Why Does Hair Grow Faster in the Summer?

Have you noticed that your hair grows faster in the summer? You're not imagining it! It's a well-known phenomenon that experts have accepted as fact. But why does it happen? In this article, we'll explain why hair grows faster in the summer and everything else you need to know.

This is Why Hair Grows Faster in the Summer

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, your hair grows faster - there are a few reasons for this.

One is that our bodies produce more vitamin D in the summer, thanks to increased exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is an essential building block for hair growth.

Another reason for enhanced hair growth is that we tend to sweat more in the summer heat, which helps to unclog hair follicles and promote growth.

Lastly, higher temperatures aid in blood circulation, bringing more nutrients to our scalps and increasing hair growth.

Why Does Hair Grow Slower in the Winter?

In the winter, hair growth can slow down due to the lack of sunlight. Sunlight is necessary to produce vitamin D, which helps promote hair growth, and we tend to stay indoors more during the winter. When you’re deficient in vitamin D, your hair growth may slow. 

The cold weather can also make your hair and scalp dry, causing your hair to become brittle and prone to breakage. In addition, indoor heating can strip moisture from the hair, making it more difficult for new growth to occur.

How to Maximize Hair Growth During the Summer

We've established that hair grows faster during the summer - that's well and good. But what if you want to maximize your hair growth potential?

Here are a few tips:

1. Get regular trims. This may seem like a backward suggestion, but getting regular trims can actually help your hair grow faster. Regular trims remove split ends, which tend to travel up your strands and cause breakage.

2. Eat a healthy diet. A balanced diet is crucial to your overall health, including the health of your hair. Ensure you’re getting enough protein, iron, and other essential nutrients for hair growth.

3. Avoid excessive heat styling. Too much heat will not only damage your hair, but it can lead to breakage. If you must style your hair with heat, use a heat protectant product first.

4. Avoid harsh chemical processing. We get it - summer is the time to go lighter, but lightening your hair could thwart your growth efforts. If possible, avoid using too many chemicals on your hair. This includes bleach, permanent hair dye, relaxers, perms, etc. All of these can be very damaging, regardless of your hair type.

5. Use a gentle shampoo. Try to avoid harsh shampoos that contain salt and sulfates. If you must use a shampoo that contains sulfates, be sure to use it sparingly.

6. Be gentle with your hair. Avoid rough brushing and combing, which can cause breakage and mechanical damage.

We hope that you’ve found this article helpful. Now, take advantage of the season’s hair growth blessing by fine-tuning your hair regimen– the summer won’t be around for long!  

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.