If the weather forecasts are to be believed, the UK will be hit by another heatwave. We’re all excited about the arrival of summer, but that doesn’t mean we’re looking forward to the inevitable sweaty mess that’s to come.
While sweating certainly has some health benefits, the same can’t be said for how excess moisture affects your hair and scalp, and experts have explained how excessive sweating can actually lead to hair loss. I’m explaining.
Basically, our sweat contains salt, which is actually not very good for your hair and scalp and can cause dryness and hair loss.
But there’s a little more to the science of summer hair.
How sweat causes hair loss
According to experts, sweating more than usual puts you at risk for increased hair loss, and this can be for a variety of reasons.
“Firstly, sweat contains lactic acid, which binds to the keratin in the hair follicles and puts stress on your hair,” explains Elithair’s Dr. Balwi.
“Lactic acid can also cause inflammation, bacterial growth, buildup, and even scalp infections.”
Moisture and dampness on the scalp also creates a perfect environment for bacterial and fungal infections, which can cause temporary hair loss.
“Another reason sweat causes hair loss is that sweat contains minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, all of which remain on the scalp after sweat evaporates,” continues Dr. Balwi. . It becomes dry and brittle and breaks easily. ”
There are several reasons why excessive sweat can cause hair loss. (Getty Images)
Dr. Barwi says the effect of sweat on the overall health of the scalp is the key to the correlation between sweat and hair loss.
“A buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria can clog hair follicles and prevent healthy hair growth,” he explains. “This is why it’s so important to know how to treat your scalp when it’s sweaty.”
According to Philip Kingsley brand president and trichologist Annabelle Kingsley, sweating during the summer or during exercise can cause oil to build up on the scalp, causing inflammation and irritation.
“If your scalp is excessively oily, you’re more likely to develop scalp diseases such as dandruff,” she explains. “This is because the yeast that causes dandruff thrives in oily environments.”
Thankfully, there are some ways to manage excess sweat during the summer to keep your scalp healthy and reduce the chance of sweat-induced hair loss.
How to prevent summer sweat that causes hair loss
care for the scalp
Dr. Balwi says it’s important to properly cleanse your scalp to prevent the buildup of lactic acid, sweat, and dirt. “This can be done using a sulfate-free or clarifying shampoo,” he explains.
Products containing the following ingredients are effective in thoroughly cleaning the scalp:
Tea tree oil: “This has antibacterial and antifungal properties, helps protect the scalp from irritation, and is effective in preventing hair loss,” explains Dr. Balwi.
Peppermint oil: According to Dr. Balwi, this has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help cleanse the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. “It’s also important to nourish your scalp, especially after using ingredients containing exfoliating agents found in purifying shampoos. Using hair masks or hair oils can help prevent dryness and stimulate hair growth. ” he added.
Argan Oil: This contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants that promote overall hair health. “It’s quickly absorbed into the hair shaft, hydrating, nourishing, and helping to reduce frizz,” explains Dr. Balwi.
Vitamin E: Moisturizes hair and scalp, prevents dryness, enhances shine, promotes healthy circulation to the scalp and stimulates hair growth. “It also has antioxidant properties that protect hair from environmental damage and free radicals that can cause dullness and breakage,” adds Dr. Balwi.
Experts say excessive sweat can cause hair loss, but there are ways to combat it. (Getty Images)
stay hydrated
Dr. Balwi says it’s important to drink plenty of water to maintain a balance between sweat and the scalp’s natural oils.
protect your scalp
Avoid dyeing your hair. “If you have a sweaty scalp, you should avoid excessive damage from bleaching or coloring your hair,” explains Dr. Balwi.
change pillow cover
Bacteria and minerals caused by sweat can remain on pillowcases, so cleaning your bedding regularly can help prevent sweat buildup.
“Switching to a silk pillowcase is also a good way to improve your hair health, as silk is less harsh on your hair and doesn’t absorb your hair’s natural oils,” adds Dr Balwi.
How often should you wash your hair during the summer?
While increased sweating during the summer can make you want to wash your hair more often, Dr. Balwi recommends balancing your scalp with cleansing your scalp to prevent build-up and not stripping your hair of its natural oils. states that it is important.
“Therefore, you should wash your hair no more than two to three times a week,” he explains.
If you want to wash your hair more than that, she recommends rinsing your hair without shampoo to freshen your hair without overwashing.
“Shampooing your hair too often can dry it out,” he added.
Should you wash your hair more or less during the summer? (Getty Images)
Other factors that can increase hair loss
In addition to sweating from exercise, other factors such as stress and menstruation can also cause an increase in scalp oil.
“During these times, try shampooing more often to keep your scalp as clean as possible and reduce build-up,” recommends Kingsley.
“Focusing on your scalp (shampooing twice) can also help reduce oil buildup, resulting in improved hair health and less hair loss,” she adds.
Dandruff and itching on the scalp can lead to hair loss, so Kingsley says it’s important to keep the scalp clean, and this requires regular cleaning with targeted products. It states that.
“We recommend our flake/itch shampoo and conditioner range,” she added.
