Separating beauty fact from fiction is no easy feat when the rise of social media has turned everyone into (self-proclaimed) ‘experts’. Our social feeds are so full of questionable advice and information making it hard to know who and what to listen to.
However, when it comes to the subject of seasonal hair loss, you may be surprised to hear that it’s absolutely not a made-up phenomenon, but rather, that it’s actually a real issue that many people experience as the seasons change.
Seasonal hair loss explained
“Generally, we lose anywhere between 50-100 strands of hair a day, but if you’re suffering from seasonal hair loss you may notice double that amount on your brush,” shares Ricardo Vila Nova. Typically, seasonal shedding occurs during autumn/winter, and there are a number of theories as to why most of us shed more during this time.
“As we move from summer into autumn and then winter, we end up getting a lot less exposure to sunlight. This can lead to lower levels of vitamin D, a key nutrient when it comes to hair health,” explains Vila Nova. Not only that, but as days become darker our mood can also be negatively affected, and mood changes can lead to a change in what we eat. “This can see us reaching for carb rich comfort foods, and spending less time in the kitchen making hearty nutritious meals because we lack the energy and enthusiasm to do so,” adds Vila Nova. And since the body prioritises nutrient delivery to our vital organs, before our hair, skin and nails, there may not be enough to go around if you’re not eating well or taking supplements.
If that wasn’t enough, research has also shown that both men and women can experience hormonal shifts during different seasons. “These shifts can impact the hair growth cycle – halting growth and pushing more hairs into the shedding phase faster,” reveals Vila Nova.
How to treat seasonal hair loss
Eat a balanced diet
“Protein is key when it comes to healthy tresses as 95 per cent of our hair is composed of the protein keratin, which is made up of amino acids broken down by the body from the protein you consume. So, if you don’t eat enough of the stuff, you can’t grow healthy hair,” explain Vila Nova. Ensuring that you eat a protein rich diet, that’s also packed full of lots of fruit and veg will allow you to get the nutrients your hair needs to grow. Vila Nova is a fan of batch cooking in winter, “that way you can freeze dishes and whip out nutritionally balanced meals whenever you don’t have the motivation to cook.”
Take vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a fundamental role in the normal function of our immune system, but it also has an impact on our hair cycle. “When we don’t get enough our keratinocytes – the skin cells that produce keratin, find it hard to regulate our hair growth cycle. This sees a reduction in hair growth and an increase in shedding,” explains Vila Nova.
With the reduced exposure to sunlight in autumn/winter and the fact that it’s incredibly difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, most people in the UK are vitamin D deficient during the winter and 57 per cent are generally deficient in vitamin D at any time of the year. While one in four people in the USA are deficient in vitamin D too. “It’s also worth noting that those with melanin rich skin are even more at risk because melanin blocks the absorption of sunlight which is the body’s main source of vitamin D. This makes supplements the ideal option for everyone to help support your strands,” says Vila Nova.
Tap into exosomes
Stimulating hair growth and supporting healing and regeneration of the scalp and follicles, regular exosome treatments can do wonders for seasonal shedding. “Essentially exosomes are messenger cells that contain growth factors, cytokines, and microRNAs that stimulate hair growth and regulate hair follicle functions. They are typically applied by way of injecting the scalp, or microneedling the scalp and then massaging them into the open channels created by the microneedling. I’m a huge fan of this treatment that I offer at my clinics, as the enhanced cellular communication wards off hair loss, leading to thicker, longer, healthier hair,” reveals Vila Nova.
Ultimately, the key to avoiding seasonal shedding and maintaining healthy, strong hair year-round is consistent care. So, start your hair care journey by booking in for a consultation.
