BEFORE WE BEGIN...
The information provided in this article is for information purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Please read our disclaimer at the bottom of this page for more information.
INTRODUCTION
Seasonal hair loss happens to so much of us, yet its still somewhat of a mystery. Check out our article for all you need to know about it and how to deal with it.
WHAT IS SEASON HAIR LOSS?
Seasonal hair loss can happen to so many of us, but it’s something that still isn’t fully understood. Both men and women can experience an increased rate of hair fall than normal in Autumn, and for many people, it can be a worrying experience. But fear not. Seasonal hair loss is completely normal, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on the downward slope to pattern baldness.
Put simply, seasonal hair loss is where an individual experiences increased hair fall at certain periods of the year, usually during the sping and autumn seasons.
As we discuss in our article on the hair growth cycle, typically around 8% of a person’s hair is in the resting phase (which is where the hair stops growing and can fall out). However, there are studies showing that the hghest proportion of telogen hairs have been found to occur in the summer, whereas the lowest rates of telogen hairs occur in the winter months.
WHY DOES SEASONAL HAIR LOSS HAPPEN?
There’s not a lot of research into why exactly seasonal hair loss happens, although there is speculation that the stress of all that sunshine, UV rays and heat can have a negative effect on our hair, causing it to fall out.
There is another theory that links it to evolution, where the body grows and retains more hair in the summer months to help protect itself from the damaging effects of the sun. This ‘extra’ hair is then shed as it turns to the cooler months, as the scalp no longer needs the protection.
IS SEASONAL HAIR LOSS NORMAL?
As concluded in one 2009 study, seasonal hair loss is completely normal and plenty of people may experience it without realising. As we’ve mentioned already, a slight increase in hair fall during Autumn is part of the hair’s natural growth cycle. However, if your hair is coming out in clumps or continually falling out, you may be experiencing more serious hair loss issues and it would be wise to seek advice from your doctor.
While seasonal hair loss isn’t something we can necessarily avoid, we can do things to promote healthy hair growth to effectively ‘fill in’ where the hair loss occurs.
If you’re noticing a lot of thinning, you could opt for hair fibres which help conceal sparse hair and add thickness to areas that need it. These can be the ideal short term solution for seasonal hair loss, giving you the thickness and fullness you may lose during the Autumn months.
Have you noticed seasonal hair loss this autumn? What’s your number one hair tip for battling the seasons?
HOW LONG DOES SEASONAL HAIR LOSS LAST?
Seasonal hair loss is just that, seasonal. It should only last throughout the early stages of Autumn, and by late November/early December your hair should return to a normal amount of shedding: around 100 hairs a day.
FURTHER READING
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DISCLAIMER
While our aim is to provide you with uptodate and relevant information, drugs affect each person differently. As such we can not guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects and this information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss treatment options and possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your specific medical history.