More hair on the pillow, in the shower drain, and on the brush. This happens to many people between September and November, and the first reaction is almost always the same: I'm losing my hair. In most cases, that is not what's happening. It is seasonal shedding, which has a clear explanation and resolves on its own.
In summary
- Hair grows in cycles: every day, some hairs reach the end of their cycle and fall out, while a new one is already growing underneath.
- In autumn, the proportion of hair that falls out increases for a few weeks: it is shedding, not permanent hair loss.
- Washing your hair frequently, cutting it, or tying it up does not change the amount that falls out.
- Bald patches, visible thinning along the part or crown, or shedding that lasts more than two or three months: see a dermatologist.
Article written by Elisa Avalle, founder of LeLang Skin Care and specialist in dermocosmetics. Cover image generated with the support of artificial intelligence.
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The hair cycle, briefly
The scalp has an average of 90,000 to 150,000 hairs, and each one follows a three-phase cycle:
- Anagen phase, the growth phase: it lasts for years, generally between three and seven, and involves about 85% of the hair.
- Catagen phase, the transitional phase: a few weeks during which the hair detaches from its nourishing base.
- Telogen phase, the resting phase: two to three months, at the end of which the hair falls out, pushed out by the new hair growing underneath.
Losing hair every day is therefore normal: it is a sign that the cycle is working. People with thick hair lose more in absolute terms simply because they have more hair.
Why more hair falls out in autumn
Studies that have counted hairs throughout the year describe the same pattern: in summer, the proportion of hairs entering the resting phase increases, and since a hair remains in the telogen phase for about three months before falling out, shedding is seen between late summer and autumn. A second, milder peak appears in spring.
It is a phenomenon also observed in animals and linked to changes in daylight hours. In humans, it has lost much of its significance, but the rhythm has remained.
The point is that the hairs that fall out in autumn are not lost: a new hair is already growing in their place. Seasonal shedding usually ends within a few weeks.
How much hair is it normal to lose
There is no single number that applies to everyone. Generally, it is a few dozen hairs a day, which can visibly increase during periods of shedding, especially on days when you wash your hair: washing causes all the hairs that would have fallen out over the following days to fall out at once.
More important than the number is the overall picture: if hair density stays the same, the part does not widen, and no bare patches appear, the shedding is normal.
Seasonal shedding or something else? The main differences
| Situation | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Seasonal shedding | Diffuse hair loss between late summer and autumn that subsides within a few weeks. Hair density does not change. |
| Hair loss after an event (telogen effluvium) | Diffuse hair loss that appears two to four months after a high fever, childbirth, surgery, a drastic diet, severe stress, or starting certain medications. It usually resolves once the cause has passed. |
| Androgenetic alopecia | It is not so much that more hair falls out, but that the hair becomes increasingly thinner: in men at the temples and crown, and in women along the central part. |
| Alopecia areata | Round bald patches with clearly defined edges that appear within a short time. |
Hair loss after an event is often confusing because it occurs months after the cause and is no longer associated with that moment. Postpartum hair loss follows the same mechanism. For hormone-related changes in the hair, see the article on menopause, skin, and hair.
What you can do during seasonal shedding
Seasonal shedding does not require treatment. However, you can support growing hair and eliminate factors that weaken it:
- A gentle shampoo, used as often as the scalp needs. Washing frequently does not cause more hair to fall out: it only makes hair that has already detached fall out sooner.
- No pulling: tight ponytails, braids, and buns worn for long periods can cause thinning along the hairline.
- Less heat: hold the hairdryer at a distance and use a moderate temperature; do not use a straightener every day.
- A complete diet, with sufficient protein. The hair bulb is one of the tissues that renews itself most quickly and is affected by highly restrictive diets.
Lotions and supplements: when they make sense
Scalp lotions work better than shampoo because they remain on the skin, whereas shampoo is rinsed off after just a few seconds. They should be applied consistently, usually every day for at least three months, because the hair cycle is slow and results can only be seen on new hair.
Iron, zinc, or biotin supplements are useful if there is a deficiency, which should be confirmed with blood tests. In people without deficiencies, they have not been shown to reduce hair loss. A pharmacist can help you choose a lotion suited to your situation and understand when a medical check-up is needed first.
When to see a dermatologist
Seasonal hair loss does not require a medical visit. You should see a dermatologist if:
- patches without hair appear, even small ones;
- the part is widening or the crown appears sparser, even without heavy hair loss;
- intense hair loss lasts more than two or three months;
- the scalp is red, very itchy, painful, or scaling in patches;
- there are other signs, such as marked fatigue, heavy periods, or changes in weight, which may suggest iron deficiency or a thyroid problem.
There are medical treatments for androgenetic alopecia and other forms of hair loss, which should be assessed and prescribed by a dermatologist: the sooner treatment begins, the more hair can be preserved.
Frequently asked questions
Does cutting your hair make it stronger?
No. Hair thickness depends on the size of the follicle, not on length. Cutting removes thinned ends and makes the hair feel more pleasant, but it changes neither hair loss nor regrowth.
Does washing your hair every day make it fall out?
No. Washing dislodges hairs that were already at the end of their cycle and would have fallen out anyway in the following days. That is why, if you wash your hair every three or four days, it may seem like more hair falls out during washing.
How long does seasonal hair loss last?
Usually a few weeks. If hair loss is still heavy after two or three months, it is no longer just seasonal, and it is worth finding out the cause.
Do you need to use an anti-hair-loss shampoo in autumn?
Shampoo stays on the scalp for too little time to act on hair loss. It can prepare the scalp, but if you want to support regrowth, the right form is a leave-in lotion.
The next step
If hair loss concerns you, start with a simple observation: look at the part and the crown, not the brush. The pharmacist at LeLang partner pharmacies and para-pharmacies can help you understand whether it is normal shedding or whether you should see a doctor.
Sources for this article
- Kunz M., Seifert B., Trüeb R.M. (2009). "Seasonality of hair shedding in healthy women complaining of hair loss". Dermatology, vol. 219, n. 2, pp. 105-110.
- Randall V.A., Ebling F.J. (1991). "Seasonal changes in human hair growth". British Journal of Dermatology, vol. 124, n. 2, pp. 146-151.
- Kanti V. et al. (2018). "Evidence-based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men". Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, vol. 32, n. 1, pp. 11-22.
- Almohanna H.M. et al. (2019). "The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: a review". Dermatology and Therapy, vol. 9, n. 1, pp. 51-70.
Where to continue: Menopause, skin and hair · The skin barrier
