Hair Fall in Monsoon/Winter? Here’s How to Handle Seasonal Shedding

Why Hair Falls More In Monsoon and Winter: Seasonal Reasons

Hair fall is a natural part of our hair cycle of growth (anagen → catagen → telogen → exogen). But in monsoon and winter, the environment, our body, and our lifestyle can cause more hair fall. The following are the key factors that affect hair growth particularly during these months:

1. Humidity, Humidity, and Heat (During Monsoon)
   • With the onset of monsoon, humidity in the air rises, sweat and oil are present, and the scalp is typically wet. All this damages the root of the hair; in addition to that, high humidity can also cause the development of frizz, joints, or particles. Rainwater is at times acidic or contaminated, which can harm the outer layer of the hair (cuticle).
2. Fungal or Microbial Infections
   • Heat and humidity provide the perfect condition for fungus or bacteria to grow. Dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and minor fungal infections are more prevalent. Itching, irritation, and scratching can add to inflammation and cause loss of hair.
3. Pollution and Quality of Rainwater
   • Rainwater can have dust, pollution, carbon, or other toxic particles in it. These can be deposited on the scalp, stripping natural oils, degrading the cuticle, and causing irritation to the scalp. This can clog follicles.
4. Over-washing or Poor Hair Care Practices
   • Monsoon hair that is oily and malodorous may lead individuals to wash their hair more often or use rough shampoos. This removes the natural oils from the scalp and dries it out. Wet hair tied up, not drying fast enough, or tied up very tightly—all these are mechanics for increasing tension and breakage.
5. Dryness and Cold (Winter)
   • During winter, the air is dry, temperatures dip, and heating indoors enhances. This makes both the scalp and hair shaft dry out. Hair starts breaking, split ends rise, static happens, and hair falls out or breaks.
6. Insufficient Nutrition and Hydration
   • With seasonal changes, our hunger, food supply, and water consumption vary. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be in short supply during the monsoon season, and minimal sunlight during winter can cause deficiency in vitamin D. Lack of essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin B, and biotin in the diet make hair roots weak and cause excessive seasonal shedding.
7. Stress, Hormones, and the Impact on the Immune System
   • Altered weather tends to cause issues such as colds and allergic reactions. Mood changes (due to reduced sunlight, clouds, humidity, etc.) may sometimes result in weather-related interference in the body. All these contribute to increased stress in the body, and hormonal changes tend to make hair go into the resting phase (telogen) faster. Fungal infections or inflammation also tend to cause an immune response, which can interfere with hair follicles.

Recent Findings and New Experiences

• Some 2024-25 reports discovered that most individuals undergo about 20-30% more hair loss during the monsoons compared to “ordinary seasons,” particularly when hair care practices are not adjusted to the season.
• Some studies have identified that implementing the “minus-one rule” (one additional day, i.e., one more day between washing with shampoo) has decreased hair loss.
• Applying a gentle conditioner in winter, instead of hot water, and shielding hair from cold winds can significantly mitigate hair breakage and dryness.
• Nutritionists suggest consuming foods rich in zinc, iron, and antioxidants during the monsoon season or during seasonal change—like pumpkin seeds, black sesame seeds, vegetables, and dry spices (such as dried ginger).

How to Manage Seasonal Hair Loss: Practical Tips

The following are some measures you can take in order to manage hair loss during monsoons and winters:

1. Change Hair Washing Habits
   Shampoo hair whenever necessary during the monsoon, not too often. Washing after a refreshment, sweating, or being sweaty is permissible, but frequent washing strips the oil off. Lukewarm water can be used. Wash hair of all the dust and pollution collected on it while coming back from the rainstorm. Limit your shampooing in winter; no very hot water.
2. Scalp Care: Oils, Masks, Rinses, etc.
   • Gently massage with a light oil such as neem or coconut oil with herbal ingredients in the monsoons. Wash thoroughly.
   • In winter, use a nourishing oil or hair pack once or twice a week—e.g., yogurt + honey + oil, fenugreek, aloe vera, etc.
   • Neem leaf water or washes may come in handy during the monsoon if you suffer from a fungal issue. Aloe vera gel or a cooling herb remedy may be beneficial in case you have inflammation or itching.
3. Protect from Environmental Effects
   • Guard your hair against pollution emitted in rainwater during the monsoon—use a hat or umbrella; dry the hair when wet, do not tie it up. Guard your hair against cold winds in winter, keep your head covered, and get sun in between, but indirect heat.
4. Select Suitable Products
   • Medium shampoos must be gentle and chemical-free. If you have dandruff or itching If you suffer from dandruff, apply anti-dandruff shampoo (zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, etc. ingredients). In the winter, moisturizing conditioners or leave-in serums are beneficial. Styling aids must be gentle.
5. Pay Attention to Diet and Drink
   • Eat sufficient protein, vitamins A, C, D, B complex, zinc, and iron. Moisturizing fatty acids such as omega-3s are also beneficial. Drink lots of water; it’s easy to neglect drinking during the cold monsoon weather—but proper hydration is crucial.
6. Handle Gentle
   • Don’t brush wet hair a lot; comb only when slightly dry; use wide-tooth comb. Clip split ends regularly. Steer clear of tight hairstyles, particularly when hair is wet or humidity is high. Use heat styling sparingly.
7. Minimize stress and sleep well
   • The seasons of the year subject the body to varying types of stress—both physical and mental. Regular meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises, etc. Adequate sleep is essential for balancing hormones, healthy scalp and skin.
8. When to see a professional
   • If hair loss is excessive, extending over 6-8 weeks, and still not getting better; if patches of hair start to develop; if the scalp gets itchy, red, or infected-looking—you need to see a dermatologist or hair professional. If you’re concerned with a food deficiency, get a checkup (iron, vitamin D, B12, etc.).

A sample seasonal hair care regimen

Below is a regime that can be modified according to your season (monsoon to winter or vice versa):

Beginning of monsoon:

• ‑ Cut split ends prior to the monsoon.
• ‑ Begin using a mild anti-dandruff shampoo if you experienced issues last monsoon.
• ‑ Perform a light oil massage 1-2 times a week.
• ‑ Wash as and when required with a mild shampoo, dry damp hair promptly.
• ‑ Use a hair mask weekly.
• ‑ Consume foods high in fresh vegetables, protein, and zinc, and focus on hydration.

• During winter:
• ‑ Deep condition or leave-in serum once a week.
• ‑ Wash using lukewarm water, not hot water.
• ‑ Keep your hair away from cold wind, wear a hat or scarf.
• ‑ Mild shampoo, wash less often, and be extra gentle with the ends.
• ‑ Boost nutrition — consume foods that benefit your hair and scalp.
• ‑ Get split ends trimmed regularly, and cut back on hair dryer or heat.

Realistic Expectations and What’s Normal

• Excessive hair loss during seasonal changes is typical; most individuals go through it for 2-4 weeks.
• Progress is slow; with good care, most individuals will experience somewhat less hair loss over 3-6 weeks, better hair quality over 2-3 months, and further significant changes in some cases over 4-6 months.
• Genetics, age, and hormone status still come into play; if an individual experiences issues such as pattern loss or thyroid conditions, further medical care will be required.

Conclusion

Monsoon and winter hair loss is a prevalent but controllable issue. Protecting your hair and scalp in tune with the changing seasons, having a balanced diet, staying hydrated, avoiding stress and selecting your hair care products based on the season – all these can go a long way in controlling seasonal shedding.

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