Autumn is one of beauty's most exciting seasons. Rich berry-toned makeup returns, spicy fragrances are on the radar and vampy manicures make their annual comeback. Less glamorous, however, is the return of seasonal hair shedding. If you've noticed more strands than usual in the shower or caught in your hairbrush, you're not alone.
When your hair is already fine or thinning, the last thing you want is to see even more strands falling out. It can feel especially noticeable, and understandably worrying, after 50. But Dr Aamna Adel, consultant dermatologist and founder of rhute, reassures us that it's a normal part of the hair growth cycle.
Speaking to Good Housekeeping, Dr Adel tells us the causes behind seasonal shedding, how to tell the difference between a normal shed and genuine hair loss, and the simple ways we can support our hair and scalps through the months ahead.
What is seasonal hair shedding?
According to Dr Adel, it's common to notice an increase in hair shedding in late summer and into autumn. ‘It comes down to the hair cycle. At any time, most of your hair is growing while a smaller proportion is in a resting phase before it sheds, and studies show more hairs enter that resting phase over the summer,’ she explains.
The reason you notice the change in autumn is that the hair growth cycle has a built-in delay of around three months. ‘Those hairs are then released together, which is why you notice more in your brush or the shower around now.’
While the cycle is the main driving force, Dr Adel explains there are a few other factors that can come into play. ‘A whole summer of sun, heat, salt water and chlorine leaves the hair fibre more fragile, so breakage adds to the sense of losing more,’ she says.
‘There are also very treatable factors like low iron, low vitamin D, which naturally dips as the daylight fades, or thyroid changes can all contribute, which is why it's worth looking at the whole picture rather than assuming it's only the season.’
How do you distinguish normal shedding from concerning hair loss?
It's important to know the difference between seasonal hair shedding and hair loss that may need further investigation. According to Dr Adel, there are a few key signs to look out for.
Dr Adel explains, ‘Losing somewhere between 50 and 100 hairs a day is completely normal, so hair in the brush or drain is part of the cycle rather than a warning sign. Seasonal shedding should be a modest, temporary increase that settles within a couple of months as the cycle rebalances.’
If excess shedding shows no signs of relenting after four months, it’s worth getting it assessed. ‘Pay attention to a sustained change from your own baseline. A widening parting, more scalp showing through or a ponytail that feels distinctly thinner can all point more towards genuine thinning than a seasonal shed,’ she says.
‘If you have hair coming out in patches, or shedding alongside other symptoms like fatigue or changes in your periods, it is worth getting checked, as it can signal something like an iron or thyroid issue,’ she cautions.
How can I support my hair during the shedding season?
While seasonal shedding is a natural process, giving your hair a little extra TLC can help it look and feel its best. ‘The scalp is the priority, because healthy hair grows from a healthy scalp and looking after it becomes even more important as hair thins with age,’ says Dr Adel. ‘I always favour a simple and consistent routine over anything elaborate because consistency is what delivers.’
Day to day, Dr Adel recommends a gentle cleanse, focusing your shampoo on the scalp, rather than the lengths. The GHI rated the Tresemmé Beauty-Full Strength Shampoo as the best for hair loss in its tests.
She also suggests incorporating a daily scalp serum into your routine. ‘You want something that supports the scalp barrier and the follicular environment,’ she says. ‘This is what I designed the rhute Density + Repair Scalp Serum to do, combining niacinamide and panthenol to support the scalp with actives like caffeine and peptides.’
rhute DENSITY + REPAIR Scalp Serum
When it comes to lengths, hydration is key, especially if your hair is fine or mature. ‘Fine, mature hair benefits from avoiding anything too heavy that weighs it down,’ she says. ‘You want to look for a lightweight conditioner and apply this to the mid-lengths and ends.’
If summer took a toll on your hair, she says it's worth adding a weekly bond or protein treatment into your routine. ‘This will strengthen and protect the lengths. Also, ensure you're getting enough protein, iron, and vitamin D, as the latter tends to drop heading into autumn.’ Here, the GHI recommends Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue Spray, scoring an impressive 85/100 in lab tests.
By giving your scalp and strands a little extra care, the seasonal shed can feel a little less daunting, leaving your hair in the best possible shape once the cycle has run its course.
