It has been established that hair loss can be caused by different factors, but one reason comes unexpectedly – the time of year. According to recent studies, seasonal hair loss is real. If you think that a wrong diet, poor hair care, or genes are more than enough reasons to keep you on your toes, you must now count in the time of year. But instead of cursing nature, why not take this new information to good use and be more prepared.
Normal Hair Loss
It has been established that we lose up to a hundred hair strands a day thanks to the hair growth cycle. This may seem like a substantial amount, but the loss is barely noticeable. Just like humans inhabiting the earth, each strand in your head is going through different stages in their life cycle. At any given time, about 90% of your hair is in the growth stage, while 6-8% are at rest, and it is the point where shedding occurs.
The cycle of growing and shedding is happening on top of your head with you unaware of the changes happening. As you are losing around a hundred strands per day, others are also growing in its place.
Male Pattern Baldness
If you notice your hair loss becoming more noticeable, and the affected areas taking a certain shape, this is an indication that you could be affected by male pattern baldness. Also known as androgenetic alopecia, this type of hair loss is a genetic condition that is common in men. In fact, statistics revealed that more than 50 percent of all men over the age of 50 will be affected by it to some extent.
Aside from genetics, male pattern baldness is associated with a male sex hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes the hair growth cycle to weaken resulting in the follicles shrinking with finer or shorter strands. Eventually the hairline recedes to form the characteristic “M” shape, while in some cases, the thinning is focused on the crown area (or the top of the head). Unfortunately for others, the condition progresses to partial or complete baldness.
Seasonal Hair Loss
Now that we are well into the “Ber” months, the leaves have fallen, the air starts to get a bit frosty than usual, and some of us notice the amount hair loss to be more obvious. If this is happening to you, a recent study confirmed that you are not imagining things. Seasonal hair loss is real, and it could happen to anyone of us.
Researchers explained that the hair’s role is to cover the scalp and protect it from the harsh rays of the sun. This is the reason why hair growth is faster during the summer months, because it serves as an adaptive mechanism to protect the scalp from the sun and ultraviolet radiation. As the cooler season rolls around, the additional growth is no longer required the hence shedding is more intense.
What is also interesting is that even animals are affected by these seasonal variations in hair loss. It has been noted in studies with cats, rhesus monkeys and dogs. However, seasonal hair loss is not only restricted to Autumn. Some may also experience a slightly higher levels of hair loss during the Spring, although the shedding during Autumn is more noticeable.
How to Lessen or Slow Down Seasonal Hair Loss
So, what then is the implication of this study for us?
Researchers believed that the findings may help patients to better assess the effectiveness of their current hair loss treatments. This may also come as a relief to some individuals, who will now take this factor into consideration and not cause undue panic. Aside from being a temporary phenomenon, there is something that can be done about it to lessen the damage.
Here are some tips that can help you hold on to your strands:
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Castor oil
The restorative power the castor oil has been relied on since ancient times. It has a high concentration of vitamin E, which is a potent antioxidant. It promotes hair regeneration as it nourishes the roots and fortifies each strand.
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A gentle massage
To complement the benefits of castor oil, or simply just a soothing exercise for your head, a gentle massage promotes better blood circulation to the area. This means that your care can be properly oxygenated. A simple 2-3- minute massage can help counteract the seasonal hair loss phenomenon.
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Avoid heavy styling products
Styling products can be very harsh on your hair which could add to its vulnerability at this time. It is advised that you steer clear from sticky styling products such as mousses or hair gels. Don’t worry, this is not something you have to give up in the long term. It’s just a temporary adjustment to help your hair along in this rough season.
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Let your hair down
Cut your hair some slack. You only want to lose the hairs that are naturally read to fall off. Styling it with tight braids and ponytails can damage your fragile hair. This can cause even more hair to fall as you also increase the risk of damaging otherwise healthy hair.
When Should You Be Worried?
If your hair continues to fall out ever after six weeks, you could consider other potential factors that is causing your hair loss. It could be stress, any new medication you are taking, diet, etc. If you think the amount of hair loss has risen at an alarming rate, it is time to consult a professional, so you can get specialised treatment that will help control or slow down the shedding.
As Sydney is slowly enveloped by a chilly cloud this holiday season, give your hair the extra care it deserves. But if you think that your hair is showing signs of vulnerability with the changing of the seasons, or something else entirely, get expert advice at the Sydney Hair Transplant clinic today. Book an appointment now, and let’s see how we can help you in your follicular dilemmas.
