At Aoki Hair, we talk a lot about embracing your natural texture, but sometimes that texture changes on you. I'm 61, and I've been looking after my own hair through menopause, so this topic is personal. If your curls don't feel like your curls anymore, I want you to know two things: you're not imagining it, and there's plenty we can do about it.
Why menopause changes your hair
As estrogen levels decline, both the hair growth cycle and the structure of the hair itself change. Every woman experiences it differently: some notice their curls becoming straighter, while others find previously straight hair developing more wave or curl.
Common changes include:
- Thinning hair: follicles produce fewer hairs and growth slows, so hair feels less dense.
- Loss of curl definition: curls can become looser, uneven, or less predictable than before.
- Increased dryness: the scalp often produces less oil, leaving curls more prone to frizz and breakage.
- Texture changes: hair may feel coarser, rougher, or more brittle.
- More breakage: weakened strands can make curls appear thinner and less full.
- Changes in colour and shine: greying hair often has a different texture, which can affect how curls form.
How to support menopausal curls
The good news? Menopausal curls respond beautifully to the right care. Focus on moisture, gentle handling, and regular trims, along with strengthening treatments such as the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, which helps rebuild weakened strands from within.
The biggest shift, though, is mindset. Many women find that embracing their natural texture, rather than trying to force their pre-menopause hair pattern, leads to healthier, more manageable curls.
That's certainly been my experience. Menopause changed both the thickness and texture of my hair, leaving my curls drier, thinner, and less defined. I've chosen to embrace my natural curls, focusing on keeping them healthy and strong while adapting to this new stage of life, and honestly, it's been freeing.
You don't have to figure it out alone
If your hair has changed and you're not sure where to start, come and see us. We'll look at what your curls are doing now, not what they used to do, and build a cut, care routine, and treatment plan around them. Your curls at 50, 60, and beyond can still be curls you love.
Book in for a chat, we'd love to help you fall back in love with your hair.