Science-Backed Summer Hair Care Saviors
Written by Allie Baker, wellness writer
Written by Allie Baker
Wellness, spirituality, lifestyle expert and writer
If you’ve noticed that your hair feels thinner, duller, and more brittle lately, you’re not alone. The hair-raising fact is that we lose more hair in the summer months, plus we deal with other stresses on our tresses.
Here’s why: “Our hair goes through three cycles — anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (rest and then falling out). We lose hair year round, but science shows there are periods of time when shedding tends to increase,” explains Dr. Jaime Seeman, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with a background in nutrition, exercise, and health science. “A process called telogen effluvium, or excessive shedding, tends to peak in the summer months of July and August.”
In fact, a study showed that hair loss in women increased by up to 6% per day in the summer compared to the average hair loss rate. Says Dr. Seeman, “Scientists have theorized that UV light is likely what triggers it.”
The dark side of UV light is that it can also damage hair fiber, leading to reduced strength, dryness, rougher texture, and less luster. “Our hair can also be damaged by other summer activities such as heat, chlorine pools, and saltwater,” adds Dr. Seeman. So, how can you head off these issues and restore your luscious locks? Try these science-backed summer hair saviors.
Four tips for long and strong summer hair
Watch out for over washing
“Keep your scalp clean, but do not over wash and dry out the hair,” warns Dr. Seeman.“Low grade fungal infections can happen that promote hair loss, but excessive washing can make hair brittle and prone to breakage. I only wash my hair two times per week.”
Brush generously
“Brush your hair and scalp regularly,” says Dr. Seeman. “The brushing stimulates blood flow in the scalp and helps distribute protective oils over the hair shaft.” Brushing your hair can be a part of your wind-down and self-care routine.
Load up on healthy fats
Here’s the skinny on healthy fats: In addition to supporting heart health, they also help your hair grow. “Studies show that omega-3 fats like DHA increase the anagen, or growth, phase of hair,” Dr. Seeman says. “Not only do fatty fish have good amounts of DHA, but seafood like oysters also contains bioavailable zinc.” Salmon, seabass, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Get your collagen boost
“When telogen hair loss occurs, the focus has to be on supporting regrowth,” Dr.Seeman says. Collagen does just that! “Collagen is primarily made up of three nonessential amino acids: proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline,” she explains. “The keratin in hair is made from proline, so taking collagen provides the structural building blocks for new hair.” Collagen also acts as an antioxidant to reduce free radicals in the scalp, says Dr. Seeman. “Just like with the skin on our face, collagen supports the dermal layers in our scalp. Collagen makes up about 70% of our dermis, the middle layer of skin that houses the hair follicle. Plus, collagen has many benefits for the skin and nails too!”
Sparkle for summer
So, how do you get these collagen perks? An effective, simple solution is to add a scoop of Sparkle Skin Boost to your summertime smoothies, iced coffee or tea, or mixed into water. Sparkle is a head above the rest because it contains VERISOL Bioactive Collagen Peptides, which are clinically proven to boost collagen levels by up to 60%.
In a clinical study, women who took a daily dose of 2.5 g VERISOL for 16 weeks saw a significant increase in hair thickness compared to those who received a placebo. The study also showed a 31% increase in the proliferation of hair follicle cells after exposure to VERISOL for four hours. This means that the collagen peptide supports hair metabolism and increases mitochondrial activity of hair follicle cells, which leads to hair growth.
"In addition to a healthy diet, Sparkle collagen is something I include daily to make sure I have all the right building blocks for healthy hair,” raves Dr. Seeman. And what's more, VERISOL also plays a vital role in improving skin health, as Dr. Seeman points out, "The science-backed VERISOL collagen in Sparkle stimulates the fibroblasts in the dermis of the skin, reducing collagen breakdown. It keeps the skin supple, elastic, and moisturized with the addition of hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C. Sparkle is the perfect way to give your locks extra love this season."
“Hair is very personal to all of us, and Sparkle helps the beauty of your hair and skin from within,” Dr. Seaman says. “If you’re looking to grow fit and fabulously thick hair, you can trust the ingredients in Sparkle.”
Help your hair and skin Sparkle here.
