Have you noticed more hair on your brush, pillow, shower drain, or clothes as the seasons change? Seasonal hair shedding is a common concern, particularly around late summer and the beginning of autumn. While seeing extra hair fall can be alarming, increased shedding does not always mean that you are developing permanent hair loss.
Hair naturally goes through different growth phases, and some research has found a seasonal pattern in the hair cycle. Studies have observed an increased proportion of hairs entering the resting, or telogen, phase around late summer and early autumn, which can result in more noticeable shedding afterward.
The good news is that there are several ways to protect your hair, minimize unnecessary breakage, and support healthy hair growth during seasonal changes.
What Is Seasonal Hair Shedding?
Before looking at how to reduce seasonal hair shedding, it is important to understand the difference between hair shedding and hair loss.
It is normal to lose approximately 50 to 100 hairs per day. The exact amount can vary from person to person depending on hair density, washing frequency, hair length, and other factors.
Seasonal shedding refers to a temporary increase in the number of hairs entering the shedding phase of the hair cycle.
Research examining hair-growth patterns has identified seasonal fluctuations in human hair. One study found that the percentage of hairs in the telogen phase reached a maximum around the end of summer and beginning of autumn.
Another study involving more than 800 healthy women found an annual pattern in hair shedding, with the highest proportion of telogen hairs occurring during summer and a smaller secondary peak during spring.
Therefore, noticing more hair fall during the transition into autumn does not automatically mean that something is wrong.
Why Does Hair Shed More During Autumn?
The exact biological explanation for seasonal hair shedding is still being studied. Researchers have suggested that environmental and biological factors may influence the hair cycle.
One study found that seasonal variation in the proportion of telogen hairs was associated with climatic factors such as sunshine exposure.
However, it is important not to assume that every case of increased autumn shedding is caused by the season itself.
Other factors can trigger excessive shedding, including:
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Significant weight loss
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Very restrictive diets
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Emotional or physical stress
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High fever or illness
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Surgery
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Hormonal changes
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Childbirth
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Certain medications
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Nutritional deficiencies
These triggers can cause a condition called telogen effluvium, in which more hairs than usual prematurely enter the resting phase and are subsequently shed.
In some cases, the trigger occurs several months before the person notices increased shedding. This is why it can be difficult to identify the original cause simply by looking at when the hair starts falling.
1. Eat Enough Protein
Your hair is primarily made from a protein called keratin, so adequate protein intake is important for maintaining healthy hair.
Very restrictive diets or consistently consuming too few calories can contribute to hair shedding. The American Academy of Dermatology specifically lists insufficient protein and inadequate calorie intake among factors that can contribute to noticeable hair loss.
Good dietary sources of protein include:
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Eggs
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Fish
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Chicken
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Greek yogurt
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Milk
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Lentils
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Beans
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Chickpeas
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Nuts and seeds
If you are trying to lose weight, avoid extreme calorie restriction. A balanced weight-management plan is generally more appropriate than dramatically cutting food intake.
2. Pay Attention to Iron and Other Nutrients
Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to hair problems.
Iron, zinc, protein, and biotin are among the nutrients associated with hair health. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that inadequate amounts of iron, zinc, biotin, or protein can cause noticeable hair loss.
However, this does not mean that everyone experiencing seasonal shedding should immediately start taking supplements.
If a blood test shows that you are deficient, a dermatologist or healthcare professional may recommend correcting the deficiency. The AAD specifically advises taking biotin, iron, or zinc supplements when testing indicates inadequate levels rather than taking them automatically.
3. Do Not Take High-Dose Hair Supplements Without a Reason
Hair-growth supplements are heavily marketed, particularly those containing biotin.
Biotin is an essential nutrient, but biotin deficiency is relatively uncommon in healthy people, and taking large amounts does not automatically result in thicker hair.
The American Academy of Dermatology warns that excessive amounts of certain nutrients can actually contribute to hair loss. High-dose supplementation should therefore not be treated as a universal solution for seasonal shedding.
If you suspect a nutritional problem, testing and professional advice can help identify what your body actually needs.
4. Be Gentle When Washing Your Hair
Seasonal shedding can make people afraid to wash their hair because they see more strands in the shower.
However, avoiding shampooing does not stop hairs that have already entered the shedding phase from falling out.
Instead, focus on gentle hair care.
Use a shampoo appropriate for your scalp and avoid aggressively scratching or rubbing the scalp. When drying your hair, gently squeeze out excess water rather than vigorously rubbing it with a towel.
5. Reduce Heat Styling
Frequent exposure to high heat can weaken the hair shaft and increase breakage.
This is particularly important if your hair is already fine, dry, chemically treated, or fragile.
Try to limit:
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High-temperature blow-drying
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Frequent straightening
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Curling irons
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Very hot styling tools
When using heat, choose a moderate temperature and use appropriate heat protection.
Remember that hair breakage is not the same as hair shedding from the follicle. You may see shorter broken hairs rather than full-length strands.
6. Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Repeatedly pulling the hair into tight ponytails, buns, braids, or other styles can place mechanical stress on the follicles.
The AAD lists hairstyles that pull tightly on the hair among potential causes of hair loss.
During periods of increased shedding, choose looser hairstyles and avoid constantly placing tension on the same areas of the scalp.
7. Brush Your Hair Gently
Brushing does not need to be aggressive to be effective.
Use a suitable brush or wide-tooth comb, especially when your hair is wet and more vulnerable to mechanical damage.
The AAD recommends brushing or combing gently and only as much as needed for styling because excessive tugging can contribute to hair loss or damage.
8. Take Stress Seriously
Stress can affect the hair cycle.
Major psychological or physical stress can trigger telogen effluvium, and the increased shedding may become noticeable weeks or months after the stressful event.
This is why autumn hair shedding may sometimes be incorrectly blamed entirely on the season when another trigger occurred earlier.
Prioritizing adequate sleep, regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and stress management can support overall health and may help reduce avoidable triggers for excessive shedding.
9. Avoid Crash Diets During Autumn
If you are trying to lose weight, be especially careful with aggressive diets.
Rapid weight loss and significant calorie restriction are recognized triggers of excessive hair shedding.
A diet that is too restrictive can leave you short of protein, iron, zinc, essential fats, and other nutrients needed for normal hair growth.
Instead of focusing only on reducing calories, build meals around nutrient-dense foods and adequate protein.
10. Choose Hair Care Products Carefully
A good hair-care routine cannot completely prevent physiological seasonal shedding, but it can reduce additional breakage and help keep the hair shaft in better condition.
If your scalp is prone to irritation, choose products that are gentle and appropriate for your scalp type.
For people concerned about excessive shedding, Bazaar Egy has a dedicated Hair Loss collection that includes shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, and nutritional supplements.
Can Hair Supplements Help With Seasonal Hair Shedding?
This depends on the reason for the shedding.
If a person has a nutritional deficiency, correcting that deficiency may be important for healthy hair growth. But supplements are not guaranteed to stop seasonal shedding in someone who already has adequate nutrition.
However, these products should be viewed as nutritional support rather than guaranteed treatments for hair loss. If a deficiency is suspected, it is better to identify it before choosing a supplement.
What About Biotin for Seasonal Hair Loss?
Biotin is one of the most recognizable ingredients in hair supplements.
It contributes to normal energy metabolism and is involved in the metabolism of nutrients, but taking additional biotin is unlikely to dramatically change hair growth if you already get enough from your diet.
The AAD recommends that people check whether they are actually deficient before taking hair-growth supplements and warns that excessive amounts of certain nutrients can cause problems.
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Seasonal shedding is generally temporary, but persistent or significant hair loss deserves attention.
Consider seeing a dermatologist if you notice:
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Sudden or severe hair shedding
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Clearly visible thinning
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Bald patches
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A widening part
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Receding hairline
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Scalp itching, pain, or inflammation
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Hair loss that continues for several months
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Eyebrow or eyelash loss
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Hair shedding accompanied by other unexplained symptoms
A dermatologist can distinguish normal shedding from conditions such as telogen effluvium, pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, scalp disorders, or other causes.
The earlier the underlying cause is identified, the easier it can be to choose an appropriate treatment strategy.
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