We have been talking about the winter scalp, a seasonal change that can affect the scalp skin. Many also describe seasonal hair loss, so it is worth a discussion in this blog post, seasonal hair loss and why is it happening to you.
Does hair fall increase in summer or winter
According to the human hair cycle, hair fall is not supposed to increase in summer or winter, or other seasons either. Seasonal environmental changes should not make the human hair shed. Many mammals, but not all, grow a winter coat, then shed it to have a lighter coat during the summer.
However, there are a few studies considering the possibility of human seasonal hair cycle changes related to less sunshine hours. This should not be so relevant in Queensland, Australia, but could be a possible for some other locations in the world.
Hairfall in winter
In helping my Trichology clients over the years I have noted the hairfall in winter more related to low levels of vitamin D, lending to deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can disturb the hair cycle causing this seemingly winter hair shed.
Supporting the vitamin D are our Essential fatty acids, these are also used more by the body in the winter to protect the immune system. Immune function is always higher in the colder weather. Food choices also change in the winter, with the vitamin D and EFA not being consumed like one could in summer, along with more heated food, damaging some of the fat soluble nutrients.
Seasonal hair loss summer
Watching your nutritional changes during summer may also provide a key to seasonal hair loss in summer. Here I see iron and ferritin dropping to levels lower than other times. This is diet related and also health, with more strenuous exercise generally performed during the summer.
Seasonal hair shedding
Stress can play a role here when there are annual extra stressors. Keeping a diary on your diet, food, sleep, and pH may help bit the easiest thing to do is have annual blood test around the time of your seasonal hair shed to look for any contributing factor.
Seasonal hair loss female – seasonal hair loss male
For those also experiencing female pattern hair thinning and male pattern hair thinning, remember it is a gradual hair miniaturising, not physical hair loss. When experiencing seasonal hair loss, it will expose the already present pattern hair thinning.
If you are actively treating pattern hair thinning, you may experience a slight set back in your treatment after experiencing seasonal hair loss. The main thing here is to watch your nutrition levels through blood tests, don’t allow your body to get to low levels or deficiency which causes hair loss.
What are the stages of hair growth
The stages of hair growth are the growing phase, anagen, the resting phase, catagen, and the falling phase, telogen. It is the telogen, falling phase that is responsible for normal daily hair loss.
It is also the telogen hairs that increase with seasonal hair loss, especially when related to shifts in the body. When the body is disturbed, it can also disrupt the anagen growing hairs and push them earlier into the telogen falling phase.
How much hair loss is normal
Normal daily hair loss is 70-160 hair strands. This will always be collected more on the hair washing days. The less you wash your hair, the more hair you will collect on those days. As an example, washing twice a week, you could see up to 500 hairs on wash day.
Washing more frequently and shorter hair styles will see less hairs falling each day but will also know when there is more hair lost than normal.
Shedding phase of hair growth cycle
The telogen shedding phase of the hair growth cycle is normal and is diffuse. The telogen hair is normally pushed out by a new hair growing that becomes the new growing anagen hair.
It is when this gets all out of order that you can experience increased shedding hairs not related to a normal hair cycle. When the hair cycle is disturbed, the hair can shed for three months, that is the timeframe for the hair cycle, before the hair loss stops, then it can take up to 12 months for the hair to regrow.
How to stop hair fall in winter – summer and hair cycle disturbances
Incorporating a hair cycle treatment into your usual hair washing routine can be life changing for those who have found deficiency related hair loss and seasonal hair loss.
Absolique Hair Health Clinic Trichologist will always want to know your individual story to help and understand your concerns and needs. However, there are products such as Activance Clinician and Absolique GRN that have proven time and time again, to slow hair loss, promote hair regrowth and even prevent hair loss if started three months before the expected hair shed.
Trichologist help
If you would like my help with hair loss, hair thinning or scalp concerns, and plan to promote hair growth or get to the bottom of seasonal hair loss or nutritional lows, contact Carolyn, passionate Trichologist at Absolique. Email Trichologist Carolyn at ua.mo1787337134c.euq1787337134ilosb1787337134a@ofn1787337134i1787337134 see more blogs, videos and stories at https://www.hair-loss-treatments.com.au/blog/