Hair loss · 5 min read
Why Does Hair Fall Out More in Autumn? A Guide to Seasonal Hair Shedding
In Turkey, hair loss is the most searched hair concern, and searches peak every October and November. What causes seasonal shedding, how long it lasts and how to care for your scalp.
Hair loss is Turkey’s number one hair concern
On Google in Turkey, hair loss is the concern searched for most often alongside shampoo. Searches peak every year in October and November. Women search for “hair loss” roughly five times more than men, and the fastest-rising query is “what causes hair loss in women?”.
Hair runs on a yearly calendar
Every hair goes through growth, transition and resting phases; at the end of the resting phase the hair falls out and a new one takes its place. A 6-year study of 823 women found that the share of hairs in the resting phase was highest in summer (Kunz et al., 2009). Those hairs are shed in the following weeks, in autumn.
In short, seeing more hair in your brush in autumn is usually part of the natural cycle, and it is temporary.
Stress, childbirth, dieting: shedding that arrives 3–4 months later
After triggers such as intense stress, an illness with fever, childbirth or sudden weight loss, widespread shedding does not start right away but on average 3–4 months later (Malkud, 2015). That is why people often blame the shedding on the last thing they changed, such as a new shampoo.
Postpartum shedding is very common: it typically starts around the third month, peaks around the fifth and eases over the following months.
The ground hair grows from: the scalp
Hair grows from follicles in the scalp. It is becoming increasingly clear that the environment around the follicles, meaning the scalp’s moisture, oil and microbiome balance, matters for hair health (Polak-Witka et al., 2020). Studies also report that the scalp microbiome balance differs in people experiencing hair loss.
When the seasons change, choosing a shampoo that does not dry out the scalp and supports its balance is a good start. The prebiotic formula cleanses the scalp gently and supports microbiome balance, helping hair grow from healthy ground.
An autumn hair routine
Wash your scalp with lukewarm water; very hot water dries it out. Apply shampoo to the roots while massaging with your fingertips and leave the lather on for 1–2 minutes. Do not comb wet hair roughly; breakage is often mistaken for shedding. Do not neglect a balanced diet: healthy hair is also nourished from within (Almohanna et al., 2019).
Frequently asked
How long does seasonal hair shedding last?
It usually lasts a few weeks and eases on its own. The hair cycle follows a yearly calendar.
Should I switch shampoo in autumn?
A gentle shampoo that does not dry out the scalp and supports its balance is a good choice when the seasons change.
Sources
- Kunz et al. (2009). Seasonality of hair shedding in healthy women complaining of hair loss. Dermatology. PubMed ↗
- Malkud (2015). Telogen Effluvium: A Review. J Clin Diagn Res. PubMed ↗
- Polak-Witka et al. (2020). The role of the microbiome in scalp hair follicle biology and disease. Exp Dermatol. PubMed ↗
- Almohanna et al. (2019). The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatol Ther. PubMed ↗