Spring: what haircare routine should you adopt?

Wind, freezing temperatures and wearing hats and scarves have put hair under considerable strain during the winter and have weakened the hair fibres. Indeed, these different factors tend to alter the cuticle, the hair’s protective outer layer, by lifting its scales. This makes the hair drier, duller and more brittle, with a greater tendency to develop split ends. When spring arrives, this accumulated fragility can also heighten the perception of seasonal hair shedding, which is already common at this time of year. Therefore, to restore cohesion to the fibres and prepare them for the change of season, they must first be repaired using nourishing treatments. These will help them rebuild their protective envelope and re-seal the lifted cuticle scales.

• Do oil baths.

  To restore this protective barrier, you can use baths of plant oils, for example avocado oil, once or twice a week. These provide lipids capable of reinforcing the cohesion of the cuticle scales. Rich in fatty acids such as linoleic acid, plant oils help to fill any irregularities between the ceramides, found in the intercellular cement of the cuticle and responsible for keeping the scales adhered to one another. At the same time, the fatty acids present in plant oils help to reconstitute a protective film on the surface of the hair, limiting dehydration and improving resistance to everyday aggressions (repeated brushing, hairdryer, colouring, bleaching, UV rays, straightening, etc.).

  Specifically, apply a few drops of oil to the lengths and ends, leave it on for about fifteen minutes, then proceed with your shampoo.

• Apply a nourishing and restorative mask.

  To deeply nourish and repair the hair fibre, you can also apply a mask to your ends instead of an oil bath. This step is carried out once or twice a week on washed hair, before rinsing thoroughly. These treatments generally contain vegetable oils and butters, which help to fill in the hair cuticles and restore shine and suppleness.

The transition from winter to spring is frequently accompanied by seasonal hair loss, sometimes perceived as more significant than during the rest of the year. This phenomenon is partly explained by variations in light exposure: the lengthening of daylight hours leads to a reduction in melatonin production, a hormone involved in the regulation of biological rhythms. Melatonin also plays a role in the hair cycle by supporting the growth phase, or anagen phase, and by exerting an antioxidant effect. Its decline may therefore promote a more rapid shift of hairs into the shedding phase, or telogen phase, contributing to hair loss in the spring.

Note : Springtime hair shedding is a well-documented phenomenon in the scientific literature.

As an example, a group of researchers monitored more than 800 women over six years and observed two annual peaks in the proportion of hairs in the telogen phase: in April and in July.

In parallel, the change of season places the body under a phase of physiological adaptation. Variations in temperature, humidity and lifestyle can generate transient stress, which may affect the balance of the hair growth cycle. A varied and balanced diet plays a key role here: adequate intakes of micronutrients (iron, zinc, B-group vitamins) and antioxidants help support the health of the hair follicle and limit excessive shedding. Certain plant extracts rich in antioxidant compounds, such as green tea or rosemary, are also being investigated for their potential to improve scalp circulation and reduce oxidative stress, although clinical studies on this topic remain limited.

Finally, a few simple steps can help limit hair weakening in spring. Favour rinsing with lukewarm water and avoid excessively high heat sources, such as high‑temperature hairdryers, which can damage the hair fibre. When drying, gently pat the hair with a towel rather than rubbing it, in order to preserve its integrity and reduce breakage.

In spring, exfoliating the scalp can be particularly relevant to support seasonal changes. Like the skin on the face, the scalp undergoes continuous cell renewal, but this can be disrupted by the build-up of sebum, product residues or environmental particles (pollen, pollution), which are more prevalent at this time of year. The result is an accumulation of dead cells, which may lead to itchy scalp in spring and disrupt the skin microbiome.

Carrying out a scalp scrub thus helps to gently dislodge build-up from the scalp and to reduce the obstruction of hair follicles. Used alongside shampoo, it promotes a healthier environment that supports optimal hair growth, and enhances the penetration of the active ingredients in subsequent treatments, whether these are purifying, soothing or strengthening.

Tip : For a healthy scalp, perform one to two exfoliating treatments per week.

Following the various forms of damage they have undergone during the winter, in particular friction from scarves and tangling caused by the wind, hair commonly develops split ends in the spring. From a microscopic point of view, split ends appear when the scales of the cuticle, which are normally tightly packed together, become “detached” from one another. Once exposed, the hair fibre is weakened and splits into several fragments. To give your hair a boost and revitalise it, it is best to cut off all the damaged sections.

Once a split end has formed, it cannot be removed. A snip with the scissors will also give you a good base for facing the new season and the return of warmer weather.

With the return of sunny days, the hair is more exposed to the sun, which has consequences for its structure. The hair fibre absorbs UV radiation, which interacts directly with its constituents, particularly keratin. Certain amino acids, such as tryptophan, are especially sensitive to UVB and undergo chemical transformations that are markers of photodegradation of the hair. At the same time, UV rays can alter disulphide bonds, which are essential for the cohesion and mechanical strength of the fibre, making the hair more brittle and fragile. UVA rays, for their part, promote the formation of free radicals, which are responsible for the oxidation of hair proteins and pigments. This results in progressive lightening, with yellowish tones, and a loss of shine. Finally, sun exposure is often accompanied by dehydration of the fibre, increasing dryness, particularly in curly or coily hair.

To limit the effects of the sun on the hair, the simplest solution is still to wear a hat or a scarf, which creates a barrier against UV rays.

The use of hair care products containing UV filters or antioxidants can also help protect the fibre against oxidative stress. In addition, remember to apply moisturising or nourishing treatments regularly to compensate for water loss, and to rinse your hair with clean water after prolonged exposure to the sun. Finally, limiting the use of heated styling tools during the summer helps avoid adding further sources of damage to a fibre that is already weakened.

In spring, the increased presence of pollen in the air can also affect the scalp. These fine particles settle easily on the hair and can accumulate throughout the day, which may be troublesome, particularly for people who are sensitive or prone to allergies. This can lead to scalp itching and may even exacerbate certain irritations. To limit this effect, it is advisable to wash your hair more frequently during periods of high pollen, to avoid handling it excessively after being outdoors and, if necessary, to tie it back to reduce its contact with allergens. Rinsing the hair at the end of the day also helps to remove pollen residues effectively.

• TRUEB R. & al. Seasonality of hair shedding in healthy women complaining of hair loss. Dermatology (2009).

• VELASCO M. V. & al. Effects of solar radiation on hair and photoprotection. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology: Biology (2015).

• WILLICUT R. J. & al. UV and visible light exposure to hair leads to widespread changes in the hair lipidome. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2022).

• TROMPEZINSKI S. & al. Protective and cleansing effect of a skin care product against pollen allergen accumulation in the hair follicle. Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2022).

• ABOU-HUSSEIN D. & al. Pathophysiology, conventional treatments, and evidence-based herbal remedies of hair loss with a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology (2025).

• HALAYOUBI H. & al. Herbal remedies for hair loss: A review of efficacy and safety. Skin Appendage Disorders (2025).