song from our youth comes on in the grocery store, people over 60 generally do one of three things: smile, sing along, or embarrass their spouses. I prefer to think of my performance as a public service. As the song fades and I make my way toward the checkouts, warily eyeing the obnoxious self-checkout lanes, a cashier spots me and waves me over.

Which brings me to another unexpected victory…

The Cashier Opens a New Lane and Waves You Over

“Ma’am, I can take you over here.”

Those seven words have the power to transform an ordinary shopper into someone who feels uniquely qualified for greatness. I don’t casually move to the new lane. I practically strut. For one glorious moment, I’ve been selected.

Chosen. Recognized.

Never mind that the cashier is simply trying to reduce the line. In my mind, she has reviewed all the shoppers in the store and determined that I am the most deserving candidate.

The person behind me? Disappointed.

The people farther back? Devastated.

Meanwhile, I’m rolling (dancing) my cart forward with all the confidence of someone accepting a lifetime achievement award.

It isn’t rational.

It isn’t important.

But it absolutely makes me smile.

Sliding into Freshly Washed Sheets

Before leaving on a trip, I always wash the sheets. It’s one of the nicest things Past Sue does for Present Sue.

Hotels spend millions trying to create a luxury experience. Meanwhile, nothing beats crawling into your own bed after a long trip and realizing the sheets are freshly washed.

Home sweet bed.

Past Sue really is a thoughtful woman.

Present Sue would like to thank her. She deserves every bit of this grin.

You Find Out School Is Canceled Because of Snow

When I was teaching and my boys were young, we’d do the “Snow Dance” the night before a winter storm was predicted here in Wisconsin.

Did it work?

Of course it did. At least that’s how we remember it.

There was nothing quite like waking up to hear that school had been canceled. Suddenly the day belonged to us. Hot cocoa. Puzzles. Pajamas until noon…or all day if no one was judging.

Today, those little boys are both teachers, and every time a big snowstorm is in the forecast, they still call or text me so we can perform the “Snow Dance” together.

It doesn’t work quite as often anymore. Virtual learning has taken some of the magic away. But Teacher Sue still starts hoping when snow is in the forecast.

Maybe that’s what glimmers really are.

Little reminders that happiness rarely arrives with fireworks.

More often it comes carrying fajitas, clean sheets, or a surprise twenty-dollar bill from Past Sue.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What’s one tiny, everyday joy that younger people might overlook but you appreciate more with age? Have you ever received a surprise gift from “Past You“? If you could add an eighth glimmer to this list, what would it be?

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Recently, I was in New York for a few days and – no surprise – it was muggy, hot, and absolutely packed with people. I love all of that. I love the energy, I love the noise, I am an unashamed people-watcher. But somewhere around 30,000 steps, with what I can only describe as a shopping back (that particular brand of lower-back protest that arrives after a long day of walking and carrying bags), I desperately needed four things: air conditioning, a seat, a bathroom, and a cold drink.

If you’ve spent any time in New York, you’ll know it has a way of tricking you into walking 30,000 steps before you’ve even noticed. It’s a gift and a curse.

I spotted a Macy’s – two of my four requirements sorted immediately. On the way to the bathroom, I caught a glimpse from the corner of my eye: a little café, open seats, air conditioning, and a view of the Empire State Building. In a hot second, we sat down and ordered a lemon drink from the menu.

It was extraordinary. Bright, cold, perfectly balanced – exactly what 30,000 steps in the New York heat demands. I asked the waiter if he could get the recipe from the bartender. He came back with a vague list that was, shall we say, lost in translation. So, I ordered another one. Purely for research purposes.

Back home in Arizona – which is considerably hotter than New York, without the benefit of 30,000 steps to justify it – I set about recreating it. My version is not the same as the original. But in the true spirit of La Limone, it is quick, easy, refreshing, and delicious. And you don’t need to walk anywhere near 30,000 steps to earn it.

Sparkling Lemonade Spritzer

Makes 1 cocktail

• 1 martini glass, prechilled if possible
• 2 medium ice cubes
• 1 lemon
• 1 oz limoncello
• 1 oz prosecco
• 2 oz lemon-flavoured sparkling soda

Place the ice cubes in the bottom of the glass. Squeeze the juice from half the lemon over the ice, then add the limoncello, prosecco, and lemon soda. Take the other half of the lemon and create your garnish – a few small wedges, a twist of peel, or a thin slice placed on the rim. Serve immediately.

Sparkling Lemonade Mocktail

Makes 1 mocktail – all the zing, no alcohol.

• 1 martini glass, prechilled if possible
• 2 ice cubes
• 1 lemon
• Lemon-flavoured sparkling soda water

Place the ice cubes in the glass. Squeeze the juice from half the lemon over the ice. Top with lemon sparkling water. Garnish with a wedge, a twist, or a thin slice of the remaining lemon half.

The La Limone Philosophy

Some of the best recipes come from a moment of desperation and a willingness to order something twice. Both books – La Limone: Recipes and Stories from a Life Well Zested and La Limone Kitchen Cookbook – are full of recipes that began exactly this way: a flavour I encountered somewhere, couldn’t let go of, and had to figure out for myself. That’s the whole La Limone approach. You don’t need a professional kitchen. You just need curiosity, good ingredients, and occasionally, a very hot day.

Find both books at lalimone.com or on Amazon.

Over to You:

What’s your go-to drink when summer heat gets the better of you? And have you ever tracked down a recipe after falling in love with it somewhere unexpected? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

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In a world where hair is often considered a symbol of vitality and beauty, the experience of thinning hair can be disheartening. Whether caused by age, genetics, hormonal changes, or various environmental factors, thinning hair is a common concern that transcends gender and age boundaries. The quest for a solution often begins in the shower, where the choice of shampoo plays a pivotal role in promoting healthier, fuller-looking locks.

1. Nioxin System Cleanser Shampoo – Known for its three-part systems designed to promote thicker and fuller hair.
2. Regenepure DR Shampoo – Contains ketoconazole, a known antifungal and DHT-blocking ingredient. It’s designed to cleanse the scalp and promote hair growth.
3. Ultrax Labs Hair Surge – Recognized for its caffeine-infused formula, Hair Surge aims to stimulate hair follicles, promoting healthier and thicker hair.
4. Pura d’Or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo – Features a blend of natural ingredients, including biotin and argan oil, to nourish and strengthen hair while reducing thinning.
5. Revita Hair Stimulating Shampoo – Contains ketoconazole, caffeine, and other active ingredients to promote hair growth, reduce inflammation, and improve overall hair health.

Finding the right shampoo for thinning hair can be overwhelming with countless options promising thicker and stronger strands. Let’s take a look at some of the top shampoos designed for thinning hair, exploring scientifically backed ingredients and user testimonials. We aim to guide you in making an informed decision to bid farewell to hair troubles and unlock the secrets to revitalizing and rejuvenating your tresses.

What to Look for in a Shampoo for Thinning Hair

When searching for a shampoo for thinning hair, several key factors can guide your decision to find the most effective solution for your specific needs.

Ingredients

Look for shampoos containing key ingredients known to promote hair health, such as biotin, caffeine, ketoconazole, saw palmetto, and niacinamide. These ingredients are often associated with strengthening hair follicles and encouraging growth.

DHT Blockers

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone linked to hair loss. Shampoos with DHT-blocking properties, like ketoconazole or saw palmetto, can help reduce its impact on hair follicles.

Stimulation of Scalp Circulation

Ingredients like caffeine and menthol can stimulate blood flow to the scalp, promoting better nutrient delivery to hair follicles and supporting a healthier environment for hair growth.

Sulfate-Free Formula

Sulfates can be harsh on the hair and scalp, potentially causing dryness and irritation. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos to maintain a gentler cleansing routine.

Moisturizing Properties

Thinning hair can be more prone to dryness. Choose a shampoo with moisturizing ingredients, such as argan oil, shea butter, or glycerin, to keep the hair hydrated and prevent further damage.

pH Balance

A balanced pH is crucial for a healthy scalp. Look for shampoos that maintain a pH close to the scalp’s natural level to support optimal hair and scalp health.

Clinical Studies and User Reviews

Consider products with scientific backing, such as clinical studies demonstrating their efficacy. Also, user reviews can provide insights into real-world experiences with the product.

Free from Harmful Additives

Avoid shampoos with excessive chemicals, parabens, and sulfates, as these can contribute to scalp irritation and compromise hair health.

Hair Type Consideration

Different shampoos cater to various hair types. Choose a product that suits your hair type (dry, oily, curly, straight) while addressing thinning concerns.

Consistency and Patience

Results may take time. Choose a shampoo that aligns with your routine and be consistent in usage to allow the ingredients to work effectively over time.

Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Before choosing a shampoo, it’s crucial to understand your specific hair needs, consider any potential allergies or sensitivities, and, if possible, consult with a healthcare professional or a dermatologist for personalized advice.

Nioxin System Cleanser Shampoo

Nioxin is renowned for its three-step system aimed at promoting thicker, fuller hair, with the cleanser shampoo being a key component. Specifically designed for those dealing with thinning hair, this shampoo effectively and gently cleanses the scalp and hair follicles. By eliminating excess sebum and impurities, it creates an optimal environment for healthy hair growth.

The Nioxin cleanser shampoo stands out for its advanced formula, incorporating botanicals, vitamins, and nutrients that nourish the scalp and invigorate hair follicles. With ingredients like biotin and panthenol, it not only cleanses but also enhances the diameter of each hair strand, providing immediate volume and thickness.

What makes Nioxin unique is its personalized care approach, offering different formulations to cater to various hair types and levels of thinning. This attention to individual needs allows you to tailor your hair care routine, contributing to the effectiveness of the overall system.

Regenepure DR Shampoo

Regenepure DR Shampoo is known for its special formula with ketoconazole. It’s designed to clean the scalp and promote hair growth, making it popular for issues like dandruff and hair thinning.

Ketoconazole in the shampoo acts as a powerful antifungal, tackling problems like dandruff and creating a clean scalp for healthy hair. It also blocks DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss, providing a supportive environment for hair growth.

Beyond ketoconazole, Regenepure DR Shampoo includes vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts to nourish the scalp and enhance overall hair health. Users appreciate its dual-action benefits, addressing both cleansing and hair growth in one product.

Designed for regular use, this shampoo is part of a targeted approach for those dealing with scalp issues and hair thinning. Its positive feedback underscores the brand’s commitment to long-term hair and scalp health.

Ultrax Labs Hair Surge

Ultrax Labs Hair Surge features a caffeine-infused formula known for stimulating hair growth. Caffeine penetrates follicles, boosting blood circulation and nutrient delivery for healthier hair. This dual-action approach extends the growth phase, aiming to develop stronger strands over time.

Hair Surge combines caffeine with essential oils, ketoconazole, and saw palmetto, forming a comprehensive formula that not only stimulates follicles but also nourishes the scalp for sustained hair vitality. Users appreciate its lightweight feel and pleasant scent, making it a recommended part of regular hair care routines for consistent effectiveness.

Pura d’Or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo

Pura d’or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo is renowned for its natural composition of a unique blend of biotin and argan oil. Biotin, a vital B-vitamin fortifies hair from the inside, minimizing breakage and enhancing overall strength.

On the other hand, argan oil, rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, provides external nourishment by moisturizing and promoting a silky texture. This shampoo ensures a gentle yet effective cleansing experience without parabens or sulfates. Regular use is recommended for individuals seeking a natural and comprehensive solution to nourish and strengthen their hair while addressing the concerns of thinning.

Revita Hair Stimulating Shampoo

Revita Hair Stimulating Shampoo is known for its advanced formula containing ketoconazole, caffeine, and other active ingredients. The shampoo’s blend of active elements aims to promote hair growth, reduce inflammation, and improve overall hair health.

With an invigorating feel, it’s recommended for consistent use as part of a regular hair care routine. Revita Hair Stimulating Shampoo emerges as an advanced option in hair care, providing a comprehensive solution for individuals looking to address hair thinning.

ArtNaturals Argan Oil Shampoo

ArtNaturals Argan Oil Shampoo is praised for its simple yet effective formula featuring argan oil. This shampoo is all about moisturizing and hydrating the hair to create a scalp environment that supports improved hair growth.

The key ingredient, argan oil, with its rich mix of fatty acids and vitamins, deeply nourishes each strand, preventing dryness and promoting silky, manageable hair. Regular use of this gentle shampoo is recommended for those seeking an uncomplicated way to enhance overall hair health and maintain a balanced scalp.

Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo

Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo is known for its emphasis on biotin, a B-vitamin recognized for promoting hair strength and thickness. This shampoo is formulated to harness the natural benefits of biotin, providing a simple solution for those seeking healthier and fuller hair. With regular use, the shampoo’s B-Complex ensures complete nourishment for both the hair and scalp, leaving users with revitalized and strengthened locks.

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Root Lift Foam

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Root Lift Foam is not your typical shampoo but a unique solution for visually boosting hair thickness. With its focus on adding volume and lift at the roots, it creates the illusion of fuller hair. Enriched with tea tree oil, it also supports a healthy scalp without weighing down the hair. While it doesn’t replace regular shampoo, it’s an effective addition for those seeking a visual enhancement in hair thickness.

Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo

Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo is a standout in the Densifique range, specifically crafted for those dealing with thinning hair. This shampoo goes beyond regular cleansing, working to add density and body to the hair.

With ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Intra-Cylane®, it aims to plump and strengthen individual hair fibers, resulting in visibly thicker and fuller-looking hair. Users appreciate its luxurious texture and pleasant scent, making it a favored choice for those seeking a solution to enhance hair thickness and volume.

Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo

Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo is designed for women over 40, recognizing their unique hair needs. The key ingredient is caffeine, known for stimulating hair roots and enhancing growth. Applied topically, caffeine boosts scalp blood circulation, providing essential nutrients to hair follicles and potentially encouraging stronger, healthier growth. Beyond caffeine, the formula includes botanical extracts and conditioners to address age-related hair issues. This shampoo is tailored to be a vital part of the hair care routine for women over 40, offering a rejuvenating and fortifying experience to support resilience, vitality, and improved hair growth.

Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo

This sulfate-free, plant-based shampoo uses clinically tested phyto-actives like mung bean, red clover, and curcumin to support visibly thicker hair. It also includes Karmatin, a vegan silk protein that bonds to strands for protection and shine. Users say it helps reduce shedding and boosts volume without leaving residue.

Nutrafol Root Purifier Scalp Microbiome Shampoo

Designed to work alongside Nutrafol’s hair supplements, this dermatologist-developed shampoo supports the scalp’s natural balance. It features prebiotics and a blend of natural ingredients like Australian wild berries and hydrolyzed vegetable protein to clear buildup, balance oil, and strengthen follicles.

How Often Should You Use a Shampoo for Thinning Hair?

Frequency depends on your hair type and the shampoo formula. Most can be used 2–4 times a week. Clarifying formulas or those with ketoconazole might be better every other day, while gentler options like biotin- or argan-based shampoos are safe for daily use. Always follow up with a nourishing conditioner to prevent dryness and breakage.

Do Thinning Hair Shampoos Actually Work?

While no shampoo can perform miracles overnight, many formulas are designed to improve the scalp environment and minimize hair breakage. Ingredients like biotin, caffeine, niacinamide, and ketoconazole have been shown to support healthier hair over time. Consistent use (often over 8–12 weeks) combined with a healthy diet and low-stress lifestyle, can lead to noticeable results. It’s important to have realistic expectations and view shampoo as just one piece of the hair health puzzle.

Further read, HAIRSTYLES FOR WOMEN OVER 60 WITH FINE HAIR.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have thinning hair? Do you use thinning shampoos? Which is your favorite brand? Have you tried any of the shampoos on our list? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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For many, summer is when families come together. We check the more obvious things: flights, medications, hotel reservations, and maybe passports if it’s an international trip.

But families often overlook another kind of preparedness. If something unplanned happens while traveling, like a hospitalization, would your loved ones know where to find your financial and legal information?

If you have done estate planning, such as creating a will, trust, power of attorney, or health care directive, great. But just because you created those documents does not necessarily mean your family has a clear instruction list.

Estate Documents Are Only Part of Your Emergency Financial List

You might have a will or power of attorney (and those are important), but neither of these documents, by itself, will tell your family what they need to know when an emergency happens.

• Would they know who you bank with?
• Would they know where you keep your documents?
• Would they know which bills you pay monthly versus annually, and which are on autopay and from what account?
• Would they know what the names of your attorney, accountant, financial advisor, or insurance company are?

Will your family ultimately “figure it out”? Probably. But oftentimes, they cannot, at least not as quickly as they would like.

For some, when they think of estate planning, they think of death or illness. That is understandable. But I propose, instead, that you view estate planning as a way to reduce confusion for the people in your life who will try to help you while you are living.

The Emergency Financial List Nobody Wants to Make

I get it: who wakes up excited to make an emergency financial list? It will probably be tedious and, for some, emotionally uncomfortable. However, the list does not need to be perfect. Your goal is to create a practical roadmap for the trusted people in your life.

The document might include the following:

• Financial Accounts: Bank, investment, and retirement account names.
• Insurance Policies: Life, health, long-term care, home, or auto insurance providers.
• Monthly Bills: Mortgages, rent, utilities, credit cards, and loans (please note if you use autopay).
• Key Contacts: Phone numbers for your estate attorney, financial advisor, and tax preparer.
• Medical Information: Medicare or supplemental insurance details, a prescription list, and current doctors and specialists.
• Home Logistics: Safe deposit box location, house keys, and alarm codes.
• Emergency Notifications: The names and phone numbers of those your trusted person should notify.

Importantly, you do not need to share this list with everyone in the family. The goal is for the trusted person, or people, to know how to find certain information if you are unable to communicate.

And, if you hold on to account statements for accounts that are closed, please make a note that the account is closed. It will be one less phone call for the trusted person to make.

Why “My Kids Will Figure It Out” Is Not a Plan

You may see or talk to your loved ones often. But that does not mean they necessarily know where you keep your paperwork, if you have changed banks recently, or what bills are on autopay.

This is probably even more important if you live alone, are widowed, divorced, or live in a blended family. One person, an adult child, might assume a different person, a step-parent, knows where everything is, but that step-parent might assume the attorney has it all covered. Meanwhile, the attorney is completely unaware that an emergency has even occurred.

This is one reason to be careful before using a joint account as a shortcut. Adding a person to your account can be easy to do and can provide convenience. But in reality, there is a change in legal ownership. There is no distinguishing between helping, managing, and inheriting.

That’s why a little time spent today to organize can help your loved ones.

When Unfinished Paperwork Becomes Someone Else’s Problem

Unfinished paperwork doesn’t just disappear. And it can end up in someone else’s lap at the worst possible time.

A friend of mine lost her father unexpectedly. She soon discovered that when his own parents had passed away years earlier, no one had fully completed the title changes and estate administration. Now it was up to my friend not only to deal with her father’s estate but also to manage two generations of paperwork while grieving.

One way to mitigate this is to ask: When was the last time I reviewed titles and beneficiary designations, including any Transfer on Death deeds? Did someone fully deal with older family members’ estates? Do the people you name as your executor or agent under your power of attorney know where to find your financial list and documents?

Be Careful with Passwords and Sensitive Financial Information

An emergency list can be a double-edged sword: useful but also a new security concern. You should never email important information like passwords, account numbers, and Social Security numbers. Also, do not leave the financial list out in plain sight.

Some alternatives to consider include:

• Digital Options: Using a secure password manager and making sure a trusted person knows how to use its emergency access feature (if one is available).
• Physical Options: If you are writing the financial list, keep it in a home safe or lock box and let your trusted person know where the key is.
• Professional Options: Talk with the appropriate attorney, financial advisor, or professional to help figure out what information to share, in what format, and with whom.

You are trying to balance sharing too much with not sharing anything at all.

Summer Travel Can Be a Good Time to Start the Conversation

If your adult children or trusted friends are visiting, it could be an opportunity to let them know where you keep your important information.

There is no need to go into details about your finances, but you can simply let them know where you keep your financial list and how it will provide a roadmap for them. You are still in control, but you have also helped minimize the guessing for your loved ones during a stressful time.

A Few Questions to Think About

Would your trusted person know where to find your legal documents and financial accounts? Who has legal authority to step in and manage your bills if you become incapacitated? Do you have any outstanding title, estate, or beneficiary paperwork to finish? If you have had to help sort through paperwork for a parent, spouse, or friend, what do you wish they would have written down ahead of time?

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