You are not losing your mind if you have found a few more strands of hair in the shower drain after using it during the summer months. Research shows that women have more significant hair loss during the warmer months of the year than during the colder months. In other words, summer and baldness are related, fortunately this fall is usually temporary.
This post will address the connection between hair loss, the changing seasons, the research that supports this theory, and what you should do.
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Summer and baldness, hair loss by season
For a very long time, it has been thought that women’s hair loss follows a seasonal rhythm, with the most significant quantity of hair loss occurring in the summer months. Several studies have supported this theory.
According to research conducted by scientists, there are two primary reasons women are more likely to experience seasonal hair loss: knowledge and hormonal and psychological shifts. Women are typically more concerned about the state of their hair and devote more time each day tending to it. As a result of the fact that women experience more hormonal shifts every month, which in turn affect their mental state, dermatologists believe that this factor also contributes to increased hair loss.
Additional details on the research into summer hair loss
- 2021 study analysed Google search trends for “hair loss” terms across 8 countries
- It found searches peaked in late summer/early fall and were lowest in winter
- This pattern held across northern and southern hemisphere countries
- Suggests a consistent seasonal effect on hair shedding worldwide
Researchers from Washington University and Hopkins University compiled data from Google Trends spanning 12 years to investigate this occurrence and determine whether or not there was a correlation between the two sets of data. Then analysed the trends information from eight nations located across four hemispheres with high search counts for the term “hair loss,” and they compared the data based on the different seasons and months.
They noticed that across the eight countries, the findings were similar. People explored Google using terms connected to hair loss more often in the summer and fall months.
Reasons for the summer hair loss connection
- Higher sunlight exposure can damage hair follicles and weaken strands
- Sweating washes away protective oils, leading to dry, brittle hair
- Summer activities like swimming strip oils and cause tangling/breakage
- Changes in diet, activity can affect hormone balance influencing hair cycles
What triggers the relationship between summer and baldness?
It is commonly known that many different kinds of animals. From cats and dogs to camels and monkeys, go through seasonal shedding of their fur. In humans, women are more likely to have hair loss due to seasonal changes than males are. It is normal to lose between fifty and one hundred hairs daily. On the other hand, the condition that occurs when the body loses an abnormally large amount is known as telogen effluvium.
Telogen effluvium can be caused by several different things, including a recent weight reduction giving birth. Recuperating from a sickness, or discontinuing the use of hormonal birth control tablets. Or due to the relationship between summer and baldness
Several research investigations have also indicated a seasonal regularity in hair loss. The most significant number of telogen hairs have been shown to occur throughout the summer months. Therefore, summer and baldness are related. In contrast, the number of telogen hairs is at its absolute minimum during the winter months. Furthermore, a recent study indicated that the highest months for hair loss are between August and September. The research also revealed spring commencement is the optimal time for hair development.
Key takeaways on telogen effluvium
– It’s excessive shedding of hair in the telogen (resting) phase
– Typically triggered by a shock to the system like illness, surgery, childbirth
– Lasts 4-6 months before resolving as hair cycles sync back up
– Up to 70% of hair may fall out but full recovery is common
– Can happen in normal cycles between summer and winter as well
Hormones and the relationship between summer and baldness
Alterations in hormone levels have been linked to several physiological phenomena. Including shifts in hair loss and hair growth. There is a possibility that hormones like testosterone, thyroid hormones, melatonin, estrogen, and prolactin are involved in the shedding of hair seasonally.
Even though this is a natural process that can occur even in the healthiest persons with the most beautiful hair. It won’t assist your case if your hormones are out of whack for any reason. It is not a bad idea to make a quick visit to the specialist. To get things examined if you already have a sneaking suspicion that anything could be off with your hormones.
Tips for balancing hormones related to hair loss:
- Eat a nutritious diet with protein, veggies, omega-3s
- Reduce sugar intake, which can disrupt hormone levels
- Take targeted supplements like saw palmetto and vitamin D
- Consider hormone replacement therapy if levels are very low.
- Do stress reduction practices like yoga and meditation
What actions can you take to avoid the damage caused by the relationship between summer and baldness?
Remember that it’s typical to shed about 50 to 100 hairs daily. If you notice excess hair in your hairbrush throughout the warm-weather month, you do not need to be concerned about this development.
It is believed that forty percent of people in the United States suffer from unintentional hair loss. The gradual thinning or complete hair loss is a natural part of the aging process that affects most women. However, hair loss may also indicate an undiagnosed health issue or disease. If those additional strands make you anxious, you should probably make an appointment to see your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
One reason for hair thinning in women is a disorder termed androgenic alopecia. These hormones play an essential role in the development of the body and your reproductive system. The body’s response to androgens brings on this form of hair loss. Thankfully, various therapy options are accessible for androgenic alopecia. They include:
Minoxidil
The FDA has approved Minoxidil as a topically applied treatment for androgenic alopecia. It increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the follicles and various cells. It sends a signal to the blood vessels, telling them to open.
Minoxidil also helps to lengthen the growth stage of the hair, which encourages the production of additional hair follicles to replace those lost. Treating androgenic alopecia can be used topically as either a solution of 2 percent or foam of 5 percent.
Spironolactone
Experts often treat the medical condition known as cystic acne with spirolactone. On the other hand, in some cases, this medicine has reportedly been used off-label as a therapy for female pattern baldness.
The androgen hormone causing you to break out in cystic acne may also be the reason behind your thinning hair. Spironolactone is effective because it blocks the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Additionally, spironolactone can also help suppress the generation of androgens, another potential benefit. There is empirical evidence that it slows or stops the progression of androgenic alopecia. It is essential to highlight that spironolactone should not be taken by pregnant women.
Conclusion
It is natural to experience more hair loss throughout the summer months. On the other hand, if you are worried about the volume of hair you lose or experience constant shedding, an underlying issue or condition is to blame for your hair loss. Begin a discussion with your healthcare practitioner about the various treatment choices available to you and which would be most beneficial to you.