Is it really true that hair grows slower in the colder months?

[Samara]

I know everyone is different, but was wondering if this was true in general. I have always heard it.

[duckish]

I have heard that your hair grows faster in the summer, which I suppose means it will grow slower in the winter. Not sure if it's scientifically proven, though.

[Freija]

Mine is the other way around, I think - I tend to shed lots all winter, meaning my hair is thinner, but I gain a good few inches. Then, in the summer, it slows down but fattens up!

[Darkhorse1]

I would think, logically, it would be the other way around. Since hair is to keep humans warm, I'd think you'd get increased growth in the colder months and shedding in the warmer months. However, since we now have indoor heating, I would venture to guess it depends on the individual :)

[spidermom]

Mine changes from year to year. My slowest period since July 15, 2008-2009 was January-February-March 2009. I had slower growth than that July - October 2009, however. Maybe now that it's longer the growth will be slower. There isn't significant damage at the ends.

[Aer]

I feel like mine grows more in the winter, it definitely feels thicker. I'm not sure if there is a season for faster growth, I'm going to watch this thread to see if anyone knows.

[Kaileida]

I got seven inches in six months last fall/winter. Just like everything hair related, it's different for each person.

[Keildra]

I wouldn't think its true, maybe it has something to do with seasonal shedding. but then that would mean it would slow down in the summer too. I don't know I'm just trying to act smart but your probably right it's different for each person.

[Tressie]

I have always heard this too, but I am at a loss to know if it's really true! (o:

[Hydrilus]

I thought for sure some of us were scientists and would have an answer to this haha, guess they haven't seen this topic yet :P

[faeflame]

I've heard this before also. I wonder if hair grows faster in summer because we are more active maybe, therefore increasing circulation??? Just a guess.

[yellowchariot]

If I could add my :twocents: I'm still a firm believer of diet and exercise being the optimal cause of any growth, regardless of the weather. My hair growth is pretty well consistent from month to month. I also go to a gym and workout, now that winter is upon my region.

Perhaps more people are out and about during the summer months? Sun rays, activities, etc. . . :confused: as opposed to winter months being indoors and busy with holidays.

[PatGear]

Certainly true for me. My hair used to grow a lot faster when I lived in a warmer climate. It still grows faster in the summer months for me.

[Aditi]

I don't know whether its myth or fact but its true for me i have very less growth in winter compare to any other season.

[RancheroTheBee]

Mine grows faster, actually, in the winter. Possibly because snow soothes me.

[Isa-belle]

In my case it's more a matter of how tired/stressed out I am. My hair grew really well last winter and then it slowed down because I had so much going on in my life.

[hmmm]

I've noticed in the past that my hair grew faster in the summer... but then I never really noticed how fast my hair was growing in the other seasons. Maybe it just felt like it was growing faster because I noticed how much bother it was then.
I shed a lot in the winter too, I've noticed this recently. I didn't know it before. I'm assuming it's normal, because I haven't changed my diet, I'm not stressed out and I'm still eating well and exercising.

[ericthegreat]

My hair grows super fast regardless of the season. But I know why this is. I go to the gym around 4 days a week and I've been doing so since I was 14. I run for 45 minutes to an hour, then I head to the pool and I swim around 25 to 30 laps. I definitely know my high metabolism is key to my fast growth. After my workout, I always make sure to head down to the sauna and the steam room and alternate between the two rooms. This is also a big key factor. If it is indeed a high temperature that allows for faster hair growth, then of course by me going into both the sauna and steam room I am promoting an incredible amount of growth for myself! :p Oh and as an even added bonus, I will often saturate my wet hair with my favorite deep conditioner, braid it down and tuck it in and then I head into the steam room and sauna. I use the heat to actually benefit my hair! So while I'm relaxing in the heat, my hair is soaking up all the magical hair goodness. :cheese:

[sapphire-o]

Not for me. My hair always grows faster in winter and very slow in summer. Dec - Feb is usually the fast growth season. :)

[metalgypsy85]

My hair grows faster in winter. I think it's because out here in the summer it gets so incredibly hot that it affects my health, where as in winter, I'm a lot more active and calm.

[aahavaa]

I'm having an incredible growth spurt last month or so.For me the summer didnt give me that much growth which was discouraging.But its growing like a weed now.So maybe the bad shedding I had in september is now being compensated for by this faster growing.Hope it keeps up :D

[paperwhite]

I've never paid much attention to how much my hair grows as far as the seasons go, but I'll be watching it this winter and waiting for the results. It gets pretty cold here, but I'm indoors most of the time and have a pretty healthy lifestyle, so I kind of don't think the temperature will have much to do with how much growth I gain.

[redneckprincess]

My hair has seemed to slow growth rate these last few months..I will have to keep track for a few more weather cycles to come up with a conclusion though..I did avarage 7" last year with some months growth being as slow as less then 1/8" a month..and some months getting 1"..right now i think its more like 1/2" a month

[JamieLeigh]

You'd think that since animals grow thicker coats in the wintertime and shed in the spring, we'd be the same way? And maybe we were once upon a time (if you believe in cavemen, etc), but have now adapted to being indoors in wintertime. Who knows? Based on the data from last winter and this summer, I will likely have slower growth from now til April. *cries* :(

[Othala]

My hair grows faster in the winter. I put it down to getting more sleep. I sleep way more in the winter...I wish I could hibernate.

[jojo]

I have grown like 3" since January, which is quite normal for me. My growth spurt is normally November to February, which I normally gain an inch a month. So although for the summer months it grows painfully slow, it manages to catch up to a normal 6" a year.

I did find however, that it grew quicker from shoulders to apl, I dont understand why though!

[KittyLost]

I've heard that your hair grows faster in the summer because of the sun. I have found this to be true in my case at least, or maybe it is just wishful thinking!

However, I seem to find that my hair grows fastest in December! I think it is due to all the healthy christmas meals with lots of vegetables.

[julliams]

I've been taking a photo each month since November 2009 which is over our summer so I will be interested to see if there is any change over the winter. I'm currently growing about 5/8" each month. I certainly hope I don't slow down.

[Sunny_side_up]

the last several winters have been when i've had the most length taken off and i suppose it was still growing pretty well through the cold months because i was having monthly/2 monthly trims back then and still good growth, about two years ago i remember coming up to christmas i really let myself go and i ate alot of junk and bad snacks, drunk way too many sodas and hardly any fruit and not regularly eating a range of veg and pretty sure this resulted in a stall for couple months, so not really sure if it was the season or was the lack of proper nutrients i was getting or both:p

The way i eat now is very diverse and put a good mix together to allow for good absorbtion of nutrients. Im not big on exercise(not a gym goer), but do it day to day when commuting and im on my feet scuttling about all day at work.
Environmentally the recent warm spell here in Britain did make me feel a twinge from my scalp like my hair was 'reacting' to the change in season:)
Im taking monthly pics to track progress
Happy growing:D

[bumblebums]

There may be some individual variation, but I think generally it is true.

The connection between human hair growth and climate is not the same as for animals whose coats grow all over their bodies. We rely on subcutaneous fat to keep us warm--the hair is probably primarily an ornament to signal reproductive fitness. It is most luscious on younger men as well as women, hence the reasoning. If we relied on hair to keep us warm, we would have undercoats, and male pattern baldness would not be nearly as common in our species as it is.

I also don't think there is a direct connection between shedding rate and growth rate. Both might be accelerated in the summer months, according to some studies I've read. I am too lazy to dig up the links now, but I've posted them in other threads on this topic.

[MissCoco]

..........

[Katurday]

My growth goes from .5 inch in the winter to a full inch for the summer and warmer times. I'd say in this case, I am definetly the happy rule. I even count in my summer growth when montioring my future hair goals!

[Sunny_side_up]

My hair grows much faster in the warm seasons. I go out for walks all the time, drink tons, eat all kinds of fruit, and I feel a lot more relaxed-- kind of hippie-like, actually! :rolling:
Seriously though, I'm more healthy in spring/summer, so obviously, my hair growth will be better. Also, I have the personal belief that increased body temperature=good blood flow=better hair growth. Probably just me, though. :)

Definately second this!:) The warmer months brings on a better sense of wellbeing for me, my lousy circulation is much improved too, out being active, enjoying a diverse amount of fruit and veg, find i have a bigger appetite when its cold(but unhealthy, bad fatty things), definately drinking more liquids when its warm out, fluids are good for a healthy body generally.
Happy growing

[my2cats1]

Perhaps this would be a good question for "The Beauty Brains" to answer! :D

I remember when this question came up on another thread, someone from HI said that her hair grew fast all year, but when she moved to the mainland (and begain to expereince "real" winters) her growth rate slowed dramaticly.

I sense a poll to all sunny-climate dwellers (Australia, FL, HI....) coming on :eyebrows:

[Rhiannon7]

I've never known for sure, but myth or truth.....i feel my hair grows faster in spring/summer too. except for last year my hair normally grows nicely in all seasons but definetely faster in spring/summer than winter. I will keep a strict measuring diary from now until next dec. and make sure if it is truth or myth, at least for me.