Seasonal hair loss is affecting many of us. Here’s why it’s happening and how to deal with it

The average human being sheds between 80 to 100 hair strands per day. This occurs because hair follicles go through cycles of growth and dormancy. Production at the hair follicle shuts down periodically, causing the hair to fall out, giving time for the follicle to rest and repair. 

However, just like your skin, a change of the seasons affects the condition and health of your hair too, increasing the risk of hair loss. As Pharmacist Stuart Gale from Oxford Online Pharmacy explains, “the dry winter air outside dries all the moisture from your scalp which can lead to increased hair loss.” Patients may lose more than 150 strands of hair per day, leading to noticeable thinning and clogged shower drains.

Typically, seasonal hair loss occurs during the autumn months of September and October or in spring (usually April and May). It may, however, happen at other times, particularly if you travel to an area with a warmer or cooler climate. 

Why Does Seasonal Hair Loss Occur?

Hair follicles are highly sensitive to conditions in the body and the environment. For instance, stress-induced hair loss, called telogen effluvium, occurs when stress hormones temporarily shut down hair follicles. 

Seasonal hair loss results from an external factor, namely temperature. When hair follicles get warmer or colder than usual, it can cause them to prematurely enter the dormancy state, causing hair strands to fall out. 

Seasonal hair loss is not the same as alopecia. This condition causes patients to lose hair from all over the scalp, not just one spot. It is also separate from hormonal causes of hair loss, such as pregnancy.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a great deal of research on why seasonal hair loss occurs. Evolutionary biologists suggest that we humans retained the hair on the top of our heads to keep us warm during the winter months and, perhaps, protect our scalps from direct sunlight. Spring and autumn are both transitional seasons between warm and cool weather, which might explain why people shed more during these times of the year. However, such theories are speculative with little to no published research backing them up.

The good news is that seasonal hair loss is usually temporary. You might notice a little thinning in the autumn and spring months, but come the summer and winter, your hair should return to normal. Shedding usually only lasts a couple of weeks. 

How To Avoid Seasonal Hair Loss

There are several things that you can do to avoid seasonal hair loss, most of which involve keeping your scalp healthy. 

Follow A Good Diet

Hair requires dozens of nutrients from the diet to remain strong and healthy. Required vitamins and minerals include vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, zinc and iron. If you are anemic, you may notice that your hair loss gets worse over time. And if you are low on zinc – a mineral that is often deficient, even in people eating meat-based diets – seasonal hair loss may be worse. 

If you are worried that you’re not getting all these nutrients in your diet, take them in supplement form. Pay attention to dry, brittle hair: it could indicate a lack of protein or minerals in your diet. For those who are looking for supplements or hair products to improve hair health, consider checking out the selection available on an online pharmacy.

Keep Your Scalp Hydrated And Moisturised

Keeping your scalp moisturised is another common strategy as changing weather patterns can cause it to dry out. There are numerous ways to keep your scalp hydrated.

1. Use a moisturising shampoo. These shampoos contain ingredients that will nourish your scalp at the same time as cleaning your hair from root to tip. They typically eschew harsh ingredients that strip the natural oils from your hair and, instead, remove only excess oil and dirt. 
2. Don’t apply conditioner to your scalp. Conditioners can clog pores and make itching worse. 
3. Apply natural oils. Moisturising oils creates a protective barrier between your scalp and the elements. Common hypoallergenic oils include jojoba, almond, coconut and avocado oil. If you are using essential oils, be sure to dilute them first. If you apply them in a concentrated fashion, they could cause unwanted skin reactions. Carefully coat your hands with your chosen oil and then use your fingers to massage it into your scalp. Leave it to perform its magic overnight. 

Eat More Protein

Hair is almost entirely made of protein from the diet. For that reason, it makes sense to eat more animal foods and legumes to boost hair growth. If you notice any seasonal thinning, try adding an extra serving of beans or lentils to your daily menu and see if that makes a difference. 

Wear A Hat

You can also try protecting your hair from changes in temperatures by wearing a hat, particularly during the autumn. Before you go outside, don a beanie (or anything else that will protect your scalp), to stop hair follicles from becoming too cold. 

Let Your Hair Down

In some cases, you may actually worsen seasonal hair loss by wearing your hair in tight hairstyles – a condition called traction alopecia. To avoid this, allow your hair strands to flow more freely and wear your hair down. Remember, seasonal hair loss occurs because of changes in temperature at the follicle, not the strand. 

Wrapping Up

While it might be tempting to panic over seasonal hair loss, it is generally a transitory condition. If the underlying cause is changes in temperature, hair follicles will soon re-normalise once the season comes to an end and get back to their regular growth-dormancy cycle. 

While seasonal hair loss has downsides, it also has upsides too. After autumn hair fall, you can look forward to a thicker, fuller head of hair in the winter. 

Don’t confuse seasonal hair loss with other types of generalised hair loss. If your hair loss continues beyond October-November or April-May, it could be a sign of telogen effluvium, a different condition.