Don't be surprised if you look at your brush or shower drain and realize you are shedding more this winter than you did during summer. This is completely normal and nothing to be alarmed over. It is called seasonal hair loss. Many people experience increased hair shedding during late fall and winter because the dry air strips the moisture out of your hair and scalp. This causes dry hair and breakage, which leads to shedding. What can you do to reduce hair shedding during the winter months?
Consume a Healthy Diet
No matter the season, a healthy diet is crucial to hair growth, just as it is to every other physical process in the body. Ensuring your diet is well-balanced and rich in nutrients needed for healthy hair will help combat the winter challenges of dry, fragile hair. Essential nutrients include protein (hair strength), biotin (promote hair growth), iron (oxygen for hair follicles), water (moisture), omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and zinc.
Avoid Excessive Use of Head Wear
Your hair strands are already drier and more brittle during the winter months. Excessive wearing of hats and beanies can rub against the hair and scalp. The increased friction is more likely to break strands of hair resulting in additional hair shedding. Try to minimize how much you accessorize your look with headwear.
Use Hair Masks
One of the main reasons for increased hair shedding during the cooler months is dryer hair that is caused by a lack of moisture. Treat your hair to a hair mask. Regularly using a hair mask helps replenish your hair with moisture, which, in turn, helps to strengthen hair and prevent breakage.
Switch to a Leave-In Conditioner
"Static" hair or floating strands of hair are very common during the winter months. Hair with static is more than just annoying, it is actually a sign of dry hair strands. These strands are more fragile and prone to breakage. Regularly conditioning your hair in the shower and then following up with a leave-in conditioner will help lock in moisture and prevent drying out. As a bonus, it will also reduce the instances of "static" hair.
Take It Easy On Heat Styling
There is no doubt that heat styling can make your hair look great, but it also causes your hair strands to become more fragile, which, combined with the dry winter air, only increases shedding. Try to reduce the number of times a week you apply heat to your hair instead of opting for alternative styles such as braids, buns, messy up-dos, and ponytails. When you do use heat, be sure to use a heat protectant spray first.
Go Darker This Winter
Platinum hair colors are more damaging to hair strands than darker colors. The reason is that anytime you lighten your natural color, you are stripping your hair of pigment (and moisture), which can leave it dryer and more brittle. Instead, opt for a darker color during the winter months, which adds pigment and moisture, helping to offset the harshness of winter.
Bonus Tip!
If you are concerned that your hair shedding is due to more than a seasonal change, there is no need to worry! An experienced hair specialist can determine if your shedding is normal or actually the beginning signs of hair loss. The good news is that if it is hair loss, you do not have to live with balding or thinning hair. As North Carolina's most trusted hair restoration studio, LH Hair is dedicated to helping people live their best life by restoring their full head of hair. Schedule your FREE confidential consultation today!
