Seasonal hair loss: causes and remedies

Can seasonal change cause hair loss?

Seasonal hair loss can occur at any time of the year, but most often it manifests itself in the demi-season – autumn and spring. In humans, the process of hair renewal occurs continuously. In the period of “seasonal molting”, especially at the end of summer and beginning of autumn, the ratio between developing and dying hairs changes, so the shedding process becomes more intense. Usually, it lasts no longer than two months and passes on its own. If the increased shedding has dragged on for a longer period, do not waste time, this is a signal to consult a trichologist.

Why does hair fall out in autumn?

Hair loss, repeated from season to season, is rarely associated with pathologies or sharp deviations from the norm of health. Such a loss is provoked by various factors, but in most cases the cause is the internal state of the body. Repetitive circumstances that negatively affect its condition weaken immunity and lead to hair loss. These circumstances include:

1. Hormonal fluctuations. In the summer, hair continues its growth phase, anagen. In autumn, due to the decrease in daylight, the concentration of estrogen in the blood drops, part of the hair follicles enters the telogen (rest) stage, after which increased hair loss occurs.
2. Deficiency of vitamins. Hair is sensitive to a lack of vitamins and minerals. A poor diet and consumption of unhealthy food leads to deficiencies in the body and poor absorption of the necessary trace elements.
3. Decreased immunity. Autumn is the season of infectious diseases that can lead to hair loss. In addition, some medicines also have side effects on the body and, as a result, on the hair.
4. Chronic diseases. The autumn-spring period is a frequent period for exacerbation of chronic diseases, which can provoke increased hair loss.
5. Change of weather. Hair reacts poorly to cold, heat, sunlight, and even worse to sudden changes in weather conditions.
6. Autumn spleen. Due to the shortening of the daylight hours, the increase in damp and cold weather, especially in contrast to the period of happy summer vacations, autumn melancholy and increased anxiety can develop, which negatively affect the whole body.

Is it possible to prevent seasonal hair loss?

It will not be possible to completely stop seasonal hair loss – it has physiological causes, but it is possible to minimize the severity of the process and reduce all the negative consequences of sudden hair loss.

If you have already experienced seasonal hair shedding in previous years, it is better to prepare for this period in advance. Such prevention will be the best choice. You need to start taking actions in the summer period, namely:

• Wear a hat on the beach and during long walks
• Use sunscreen for hair. Today, there are many professional products on the market that improve the condition of hair and contain SPF protection.
• If you have a hormonal imbalance, problems with the thyroid gland, or other diseases, consult a doctor to correct your hormonal background in the summer.
• Follow your healthy and nutritious diet. If necessary, consult a trichologist for the selection of vitamin complexes.
• Plan salon procedures for hair strengthening for the summer and use home care that will prevent hair loss and accelerate hair growth. A trichologist will be able to choose it individually, based on your problems.

In order to minimize hair loss in the autumn, you need to take care of your mental and physical health in the summer. Also, do not forget about quality care.

How to stop seasonal hair loss?

There are often several causes of hair loss, and only by consulting a specialist can you find out which treatment you should take. The doctor will prescribe the necessary tests and determine the cause of hair loss, after which the specialist will draw up your individual treatment plan.

First of all, he/she will prescribe treatment according to existing or newly discovered illnesses or infectious diseases. In some cases, a consultation with a  specialized doctor – endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and others – may be required; they will figure out diseases without treatment of which it is difficult to stop hair loss. In order to support the body, the trichologist will prepare the right diet and select vitamin complexes according to your problem. For active scalp and hair care, the specialist will prescribe specialized trichological procedures that will prolong the active phase of hair life, activate metabolic processes in the scalp, and increase the quantity and quality of hair. For home care against hair loss, the specialist will prescribe trichological shampoos, sprays, lotions. Of course, if your hair starts to fall out in the autumn, you shouldn’t rely only on shampoos, balms, and masks. Cosmetic products will not restore the hormonal balance in the body and will not defeat infectious diseases. However, as additional exposure methods, they will improve the condition of the scalp and make the hair stronger and more attractive.

Below you can find general recommendations for women and men suffering from hair loss:

– Diversify your daily diet: add seasonal vegetables, fruits, cereals and nuts, fatty fish and meat.

– Do not succumb to autumn stress and anxiety. In cases of deterioration of mental well-being, consult a specialist.

– Build your home care to meet the needs of your hair and scalp.

– Reduce thermal hair styling procedures. It is enough to lower the temperature of hot hair styling tools and use heat protection every time before using high temperatures.

– Do not wear tight hats and do not braid tight hairstyles. Be sure to wear warm hats when the temperature is below 0℃.

Following these recommendations will definitely have a positive effect on your well-being and the condition of your body and hair, but it will not necessarily reduce hair loss. Therefore, as we mentioned above, it is best to start treatment with a visit to a trichologist.

A trichologist specializes in the problems of the hairy part of the head and the hair itself – its health, growth, and appearance. In a short time, a trichologist can establish the cause of the problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment. The help of a trichologist will stop hair loss and, just as importantly, restore the lost thickness. Therefore, if seasonal hair loss has dragged on for a long period and you cannot stop it on your own, do not waste time. The reason for the fallout may not lie in the “season” but in a much more complex problem.