Hoconnor asks…I’ve always heard that hair grows faster in the summer. Is this true? Why? And if so, is there a way to recreate the summer benefit in the winter (such as with the addition of humidifiers, heat lamps, diet changes?)
The Right Brain responds:
We’ve said this before and we mean it: the members of the Beauty Brains Forum are awesome! After Hoconnor posted this question, SarahF and Lelaleia did some research and found several interesting references. Even though Left Brain admitted to being stumped on this one, these additional resources made us think. That’s the beauty of true science – we’re always glad to reconsider our positions when new data comes in. You can read the entire discussion in the original Forum post, but we’ll recap the highlights here.
Summer time tresses
1. Seasonal Changes in Human Hair Growth
“… The rate of growth of the beard was lowest in January and February and increased steadily from March to July to reach a peak about 60% above the winter level. The rate of growth of thigh hair showed a similar pattern though with less pronounced differences.”
2. Seasonal Variation in Trichogram in Chilean Subjects
“During summer the percentage of telogen increases and the percentage of anagen decreases. This study confirms the presence of seasonal variations in normal trichogram.”
3. Seasonality of Hair Shedding in Healthy Women
“These results confirm the findings of former authors who have indicated seasonal changes in human hair growth, though this is the first study performed systematically in a representative number of women.”
It looks like there is reasonable evidence that hair grows faster in the summer. What an interesting and surprising finding! Isn’t science wonderful?
Do you notice faster hair growth in the summer or winter?
It is summer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess it's just like how people think time goes faster in the summer than in the winter.
I've always noticed significant hair growth in the summer. I figured it was because I only wash n set my hair in the summer because it's too hot to have my hair down when I straighten… Maybe this is a conributing factor as well.
I actually, think I maintain more length in the winter. I shed less in the winter than summer and fall… I feel like my body adjusts for wniter and my hair automatically thickens and goes into the growth phase (kind of like animals growing their winter coat). Yes, moisture maintance is more difficult in the winter and my curls pop less, but in terms of growth, I feel like it's when my hair grows more. Guess that's just me.
I noticed that I retained more length in the summer. I always attributed that to the harsh winters in NYC making my hair dry and brittle, lending to breakage, and just making it harder to hold on to the growth. But this may be true, I definitely see a major difference in length in the the summer vs the winter.
wow, I was just talking to friend today about how this past summer I saw a lot of growth in my hair! Even if it's not by a huge amount,it's nice to see science backed me for once, lol
Yep, my hair grows faster in the Summer. In fact, for the past several years it seems it has ONLY grown in the Summer and remained the same length the rest of the year. I'm not sure why, but I've also noticed that it grows faster when I live in the South than in the North (of the US). I just moved back down South, so I'm excited! Maybe I'll finally reach BSL.
Interesting! I don't track my hair growth in inches usually, so I haven't observed it myself. I wonder what about summer helps… is it the sun, as some have suggested? Does it vary by hoe much summer weather you have where you live?
Yup. definitely more in the summer. I think my hair has been growing like, around 3/4 of an inch where it is usually 1/2. Now why exactly that is, is beyond me. I will try to keep my regimen the same and see if it keeps up.
Idk about my hair growing longer but it's definitely more healthy in the summer. It's usually very shiny and I get better curl definition.
I def noticed an increase in hair growth…check my blog http://chaneltheenatural.wordpress.com
my hair definitely grows faster in the summer, there's no doubt in my mind. my hair grows about 2.5-3 inches in the summer, and it takes me the rest of the year to gain the other 3 inches.
I do believe that the sun makes a difference..
My hair grows faster in the sun and so do my nails…
www.youtube.com/UKnaturals
I always thought that IF hair grew faster in the summer time it is because you have more access to healthy food and walking and jogging and such.
Natural-hair-care-info.com
sd
I had a weave this whole year and I noticed that I had a lot more new growth than I did in the winter. Hopefully it continues to grow in this Ca weather. Its fall and Its 85 degree right now
I've never noticed a difference in hair growth in summer over winter, but I've noticed more breakage in the fall/winter due to drier weather. Maybe the faster growth in summer is due to more moisture in the air.