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Due to all the changes, Ashton recommends that women in their 40s and 50s take an \"all-out, fill-the-boat\" approach to caring for their hair.

\"That means making sure your diet is good, making sure that you're getting enough protein, that you're getting enough zinc, that you're getting enough folic acid, all of those are important for hair growth,\" she said, adding, \"Your styling and grooming habits are incredibly important.\"

Ashton said she now practices what hairstylists call \"protective hair styling.\"

\"I protect my hair as much as possible,\" she said. \"I don't think in a given week, I'm ever fully blowing out my hair. I'm either letting it air-dry naturally if it's a weekend, or I'm coming in with it wet for work and I'm just having the front blown out and I put the faux-ponytail on so that it's reasonably presentable for TV.\"

During her own hair loss journey, Ashton said that resting her hair has also meant wearing more hats and headscarves. She also wore hair extensions occasionally, but stresses those can damage hair further.

When it comes to products, Ashton recommends limiting the use of hair products that contain alcohol as an ingredient because alcohol will dry out hair even more. Instead, she recommends using a hair mask product, or going more natural by using coconut oil or olive oil to moisturize the hair.

Finally, Ashton stressed the importance of checking with a medical provider to rule out other medical causes of hair loss, like thyroid function.

Video: Dr. Jen Ashton opens up about her personal COVID hair loss journey

60s and beyond: Be gentle

Ashton said that the later decades of life are a time to \"be gentle.\"

\"Be kind and gentle and patient with yourself as an older woman,\" she said. \"Don't only be gentle with yourself figuratively, but literally. You can't do the same heat, the same pulling, the same processing and styling as a woman who is middle-aged.\"

She continued, \"That doesn't mean [hair] still can't be fabulous. It just means it requires a different approach.\"

\"PHOTO:
ABC News
PHOTO: ABC News' Dr. Jennifer Ashton and her mom, Dorothy Garfein, discuss the changes in hair as women age.
>

In addition to going easy on treatments and products that may cause stress to the hair, Ashton said women in their 60s and beyond can have fun.

\"Experiment with different types of things, whether they are fun hats or scarves or even wigs,\" she said.

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