What Is Seasonal Hair Shedding?
For women who have thinning hair due to genetic hair loss, one reliable method of restoring a fuller, natural-looking head of hair is with a female hair transplant. The Philadelphia area’s Griffin Hair Restoration Center team explains that in addition to surgical techniques, there are also minimally invasive treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that can help to make hair thicker and healthier.
With all of that in mind, it is important to understand that many factors can impact the hair. Normal aging, hormonal changes, and genetics are common causes of hair loss, but our environment can also affect the appearance of the skin and hair. Many patients may not realize how much seasonal weather changes can affect their hair. Seasonal hair shedding, for example, is a real thing—though many patients wonder whether it’s normal or a sign of some underlying condition.
It’s normal for us to shed between 80 to 100 hairs each day on average. This is a normal part of the hair growth process, since hairs are shed and new hair growth occurs in a constant cycle. You may have noticed, however, that your hair seems to fall out more during the colder months of the year, especially in relation to the changes that occur in your skin. Research has shown that we have the tendency to shed more hair during the late summer and into fall. Although this seasonal hair loss starts during the summer, it peaks during the autumn months and can remain a problem in winter.
Although both men and women can be affected by seasonal hair loss, it’s more common among women. Some of the most noticeable signs of seasonal hair loss include finding more hair on your brush, on the bathroom floor, or in the shower.
Despite the evidence and research, the exact cause of seasonal shedding is not fully understood. Some experts believe that we may hold onto more hairs during the summer months to provide increased protection from sun exposure. Some believe that the body has a hormonal response to changes in the amount of daylight, which triggers the shedding. A shift in temperature can put stress on the hair strands and follicles. There’s also a theory that we may lose more hair during fall so that we can have a newly thicker head of hair during wintertime.
No matter the reason, it’s also true that a large percentage of our hair enters the shedding phase during the fall months and becomes more prone to shedding because of dryness and irritation, which are common to heated indoor environments.
While seasonal hair loss is a frustrating problem, it’s only temporary—and you certainly shouldn’t panic if you’re experiencing the condition. Keep in mind that this shedding only lasts for a few months at a time. It might seem upsetting, but hair shedding is just the body’s way of cleansing and rejuvenating, since once the old strands have been removed, newer and healthier hairs can take their place.
As long as you’ve been caring for your hair and scalp well, there’s no need to worry about seasonal shedding. Instead of trying to prevent hair shedding altogether, it’s recommended that you do what you can to optimize scalp health while promoting hair growth. Keeping your scalp as healthy as possible can help reduce the seasonal hair shedding. Eat a good diet that’s rich in protein and nutrients that are essential for growth. Vitamin D regulates the production of keratin, a type of structural protein that’s found in your hair. Increasing your intake of vitamin D during the colder season is another way of maintaining fuller hair during the colder temperatures.
Want to learn more about what to expect for your hair in the midst of temperature and other environmental changes? The team at Griffin Hair Restoration Center of Philadelphia can tell you more about skin and hair changes, what’s involved in various treatments, and recommended solutions to restore a fuller head of hair. Call (215) 561-9100 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.