Can Your Scalp Health Predict How Well You're Aging?



Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD

Your scalp changes as you get older, but it's not a reliable predictor of how well you'll age overall.Credit: KanaiPixel / Getty Images
Your scalp changes as you get older, but it's not a reliable predictor of how well you'll age overall.
Credit: KanaiPixel / Getty Images
  • The scalp undergoes age-related changes similar to the rest of the body.
  • Scalp health is not yet a proven biomarker of overall aging. Although researchers are exploring links between scalp characteristics and biological aging, scalp health alone cannot predict how quickly a person is aging.
  • Hair-related changes like graying, thinning, reduced density, and different texture may be associated with underlying biological aging processes occurring throughout the body.

Just like any other part of the body, the scalp undergoes several age-related changes over time. However, scalp health isn't used to predict overall aging. Instead, scalp health may provide information about biological aging, or the decline of cellular function over time.

Why Can't the Scalp Predict Overall Aging?

One reason the scalp can't predict overall aging is that its health is heavily influenced by external exposures. Sun damage, hairstyling practices, hair treatments, environmental pollution, and genetics can all affect the scalp independently of a person's age.

Although scalp changes may accompany aging, current evidence suggests they primarily arise from biological processes within the scalp and hair follicles rather than directly reflecting the health of other organs.

Scalp health is often considered one piece of a much larger picture. Factors such as cardiovascular health, muscle mass, metabolic function, cognitive performance, and blood-based biomarkers remain more established measures of biological aging.

How the Scalp Changes With Age

While the scalp isn't an accurate predictor of overall aging, it does change with age. Like facial skin, the scalp undergoes both intrinsic aging, driven by genetics and biological processes, and extrinsic aging, caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, pollution, heat, and chemicals.

Aging scalp tissue often shows:

  • Reduced epidermal thickness
  • Fewer sebaceous (oil) glands
  • Lower blood vessel density
  • Increased oxidative stress
  • High levels of chronic low-grade inflammation

Scalps of older individuals may also show signs of cellular senescence, a process in which cells stop dividing but remain metabolically active. Senescent cells accumulate with age and release inflammatory molecules that can affect surrounding tissues.

Why Researchers Are Interested in These Age-Related Changes

A 2025 review described the scalp and hair follicle as an interconnected aging system. The study noted that age-related changes in the scalp environment, including reduced microcirculation and structural changes in the skin, may influence how hair grows and ages.

Researchers are particularly interested in the scalp because hair changes are often among the earliest visible signs of aging. Visible changes in hair, such as graying, thinning, or changing texture, can often reflect underlying biological aging processes occurring throughout the body.

Can the Scalp Reveal Anything About Your Health?

While scalp health cannot predict how quickly you're aging overall, certain scalp changes may sometimes signal underlying health issues. For example:

  • Diffuse hair shedding can occur with nutritional deficiencies.
  • Premature graying has been linked to oxidative stress and, in some studies, cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Chronic scalp inflammation may accompany autoimmune conditions.
  • Sudden hair thinning can occur during periods of significant physical or emotional stress.

Researchers are also exploring whether scalp imaging, microbiome analysis, and noninvasive measurements of scalp physiology could improve the detection and monitoring of age-related changes in the scalp and hair follicle.

How To Support an Aging Scalp

Although aging is inevitable, several lifestyle habits may help maintain a healthier scalp environment:

  • Protect your scalp from UV damage: The scalp is often exposed to sunlight, particularly for people with thinning hair. Wearing hats and using scalp-friendly sun protection may help reduce photoaging.
  • Prioritize nutrient-dense foods: Hair follicles are among the body's most metabolically active structures. Adequate intake of protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids can support healthy hair growth and scalp function.
  • Manage stress: Chronic stress can increase inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which have been associated with hair aging.
  • Address scalp conditions early: Consider visiting a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in conditions of the hair, skin, and nails) if you have persistent dandruff, itching, redness, or excessive shedding.
  • Follow a consistent scalp care routine: Cleaning gently, maintaining the scalp barrier, and treating underlying scalp concerns may help support a healthier environment for hair growth as you age.



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The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees) comes with a generous welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This card is the mid-tier version of the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card (see rates and fees), which is currently offering 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

With the Autograph Journey, you’ll enjoy perks like a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases (with a $50 minimum airline purchase) and bonus points on travel and dining purchases. The latter is a benefit of the Autograph Card as well, though select travel categories, like hotels and airfare, earn fewer points per dollar spent with the no-annual-fee card.

Previously, Wells Fargo Rewards points earned with Wells Fargo credit cards could only be redeemed at 1 cent each, making the Autograph Journey bonus worth $600 and the Autograph Card bonus worth $200. However, Wells Fargo introduced a number of travel transfer partners that allow you to use your rewards points with eight frequent flyer programs and two hotel loyalty programs for better value (up to $960 and $320, respectively, when redeemed for travel).

Here is everything you need to know about Wells Fargo’s transfer partners so you can get the most value out of your hard-earned Wells Fargo points.

Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points

Who are the Wells Fargo transfer partners?

You can transfer Wells Fargo points to the following programs at a 1:1 ratio (unless otherwise noted):

Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia all use Avios as their program currency. They can be transferred between any of these programs (including Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club) in any direction at a 1:1 rate; so, even if only one of these three programs was a Wells Fargo transfer partner, you could still easily transfer Avios to all three of the programs, as well as to Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.

Similarly, you can link your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red accounts to transfer your Virgin points between both programs. If you want to book Virgin Atlantic flights, you can use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Virgin Red offers members the chance to redeem rewards for other trip details, such as food tours, excursions and hotel stays.

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Related: Airlines you can book using Avios: How to maximize your points and miles

Aer Lingus Airbus A321XLR. AER LINGUS

How do I transfer Wells Fargo points to partners?

Once you have earned Wells Fargo points from an Autograph card at the end of each billing cycle, they will be available in your Wells Fargo account. You could elect to redeem them through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal at 1 cent each or transfer them to one of the partner programs above at a 1:1 rate (except for Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards, which are 1:2).

You must first link any transfer partners in your Wells Fargo account by adding their membership numbers so you can easily transfer to them.

Thankfully, unlike other transferable currencies, there’s no minimum transfer amount, and you aren’t limited to specific increments. In fact, you could transfer just a single point if needed. This allows you to transfer the exact number you need for your specific redemption — rather than being forced to round up to the next multiple of 1,000, which can leave you with orphaned points or miles in a loyalty account.

Transfers are not reversible, so make sure you want to proceed before making the transfer.

The Mining Exchange, a Registry Collection Hotel
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS

What are the best Wells Fargo transfer partners?

There are great ways to maximize the value of Wells Fargo transfer partners. Here are some of our favorites:

  • British Airways Club members can book American Airlines and Alaska Airlines partner flights traveling up to 650 miles within North America for 13,500 Avios on all dates, plus taxes and fees of just $5.60. An example of such a route includes flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego International Airport (SAN). Since American operates using dynamic pricing, redeeming Avios could be significantly cheaper and a better use of your rewards. However, it’s always best to double-check before transferring and redeeming your points.
  • Iberia Club business class to Europe costs just 40,500 Avios (plus reasonable taxes and fees) each way on off-peak dates for the following routes: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Costa Rica, Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).
  • Flying Blue prices its awards dynamically; however, the program has now standardized saver-level pricing for all one-way flights between the U.S. and Europe, regardless of origin or destination. This means you can connect at no extra cost from as little as 25,000 miles in economy, 40,000 miles in premium economy or 60,000 miles in business class. Also, check out the program’s Promo Rewards, where select routes are discounted even further.
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club does impose high surcharges on its award tickets, but you can find great deals, such as flying from the East Coast to the U.K. during off-peak dates for just 6,000 points. Plus, if you book a partner award redemption, such as a main cabin Delta Air Lines flight from the U.S. to Europe, you’ll pay significantly lower surcharges. While the flight will cost you more Virgin points, it’s likely to be far fewer points than Delta SkyMiles charges its own members for the exact same flight.
  • Choice Privileges has well-located properties in Europe and Japan for 12,000 points or less per night. Choice points can also provide great value in the U.S. For example, some solid-value Choice Hotels are near national parks and in large cities.

Remember, transfers are irreversible, so it’s important to double-check airline and hotel availability before proceeding.

Iberia 350 business class
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

How do I earn Wells Fargo points?

You can earn Wells Fargo points from the following credit cards.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
THE POINTS GUY

Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This card comes with a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases (a $50 minimum applies) and valuable earnings rates on travel and dining purchases.

Annual fee: $95.

Earning rates:

  • 5 points per dollar spent at hotels
  • 4 points per dollar spent on airline purchases
  • 3 points per dollar spent on other travel and restaurant purchases
  • 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases

Some other cards require travel to be booked through the card provider’s travel portal to earn bonus points. With the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card, you’ll earn bonus points for booking directly with the airline or hotel, meaning you’ll never miss out on earning points and utilizing elite status benefits.

To learn more, read our full review of the Autograph Journey.


Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card


Wells Fargo Autograph Card

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THE POINTS GUY

Current welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Earning rates:

  • 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases (including takeout, catering and food delivery services)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on travel (including airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises)
  • 3 points per dollar spent at gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
  • 3 points per dollar spent on transit, eligible streaming services and phone plans
  • 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases

Plus, you’ll enjoy up to $600 in cellular telephone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly bill with the card (subject to a $25 deductible).

To learn more, read our full review of the Autograph Card.


Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph Card


Related: Wells Fargo Autograph vs. Autograph Journey: Should you pay an annual fee for more benefits?

Royal Lancaster Choice hotel
ROYAL LANCASTER LONDON

Bottom line

The Wells Fargo transfer partner list may be small, but there are some excellent redemption options. Additionally, the ability to transfer points in any amount provides valuable flexibility that other credit card currencies lack.

We hope this transfer partner list will continue to grow and that the product evolves.



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