Seasonal Hair Fall in India: How Monsoon and Summer Heat Damage Your Hair

Know how monsoon and summer heat affect your hair and what you can do about it to prevent seasonal hair fall in India.

If your hair seems to be falling out more on your comb or pillow, or in the shower drain, at certain times of the year, it is. One of the more prevalent, yet misdiagnosed hair issues in India is seasonal hair fall. But Indian hair faces a lot more than most people think with the extreme climate swings which we have: not only the hot summers, humid monsoons but the dry winters as well.

Let's dive into the different seasons of your hair, and what you can do to solve the issues at hand.

 Why Indian Hair Is More Vulnerable to Seasonal Changes

India has a non-homogeneous climate. Temperatures can range from 45°C during the hottest summer period to low temperatures and dampness during the monsoon months (sometimes within a few weeks). This abrupt change of seasons continually stresses your hair and scalp.

Hair has a cycle of growth, transition and resting. More hairs enter the resting stage at the same time when your body is stressed from the environment, due to extreme heat, humidity or drastic changes in temperature. This is referred to as "telogen effluvium" and is the scientific name for "seasonal hair fall.

The result? Hair loss becomes more noticeable, and usually begins 2-4 weeks after the season has begun.

During the summer months, the heat can cause your scalp to become unhealthy.The heat in the summer months can make your scalp unhealthy.

Indian summers are very hot. Delhi, Hyderabad, Nagpur and Jaipur are some cities where the temperature often exceeds 40–45°C in March to June. The effects this has on your hair:

 1. Overproduction of sweat and oil on the scalp.

Your scalp has oil (sebaceous) glands that get overactive when you get hot. Oil, sweat, dust and dirt combine and block up the pores of the hair. Clogged follicles cannot breathe and if the follicles are not healthy, then hair will fall.

 2. The UV can damage the shaft of the hair.

When exposed to direct sunlight, the protein in your hair is damaged, especially the protective protein keratin that is important to the strength and elasticity of each hair strand. When the hair is damaged by UV rays, it becomes brittle, dry and easily breaks. Hair loss doesn't just occur at the scalp, it's also in the middle of the shaft.

 3. Hair loss due to dehydration.

In summer, your body will conserve its water supply for essential body functions when you are dehydrated. The scalp becomes drier, the hair follicles become weak and new growth decreases.

 4. Hard Water Damage

During the summer months, many cities in India face a drop in water levels and meet more difficult water from the municipality. Hard water is full of calcium and magnesium which are deposited on the hair shaft and cause dry, dull and breakable hair.

When humidity does more harm than good, it is Monsoon.Monsoon is when humidity does more harm than good.

But as soon as it rains, people want relief, which is usually from June to September. For much of the year, though, the monsoon season is worse than the summer season – for hair.

 1. Scalp Fungal Infections

The scalp fungi and bacteria can thrive best in warm and moist environments. This results in dandruff, itchiness and inflamed scalp, which all interfere with the normal cycle of hair growth and cause hair to fall out.

 2. A new property of the hair has been introduced:

The ability to swell and fatigue.Hair continually absorbs moisture and expands and then dries out when it is in high humidity. This cycle eventually damages the cuticle of the hair (also known as hygral fatigue). This leaves hair strands with a lot of breakage, frizzy and porous.

 3. Rainwater Pollution

Indian cities' rain water is not clean. It transports the toxins and acid in the atmosphere into your scalp and hair, leading to a change in pH of your hair, which in turn irritates the hair follicles.

 4. Post-Summer Delayed Shedding

Many people fail to realize that hair loss in July and August is not necessarily the result of the monsoon. It is a delayed reaction to the stress of summer to your follicles 6–8 weeks ago. When your body is under stress due to heat, it moves more follicles into the resting phase; and the shedding becomes visible weeks later, during the rains.

Everyone experiences some hair loss, but how much is considered normal?Everyone has some hair fall but when should you be concerned with it?

The normal number of hair strands lost each day is 50-100. This can rise to 150-200 strands a day in a temporary state when experiencing seasonal hair loss, but often returns to normal.

If you can't take it more seriously then:

- Hair fall has continued for over 3-4 months without any improvement.

You see thinning or balding in your area

Your hairline is going back a lot or has been drawn back.

- Hair has a general lack of strength and resilience, and breaks easily at the roots

If so, see a dermatologist to exclude other diseases, such as alopecia areata, scalp infections, hormone imbalances, or deficiencies.

The main question on the minds of many people is, what is the best way to take care of hair in India according to the season?

Contrary to popular belief, there isn't one miracle ingredient to deal with the seasonal shedding; it's a matter of regular practices that are adjusted for each season.

 During Summer:

• Take a shower more often, every 2-3 days, to avoid a build up of oil and sweat in the follicles that can clog them

• Always wear a hat or cover your hair when exposed to the sun directly or use a leave-in UV-protective hair product

• Water is one of the things that people don't think about when it comes to the health of their hair.

• Use a gentle but strengthening shampoo – one that does not remove all the oils from your scalp.

 During Monsoon:

• Do not allow the scalp to become wet, and the humidity increases the risk of fungi developing.

• Do not tightly tie wet hair; allow to air dry first and then style the hair.

• Rinse off rainwater as soon as possible to wash away pollutants.

• If you tend to get dandruff, opt for products that help treat the scalp and prevent the condition.

 Year-Round:

•  Consume adequate protein (hair is composed primarily of another protein called keratin)

• Reach a sufficient amount of sleep (hair grows mainly while sleeping)

• Avoid heat styling, especially during times of high shedding.

• - Take care not to comb wet hair; hair is at its most fragile stage when wet.

The truth is that the type of shampoo you choose can make a difference.The reality is that the shampoo that you use does matter.

Most people don't recognize the contribution of their shampoo during fall season hair loss. If you use a harsh shampoo, it will remove the natural oils from the scalp, weaken the hair shaft and increase hair shedding. However, a properly formulated thickening shampoo can https://cincinnus.in/products/cincinnus-anti-hair-loss-and-strenghthen-shampoomake an impact when it comes to keeping your hair healthy during stressful periods.

The best ingredients to look for:

Ginger Root Extract promotes healthy scalp circulation with Gingerol, the active compound in ginger, to supply more nourishment to hair follicles and stimulate healthy growth. It also possesses slight antibacterial activities that are beneficial during the rainy seasons of the monsoons.

A lesser known, but clinically-tested botanical that works to alleviate hair loss at the follicle level, calm the scalp and stimulate new growth Platycladus Orientalis Leaf Extract.

Hydrolyzed Keratin restores protein structure of damaged and heat-exposed hair from within, minimizes breakage and increases elasticity.

Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract This plant oil provides deep nourishment without resulting in weightiness, softens hair, adds natural shine and prevents moisture loss.

Cincinnus Anti Hair Loss & Strengthening Shampoo

In case you need a shampoo with these very ingredients, the Cincinnus Anti Hair Loss & Strengthening Shampoo is definitely worth taking the time to check out.

It is made with the combination of ingredients that work at three levels: the scalp, the root and the protein level, namely: Ginger Root, Platycladus Orientalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin and Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract.

Key highlights:

• Ideal for all hair types (oily, dry, normal and combination scalp)

• Contains no parabens, heavy metals, formaldehyde or harsh preservatives.

• Light, oil-free finish: won't weigh hair down in humid conditions.

• Proven to clinically reduce hair loss by 34% and visibly stronger hair in 6 weeks

• Available in 300ml, 500ml, and 750ml priced from ₹1,150

Application: Apply to wet hair, massage scalp for 2-3 minutes, leave for 1 minute and rinse. Use 3–4 times a week for consistent results.

The Bottom Line

The answer is: yes, it's a reality in India, but it is predictable and in most cases manageable. During the summer season, the heat of the weather weakens the hair shaft and during the monsoon season, water and humidity provide an environment for scalp infection and hygral fatigue. Both seasons bring a pattern of stress for many, particularly during the post-monsoon season.

The only thing to remember is that if you have the right routine, the right ingredients, and a little consistency, you can greatly minimize seasonal shedding and emerge the other side with better and healthier hair.

Begin with the contents of the top of your head. It's more important than you realize.

At cincinnus.in, delve into the Cincinnus Anti Hair Loss & Strengthening Shampoo.