Why does hair fall out more in autumn? What can you do about it?
September – back to school for some, holidays away from the crowds for others, but one thing many of us have in common: hair that’s falling out more than usual and turning up everywhere – whether you run your fingers through your hair, when you’re brushing it, in the shower and on the towel, on your clothes or on the floor…Help!
What happens to our hair in autumn? Is it normal to lose more hair in September? If so, what can we do to prevent excessive hair loss in autumn and quickly stimulate hair regrowth?
Clauderer explains what seasonal hair loss is and gives you advice on how to keep your hair looking beautiful all year round.
Seasonal hair loss: hormones – it’s always hormones!
A study published in 2021 in the scientific journal PNAS (Tendler et al., «Hormonal seasonality in medical records suggests circannual endocrine cycles») suggests that hormone production follows an annual cycle, with peaks and troughs corresponding to the changing seasons. This is particularly true of sex hormones (testosterone and oestradiol), as well as the «stress hormone», cortisol.
What’s more, another hormone – melatonin, the production of which is governed by the cycle of light and darkness – is thought to play a key role. Melatonin is believed to act as the ‘switch’ that regulates hormone production and its intensity. As evidence of this, variations corresponding to geographical location (closer to or further from the sun) were observed in the study, depending on whether participants lived in the Northern Hemisphere or further south (ibid).
The health of our hair depends on a combination of factors, which are closely linked to cyclical fluctuations in sex hormones – not only in women, of course, but also in men. Thus, hair loss of the androgenetic alopecia type is directly linked to the susceptibility of hair follicles to the harmful effects of an enzyme, DHT, which is produced from male hormones.
It's hardly surprising, then, that hair growth and loss follow a curve that reflects the circadian changes in these hormones.
The days are getting shorter, hair is falling out
In our part of the world, the amount of daylight gradually decreases from the end of August onwards. This reduction in exposure to natural light has several effects on our bodies:
reduced production of melatonin (see above), resulting in fatigue, disturbed sleep, irritability, anxiety and reduced concentration, among other things
weakened immune defences, susceptibility to infections
a drop in vitamin D or calciferol levels. However, this vitamin (in fact, «vitamin» D is also a hormone) is linked to healthy hair growth.
A sign that the sunny days are coming to an end, this visible change in the sky can be hard to cope with and a source of extra stress. That’s all it takes for our hair to look a bit lacklustre!
On holiday, I forget everything – including my hair care routine!
Unfortunately, putting your hair care routine on «hold» during the summer isn’t necessarily a good idea. It is, however, if you cut down on the frequency of intense blow-drying and straightening, if you let the sun add golden highlights to your hair, or if you proudly wear your natural afro without a suffocating wig or ultra-tight braids and extensions that can lead to traction alopecia. But it’s not a good idea if you go out without protection: a hat or a scarf. Nor is it a good idea if you skip a thorough rinse with clean water followed by a nourishing and moisturising treatment after swimming in the sea or a swimming pool. Your hair won’t thank you for it when you get back. You’ll end up with unmanageable, dull, brittle and overly dry hair, split ends and damaged lengths.
Not to mention the resurgence of irritation after the sun's soothing effect on scalps sensitive to psoriasis or dermatitis. That's over too, especially if stress gets in the way.
Do also bear in mind what you eat whilst on holiday. It’s fine to treat yourself, but it’s best to opt for fresh produce: fruit and vegetables packed with vitamins, fresh fish rich in omega-3, and so on. Too much refined sugar, fast food or alcohol can be harmful to the health of your hair.
In short, you're in hair distress from the very first days of the new school year.
S for September, s for stress
Stress – whether occasional or chronic – is a factor that exacerbates hair loss and has a serious impact on hair health: a study by the Harvard Stem Cell Institute A study led by Dr Ya-Chieh Hsu (published in the journal *Nature* in 2021) has identified, in mice, the mechanism by which a stress hormone blocks the regeneration of hair follicles.
Occasional stress affects hair growth as a whole and causes what is known as telogen effluvium. Under the influence of stress, the hair follicles simultaneously slow down their activity and all the hair enters the resting phase (telogen phase) at the same time. Whilst normally only a small proportion (15–%) of hair enters the telogen phase, the hair cycles become completely disrupted. This is why it feels as though you are losing your hair in handfuls. The good news is that telogen effluvium is reversible once the sources of stress have been eliminated or brought under control.
In cases of chronic stress, under the influence of cortisol produced by the adrenal glands, the hair follicles receive a signal that prolongs their resting phase. Hair growth slows down. Over time, hair regrows less frequently, is of poorer quality, becomes finer and loses density.
Another consequence of chronic stress is premature greying of the hair, as the melanocytes (which are responsible for hair pigmentation) are irreversibly damaged.
Note: Is there hope for natural hair regrowth? Whilst hair greying is irreversible, as the hair follicle’s stem cells are merely dormant, it might be possible to «reawaken» them to stimulate renewed hair growth. For the time being, this is unfortunately only a hypothesis.
Solutions to reduce sudden seasonal hair loss
Anticipate
Rather than end up with hair falling out in handfuls as soon as you get back from holiday, it’s better to take preventative measures. So, you can:
Start a course of hair-specific dietary supplements straight away (Racines Plus) from August onwards. An effective dietary supplement for healthy hair contains at least B vitamins and trace elements such as zinc, iron and sulphur
Make an appointment with your favourite hairdresser to trim any split ends that are too damaged to be saved
Check your vitamin D levels and take supplements if necessary.
Repair
We’ll stay cosy indoors and treat ourselves to some pampering treatments, leaving them on for a while to maximise their effects
Hair masks rich in jojoba, shea butter and castor oil to strengthen the hair shaft and combat hair loss, massages to relax the scalp and stimulate microcirculation — and what’s more, they help relieve stress!
Purifying treatments to restore balance to a cleansed scalp. It’s important to remember that a healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair.
You can use an intensive anti-hair loss treatment with localised application of anti-hair loss serums such as N°6R.
Damaged hair? Swap your usual shampoo for an ultra-gentle cleansing cream or a moisturising emulsion to gently cleanse hair that’s been through a lot over the summer.
Maintain
make some good resolutions to protect your hair and face the winter with confidence
Set up a simple hair ritual that you can enjoy doing without any constraints.
Protecting your scalp to reduce the frequency of and soothe flare-ups of dermatitis or psoriasis – the right routine: Use the purifying lotion once a week, leave it on for a while, then rinse it off and wash your hair with the gentlest shampoo possible
Returning to a healthy lifestyle helps to restore your gut microbiota, which is the key to balance. This involves eating a varied diet with few processed foods.
Keeping your hair looking beautiful in autumn – yes, it is possible
Finally, if, despite everything, your hair continues to fall out after a few weeks, this may be a sign of a more underlying imbalance: make an appointment with the Clauderer specialists, who will carry out a hair assessment and provide you with a solution to effectively slow down hair loss and quickly restore a strong, healthy head of hair. A great way to start the new season, isn’t it?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to lose more hair in September?
Yes, this more pronounced hair loss at the start of the new school year is a common phenomenon and is generally reversible; it is linked to seasonal hormonal changes, reduced daylight and the stress of the end of summer.
Why does hair fall out more in autumn?
Several factors come into play: a drop in melatonin production linked to reduced natural light, the stress of going back to school, which can trigger telogen effluvium, and the harsh effects of summer (sun, chlorine, salt), which weaken the hair shaft.
How long does seasonal hair loss last?
It is usually temporary and subsides within a few weeks, once the causes (stress, lack of light, hair damaged by the summer) have been addressed with the right treatments.
When should you see a specialist about hair loss?
If hair loss persists for more than a few weeks despite following a suitable hair care routine, it is best to consult the Clauderer Specialists for a personalised hair assessment and a tailored solution.