During the summer period, vacations and sunshine do wonders for mood, but hair can suffer from certain conditions. As autumn arrives—and sometimes even during the summer—a pronounced hair shedding can set in. Why does this happen and how can you remedy it?
Numerous reasons can explain hair loss, affecting both women and men. Fatigue, stress, diet, illness… And seasonal change. This is what we call seasonal hair loss, also known as “seasonal alopecia”.
Seasonal hair loss: when to worry?
Hair shedding is a natural phenomenon. We lose between 20 and 100 hairs per day, a daily loss that can reach about one hundred hairs in the case of seasonal hair loss. A phenomenon that occurs mainly at seasonal changes, especially with the arrival of autumn and spring.
Causes of summer hair loss:
During the summer period, it is mainly the sun’s rays that lead to greater hair shedding. The sun and heat stimulate the production of hormones that affect hair growth, which is why in summer hair grows faster than in winter. But when autumn comes, this growth slows and the damage suffered by the scalp during summer, more intense, leads to significant hair loss. Indeed, in summer, UV rays and heat sensitize our scalp, just as sea salt and pool chlorine do.
Losing more hair than usual isn’t a big deal, as long as this shedding doesn’t last more than 3 months. Indeed, seasonal alopecia is typically a temporary phenomenon lasting generally 4 to 6 weeks. On average, the cycle of a strand of hair spans 2 to 5 years and this can repeat about 25 times during our lifetime. So while seasonal hair loss can shorten the normal hair cycle, new hair will grow back and the shedding will rebalance in the long term. That said, loss of hair that outpaces regrowth can lead to a significant loss of hair mass, with hairs becoming thinner and breaking off more quickly.
Applying certain tips already helps limit hair loss, whether it’s habitual or seasonal.
10 tips to avoid losing hair in summer
1 – Protect your scalp from sun exposure
To avoid sensitizing your scalp in the heat, make sure you protect your scalp from the sun during prolonged exposure. Opt for breathable headwear, such as straw hats!
2 – Rinse your hair thoroughly
After a day at the sea or at the pool, always rinse your hair to remove chlorine or salt residues, which can be harsh.
3 – Maintain your regular washing frequency
When you’re shedding more often or when hair regrowth slows due to sweating, the temptation is to wash more often. Instead, even when it’s hot, it’s better not to increase wash frequency; unless during your vacation you swim in a pool or the sea every day…
4 – Massage your scalp
Take advantage of your shampoo to gently massage your scalp, to boost blood circulation and stimulate hair growth.
5 – Limit the use of a hair dryer and other heat-styling tools
With the scalp being exposed to more aggressive factors in summer, it’s best to skip the hair dryer and other heat tools (straighteners, curling irons, etc.) to avoid further sensitivity.
6 – Don’t rub your scalp with a towel
Similarly, don’t rub your scalp too vigorously with a towel, which can further weaken it. Soft bath towels are gentler as well.
7 – Don’t tie your hair too tightly
To avoid increasing shedding, avoid overly tight hairstyles that pull on the roots. If needed, opt for looser styles that also let your scalp “breathe.”
8 – Use essential oils to tighten and strengthen hair
Gently massage your scalp with essential oils like grapefruit or cedar, which fortify hair while slowing seasonal alopecia. Other essential oils are ideal for caring for your hair.
9 – Embrace a hair-loss–fighting diet
Nutritional imbalances can accelerate seasonal alopecia and weaken hair. Hair is about 95% keratin, with components coming from our diet. It’s important that your diet include enough iron, which helps transport oxygen to tissues. Iron contributes to proper oxygenation of cells responsible for hair production. Your diet should also be rich in sulfur, a component of keratin that aids in the synthesis of amino acids found in hair: methionine and cysteine. A sulfur deficiency, which also helps with phosphorus, calcium, or magnesium absorption, slows hair growth.
10 – Vitamins to prevent hair loss
Just like sulfur and iron, certain vitamins are key for healthy hair. If your hair shedding is too heavy or longer than usual, consider vitamins A (antioxidant), B3 (nourishes and stimulates roots), B5 (regenerates hair), B6 (promotes regrowth), B8 (biotine, which stimulates the scalp and regrowth), C (helps iron absorption), D (strengthens hair follicles), and E (promotes blood circulation).
Zinc also helps make hair silkier by boosting keratin and collagen synthesis. Brewer’s yeast also stimulates keratin production and supports hair regrowth.
Examples of foods to prioritize to combat hair loss:
- Sprouted seeds
- Spinach
- Vegetable oils
- Fatty fish
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Rice
- Poultry
- Eggs
- Carrots
- Mangoes
- Kiwis
- Bananas
- Whole grains
