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If you’ve noticed you’re pulling more strands from your hairbrush, or your plug is looking fuller than usual, you’re not imagining it, we’re in the midst of hair shedding season. Early autumn is primetime for seasonal hair hair shedding, as it lands during a hair growth cycle where it’s prone to fall out more.
Consultant dermatologist and founder of Rhute, Dr Aamna Adel, explains that ‘there’s a recognised pattern of increased shedding in late summer and autumn, and it’s backed by research rather than being an old wives’ tale.’
All year round our hair is actively growing, and a small proportions sits in what’s called a resting phase before falling out – don’t worry this is completely normal. However our hair enters this phase over summer, then released by the time the leaves start falling.
Add a summer of sun, heat, salt water and chlorine into the mix, and Dr Adel explains that hair is left more fragile, so the seasonal shed can have an even bigger impact. Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is classified as normal, especially if you have thicker hair.
However it’s not all bad news, there’s plenty you can do to support your scalp and keep strands healthy throughout autumn and winter, whether that’s tweaking your routine, trying out targeted treatments or rethinking your styling habits. But to help us understand the best approach, we’ve consulted two experts, Dr Adel and Dr Sabika Karim, an aesthetic doctor, GP and founder of Skin Medical.
Here’s their top tips on tackling autumn hair shedding.
If losing hair everyday is normal, at what point should you be worried it’s more than usual?
Seeing hair in your brush, on your pillow, or in the shower drain is just part of the natural hair cycle rather than a sign something’s wrong, says Dr Adel. ‘The point to pay attention to is a sustained change from your own baseline, so noticeably more hair than usual over weeks and months, more scalp showing through, or a ponytail that feels distinctly thinner.’ If hair is coming out in patches, or there’s other underlying changes such as increased fatigue or unusual periods, it could point to a specific cause. ‘If any of that sounds familiar, that’s the point to get it properly assessed rather than wait,’ she said.
Is hair shedding the same as hair loss?
According to Dr Karim, the difference between the two is that shedding is a natural, temporary release of dead hair strands from healthy follicles, whereas hair loss, or alopecia, happens when hair follicles are damaged, shrink or stop producing new hair.
Dr Adel says the simplest way to understand it that shedding is hair being released as part of your regular hair cycle, whereas hair thinning is a sustained loss of hair that isn’t being fully replaced. If you’ve noticed your hair shedding, it doesn’t mean you’re losing your hair. Some shedding is normal, and noticing it in yoru hair brushing doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. Additionally, hair washing will dislodge hair that was going to shed anyway.
Are there any everyday habits that can make shedding worse?
If you’re someone that loves a straightener or curling wand, it might be worth easing up if you’re noticing increased shedding, says Dr Adel: ‘Excessive heat styling weakens the hair fibre and increases breakage, so using a heat protectant and easing off the heat helps, and frequent or back-to-back bleaching is one of the most damaging things you can do, as it compromises the hair’s structure.’
Anothing common cause of breakage is being rough with wet hair when brushing is, which is why it’s well worth investing in a detangling spray and gentle brush to help. Our go-to is Cécred Detangling Spray that’s lightly moisturising and works for to all hair types, and can also be used on wigs, hair extensions and weaves. It smells incredible and a few spritzes is enough to help detangle even the knottiest hair.
Brush-wise, the WetBrush Speed Dry Brush is very reliable if you find yourself with knotty hair after washing. It glides through strands without wincing and minimises any damage from tugging delicate tresses.
How important is scalp care to reducing hair shedding and improving hair health?
Both experts agree that scalp care is central to a healthy head of hair, and vital to reducing shedding. ‘The condition of your scalp, and whether it’s inflamed, clogged, or unhealthy has a direct impact on the hair follicles because it can impact them anchoring the strands, resulting in premature fallout and weak regrowth,’ says Dr Karim.
One way to combat shedding and support your scalp barrier is with a scalp serums ays Dr Adel, who recommends ingredients like niacinamide, panthenol, caffeine and peptides. Her own creation, Rhute’s Density Repair Hair Growth Scalp Serum, combines all these ingredients and is well loved by Metro’s junior publisher, Sarah Bradbury. It also helps to reduce flakiness and balance an oily scalp, with a precise pipette bottle that cna be applied directly to your scalp.
The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Serum is an affordable option too, that gives the appearance of fullness, and uses a blend of peptides and plant extracts to creat the optimum scalp conditions for healthier hair growth.
The Dove Soothing Hydration Scalp Serum is also a popular choice among Boots shoppers and is just a tenner. One said in a glowing review: ‘It’s lightweight, non-greasy and helps relieve dryness without weighing my hair down. A great addition to my hair care routine.’
If you are introducing a scalp serum into your routine, be patient, as results won’t happen overnight. ‘Hair grows slowly, at around a centimetre a month, and the growth cycle is slow to respond,’ says Dr Adel, who adds, ‘as a general guide, give any product at least three to six months of consistent use before judging whether it’s working, and often longer to see the full benefit. You may notice your scalp feeling healthier and your hair looking better fairly quickly, but genuine changes in shedding and density take months, not weeks. The most common reason people think a product hasn’t worked is that they stop too early, so consistency over time is what really matters.’
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