It’s standard to shed an average of 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. If you noticed more strands falling to the floor during the colder months, you may be curious why that is. Although an increase in shedding can spark some anxiety, there are several reasons why your locks are falling out more than usual.
Hair Loss During Winter
Excessive hair loss during the winter is largely attributed to the dry air outside, sucking the moisture away from your scalp. When the dry air depletes your scalp of moisture, your hair dries out as a result. That can lead to hair damage, breakage, and loss, which can be quite scary if you don’t know that the environment is the culprit. Losing more strands than usual can also cause itchiness and dandruff, both of which increase the risk of hair loss.
Hormonal Shifts And Menopause
Although this isn’t a weather-related reason, hormones can impact your hair follicles. This won’t happen to everyone, but changing hormones, be it from menopause or from a new birth control method, can increase shedding and overall hair changes. Hair loss is very common during menopause, but it starts off as increased shedding. When someone enters menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels start to change and decline. According to several studies, those two hormones play a role in hair growth. Additionally, they can influence the time that hair stays in the growth phase, according to hair care specialists.
Stress
Stress is the final common culprit that can cause excess hair shedding. Many people think that stress can make your hair fall out all in the same day, but this is not the case. It can take up to six months to see hair shedding that’s caused by stress. That can make stress-induced hair shedding tricky to spot, unless you can pinpoint a significant stressful period or traumatic period that occurred six months prior to shedding.
How Do You Deal With Hair Shedding?
Although hair shedding is inevitable, there are things you can do to keep your scalp and hair healthy. Try to minimize how much you accessorize your look with headwear and consider the following strategies to encourage a healthier scalp.
Prioritize Stress Reduction
This is easier said than done, but focusing on stress reduction in your day-to-day life will help with stress-induced shedding. Not to mention, making an effort to lower stress levels can also improve your mental and physical health. How you choose to blow off steam will depend on your lifestyle, schedule, and what makes you happy. Some people like to hit the gym or run around the neighborhood to reduce stress, while others prefer meditation, yoga, or breathing techniques. If you need inspiration or tips for reducing stress, click here.
Oil Massages
Not only does a scalp massage feel incredible, but it also works to increase blood circulation to the scalp. Increasing blood flow to the scalp can help strengthen hair follicles from within. Warm up two to three teaspoons of olive oil or sweet almond oil and massage it slowly into the scalp. This massage will help it penetrate the hair roots and promote nourishment. Carrier oils like these can provide your hair and scalp with the right vitamins and minerals it needs. Plus, certain oils work to reduce scalp dryness and can prevent itchiness.
Eat Healthy And Stay Hydrated
When your diet lacks essential vitamins and minerals, your hair and scalp, in addition to other organs and systems, can suffer. Vitamin A encourages healthy sebum production on the scalp, while vitamin E encourages blood circulation to the scalp. Additionally, vitamin B works to maintain healthy hair, which is especially important when the weather is dry and cold. Ideally, you should consume a range of colorful fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens. Besides eating healthier foods, drinking the right amount of water can keep your hair well hydrated. In addition to supplying your hair with moisture, staying hydrated can also prevent split ends and brittle hair.
