When it comes to hair breakage, I really do see it year round, but the causes (and needed remedies) typically change with the seasons.
Many of the factors that cause dry scalp also apply to dry hair, such as; dehydration, dry environment, skin conditions getting worse, and eating a less nutrient-rich diet. Therefore the solutions are very similar as well; keep drinking water, use a humidifier by your bedside, address any scalp concerns that arise right away, and increase supplements or keep up with a whole foods diet.
However, fall and winter bring a new factor to the equation that may also be causing breakage to your hair - increased stress levels.
Year-end Stressors
With the kids heading back to school, establishing new routines, major holidays approaching, and seasonal depression on the rise, we see a steady increase in stress toward the end of the year. This increase in stress often causes decreased absorption of nutrients in our gut and a decrease in the amount and quality of our sleep. Both of these issues are known to decrease our overall health, and certainly the health of our hair, which becomes more brittle and prone to breakage.
Combating Stress
To combat the stress, try activities like writing or acknowledging what you're grateful for, practicing mindfulness, and doing belly breathing before bed. While each activity seems small, they can have big effects when done regularly. Particularly, doing them right before bed can help us get better rest. If life gets particularly stressful, you may find stress adaptogens to be helpful. These help to reduce the effects of excess stress hormones throughout your body including your hair!
Treating Symptoms
While you are working to decrease your stress levels, here are some ideas as to how to treat the increased breakage:
If you're prone to very dry hair, switch to a hydrating mask instead of regular conditioner. The more intense mask can combat the dry environment.
Using a silk pillow case is fantastic year-round. In the winter though especially it reduces the friction on your hair and absorbs less oils/moisture than a traditional cotton pillow-case.
Blow-drying your hair in the winter is a must! Having wet hair will cause that water to expand and contract on the hair strand. These quick changes in temperature with wet hair will cause it to become more frizzy and possibly more breakage.
Make sure you are still using your heat protectant and leave-in conditioners! These will help protect your hair when dealing with dry environments.
For particularly fragile or damaged hair, reach out to schedule rebuilding treatments. These are typically done every 4-5 weeks and are a fantastic way to protect your hair. The treatment is customized to give strength and/or intense hydration depending on your hair needs.
It's important to remember that your hair is inextricably connected to the rest of your body. Issues that impact one area of your wellbeing are likely to be impacting others that you haven't even realized. I want your hair to be healthy, but I really want YOU to be healthy.
If I can support your in your wellness journey, I hope you'll reach out.
Cali
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