Hair growth and health can be affected by many things. We’ve already taken a look at how the food you eat can affect your hair, as well as how certain hair products can help or hurt your hair, but one thing we haven’t discussed is how different climates affect your hair.

The good news is that no matter what climate you live in, the weather does not affect your hair growth. Hair growth is mainly determined by genetics, and on average a person’s hair will grow ½” per month. So whether you live in a hot climate or a cold climate, the rate in which your hair grows will not be affected by the weather.

That’s the good news, the bad news is that various climates can have an affect on your hair health. Which is why it’s important to do what you can to treat your hair and keep it healthy no matter what climate you live in.

Let’s take a look at what different climates can do to your hair and how you can prevent damage.

What Can Different Climates Do To My Hair?

Cold Weather

For those of you that live in a region that experiences cold weather for an extended period of time during the year, you’ve no doubt experienced how it can wreak havoc on your hair.

As the warm air moves out and the cold fronts move in, the hair becomes extremely dry. This dryness is terrible when it comes to hair health. Moisture is a key element in ensuring that your hair stays strong and healthy, so as you start to notice your hair become dry, be sure you’re using a moisturizing shampoo to help keep your hair from becoming dry and brittle.

The dry air really is the number one enemy of healthy hair. Lack of moisture in your hair can cause your hair to become brittle which can cause more split ends and damage to your hair. It can also cause more static electricity build up, which will make it harder for you to manage your hair as it wants to cling to everything.

In some cases you may even notice your hair falling out due to the cold weather. While our bodies naturally produce more melatonin in the winter months, which can help protect against hair loss, the lack of moisture can lead to damaged hair breaking off. Combine that with the wearing of winter hats and head coverings, and it can seem as though you’re losing a lot of hair in the winter months.

Don’t get too concerned though. In most cases this hair loss is not going to leave you bald, but you may notice more hair on your clothing than usual.

This can all be prevented or minimized by making sure you keep your hair and scalp moisturized during the colder months and follow these helpful tips for preventing winter hair damage.

Warm Weather and Humidity

Naturally, you would assume that if cold weather made your hair brittle and dry that warm weather would have the opposite effect, but that’s not always the case.

When temperatures begin to climb it can also cause your hair to dry out and become brittle. Just because it is hot outside doesn’t mean that there is ample humidity to help keep your hair moisturized so you need to be careful.

When the temperature gets too hot it causes your hair to hold less moisture which can cause it to become fragile. This is why it’s extremely important to make sure that you’re always using conditioning shampoos and products that can help your hair hold in that moisture, even when it’s hot outside.

If you live in an area that has warm temperatures, but also has high humidity, this will help your hair maintain moisture, however too much moisture can also be detrimental to your hair.

Too much humidity will cause your hair to absorb more of the water vapor that is in the air, and depending on what type of hair you have, it can cause unwanted consequences.

For example, if you have naturally fine hair, then the excess moisture in the air can cause your hair to become too heavy causing you to lose any shape or volume you may have had.  On the opposite side of the spectrum, if you have naturally curly or wavy hair, the moisture will cause your hair to expand and look “frizzy”.

Another weather condition you may not even realize affects your hair is ultraviolet radiation (both UVA and UVB light) from the sun. UV light causes hair to lighten and become brittle. Melanin pigments (especially those in dark hair) offer some antioxidant protection against UV damage by helping prevent breakage of the disulfide bonds in hair proteins but those with blond, grey or white hair are more prone to damaging effects of the sun.

Below the surface UV radiation has mutating effects on cell DNA causes oxidative stress. This inflammation alters the amino acids (especially tryptophan, cystine, tyrosine, and histidine) in hair shaft, degrades moisturizing lipids, and breaks down the melanin pigments that help protect hair from UV light.

So is there any weather that will ensure a Good Hair Day?? Mild temps with moderate humidity are the best but most of us can’t choose our weather conditions.

The best way to ensure that your hair stays healthy and strong in all climates is to use proper shampoos, conditioners and other products that help seal the hair. You want to prevent too little or too much moisture in the hair, protect your hair from extremes in temperatures and UV light. There are plenty of products out there that are designed to help in different climates so it’s important to find one that works for you.

If you live in an extreme climate and you’re worried about the amount of hair you are losing, there may be an underlying issue that is causing it. If that’s the case, it’s important to contact a hair restoration specialist who can help you determine what the cause of your hair loss is, and what can be done to treat it.

At the Limmer Hair Transplant Center in San Antonio, Texas, we are happy to talk with you to help you determine what might be causing your hair loss and what can be done to help prevent further hair loss and restore your hair.  Also, don’t forget your hat when you’re in the sun this summer; it’s good for your scalp and hair!

If you would like more information, please contact us through our website or by calling 210-496-9992.