Reporting by Joshua Palmer

Experienced Indianapolis stylists share their hair do’s and don’ts for older clients. Here's who we talked to:

Thomasina Kloepfer, owner, Love Thomasina, Carmel, Ind., lovethomasina.com.

Jennifer Miller, owner, A Do Hair Design, Indianapolis, adohairdesign.com
Norma Leverenz, owner, West 86th Hair Designs Inc., Indianapolis, west86thhair.com

Do older clients require different types of hair care?

Kloepfer: All ages of clients require different hair care. Your hair and scalp tend to change more often due to hormones and everyday processes.

Miller: Aging guests require different types of hair care just like everyone else - it's personalized.

Leverenz: The hair care isn't any different other than what the client dictates.

How do you help your clients cover gray hair?

Kloepfer: There are lots of techniques for covering gray hair. Many clients like to use all-over color for depth and soften it with natural highlights.

Miller: Many guests choose a gradual blend with a no-ammonia color, some visit regularly to maintain the color they were born with and others love experimenting with the latest fashion colors.

Leverenz: It depends on the person: Some get full permanent color, some get semi-permanent color and some people get highlights and lowlights that mask the gray, but don't cover it completely.

What style trends are in for women over 50?

Kloepfer: Style tends to be based on the individual, not age.

Miller: The biggest trend is not looking your age - I love that there's no set style trend for women over 50.

Leverenz: It's a personal choice. We have some clients who get the traditional styles and some who have trendy, up-to-date styles.

Is scalp care more important for older clients?

Kloepfer: Often, people tend to use products with ingredients that dry their hair and scalp, but this can easily be avoided with professional products.

Miller: As we age, our skin becomes dryer. Proper hydrating shampoos and conditioners are the key to healthy hair, which is the result of a healthy scalp.

Leverenz: Scalp care is usually dictated by the individual client's preferences.

Do you have stylists who specialize in hair care for seniors?

Kloepfer: I love working with all types of hair to bring out a client's best features.

Miller: Today's aging population isn't looking for stylists who specialize in "senior hair." They're looking for someone to help them look as young as they feel.

Leverenz: If a client wants a traditional style, they'll probably go with a more mature stylist, because the younger stylists probably didn't learn those techniques in school.