Hair loss is a very common issue among both men and women. People who notice their hair start thinning for some reason often get anxious and try many different things to stop this process. However, sometimes shedding is unavoidable, and one of its most frequent causes is the seasonal change from summer to fall and winter.
With fall already in full swing, you may dread looking at your hairbrush every time you use it. What if you notice your hair falling out? Don’t worry! In this article, we’ll shed some light on the causes of seasonal hair loss and provide you with ways to deal with it. If you want to learn how to save your hair, keep on reading!
What Are the Causes?
Besides the obvious change of the seasons, experts from Primal Harvest recognize other factors that may cause shedding. These include, but are not limited to:
- Stress
- Sun and heat exposure
- Exposure to chlorine and saltwater
- Excessive hairstyling
- Unhealthy diet
- Hormonal imbalances
- Genetically weak and thin hair
- Underlying health issues
- Age
- Certain medications
Is It Normal?
To answer probably the most taxing question – yes, seasonal hair shedding is completely normal. You may think about it as your head preparing for the colder months by getting rid of brittle, damaged hair. However, if you notice any alarming symptoms, such as round, bald patches, reach out to a dermatologist to let them figure out if it’s not the case of a more serious condition.
Is There Anything You Can Do About It?
Seasonal hair shedding is not a recent phenomenon. As such, there are many solutions you can try to deal with it. Here’s what you can do about it:
Eat Healthy
If you want to have strong, healthy hair, you need to take care of your diet. Proper nutrition is crucial to your hair, skin, and health in general, because it provides you with all the necessary vitamins and minerals your organism needs to function well.
Nevertheless, some foods are known to promote healthy hair more than others. These generally include products rich in fatty acids, such as avocado, salmon, chia seeds, almonds, and coconut oil. So, if you’re forced to stay at home due to bad weather, don’t fret. Feel free to try out some recipes that incorporate these ingredients.
Consider Taking Supplements
You may already have a healthy diet plan, and yet you won’t get all the vitamins and minerals you need. That’s why you should consider taking dietary supplements. There are many different products available on the market designed to target specific needs or support your organism holistically. For optimal results, consider combining a healthy diet with some high-quality supplements and other products that promote hair growth.
Get a Haircut
Even though it might seem like the last thing you’d like to do, consider getting a new haircut for the fall. Your post-summer hair might be damaged and weakened, and the easiest way to reduce hair loss is to chop off some of those inches. You’ll get rid of breakage, and split ends will be no more. This, in turn, will strengthen your hair and promote its growth.
Reduce Styling
Your hair is already dry and brittle after summer. Give them a break! They’ve been through a lot, so now it’s time to avoid styling them with hair curlers or straighteners. A good rule of thumb is to limit the exposure of your hair to the heat, as it makes them prone to breakage.
There are many hair styling solutions that don’t require you to use heat. You can make those lovely waves by braiding your hair before you go to bed or by sleeping in sponge curlers. If you feel like giving up, don’t worry. It’s fall – the perfect season to hide your unstyled hair under a hat or a beanie.
Mind Your Scalp Health
Following the treatment you can perform on the entire surface of your hair, it’s also important to target the area where they grow, namely: your scalp. You can use dedicated masks and exfoliants, but there are also natural remedies that can improve the condition of your scalp.
Remember that coconut oil we mentioned earlier? Massage it gently onto your scalp to improve circulation and stimulate blood flow. Can’t stop using styling products? Rinse your scalp with apple cider vinegar to get rid of the buildup. Keep your hair and scalp conditioned and moisturized because heat and dryness are their biggest enemies during the fall and winter.
Relax
The season change has an impact not only on your hair but also on your mental well-being. Stress is one of the factors that can cause hair loss. After the eventful summer, it’s time to slow down and treat your body and mind with kindness. Obviously, it’s impossible to predict what’s going to happen, but major life changes, illnesses, and the reality of daily life can disturb your inner peace. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t be more mindful of yourself. On the contrary, it’s high time you took care of your mind, body, and allowed yourself to unwind and rest.
The Bottom Line
Seasonal shedding is completely normal, and yet it’s totally understandable why it’s not a necessarily welcome condition. Fortunately, there are many solutions to this problem, and all of them are fairly easy to implement. It would be best if you start by being mindful of the way you style, wash and treat your hair from your scalp to ends. Also, don’t limit your hair care routine only to the fall and winter seasons. Do it all year round, and you’ll see how the condition of your hair improves over time.
Ultimately, you should consider introducing some changes to your diet and taking supplements if needed. Such a lifestyle transformation can be extremely beneficial to you and encourage you to maintain healthier habits. After all, if you start taking care of yourself from the inside, you’ll feel and look beautiful on the outside.