Do you find yourself losing hair in the summer months? It is not that uncommon. Seasonal summer hair shedding occurs for various reasons. For many people, it can be very worrisome. Why is it happening? What can be done about it? Most people will experience times in their life when their hair is not as thick and as dense as it may seem it should be. There are some situations in which this occurs because of health changes – such as dieting, becoming ill, or gaining or losing a lot of weight in a short period of time.
Is It Really True?
The thought of losing hair at various times of the year seems untrue. In fact, it was thought to be an old wives tale; something people told others based on unproven facts. However, what we know through research is there are real reasons why people lose their hair during the summer months at a seaming faster rate than they would otherwise. Though this type of hair loss/shedding during the summer months typically impacts women, it can occur to men as well. So, what is the scoop? Why is it occurring?
It Comes Down to Telogen
You may not have heard of telogen. Many people have not, but it could be why you see an uptick in the amount of air you lose in the summer months. First, realize everyone sheds hair every day. It is common for hair shedding to occur at a rate of up to 100 strands of hair each day. If you are losing significantly more than this, it may signal a change in hormones, dieting, or other factors.
In some cases, it means there is a higher level of telogen present. What researchers have found is that many women have just a slightly higher level of telogen during the summer months. In particular, it seems to peak in the months of July and August. Telogen is a term used to describe the resting phase in the hair growth cycle. During this time, the hair is not growing in the follicle. About 30 percent of all hair is within this resting phase during any given time. It is normal, natural, and not anything bad.
However, for women, the summer months bring along a time when telogen increases. This means the hair during this period of the year is at a higher level of shedding and falling out.
Why Does It Happen?
This type of seasonal hair loss can occur for various reasons. Researchers believe it occurs because of the extreme weather in some areas. This weather change can lead to as much as 70 percent of a person’s hair strands entering into this resting phase. This is a premature entering of this stage – it would not normally occur. The extreme change – which can also happen again in the fall months – is not uncommon. But, for women experiencing it, this is not a good enough answer. What can be done to make it stop?
Here’s the Good News
The good news is that this is a temporary change. In nearly all cases, a person’s hair will improve over the course of a few months. As the hair gets back onto the normal hair growth cycle, these sudden and significant drops in hair will not be evident. Your hair will grow back and will likely look the same as it did. In some cases, it may even grow in fuller and healthier looking.
Should you see a hair specialist if you are experiencing seasonal hair shedding during the summer? If you are seeing hair fall out in a pattern, then it may be time to see your hair specialist. For example, if you are seeing hair loss and balding in any area, especially along the crown of the head or near the temples, this could be a sign of changes you should report and seek professional advice.
In general, seasonal summer hair shedding is not uncommon and it is not something you need to worry about. The good news is there is help available to you if you need it. Visit the team at Unique Hair Concepts for a free, private consultation to learn more about the steps you can take to support healthy hair growth.
