Tips and Tricks to Prevent Seasonal Hair Loss

Ever look at your hairbrush and notice more strands of hair than you're used to? Typically, this starts to happen around the time of year when the spring and fall seasons occur. When temperatures change, it can put stress on the scalp and hair follicles.

It's normal for a single person to shed up to 80-100 hair strands daily. This kind of hair loss is considered healthy hair loss because your hair is going through a cycle of growth, transition, and rest before the process repeats itself.

But, if you start to notice more strands of hair on your hairbrush, in your shower, or on the bathroom floor, it can be a cause for concern. This leads us to a common question: Is it normal to have seasonal hair loss?

Is losing hair seasonally normal?

 The actual cause of seasonal hair loss is unclear, but studies show that seasonal shedding affects more women than men. If you take care of your hair and scalp properly, seasonal hair loss shouldn't be a concern. The shedding will balance out with time, and hair growth will continue.

But, seasonal hair loss can quickly turn into long-term hair loss if you do not follow a good scalp and hair maintenance routine. Seasonal hair loss occurs more often in the fall months, such as October and November, and then again during spring months, like April and May.

This timeline will correspond with the second half of the hair growth cycle, where we shed more hair. For a better explanation, this is a synopsis of how the human hair cycle functions:

1. Anagen – This stage is where 85% of the hair grows vigorously.

2. Catagen – In this phase, hair starts to transition by disconnecting from the bulb and getting ready to shed.

3. Telogen – This cycle is when 15% of old hair is resting as the new hair strands begin to grow.

4. Exogen – Finally, the new hair strands remove old hair from the scalp in this part of the process. This process leads to excessive hair loss.

Can seasonal allergies cause excessive hair loss?

 It is probably inflamed or irritated if you are experiencing an allergic reaction on your scalp during spring. If it goes untreated, every hair follicle can become stressed out as it continues to grow. This growth can lead to hair breakage or hair loss in extreme cases. 

Seasonal allergies can affect people differently and are not restricted to respiratory symptoms. The skin can get inflamed by dust, pollen, spores, and other allergens. Since seasonal allergies can cause systemic inflammation in the body, other skin problems, such as rashes, can begin at the start of spring.

It's not uncommon for skin issues to affect the scalp. That means if you see redness, flaking, or itching on your scalp around this time of the year, your hair might have a hard time growing. The most common scalp problems that affect hair growth are eczema, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis. All of these problems can worsen by fluctuating hormones or dramatic changes in humidity. 

How long will seasonal hair loss last?

Thankfully, seasonal hair loss lasts only about 2-3 months, mainly during fall.

 The shedding phase happens in the fall because hairs enter the Telogen phase. The Telogen phase is where new hair strands begin to grow. When fall comes around, the Exogen (shedding) phase begins. A feasible explanation for this is that the hair growth cycle coincides with the year's different seasons.

 However, that's not the only battle your hair is up against. The cold, dry climate leads to irritation of the scalp, which causes dryness and itching, resulting in seasonal hair loss. This dryness and itching cause the follicles to inflate, and hair becomes easier to break, which can lead to excessive shedding. Again, this should only last for 2-3 months.

Expert tips on how to stop seasonal hair loss:

●    Change your hair care routine: Protect your hair from dust, rainwater, excessive sunlight, pollution, and sudden changes in climate. If your hair feels dry or brittle after a long day of being outdoors, wash your hair that same day. This change will assist you with getting rid of elements that can impact your hair health.

●    Trim your hair regularly: Get your hair trimmed at least once a month to rid your hair of split ends. Split ends can trigger hair problems that lead to seasonal shedding. Trimming your hair regularly will help boost hair growth.

●    Change your hairstyle: Different hairstyles like dreadlocks and high ponytails can cause pressure on the roots of your hair. These hairstyles can cause permanent and seasonal hair loss if worn for a long time. During the change in weather, go for a style that is simpler so you can minimize the stress on your hair. This is the easiest way to check for hair loss and shedding.

●    Detangle your hair: When your hair is tangled, it puts a lot of pressure on your roots and does irreversible hair damage. Using a comb, preferably a wide-toothed comb will help detangle wet hair without exerting stress on the root. Start by combing at the roots to avoid hair breakage while facing the problem of seasonal hair loss.

●    Practice a healthy diet: While trying to improve the natural strength and shine of your hair, making sure your diet consists of vitamins, proteins, and other essential nutrients is important. That's why experts recommend improving your diet if your goal is to tackle seasonal hair loss. Replacing processed food and drinks with home-cooked meals and adding fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean meats to your diet will help your hair journey. 

●    Get scalp massages: Massaging the scalp is not only relaxing but will also help nourish the scalp from within. Try massaging your scalp with almond, coconut, olive, or sesame oils to help with the nourishment of your scalp. During the change in seasons, try to massage your scalp with one of these oils at least once a week.

How to recover from seasonal hair loss: 

 Above are some of the best tips to reduce seasonal hair loss and damage. If you've already lost a lot of your hair and are experiencing noticeable bald patches, then non-surgical hair replacement systems and wigs are very common, effective solutions. Be sure to talk with one of our expert consultants to get your hair system ordered today. You can call or text to 844-946-4247 or email to hello@yourhairmatters.com.