Many people have recently asked me about hair loss, especially as the seasons change. While there are many causes, seasonal hair shedding is one that often catches people off guard.
As the seasons shift, many people notice an increase in hair shedding. It's not just your imagination; seasonal hair loss is a real phenomenon, often peaking during the summer and autumn. But why does it happen, and how can you naturally support your body to minimise this?
Why Does Seasonal Hair Loss Happen?
As the seasons shift, so does your body's internal balance — and your hair is often one of the first places it shows. From sun exposure to nutritional dips, several seasonal factors can quietly sabotage your strands.
How UV Rays Damage Hair in Summer
Prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can have a detrimental impact on your scalp and hair shaft. UV radiation can break down the keratin proteins in hair, resulting in dryness, brittleness, and an increased risk of breakage.
Similarly, the scalp, being exposed skin, may suffer from sunburn and damage to hair follicles, which are essential for healthy hair growth.
To prevent these adverse effects, it is advisable to wear a hat or other protective clothing whenever you are outdoors for extended periods of time. This simple measure helps shield your scalp and hair from harmful UV rays, maintaining their health and vitality.
How Chlorine, Salt and AC Affect Your Hair
Chlorine, salt water, and air conditioning can strip moisture and nutrients from the scalp. If you're exposed to chlorinated water, always try to rinse your hair immediately after exposure, or even better, limit putting your hair underwater when swimming in chlorinated pools.
Vitamin C is also excellent at blocking the effects of chlorine, so choose acerola cherries, blackberries, black currants, guava, pineapple, rose hips, or kiwi. You can also fast-track with our Immune Support plant-based vitamin C capsules, which I use and give to my kids, especially on holidays, so they can still enjoy water parks, hotel pools, etc., with no downside.
Hormonal Shifts & Hair Fall
Changes in daylight exposure can subtly affect hormone levels, impacting the hair growth cycle. Additionally, changes in environmental temperature can impact thyroid function, as well as hormonal changes such as menopause and andropause (male menopause), all of which have a direct effect on your hair.
Key Nutrient Deficiencies That Trigger Hair Loss
After the winter months or during periods of high stress, the body's nutritional reserves can become depleted. Specifically, essential minerals, iron, and B vitamins may drop to lower levels, which can harm overall health.
One noticeable consequence of these deficiencies is hair loss, as these nutrients are vital for healthy hair growth and maintenance. Ensuring adequate intake of these nutrients through a balanced diet or supplements can help replenish these stores, support overall well-being, and potentially prevent hair loss during such challenging times.
Best Foods to Reduce Hair Fall & Promote Growth
Pumpkin Seeds
Rich in zinc, which helps regulate the production of oil on the skin and supports the overall health of hair follicles, thereby contributing to healthier skin and hair. Zinc plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of oil secretion and ensuring the proper functioning of hair follicle cells.
Seaweed/Kelp
Seaweed and kelp nourish your hair by providing essential minerals like iodine, zinc, and vitamins A, B, and C, which support healthy scalp circulation and hair growth.
Their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds help reduce hair thinning and improve shine and strength. Add dried seaweed such as nori, wakame, dulse, or kelp flakes to soups, salads, sushi, or smoothies.
You can also accelerate your progress with a supplement, such as our Heavy Metal Detox capsules, which personally helped restore my hair loss and had a significant impact on my thyroid and metabolism.
Avocado
Avocados are rich in vitamin E and healthy fats, which are essential for maintaining hair elasticity and scalp hydration. Vitamin E helps protect hair from damage caused by environmental stressors, while the healthy fats nourish the scalp, promoting overall hair health.
Regular use of products containing these nutrients can lead to stronger, more flexible hair and a well-hydrated scalp, ultimately promoting healthier hair growth.
Sweet Potato
Beta-carotene is a significant source of a nutrient that the body can convert into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for cell regeneration, which helps maintain healthy skin, vision, and overall immune function.
By consuming foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, individuals can support their body's natural processes of renewal and healing, emphasising the importance of including these nutrients in a balanced diet.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fatty Omega 3 acids from fish oil, flaxseed, and chia seeds help reduce inflammation and nourish the scalp. Add them to your diet or take clean fish oil capsules such as Antarctic Krill Oil capsules.
Montmorency Cherries
These cherries are high in nutrient density, boasting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a high iron content, and offer overall health benefits, including improved sleep and reduced stress.
They create a favourable environment for healthy hair and have been a game changer for many of my clients. Add these to your diet or take them in capsule form, such as Cherry Iron Calm, which is best taken before dinner or before bed due to its excellent sleep benefits.
Nettle & Horsetail Tea
Nettle and horsetail tea are both known for their high silica content. Silica is a vital mineral that plays a key role in strengthening our hair and nails, helping them grow thicker and more resilient.
Drinking these herbal teas regularly can support hair health and improve the overall strength and appearance of nails, making them less prone to breakage.
Incorporating nettle and horsetail tea into your daily routine is a natural way to boost silica intake and promote healthier, stronger hair and nails.
Wild Game
Venison is an example of a food rich in iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Since it is wild and not factory-raised, you don't get all the added nasties, such as hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics.
Years ago, after the birth of each of my three children, venison was a game-changer for me to shift my anaemia. Organic liver is also a great option if you find venison difficult to obtain.
Don't forget to include vitamin C-rich fruits, such as lemons, when eating iron-rich foods to improve absorption.
Unsettling, Natural and Reversible
Seasonal hair fall can feel unsettling, but it's the body's natural response to environmental changes.
With the right nutrients, herbs, and self-care, you can reduce shedding and support regrowth from within.
That said, it is always advisable to check thyroid function, sex hormones, and iron levels to ensure that these three main imbalances are not contributing to hair loss.
Tailored Nutrition Plans
Do you need help tailoring your nutrition or supplement plan? Please book a consultation or explore our supplements listed above to begin your journey to naturally radiant, healthy hair.
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About the Author; Dr Simone Laubscher, PhD, is a clinical nutritionist and wellness formulator with over 25 years of experience. She holds a PhD in Integrative Medicine with a focus on nutritional science, and her protocols are formed by decades of client care, research, and product development. While not a medical doctor, her work bridges functional medicine with holistic and scientific approaches to long-term healing.
