What You Need To Know About Beard-care During Colder Months
Did you know different climates affect our hair follicles in different ways. With winter fast approaching here in the Southern Hemisphere, we can start expecting lower humidity and freezing cold winds. Why is this an issue for beards, skin, and hair in general? It can make the hair follicles dry, brittle, and fragile. Lets have a closer look at why our skin and beard dry out during colder weather.
What are the effects of colder weather/months?
It’s important to understand that one of the main causes of winter dryness is the decrease in humidity. Because of this low humidity, our skin gets a lot drier, which can cause irritation. You will start to feel like your skin is itchier and drier, in turn making your beard feel more wiry and coarse.
Cold air sucks out the moisture from your skins outermost layer. This layer is called the stratum corneum. This layer is made up of dead skin cells joined together forming a protective layer over the living skin cells below. The dry winter air absorbs the stratum corneum’s moisture, causing is to tighten, dry out and flake. You’ll need to apply beard oil or beard balm to hydrate, moisturise and condition your skin and beard to help prevent issues associated with colder weather.
Figure 1: Cross-section view of good skin compared to dry skin.
Figure 2: Cross-section view of the skin.
Here Are the Best Ways to Help Maintain a Healthy Beard and Skin!
1. Use a Beard Oil
This might sound biased, but I whole-heartedly believe beard oil is the best product to help you maintain healthy facial hair and skin. Applying beard oil regularly during colder months is your best possible weapon at fighting environmental stressors and elements. Our
Australian made beard oils are lightweight and noncomedogenic, meaning they won't clog your pores. Jam packed full of essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals to help restore hair and skin, remove that itchiness and clear up beardruff (dandruff in the beard).
2. Wash your hair less
It’s recommended that during colder months that you wash your hair two-three times a week (depending on how oily your hair is). The times you are washing your hair, ensure you are using moisturizing shampoos that wont strip away natural oils. Our range of uniquely crafted
solid shampoo bars contain cocoa butter which helps form a protective barrier on hair strands and your skin. And, I know it’s cold, you may be tempted to have steaming hot showers, but exposing your hair to hot water for long periods of time will strip away moisture.
3. See a local Barber
Go to your local barber/hairdresser/beauty salon to have your hair trimmed to get rid of those split ends. If you leave these split ends unattended can result in the hair strand splitting all the way down to the follicle and eventually falling out! Trimming the hair will also help reduce frizz.
4. Use winter apparel
Might sound like an unnecessary thing, but if you are outside for long periods of time or the temperature is below freezing, wrap a scarf around you beard and neck. Help prevent cold dry air from damaging your skin and hair.
5. Eat Healthy Fats
Our Beard oils contain high amounts of omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids which helps keep hair shiny and promotes hair growth. In addition to using a beard oil, eating foods that have a high omega-3 content will help boost overall levels.
Take-away Thoughts
Colder weather does not lead to hair loss, rather the lack of humidity and hydration is the main cause. Hair loss is just a symptom.
A six-year study from University Hospital of Zürich found that participants lost the least amount of hair during the winter. It showed that there was a peak in hair shedding in the summer, with a second, less significant, peak during the spring.
Interestingly, research has shown that the body produces more melatonin in the winter, which helps to regulate the hair growth cycle and thus keeps hair from shedding. This research has suggested that this could potentially be an evolutionary adaptation – helping give us warmer winter coats, as seen in other mammals.
Whilst colder weather does damage your hair and skin, you can take simple measures to help prevent that damage. That way, you can still enjoy the outdoors without worrying about your beard! We hope this gives you the confidence and tools need to care for you facial hair during winter!
Disclaimer: This blog is solely intended for the educational/informational/awareness purposes and is not a substitute for any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your doctor/healthcare professional before acting on the information provided on this blog. Reliance on any or all the information provided in the blog, is solely at your own risk and responsibility. Levee + Lowe™ shall not be held liable, in any circumstances.
References
Hwang, S. M., Lee, W. S., Choi, E, H., Lee, S. H., & Ahn, S. K. (2001). Nurse’s cap alopecia. International Journal of Dermatology, 38(3), 187-191. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-4362.1999.00556.x
Kunz, M., Seifert, B., & Trüeb, R. M. (2009). Seasonality of hair shedding in healthy women complaining of hair loss. Dermatology, 219(2), 105-110. doi:10.1159/000216832
Lawton, S. (2019). Skin 1: the structure and functions of the skin. Nursing Times [online], 115(12), 30-33.
Randall, V. A., & Ebling, F. J. G. (1991). Seasonal changes in human hair growth. British Journal of Dermatology (1951), 124(2), 146–151. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1991.tb00423.x
