Long months of high temperatures, sleepless nights from the heat and then the sudden drop in temperatures can shock not only the body, but also the hair. According to dermatologists, strong climate changes create a type of physical stress that can significantly increase hair loss, especially in the period August-October.
Italian expert Luca Barbieri, from the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome, explains that excessive heat dries out hair, making it more brittle and more prone to breakage. Dehydration, sweating, insomnia and stress caused by heat can accelerate the hair loss cycle.
Shedding 50 to 100 strands per day is considered normal. In fact, in late summer and early fall, what is called “seasonal shedding” often occurs, when more follicles temporarily enter the resting phase and hair falls out after a few weeks.
But the alarm goes off when the shedding becomes noticeable, persistent, and greater than usual. According to doctors, it's often telogen effluvium, a widespread and usually temporary shedding that appears two or three months after a period of physical or emotional stress.
Heat also affects the scalp. High temperatures increase sweat and sebum, can block pores, irritate the scalp, and promote dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. These conditions weaken the hair root and can increase hair loss.
What can be done? Doctors initially advise good hydration, regular sleep and a balanced diet. Hair needs protein, B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, zinc, selenium and omega-3. Eggs, fish, legumes, dried fruits, vegetables, seeds and water are the simplest basis.
Supplements with biotin, zinc, vitamin D, or amino acids may help in some cases, but should not be taken without first consulting a doctor, especially when the fall is severe or lasts for weeks.
So, hair loss isn't just due to age or genetics. Sometimes all it takes is a long summer, extreme heat, sleepless nights, and a sudden change in temperature for the body to show stress exactly where it shows most: in the hair.
