Summer’s heat means many people wash their hair daily. But frequent washing can lead to significant hair loss. What causes this? And how can we prevent hair loss?
Hair loss in summer is mostly caused by damp heat.
Summer is the season when hair loss is most common. Hair is a type of body hair, and the part of it that is embedded in the skin is called the hair root, which is surrounded by the hair follicle. From a Western medical perspective, hair loss involves many causes, including infectious factors, psychological factors, endocrine abnormalities, physical and chemical factors, congenital factors, and unexplained causes. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, hair loss is mainly related to kidney deficiency, blood deficiency, liver stagnation, and damp heat.
Summer hair loss is common due to the hot weather, increased sweating, and more frequent use of shampoos, many of which can irritate hair roots, follicles, and the scalp. Furthermore, hot weather disrupts rest and sleep, and the combination of infection, psychological stress, and physical/chemical factors makes summer hair loss more likely. Traditional Chinese medicine generally believes that the prevalence of heat and dampness in summer makes the body prone to damp-heat, which can clog hair follicles and thus contribute to hair loss.
Three aspects to pay attention to in preventing hair loss
To prevent hair loss in summer, the first step is sun protection, followed by paying attention to the frequency of shampooing and adequate protein intake, as detailed below:
1. Avoid direct sunlight
In the height of summer, it’s essential to apply sunscreen before going out, and hair care is equally important. If the sun is too strong, consider using sun umbrellas, sun hats, or other sun protection items to avoid direct sunlight.
2. No need to wash your hair every day
Washing your hair every day keeps it in a constant state of stress, and while daily washing was once considered the best way to nourish hair, it’s like eating – even if you’re full, you might not absorb everything. Your hair needs time to rest, absorb nutrients, and remove impurities. Ideally, wash your hair every other day and avoid alkaline shampoos; use neutral or acidic ones instead. Also, avoid wind and sun exposure after washing. In short, preventing hair loss in summer is the same as in other seasons: maintain a stable environment for your hair, rather than constantly subjecting it to harsh elements.
3. Supplement protein
Protein is an essential substance for hair growth and nourishment, and it is usually found in large quantities in meat. However, due to the hot and humid weather in summer, people tend to prefer lighter foods, resulting in a relative decrease in meat consumption, which is especially noticeable in women. If the body does not receive enough protein, hair is more likely to fall out.
4. Massage your scalp frequently.
The scalp is the “soil” on which hair grows. If the scalp feels dry and hard, the hair will lack nutrients, leading to hair loss. Massaging the scalp helps relax the body and promotes blood circulation, thereby preventing hair loss.
Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends 6 home remedies for hair loss
1. Add 15 grams of salt to 1500 ml of warm water, stir well, and use to wash your hair 1-2 times a week. Long-term use of this method can prevent hair loss.
2. 90 grams each of dried cypress branches, pepper seeds, and pinellia tuber. Add 500 ml of water to the herbs and decoct until reduced to 250 ml. Add a little honey and decoct for another 1-2 boils. When using, add a little fresh ginger juice, mix well, and rub on the affected areas twice daily.
3. 240g of dried arborvitae leaves and 120g of whole angelica root. Grind the herbs into a powder (avoid using iron utensils), mix with water to form a paste, and make into pills the size of a paulownia seed. Take 50-70 pills each time, once in the morning and once in the evening, with rice wine or salt water.
4. One pig gallbladder. Pour the pig gallbladder juice into a basin of warm water, stir, and use it to wash your hair or affected area to remove the oily scales. Rinse with clean water afterward. Repeat once daily. This remedy is especially suitable for seborrheic alopecia.
5. Take 300 grams each of raw Pinellia ternata and raw ginger, and 1000 grams of sesame oil. Grind the herbs into powder, soak them in sesame oil for half a month, and apply the ginger slices to the affected area before applying the medicated oil. Use once a day for three consecutive months, and the fallen eyebrows and hair will grow back.
6. Take 3 torreya nuts, 2 walnuts, and 30 grams of arborvitae leaves. Grind all the ingredients together, soak them in snow water, and use the water to comb your hair. This will prevent hair loss and make your hair shiny. This formula is especially suitable for hair loss caused by kidney deficiency.
