As the flowers bloom and the weather starts to warm up, many of us get excited for spring and its vibrancy… However, along with the joys of the season, some might notice an increase in hair fall as the spring season starts. But why does your hair fall in spring?
Before we get into the reasons, know that this is a completely normal occurrence. Not only is nature waking up, but so is your hair. Spring hair loss is habitual and part of the development of the hair follicles. There is this “wake up phase” when the cycle of hair development starts all over, and you’ll notice more hair loss.
Now, let’s get into the reasons.
1. Seasonal shedding
Seasonal hair shedding, also known as seasonal hair loss or “telogen effluvium”, is a natural and temporary phenomenon where you’ll experience more hair loss during specific times of the year, especially during seasonal transitions such as spring or fall.
According to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the shedding happens as a result of changes in the hair growth cycle, specifically when hair follicles transition from the growing, anagen phase, to the resting, telogen phase. During the anagen phase, hair follicles actively grow and produce hair strands. During the telogen phase, the hair follicles rest and eventually shed. Normally, only a small percentage of hair follicles are in the telogen phase at any given time.
Although seasonal shedding is natural, maintaining the health of your hair will minimize the effects of seasonal hair loss, such as providing it with nutrients through your diet, keeping heat styling to a minimum, and nourishing it with rich oils and hair treatments.
2. Hormonal fluctuations
Changes in seasons come with changes in temperature and daylight which can affect the body’s hormonal balance; affecting hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, which play a vital role in regulating the hair growth cycle.
Although entirely avoiding hormonal fluctuations may not be possible because there are many reasons behind it such as genetics, age, and seasons. You could adopt overall health practices to keep hormonal fluctuations at bay such as:
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Managing stress
- Having adequate and high quality sleep
- Limiting exposure to hormone disruptors
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco
- Regular medical check-ups
3. Vitamin D deficiency
During the winter months, we’re less exposed to sunlight which leads to lower levels of vitamin D in the body, which is essential for various functions such as hair growth and maintenance. The lack of it can lead to weakened follicles and hair loss.
But how does this affect hair loss in spring? In our hair follicles, we have vitamin D receptors, and as spring is the season right after winter, then we’re likely to have been deficient for the winter months and see the effects when spring comes. So, make sure to spend more time outdoors in the sunlight, supplement with vitamin D and increase vitamin D-rich foods in your diet.
4. Allergies and irritants
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the spring season, even more than summer (coming from someone who lives in a very hot area during summer time). Spring is the perfect balance in weather, not too cold and not too hot. It’s the perfect season.. Until springtime allergies join the chat.
As someone who has all the chest allergies that exist, springtime allergies triggered by pollen, dust, or other environmental allergens do take a toll on me, and my hair. As we all know, healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and the springtime allergies can lead to scalp inflammation and irritation which eventually causes hair fall.
Inflammatory responses in the scalp can disrupt the hair follicle’s normal functioning, which means hair shedding. What could help is using air purifiers indoors and using gentle, hypoallergenic hair care products to help soothe the scalp and reduce irritation.
5. Seasonal hair care
My hair is the unstable boyfriend I don’t want to have in real life. It changes with the season, lashes at me when its needs are unmet, and requires a lot of attention. This means taking care of your hair differently depending on the season (and location) you’re in.
During spring time, you can be exposed to increased humidity, more UV rays which can damage the hair cuticle and lead to increased hair loss. Make sure you pay attention to what you hair needs during springtime; if it’s more hydrating hair products, washing hair more, more deep conditioning (or less). Everyone’s hair is different so make sure you adjust your hair care routine to the changes in season.
To wrap up…
It’s important to know that seasonal hair loss is natural and the temporary process is not usually a cause for concern. And that the hair typically grows once the hair growth cycle returns to its normal rhythm.
However, if you notice excessive or prolonged shedding, it could be an indication of underlying health conditions, or nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and other factors unrelated to seasonal changes. So, if you notice big changes, it’s always better to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare professional for better evaluation.
incredible content