Is Hair Thinning Normal After 40? What Your Scalp Is Trying to Tell You

By Dr. Anne Morgan | Thrive Once More, Lee’s Summit & Liberty, Missouri

It usually starts subtly. You notice more hair in the shower drain. Your ponytail feels thinner. Your part line looks wider. It’s easy to brush it off as “just getting older,” but is it?

The truth is: while hair thinning is common after 40, it’s not something you just have to accept. In fact, it’s your body trying to tell you something.

What’s behind hair thinning after 40?

As we age, several factors begin to shift — especially our hormones. Estrogen and progesterone begin to decline, and this hormonal change affects everything from skin and sleep to mood and metabolism. Your hair is no exception.

Some of the most common root causes behind hair thinning after 40 include:

• Hormone imbalance (declining estrogen, rising androgens, or thyroid issues)

• Genetic alopecia (especially if you notice part widening or temple loss)

• Nutrient deficiencies (like iron, B12, or protein)

• Stress and inflammation

• Perimenopause and menopause transitions

Your scalp and hair follicles are incredibly responsive to these internal shifts. What looks like a surface-level problem (thinning, texture change, or shedding) often has deeper origins.

The problem with assuming it’s “just aging.”

One of the most frustrating parts of hair loss in your 40s and beyond is how often it gets brushed off. You may be told it’s normal or genetic, offered a shampoo, or given generic advice that doesn’t address the deeper picture. That’s not good enough, and it’s why so many women feel unheard and defeated.

At Thrive Once More, we take a different approach. Our Hair Recovery Program blends functional medicine, advanced testing, and Low-Level Laser Therapy, an at-home device to get to the root of what’s going on — and help you regain not just your hair, but your confidence.

You don’t have to guess — or go it alone.

If your scalp is telling you something, it’s worth listening. Thinning hair after 40 is common, but it’s not something you have to live with. With the right support and strategy, you can make sense of the changes, address the root cause, and restore your hair — and your sense of self.

Want to learn more about hair recovery? CLICK HERE to book a Hair Recovery Consultation