Hair Shedding Peaks in the Fall—These Are the Most Effective Solves Per Derms and Trichologists

As a beauty editor, I'd classify a few things as anxiety-inducing, such as running out of your favorite foundation when you need it most or realizing you didn't wear waterproof mascara as soon as you begin to cry at a wedding. Most of all, though, I'd say hair thinning tops the list. While it's easy to panic when you notice a sparse hairline or an unusually thin ponytail, experts say it could be seasonal. Yep, it's true. Many people don't know, but hair shedding can peak in spring and fall.

Take it from Mary Wendel, MD, and National Medical Director at Medi Tresse. "Seasonal hair loss is indeed a real phenomenon," she says. "There have been a few observational studies done in men and women that show that hair shedding is relatively common during various seasons of the year. Most commonly, it is observed in the late summer and early fall but can occur during the late spring as well."

Why is our hair more likely to thin during these seasons? The experts aren't exactly sure, but it's likely a side effect of evolution. Michael Tassavor, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. "Shedding peaks in late summer into fall and is lowest in late winter, likely a leftover mammalian rhythm," he told Who What Wear. "More follicles enter the resting phase in summer and shed a few months later. It's usually normal and temporary, not a sign of permanent thinning, but it can make an underlying thinning pattern look worse for a few weeks." So, what can you do about it? As it turns out, a lot. Ahead, learn about the most effective solutions for seasonal hair shedding.

Why Hair Shedding Peaks in the Fall

Wendel says the causes of seasonal hair shedding aren't yet well understood, even by experts. "We are, after all, mammals, and other mammal species have very obvious cyclical thickening and shedding of fur and hair," she says. "Studies done in humans have shown that hair is actually thicker in the summer months, meaning that we actually have more hair strands. Apparently, we shed less and hold on to our hair during the summer months, only to shed more in the fall. There are probably many reasons why this happens, but nothing has yet been scientifically proven. There is speculation that thicker hair might protect the scalp from the damaging UVA and UVB rays of the sun." Additionally, Wendel says increased sun exposure in the summer leads to increased vitamin D absorption. "Recent studies do demonstrate some benefits of vitamin D for improved hair growth."

Craig Ziering, D.O., F.A.A.D., dermatologist, hair transplant surgeon, and owner of ZieringMedical, boils it down to temperature adaptation. "Seasonal hair loss happens when the change in temperature puts stress on the scalp and hair follicles, leading to hair strands falling out faster than usual. In other words, it could be your body's natural response to the changing seasons. "Hair fall may be one of the ways your body is adapting. For some, that change may be seasonal allergies; for others, it may be a shedding of hair."

How to Treat Seasonal Hair Loss

Since seasonal hair loss is natural and temporary, there's no reason to panic if you're experiencing it. However, it's always a good idea to consult an expert if you think your hair is thinning. Take it from Helen Reavey, celebrity trichologist, hairstylist, and the founder of Act+Acre: "Hair naturally moves through different stages of the growth cycle, and at certain times, more hairs may enter the shedding phase at once," she previously told Who What Wear. "That said, if you're experiencing sudden or excessive shedding that persists, I always recommend speaking with a healthcare provider to determine whether there may be an underlying cause."

Experts say it's not possible to entirely prevent seasonal hair shedding because it seems to be a natural, biological response. However, you can support your hair and scalp to lessen its effects. "While I don't think you can totally prevent seasonal hair shedding, I do think by being aware of the problem, you can try to minimize it by having good hair care practices and following a good diet with few processed foods, sticking to foods high in fresh ingredients, and taking a good supplement," Wendel says.

Ziering also emphasizes the importance of a year-round hair and scalp routine. He suggests eating a healthy diet, avoiding shampoos and conditioners with sulfates and parabens, investing in a scalp scrub and hair mask, protecting the hair and scalp from UV rays, and limiting heat treatments and chemical processes. He also suggests taking a supplement—the right, clinically proven one.

The good news? Seasonal hair loss will resolve on its own. "There are more severe types of hair shedding, like telogen effluvium, which require an evaluation and sometimes treatment, but seasonal loss usually does not," Wendel says. "Having said that, I think that if you have a history of this, it is essential to pay close attention to scalp health."

The Best Products for Seasonal Hair Loss

1. Hair Supplements

2. Shampoo and Conditioner

3. Scalp Serum