Did you know?

Hair changes with the seasons


Hair is made up of keratin and other substances. The only part of the hair that is alive is the root below the follicle, which is located under the skin. There are three stages of hair growth: anagen, which is the active growth phase; catagen, a transitional stage; and telogen, a resting phase.

Three percent of hair is in the catagen stage at any time. Stem cells are responsible for hair production, and during the anagen growth phase, hair typically grows about one centimeter per month, with each complete cycle typically lasting several weeks.

Hair growth rate is genetically determined, and may vary with gender. It also grows more slowly with age, and is affected by both internal states and environmental conditions. Hormones released in the body during the summer season can speed the rate of growth, but researchers report that hair shedding also increases concurrently. By fall, a person may lose as many as 100 hairs per day and this varies with each individual.

Summer tips
Hair care should revolve with seasonal changes. The scalp, just like facial skin, needs to adapt to varying weather conditions. Every season has its own unique conditions that pose potential problems for the hair, and summer is no exception.

Depending on where you live, summer conditions differ. In some areas, summertime is the rainy season—rain can be bad for your hair because it mixes with the pollutants in the air. Profuse sweating during the summer clogs the pores of hair and leads to hair loss. Over exposure to sun can lead to UV rays damaging hair, while under exposure to sun means less melanin both for the skin and hair.

Hair often goes from dry and static to frizzy and sun-bleached by the end of the summer. Your hair may change colors because of the amount of sunlight that you are exposed to—you tend to get more direct sunlight in summer and spring, which makes your hair lighter. Preparing for the summer months can help you have good hair days all year round. Here are four things you can do:

  1. Lock in Moisture
    One of the hardest things to achieve with hair is proper hydration. As the weather starts to warm up and the humidity in the air increases, it’s time to alter your conditioning habits. If you deep condition once a week in the winter months, decrease it to every other week during warm weather. If you use a heavy daily conditioner in the dry season, try changing to a balancing conditioner, if your summers are humid. If you live in desert-like conditions, stay with your heavy daily conditioner. If you notice static, dry ends, a lot of tangles, or if your hair feels rough to the touch, you need to add a moisturizing conditioner to your hair regimen. On the other hand, if your hair is limp or oily, you need to do the opposite and cut back on hydration.
  2. Manage Highlights
    Balancing moisture can be even more difficult if you highlight your hair in the summer. Frizzy and dry ends on highlighted hair can be more pronounced in the summer, especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun and the water. Protein enhanced conditioners or treatments can help restore the strength to your highlighted hair. In addition, you may choose to use a good conditioning treatment or even a leave-in conditioner.
  1. Protect Against Sun Damage
    Just as the sun causes your skin to age, it also can damage your hair. While the sun's natural lightening doesn't cause significant damage to your hair, over exposure to the sun's rays can cause dryness and unwanted lightening to colored and highlighted hair. Use a UV ray-protecting shampoo, conditioner, and styling aid to minimize sun damage.
  2. Avoid excess hair loss
    If your hair is brittle, then it will fall out with the slightest change of weather. Massaging hot coconut oil into your scalp and down the length of your hair at least once a week is a salon-recommended preventative measure. Henna is very good for strengthening the roots of your hair.

Tying your hair is another alternative to prevent hair loss. Plait your hair before you go to bed. This keeps hair from falling out due to wear and tear. Even when going out, you can choose to style your hair in various ways that tie it back.

Freshly washed hair that is left to dry naturally is prone to forming tangles. When your hair is already weak due to the changing season, a gust of wind can easily cause knots. You can lose a lot of hair while combing through those knots. So, if you are going out before your hair dries, wear a scarf or hat. You can also carry an umbrella to keep out the sun or the rain. These seasonal adjustments can help you protect your hair.