Hair Loss in Winter
Now temperatures have plummeted, most of us are avoiding venturing outside as much as possible, coupled with cranking up the central heating indoors and piling on the layers. But what is all this doing to our hair? Does a change in the weather really affect hair growth? Read on to learn about about hair loss during winter...
Do we experience more hair fall in winter?
While many other mammals grow thick fur coats in the winter, which they shed in the summer (anyone who’s ever owned a cat will know this all too well), the received wisdom is that for us humans, the opposite is true – making us unique as a species (having opposable thumbs is quite nifty too!).
But while many people think that the colder weather makes us lose our hair – this is technically a myth. A six-year study found that actually we shed the least amount of hair in winter. So we’re similar to many of our furry friends in that respect – in fact, during the winter our bodies go into a similar ‘hibernation’ mode, producing more melatonin (the sleep hormone), which also regulates hair production.
But don’t get too smug. The above information accepted, there are indirect ways that we can lose more hair in the winter, which goes hand-in-hand with the changes in lifestyle it entails. For example if we happen to feel lower during the winter months – coupled with the stress of Christmas and tax season in January – the increase in ‘stress hormone’ cortisol can have a knock-on effect when it comes to hair loss. (Read more about it here.)
Plus the cold, harsh weather and moisture-zapping central heating can result in a dry scalp – which can lead to irritation and flakiness, both of which are big factors in hair loss. Winter hats can also cause friction on the hair and scalp, causing the hair shaft to break or uproot altogether.
Combating Winter Hair Loss
One solution to keeping both your scalp and hair happy and hydrated during the colder months is with MONPURE’s Winter Healing & Hydration Gift Set. This trio of products work to replenish parched, dry scalp-skin and keep frizzy, brittle strands nourished and soft. Our Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo and Essence-Conditioner are ultra gentle (with zero sulphates), both starring vegan silk peptides that work to fortify fragile strands and repair any damage and dehydration in the process. The aromatic scent is also very ‘wintery’ too – and will fill your bathroom with a pleasant herbal fug.
The jewel in the crown is our Hydrate and Soothe Scalp Serum that will calm and quench dry, red scalp-skin without feeling heavy or greasy, thanks to anti-inflammatory witch hazel and aloe vera. And our Style and Protect Scrunchie Trio is made from 100% pure silk, which is so, so much gentler on your hair than your traditional ‘rip-it-out-by-the-root’ hair bands.
It also makes the perfect gift (or treat-to-self). Plus 15% of profits go directly to The Little Princess Trust, a charity giving hair and hope to children suffering from hair loss due to illness such as cancer treatment.
Click here to find out more and shop.
You may have noticed the gift set’s jazzy packaging – it’s a limited edition design by artist Shira Barzilay. Read our Q&A with her here.
