Winter is the perfect time to give your hair some extra TLC – but is it also a great season for hair growth?
There’s a beauty rumor about how cooler temperatures are better for hair growth, but does hair grow faster in the winter?
As temperatures drop and days become shorter, so does the amount of sunlight we are exposed to – which means that our bodies have to adjust accordingly.
But, does a colder climate cause our hair to grow faster during the winter months? Keep on reading to find out the answers.
Seasonal Changes in Hair Growth
As the seasons change, so does our hair growth. The rate at which our hair grows, sheds, and regenerates can vary depending on the time of year.
Does Hair Grow Faster In The Winter?
During winter, many people notice a decrease in hair growth rate.
This is due to a combination of factors, including reduced blood flow to the scalp, increased friction from wearing hats and scarves, and a lack of vitamin D from less sun exposure.
Plus, the dry winter air can lead to dandruff, which can further hinder hair growth.
To combat these winter hair loss and growth challenges, it’s important to keep the scalp moisturized and nourished with a healthy diet and supplements if necessary.
Massaging the scalp can also help increase blood flow and stimulate hair growth. Using a humidifier can combat dry winter air, and avoiding tight hats and scarves can reduce friction on the hair.
How Does Winter Slow Hair Growth?
Winter can be a difficult time for human hair growth. Cold air, wind, snow and other winter elements cause the scalp to become dry and brittle, which in turn causes hair follicles to close off or become blocked.
Since healthy hair growth begins with a healthy scalp, when the the scalp health is compromised by cold weather, hair does not grow as quickly as normal.
During the winter months, more moisture is lost from the environment, resulting in skin cells becoming dryer leading to further disruption of cell production which further slows down hair follicle activity.
As well as the environmental factors that affect hair growth during the colder weather, our bodies also have internal responses to colder temperatures.
One such reaction is decreased circulation of blood throughout our body, including our scalps, meaning that essential nutrients are not getting delivered as quickly, preventing an optimal environment for strong and healthy new hairs.
Although keeping warm remains important, be sure your head is covered up properly with hats or scarves while you’re outdoors because exposure to extreme low temperatures can cause cellular damage resulting in slower rates of regeneration meaning less chance for optimal strand production.
Does Hair Grow Faster In The Summer?
In contrast to winter, hair grows faster in summer months. This is due to increased blood flow to the scalp from warmer temperatures, increased sun exposure leading to more vitamin D production, and less friction from wearing lighter clothing.
However, summer can also bring its own hair growth challenges, such as increased hair shedding due to exposure to chlorine and saltwater.
To promote healthy summer hair growth, it’s important to protect hair from UV damage with hats or sunscreen, and to rinse hair with fresh water after swimming in chlorinated or saltwater.
Keeping hair hydrated with regular deep conditioning treatments can also help combat summer hair shedding.
Which Factors Affect Hair Growth?
When it comes to hair growth, there are several factors that can influence hair health and the speed at which scalp hair grows. In this section, we will discuss the most important factors that affect hair growth.
Age and Genetics
Age and genetics play a significant role in determining the rate at which hair grows. As we age, the growth rate of our hair slows down. Additionally, genetics can determine the maximum length that our hair can grow.
Nutrition and Hair Growth
Nutrition is another crucial factor that affects hair growth. Eating a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients like iron, protein, and vitamins can help promote healthy hair growth.
Nutrients like biotin, folic acid, and zinc are particularly beneficial for hair growth.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors like seasonal changes, stress, and hair care practices can also impact hair growth. During the winter months, for example, hair growth may slow down due to reduced blood flow to the scalp.
Exposure to harsh chemicals in hair care products and heat styling tools can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss.
How To Keep Your Scalp Healthy During The Winter
Without proper care, the harsh cold weather can damage locks and stunt long-term hair growth in winter.
To prevent winter from wreaking havoc on your strands, you should follow certain steps to help keep your scalp healthy during the colder months.
Make sure you are using shampoo and conditioner that is tailored to protect against cold weather elements.
Rich moisturizers in these products will ensure your strands don’t become dry or brittle in the extreme temperatures outside.
Opt for a deep conditioning treatment once a week to give your hair an extra layer of hydration protection.
Also, keep an eye out for any signs of winter scalp irritation like itchy patches or flakes as soon as they appear so that it can be addressed immediately.
A good way to reduce these symptoms is by wearing hats when going outside so that your head stays warm without causing too much friction between fabric and skin.
Try switching up styles often as well because repetitive motion over time with one type of hat may even lead to bald spots due to excessive rubbing against sensitive areas of the scalp.
Does Body Hair Grow Slower In The Winter?
The answer is yes, body hair does grow slower in the winter. This is because while scalp hair growth is regulated by hormones, body hair growth is regulated by temperature.
The colder temperatures of winter tend to slow the rate at which body hair grows due to its effect on our metabolism.
The slower metabolism means that nutrients are not travelling quickly enough around our bodies for our cells to reproduce and create new body hairs as quickly as they would under warmer weather conditions.
It’s possible that if we were to spend an extended period of time exposed to extreme cold temperatures then this would have a more dramatic effect on slowing down hair growth tips and our body hair growth even further.
Some experts believe that during the winter months we may experience an increase in the volume of dead skin cells which can block follicles and further contribute to reduced growth rates of both scalp and body hairs.
What Role Does Diet Play in Promoting Hair Growth During the Winter?
During the winter months, diet can play a surprisingly large role in promoting hair growth. Changes in human hair growth occur when temperature drops and hormones fluctuate.
Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals will nourish the scalp tissue which can then influence hair growth.
Aiming for foods high in Vitamin A, B complex, vitamin C, and E are important for stimulating new follicles while also providing moisture to replenish any lost due to cold weather conditions or hot styling tools such as dryers or curling irons.
For those who have dry scalps or brittle strands, it is suggested to incorporate more fatty acids into their diets, like those found in walnuts, salmon and flaxseed oil.
Lastly, drinking water helps hydrate both the scalp and strands of strong hair, helping prevent any breakage from occurring throughout winter months.
Summary
So, does hair grow faster in the winter? While the cold weather can certainly slow down hair growth, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your mane won’t flourish in the colder months.
Making sure to keep your head and scalp covered when outside, nourishing your body with vitamins and minerals from a balanced diet, avoiding tight hats and scarves whenever possible, massaging the scalp for increased blood flow, using deep conditioning treatments regularly and protecting hair from UV damage are all ways women can to combat slower winter hair growth rates.
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