Even in the best of years, the holiday season can be a busy and stressful time. And 2020 has been far from the best of years. All the running around we usually do between Thanksgiving and New Year’s now comes with worries about COVID and the wrench thrown into our traditions as we may not be able to be with loved ones as we usually would. All of these stressors can have adverse effects on our health. This includes hair loss.
Increased hair shedding is one of the season’s unwanted gifts for many people. And it’s not just stress that’s to blame. As autumn turns to winter, the cooler, dryer air that comes with the change in the seasons can also lead to hair loss.
Here are three big culprits behind hair loss during the holidays and tips for how you can keep it from becoming a problem as you deck the halls this winter:
Manage Your Holiday Stress
Holiday stress now seems as much a part of the holiday season as Santa and jingle bells. While we may not be going to parties and big family gatherings this season, we certainly aren’t lacking for stress, and haven’t been all year. All of that accumulated stress can be a huge contributor to hair loss. Stress-induced hair loss, also known as telogen effluvium (TE), usually appears a few months following a highly stressful period or event. 2020 certainly counts as a highly stressful period or event.
Finding effective ways to reduce stress is important throughout the year for a whole host of health reasons beyond hair loss. While it may take more of an effort to make time for stress relief during the busyness of the holidays, try to take regular breaks from the madness to take care of yourself. Keep your regular exercise regimen, set aside short periods for meditation, quiet time, or reading, and turn off your gadgets from time to time. All of these simple adjustments can help lower your holiday stress levels and combat TE.
Curb Your Holiday Eating and Drinking
What we eat and drink impacts our health and well-being in countless ways, including the strength of our hair follicles. During the holiday season, our diets change, not just in terms of overindulging but also in the kinds of foods we eat or beverages we drink (whether alcoholic or not).
When your body lacks the nutrients necessary to function properly, certain of those functions shut down. This can include hair growth and regeneration. As you fill yourself with turkey and ham or munch on those holiday cookies, try to ensure that your body is getting enough of these nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary for hair growth and overall good health.
Fight Dryness
Even in South Florida, winter can bring drier air, both outside as well as indoors. To keep your hair clean and provide it with the moisture it needs, wash your hair with a gentle shampoo that exfoliates and cleanses your scalp. Follow that up with an ultra-light moisturizing conditioner which can nourish your follicles and soften the brittleness that often comes with dry hair.
Winter is A Great Time to Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation
Hair loss can be a problem no matter what the season. If you are ready to do something about your thinning hair, there is no time like now. At the Miami Hair Institute, our skilled hair restoration physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases through the most advanced hair transplant surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments.
To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.