Hair Loss in Autumn: Is It Normal?

Hair loss in autumn is a common process that often causes concern, but in most cases it is completely normal. Discover why it happens and how to slow down hair shedding during this season.

Is it normal to lose more hair after summer?

There are several times of year when we tend to notice more hair shedding, mainly in spring and autumn. So yes, it is normal. There is no need to worry.

In this post, we are going to look at what causes hair loss in autumn, known as seasonal hair shedding, its characteristics, possible complications and, most importantly, how we can prevent it, slow it down or reduce it as much as possible.

Why does hair fall out more in autumn?

In most cases, if there is no previous condition, it is simply part of the natural hair life cycle. Although it can sometimes feel alarming, it is very common and it does have a limited duration.

The hair life cycle

This type of shedding, when it happens at times such as spring and summer, is known as seasonal hair loss. It can share some features with reactive hair loss, caused for example by stress or poor diet, but the one that happens around spring and summer is what we call seasonal shedding.

During the summer, the hair is in the telogen phase, also known as the resting phase. And what happens during this phase? Hair has already finished growing and completed its activity, but it remains anchored for a few more weeks. When the new hair starts to grow, it pushes this hair out until it falls and makes room for the new strand. This process coincides with the spring and summer months, which is why hair shedding in autumn happens, for example when washing or brushing the hair. But those actions are not the cause. Rather, the hair that is only weakly anchored and waiting for the new hair to push it out finally comes away to make space for new growth.

There are also other factors that may accelerate or encourage this shedding, such as the stress we place on the hair during the summer months, for example chlorine, salt, sun exposure, sweat, caps or hats. This weakens the hair fibre and contributes to later hair loss.

When does it stop being normal?

Normally, it depends on how long the shedding lasts and how much hair we are losing. The normal duration is between 8 and 12 weeks, but if it lasts longer than that, the ideal step is to see a dermatologist so that they can assess the situation and look into the cause of the more intense shedding.

How can we slow down hair shedding?

In reality, hair shedding is a natural part of the life of our hair and will settle on its own, as it is the normal way hair renews itself. However, on our website we have some treatments to strengthen the hair follicle and help speed up growth so that the shedding or loss of density is less noticeable. Our recommendation would be:

• Anacaps Reactiv by Ducray. With ingredients such as iron, biotin, B vitamins and zinc, all essential for stimulating hair growth, it improves microcirculation so that the follicles receive the nutrients they need, helping to prevent and reduce premature shedding.
• Iraltone anti-hair loss lotion. This lotion works externally and locally. It contains very interesting ingredients that are also suitable for different types of hair loss, such as reactive hair loss and even hormonal hair loss. It should be applied daily to the roots with a gentle massage so that it works locally.
• René Furterer Triphasic Shampoo. We recommend it as a complementary product, not as a treatment on its own. It can be included to support the main treatment, which ideally would combine oral support (capsules) with a topical treatment (lotion).
• If the hair loss is more noticeable, we can also consider medicines for alopecia such as Regaine (Minoxidil). It is important to bear in mind that this is a medicine and we always advise using it under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist.

Other tips to slow down hair shedding

• Maintaining a balanced diet is very important for keeping hair healthy and well cared for.
• Stress, already mentioned above, is a factor that can accelerate hair shedding, so trying to reduce it will help slow stress-related hair loss.
• The use of straighteners or very tight hairstyles can also weaken the hair fibre or cause traction alopecia from the famous “clean look” styles. As far as possible, we advise avoiding these habits.

Although seasonal shedding can be normal, it is important to pay close attention to the type of shedding, especially the amount and the duration, so that if it goes on for too long, we can see a doctor and identify the cause.

Even so, in our online pharmacy you can find different products that may help slow it down.