Does Hair Fall Increase In Summer (5 Reasons & Helpful Tips)


Does Hair Fall Increase In Summer

Have you ever asked yourself if Hair fall increase in Summer? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.

Summer is a time to be out and about, getting outside and going on vacations. The last thing anyone wants to see in the summer is clumps of hair falling out when washing or brushing your hair! Stay calm and don’t panic just yet, what you are experiencing is totally common and normal and is called seasonal hair loss.

So, does Hair fall increase in Summer? Yes, hair fall does increase in summer. Human hair undergoes a natural growth cycle that lasts 2 to 6 years. While the timing of this cycle varies with each individual strand of hair, studies have shown there are seasonal patterns to hair growth, with the majority of hair fall occurring in the late summer/early fall. No one is sure why this happens, however there are some theories that try to explain this seasonal pattern.

In this article, we’ll dig deep into the reasons why you may be experiencing greater hair fall in the summer, and steps you can take to minimize hair loss.

How does hair normally grow?

It is natural and normal for a person to shed between 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. This is because human hair has a natural growth cycle, with periods of growth that last between 2-6 years per strand of hair. At the end of this growth cycle, the hair falls out and is replaced with a new hair.

It is important to note that this growth cycle occurs individually for each strand of hair. This is a good thing, because otherwise picture all of your hair falling out at once at the end of each cycle!

There are four phases in the life cycle of a human hair. These consist of the anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen phases.

1: Anagen, or growing phase: This phase is the growing period of your hair. This phase can last from 2 to 6 years depending on the location of the hair on your body, your age, your health, and genetics. About 90% of the hairs on your head are in this phase at any given time.

2. Catagen, or transitional phase: This phase is a brief transitional period that begins at the end of the anagen phase. The hair follicle shrinks and hair growth slows. This period lasts about 100 days. About 5% of the hairs on your head are in this phase at any given time.

3. Telogen, or resting phase: During this phase, the hairs are no longer growing, however they are not shedding just yet. The base of the follicle has separated from the shaft of the existing hair and a new hair begins to develop in the base. This phase lasts anywhere from 2 – 4 months, and about 10-15% of your hair is in this phase.

4. Exogen, or shedding phase: Some experts consider this phase an extension of the telogen phase. During this phase the old hairs are shed from the follicle, helped along by washing and brushing. As mentioned, it is common to shed between 50 and 100 hairs per day during this phase. Don’t worry though, because there is a new hair growing in the place of the old, shed hair.

Read also: Does Hair Fall Increase In Winter? (Reason – Helpful Tips)

Is there such a thing as seasonal hair loss?

As mentioned earlier, the life cycle of each hair occurs individually. However, you may have noticed how overall hair fall is greater during certain times of the year. Scientists have noticed this too, and have studied whether there is indeed a seasonal pattern to hair fall.

In one interesting study recently published in the British Journal of Dermatology,  scientists used data collected from Google to identify if there were certain times of year people searched for the term “hair loss”. By inferring that people were researching hair loss because they were suffering from hair loss, they then noted the number of these searches peaked in the late summer/early fall, particularly in August and September.

This study correlates with earlier studies, which also found seasonal hair loss peaking in the late summer and fall.

Why does my hair fall out more in the summer?

Although studies have shown there is a seasonal trend in hair growth and loss, with the greatest amount of telogen hairs and hair shedding occurring in the summer, scientists do not yet know why this occurs. There are several theories attempting to explain why:

Evolution:

One theory explains that we continue to experience the normal seasonal molting pattern of mammals. Most mammals shed their “winter coats” for lightweight “summer coats” when the days get longer and temperatures get warmer. Because we are mammals, after all, we may still undergo this evolutionary process of thermoregulation.

Ultraviolet Sunlight Protection:

The ability of our bodies to postpone shedding until late summer and fall may signify that we “hold on” to our anagen hairs during the sunniest months when ultraviolet exposure is at its greatest. Having a thicker head of hair during the early and mid-summer months offers natural sun protection to the head and scalp. 

Hormones:

Seasonal hair loss may also be triggered by hormones. Possible hormonal changes in testosterone, melatonin, and thyroid hormones may play a role in hair loss. It is known that an increase in stress levels can cause hairs to enter the telogen phase and then fall out. 

Why is my hair falling out more in the summertime?

Although studies have shown there is a seasonal trend to hair growth and loss, with the greatest amount of telogen hairs and hair shedding occurring in the summer, scientists do not yet know why this occurs. There are several theories attempting to explain why:

Evolution:

One theory explains that we continue to experience the normal seasonal molting pattern of mammals. Most mammals shed their “winter coats” for lightweight “summer coats” when the days get longer and temperatures get warmer. Because we are mammals after all, we may still undergo this evolutionary process of thermoregulation.

Ultraviolet Sunlight Protection:

The ability of our bodies to postpone shedding until late summer and fall may signify that we “hold on” to our anagen hairs during the sunniest months when ultraviolet exposure is at its greatest. Having a thicker head of hair during the early and mid-summer months offers natural sun protection to the head and scalp.

Hormones:

Seasonal hair loss may also be triggered by hormones. Possible hormonal changes in testosterone, melatonin, and thyroid hormones may play a role in hair loss. It is known that an increase in stress levels can cause hairs to enter the telogen phase and then fall out.

How can I keep my hair from falling out in the summer?

There are many ways to prevent your hair from falling out in the summer. Keep in mind that losing a few strands of hair each day is not something out of the ordinary, but there are things you can do to keep your hair and scalp healthy all year round.

Protect your Head

When outside, wear a hat to protect your hair and sensitive scalp from the sun, wind and elements.

Your hairdresser is your friend

Visiting your hairdresser for regular trims is a key way to maintain healthy hair. A regular trim of even just half an inch will eliminate dry, split ends. As a bonus, your hairdresser can help you diagnose issues that are contributing to hair loss and recommend treatments for you.   

Consider a change of hairstyle

A simple, easy-to-care-for hairstyle helps keep hair from being overly fussed and tangled. Long hair can get damaged easily from exposure and the wear and tear of a busy summer season. Consider a short, simple hairstyle for the summer months; it will also feel light and cool in the heat!

Use conditioner

In the summer, high temperatures and humidity can cause oily, frizzy hair that is susceptible to tangling and breakage. It is important to keep hair conditioned during the summer months to reduce tangling and tame oily, frizzy hair.

Air dry hair

It’s always best to air dry your hair. Blow drying or using excessive heat on your hair can damage it and dry out your scalp, leading to brittle, dull hair. If possible, air dry your hair or use a cool setting on your blow dryer. Also, make sure to dry your hair completely before tying it back, as tying back wet hair can cause breakage. 

Keep an eye on your nutrition

Your diet can actually have a huge impact on the health of your hair. Take inventory of the foods you are eating. Look for foods that are rich in iron (such as leafy greens), and foods that have essential fatty acids (such as nuts and salmon). You can also look into supplements that have silica or amino acids, which can help strengthen hair. 


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References

https://coveteur.com/summer-hair-loss-tips

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.16075

Lindsey

Lindsey graduated with an MBA in 2009. Since then, Lindsey has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Lindsey is also the head writer and Co-founder of Rvandplaya.com. Lindsey is based in Morgantown, West Virginia.

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