🍂 Why do we lose more hair in autumn ?

Losing more hair in autumn is normal: several studies have observed seasonal hair loss, most visible between late summer and early autumn. It is linked to the hair's natural cycle and to changing daylight, it is temporary and it settles down within a few weeks. Here is what the science says, how long it lasts and how to support regrowth.

We notice it every year: in autumn, the pavements fill with fallen leaves, and so do our brushes. Is it serious? Hormonal? The end of our volume? Rest assured: no, no and no again. This little episode has been observed and measured by researchers who counted hairs one by one.

Why do we lose more hair in autumn? What the science says

A study of 823 healthy women, followed for six years, showed a seasonal variation in the hair cycle: more hairs enter the so-called telogen phase (resting phase) during the summer, which logically leads to more visible shedding in autumn (Kunz, Seifert and Trüeb, Dermatology, 2009; PubMed 19407435).

This study confirmed a pattern observed earlier (Randall and Ebling, British Journal of Dermatology, 1991): the percentage of resting hairs peaks in late summer and early autumn, before returning to normal in winter. In other words, hair has its own back-to-school season too.

An analysis of Google searches between 2004 and 2016, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, points the same way: searches related to "hair loss" rise every year between July and October. Our hair worries follow the seasons as well.

What causes seasonal hair loss?

Scientists point to several explanations, all natural:

• Light. Hair follicles appear to be sensitive to photoperiod: shorter days, less light and changing melatonin production are all biological signals that the season is changing.
• The natural hair cycle. Hairs that grew during the summer, a period of rapid growth, reach the end of their cycle. They fall out to make way for the next generation.
• The effects of summer. Sun, salt, chlorine, sand, wind: summer is good for morale, a little less so for keratin. The hair oxidises, weakens and sometimes ends up falling out in October. To repair the fibre, also read why hair is dry after summer.
• Back-to-work stress. Stress can also affect the hair cycle.

Should you worry about hair loss in autumn?

No, you are not going bald. This shedding is temporary, natural and often invisible in the medium term.

Dermatologists call it seasonal telogen effluvium: diffuse, moderate and above all reversible hair loss (Headington, 1993). Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered normal; in autumn, this figure can rise for a while.

How long does autumn hair loss last?

The cycle resumes on its own after a few weeks, and everything usually settles down before the end-of-year holidays. The hairs that fell out are gradually replaced by new ones.

When should you see a doctor?

See a dermatologist if you lose more than 100 hairs a day for several weeks, if the shedding comes with thinning patches, or if it continues beyond autumn. To tell the difference, read our article: hair loss, what is normal and what is not.

What can you do about hair loss in autumn?

There is no wrong season for taking care of yourself, or of your scalp:

• Wash gently: choose a gentle shampoo, such as our solid shampoos, made in small batches in our Paris atelier. Special mention for the anti-hair loss solid shampoo, which strengthens the roots and limits breakage.
• Nourish without weighing down: a conditioner rich in plant ingredients strengthens the fibre without making it greasy, like our solid conditioner with avocado and shea.
• Let it breathe: avoid hairstyles that are too tight and blowouts that are too frequent.
• Eat a balanced diet: iron, protein, zinc and B vitamins all contribute to healthy hair.
• Observe without worrying: keep an eye on how things develop, and see a doctor if the shedding persists.

Would you prefer personalised advice? We offer a free scalp diagnosis at the Maison-Atelier, in the Marais.

In short

• Hair loss naturally increases in late summer and early autumn.
• It is explained by the hair cycle, decreasing daylight and the stresses of summer.
• It is temporary and settles down within a few weeks.
• Beyond 100 hairs a day for several weeks, or if you notice thinning patches, see a dermatologist.

The leaves are falling, and so is our hair: it is the season. But like trees, it grows back. What matters is less counting what we lose than cherishing what we keep, and giving it the best possible care.