Why Cold Weather Can Cause Hair Loss: Understanding Seasonal Shedding

As temperatures start to drop and winter approaches, many people notice an increase in hair loss. While cold weather itself isn't the direct cause of hair thinning, it plays a significant role in contributing to hair shedding during the winter months.

Seasonal hair loss can be a frustrating experience, and understanding the factors that link colder temperatures to hair loss can help you take steps to minimise its impact.

1. Dry Air and Dehydration

Cold weather typically brings dry air, both outdoors and indoors due to the use of heating systems. This dryness can strip the hair and scalp of moisture, leading to brittleness, breakage, and increased shedding. When the scalp becomes dry, it can also become irritated and flaky, leading to further hair loss due to an unhealthy scalp environment.

Additionally, during the winter, people often drink less water, exacerbating dehydration. Dehydration affects the hair follicles, making them weaker and more prone to breakage.

2. Reduced Blood Circulation to the Scalp

In cold weather, the body prioritises keeping vital organs warm by constricting blood vessels in the extremities, including the scalp. Reduced blood circulation to the scalp can deprive hair follicles of the oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly, resulting in slower hair growth and increased shedding.

Over time, if the scalp is consistently deprived of proper circulation, hair thinning can become more noticeable.

3. Seasonal Shedding

Human hair undergoes natural shedding cycles throughout the year. It's normal to lose around 50 to 100 hairs per day, but many people experience increased shedding in the fall and early winter months. This phenomenon is known as seasonal shedding or telogen effluvium.

During the summer, the body produces more hair as a protective response to shield the scalp from the sun’s rays. When fall and winter arrive, this excess hair enters the shedding phase (telogen), causing more noticeable hair loss. This process is part of the body's natural regulation, and most people will see their hair growth normalize as the seasons progress.

4. Stress and Lack of Sunlight

Winter months often bring stressors such as shorter daylight hours, cold temperatures, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The lack of sunlight can lead to vitamin D deficiency, a nutrient essential for hair health. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in stimulating hair follicles, and its deficiency can contribute to hair loss or thinning.

Additionally, stress is a known trigger for hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium, where more hair than usual enters the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle. The psychological toll of harsh winter conditions, holiday-related stress, and reduced social activities can exacerbate stress-induced hair shedding.

5. Wearing Hats and Hairstyles that Cause Tension

Many people turn to hats, scarves, and beanies in cold weather to stay warm, but wearing tight or restrictive headwear can put stress on hair follicles. Constant tension from these accessories can cause traction alopecia, a condition where repeated pulling or tension on the hair leads to gradual hair loss, particularly around the edges or temples.

Similarly, tight hairstyles like buns, braids, or ponytails, which may be more common in winter to manage static and frizz, can also contribute to hair weakening and eventual breakage if worn regularly.

6. Reduced Hair Care Practices

Cold weather often discourages people from washing their hair frequently, since it can be uncomfortable to deal with wet hair in lower temperatures. While skipping a wash here and there isn’t necessarily harmful, extended periods without washing can lead to a buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and hair products on the scalp. This buildup can clog hair follicles, disrupt the hair growth cycle, and lead to shedding or thinning.

Moreover, styling routines can become more aggressive in winter as people fight frizz, dryness, and static electricity. Increased use of heat styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, or curling irons can further damage already fragile hair, leading to more breakage and loss.

7. Poor Diet and Nutritional Deficiencies

Winter months often come with comfort eating, but colder weather also leads to less access to fresh, nutrient-rich produce. A diet lacking in key vitamins and minerals, particularly those that promote hair health such as biotin, iron, zinc, and vitamin E, can contribute to hair loss. A well-balanced diet with proper nutrients is crucial to maintaining hair growth and preventing excessive shedding.

Preventing Hair Loss in Cold Weather

While you can’t completely prevent seasonal shedding, there are steps you can take to minimise winter-related hair loss:

• Protect your hair and scalp: Use products such as Tent's hair tonic to protect the hair and scalp with biotech based ingredients to form a layer of protection and lock in moisture and counteract the dryness of cold weather.
• Be aware of the elements: Wear loose-fitting hats or scarves to protect your hair from the cold without causing tension. Opt for materials like silk or satin to prevent friction and static.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your body and hair hydrated, especially if you’re spending a lot of time in heated environments.
• Massage your scalp: This helps improve blood circulation and ensures hair follicles get the nutrients they need.
• Eat a balanced diet: Incorporate nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, fish, and eggs to ensure your hair receives the vitamins and minerals essential for healthy growth.
• Avoid excessive heat styling: Minimise the use of heat tools to prevent further hair damage during colder months.
• Supplement hair: It imperative the hair gets the needed nutrients, such as vitamin D during the colder months. Tent's hair supplement provides everything your hair and body need to look great.

Conclusion

Hair loss in cold weather is largely the result of environmental and lifestyle factors rather than a direct effect of the temperature itself. Dry air, reduced circulation, and lifestyle changes during the winter months can all contribute to increased shedding.

By understanding these factors and making small adjustments to your hair care routine and diet, you can help minimise the impact of winter-related hair loss and keep your locks healthy year-round.