One due to hair loss The question we are asked quite often is whether winter slows down hair loss. Many things tend to slow down a bit when the weather gets colder, so this is a good question. Could colder weather and shorter days make your hair fall out less? The answer may not be what you expected.
A study was conducted by the British Association of Dermatologists on how seasonal changes can affect hair loss. What the researchers found was that most hair loss occurs during the summer and fall months. However, a different study determined that our hair follicles are more prone to enter the exogenous or shedding phase during the winter months. If you’ve heard the terms seasonal hair loss or winter hair loss, this is what they mean. Seasonal hair loss is normal and usually temporary, but if your hair is already thinning, it can be a little bothersome if it suddenly starts thinning out faster. However, normal shedding is not the only reason we lose hair in winter.
Winter air contains so little moisture that it dries your hair and scalp very much, and your hair is not as strong as it used to be when dry. It becomes brittle and starts to break, which causes your hair to look even thinner. Scalp infections and dandruff tend to flare up in winter and make dry, flaky scalp and hair loss issues worse. Therefore, if your hair is thinning, you need to take extra precautions to protect your hair and scalp to prevent the harsh winter weather from ruining your hair and hair during the winter months.
Is there anything that can be done to stop seasonal hair loss? No. Unfortunately, you cannot completely stop seasonal hair loss, but there are some changes you can make to minimize the amount of hair shedding. If you follow these tips this winter, you will make your hair look more lush and healthy throughout the season.
- Keep cutting your hair regularly. You’ve heard it a million times, but it’s such good advice that it’s worth repeating. Cutting your hair regularly removes damaged ends before they have a chance to split and break, resulting in thicker, healthier looking hair.
- Give yourself a warm oily scalp massage. At least once a week, warm up a high-quality scalp oil and gently massage your scalp in circular motions with your fingertips for 3-5 minutes. In addition to preventing your scalp and hair from drying out, this will increase circulation to your hair follicles, increasing the flow of nutrients, oxygen and moisture, resulting in stronger, healthier hair. After your massage, shampoo and condition as usual.
- Only use moisturizing hair care products. The lighter formulas you use to keep your hair from looking greasy in the summer are not moisturizing enough to combat the dry air of the winter. Look for products that contain moisturizing oils, emollients, and humectants to help your hair regain moisture and lock it in.
- Use a deep conditioner weekly. If you don’t replace the moisture it steals from your hair and scalp in the winter, you’ll have much less hair in the spring, but also a dry, frizzy mess left in your hair. Weekly deep conditioning treatments will help you fight the harsh effects of winter and keep your curls soft and manageable.
- Take cooler showers. A hot shower might be good when it’s cold outside, but it’s not good for your hair. Hot water opens the cuticle, removes protective natural oils and dries out your strands. So turn down the heat and finally give your hair a cold rinse to soften the cuticle and lock in moisture.
- Let your hair dry. Although you should not go out with wet hair in winter, you should not blow dry frequently. The hot dry air from the blow dryer reduces the humidity of your hair. Whenever possible, plan shampoo days ahead to allow time for your hair to dry. If you must blow-dry, always apply a moisturizing thermal protector and set it to the lowest heat setting to minimize moisture loss.
- Keep your hair covered outdoors. To protect your hair from the cold winds of winter, a silk or satin scarf or a satin-lined hat is an excellent choice. The smooth fabric reduces friction to prevent breakage while protecting your hair.
If you’re worried about how much hair you’ve lost since the weather turned cold, you should talk to one of our hair loss experts to find the cause and discuss solutions. Hair loss is not something you have to learn to live with. Treatments and hair replacement options are available to give you healthy-looking hair again.
Arrange a discreet and private consultation at Hair Transplantation Institute to discuss your hair transplant options with one of our relevant hair loss experts. We will assess your hair and scalp health and degree of hair loss, and discuss the best available treatment options to restore your hair. Call us at 612-588-HAIR (4247) for a free consultation. You can find us in Bloomington, MN at 8030 Old Cedar Ave S Ste 202.