Expert warns that the cold weather can make your hair fall out – and gives tips to stop it happening

Experts have warned that this winter could bring about an unexpected harm: Hair loss.

Dermatologists explain that the cold, dry air saps moisture and natural oils from the scalp, causing hair to break off in unusually high numbers.

What’s more, freezing temperatures cause damage to the cuticles – the protective sheath that sits around the individual strands of hair.

‘Dry hair and a dry scalp together can cause breakage, thinning, and hair loss,’ Abbas Kanani, of Online Pharmacy Chemist Click, told The Sun.

‘The scalp can become more prone to dehydration with the cold weather and dry indoor heat.’

Freezing temperatures cause damage to the individual hair strands, making them stiff and more likely to snap off

What’s more, low levels of vitamin D – which is absorbed from the sun via the skin and is needed for hair growth – can exacebate the problem.

Mr Kanani said: ‘The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors, but between October and early March we do not make enough vitamin D from sunlight.

‘It is rarer, but hair loss from deficiency is possible.

‘Deficiencies in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as iron and zinc, have been associated with hair loss.’

But there are an array of preventative steps you can take to keep shedding to a minimum.

One golden rule is never leaving the house with wet hair during the winter – it’s a recipe for hair loss

First, never brave the elements with wet hair.

When temperatures fall below freezing, water molecules in the hair freeze and expand, which makes it more likely to break. And wet hair is more fragile than dry to begin with.

Stylists recommend a leave-in products to moisturize the scalp throughout the colder months because this protects hair from the root to tip.

Hair experts also recommend against over-washing – damaged hair should be washed about twice a week.

Any more frequent than this strips the hair of its natural moisture and oils.

And when you do  wash your hair, try not to blast steaming-hot water. 

High temperatures can dry out the scalp further.

Dr Jaishree Sharad, a cosmetic dermatologist in India, told Vogue: ‘The ideal temperature for a shower is warm, not hot. The recommended temperature range for a shower is between 37°C to 40°C (98°F to 104°F). The duration of a shower should typically be between 5-15 mins as longer showers can strip moisture from your skin, making it dehydrated and dull.’

Hair stylists also recommend people avoid heat styling, or use tools with low-heat settings.

Anabel Kingsley, a hair and scalp specialist and Brand President of Philip Kingsley hair products, told DailyMail.com: ‘It’s not just about the heat of the appliance, it’s about how far you’re holding your dryer away from your hair, how long you’re holding the dryer up to any parts.

‘If you’re holding the dryer against one area of hair for a full minute, that’s going to be really damaging.’

And think twice before reaching for a warm, wooly hat before braving the elements this winter.

A 2001 report published in the International Journal of Dermatology suggested that wearing tight hats could accelerate hair loss. Silk scarves and blended wool fabrics are gentler on the hair and reduce friction and breakage.