Preventing Winter Hair Fall Out

by Barb Tate

Isn’t winter just nasty? It’s often just too cold to function, getting out the door requires about 12 more steps than in warm weather, all of the adorable garden animals are hibernating, your skin feels like sandpaper, and to top it off… your hair won’t stop falling out. We can’t help with the garden critters or your time management skills, but there are solutions for keeping those locks in one place atop your head this season.

Why does the winter season affect our hair so much? There are many explanations for winter-related hair loss: follicle degradation from the dry air, vitamin D deficiencies, and seasonal stresses to name a few. It is also reported that the length of days in the wintertime contribute to lost locks. As the days shorten, more and more follicles enter a dormant state and are more prone to detaching from our scalps. So, what can you do to beat these cold weather woes? If you’ve been noticing strands leaving your cranium in a graceful descent, follow these guidelines for fighting the wicked winter hair fall.

Pass The Seeds Please

The foods you put in your mouth can ultimately keep hair in place on your head. Eating foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids will keep your hair fortified. Combat brittle and dry strands, prevent flakes, and keep a strong blood flow to your scalp by eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids or taking dietary supplements. These foods include salmon, walnuts, sardines, soybeans, halibut, scallops, shrimp, tofu, tuna, and flax seeds! Spruce up a garden salad every evening with a couple tablespoons of ground flax seeds— you know, instead of your falling hair.

Omega-3’s will also add shine to your locks, while promoting elasticity. Hair growth can actually be restarted by including this supplement into your daily meals and routines!

Hot Oil Works Wonders

Keep your follicles safe this season by limiting the amount of hot oil hair treatments you get. Normally, hot oil treatments are performed only once a week, but sometimes people get a little too confident with their hair care and administer the treatment 3 or 4 times a week! How dare they. The process, when applied in the prescribed intervals, will successfully seal in moisture, smooth the cuticle, and soften dry hair. Too many treatments, or too hot of oil, will inflame your hair follicles. The dry atmosphere will be highly conducive to the inflammation and cause quite an easy fall out. If you continue to experience falling locks even after taking great care with cosmetic treatments, consider a trusted hair loss shampoo.

Be a Calm Comber

Take it easy with the styling instruments this season and stop attacking your head with those fine tooth combs. Instead, use wide-toothed combs and be deliberate when you’re trying to fashion your hot new hairstyle. Take your time and try to resist slashing at your head with that little piece of plastic. Unnerving the scalp like that time-after-time will cause inflammation and stress on your hair follicles. If you don’t, you’re going to wish that you were a little more polite to your cranium.

If you’re feeling confident in styling technique, feel free to use the old ‘finger comb’ trick to gently maneuver the direction of your locks- unless, of course, your fingers are spiky and narrowly spread apart.

Unwind

Any hairstyle that can only exist with constant tension is not going to be good for your hair. Women who frequently wear hair-weaves and tightly wound braids will eventually experience non-natural hair falling. The effect, known as tension alopecia, is a form of gradual hair loss born from constant pull on the hair shaft. The dry winter atmosphere will only amplify this strain. Ultimately, these tensely wrapped hairs will be broken or torn off at the skin. The tightness of the weave or braid itself is enough to promote this kind of hair loss, but removing it later will also cause great strain on large portions of your hair.

If you do decide to wear your hear in a densely woven manner, be very delicate when wrapping and unwrapping. If you can, unravel your hair when you sleep as much as possible.

Take Care With Your Winter Hair

Your hair needs love this winter. If you or someone you know is experiencing unexpected or excessive hair loss, please contact the hair loss specialists to schedule a consultation or visit the Hair Loss Specialists site to view your options for hair loss treatment. Find a doctor in your area and begin restoring the fullness of your locks with professional care.