The hair cycle has three main stages: anagen (growth phase), catagen (transition phase), and telogen (resting phase). Once this cycle is complete, the hair will fall out. It is a natural process. The normal daily hair loss is around 50–100 hairs per day. If the loss exceeds this amount, it may indicate an internal health issue. However, there is one exception – periodic hair shedding during certain seasons. Let’s discuss this in more detail.
What Is Seasonal Hair Loss?
This term refers to a time when hair falls out more heavily than normal. It can occur in both women and men, but statistics show that it is more common among women.
In Which Seasons Does It Occur Most Often?
Normally, a healthy body “sheds” hair for about six to eight weeks during seasonal changes. This stage can be prolonged by some deficiencies or illnesses and shortened by proper care and general health.
It is most common during the fall and spring, when the body is naturally adapting to new conditions. If you notice that in summer or winter, you are losing a lot of hair, it is probably not seasonal hair loss – in such cases, you should see a hair care specialist.
How Is Seasonal Hair Loss Different From Other Causes?
During seasonal hair loss, the number of hairs falling out increases, but the shedding is even and doesn’t affect the overall appearance of your hairstyle. There are no bald patches or visibly thinning areas.
In cases of hair loss caused by conditions like alopecia, hair falls out heavily in specific areas, leading to visible patches.
Hair affected by autoimmune diseases tends to differ from healthy hair – it appears thinner and weaker.
| Feature | Seasonal Hair Loss | Alopecia / Pathological Hair Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6–8 weeks | More than 2 months |
| Hair thinning | Mild, diffuse | Visible bald patches |
| Hair structure | Usually normal | Often thinner and weaker |
| Scalp condition | Usually healthy | May include itching or inflammation |
| Need for treatment | Supportive care | Medical diagnosis required |
Why Does Seasonal Hair Loss Occur?
- Deficiencies in iron, zinc, silicon, iodine, selenium, vitamins B7, C, and D, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids, can weaken hair and lead to shedding.
- Weakened immunity during seasonal changes. During periods of physiological stress, the hair growth cycle may be temporarily affected.
- Unbalanced nutrition – in spring, people tend to eat more fresh greens and early vegetables, often reducing protein intake.
- Cold-related illnesses – medications used for treatment may negatively affect hair health.
- UV damage – hair weakened by summer sun exposure may begin to shed rapidly in autumn.
Link to Emotional and Psychological State
The start of the school year or return to work after a vacation, as well as winter preparation or holiday stress, can all trigger emotional strain. Stress may negatively affect the normal hair growth cycle through hormonal and physiological changes in the body. As a result, hair follicles receive fewer nutrients, pushing hair into the telogen (resting) phase, eventually leading to shedding.
How to Prepare for Seasonal Hair Loss?
If you’ve experienced seasonal hair loss before, it’s best to prepare in advance. Preventive care is the most effective approach. Start in the summer:
- Wear a hat during long walks and at the beach.
- Use hair products with sun protection. Many professional formulas contain SPF to help maintain healthy hair.
- If you have any hormonal imbalances or thyroid issues, consult a doctor in the summer to stabilize your health.
- Ensure your diet is healthy and balanced. A healthcare professional or qualified hair specialist can recommend supplements if necessary.
- Plan strengthening salon treatments for summer and use home care products to support healthier-looking hair density. A trichologist can tailor a regimen to your needs.
- In summer, pay attention to your mental and physical health – it can help you a lot to reduce hair loss in autumn.
Why Hair Falls Out More in Autumn Than in Spring
You may have noticed that seasonal hair shedding in spring is usually less intense than what happens in autumn. At first glance, this seems strange: during summer, we eat plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables, so the body receives more vitamins. Besides that, we tend to rest more.
Hair falls out more intensely in autumn because:
Summer Dehydration and UV Damage Accumulate
If you do not wear head coverings and do not take proper care of hair hydration, the hair structure deteriorates throughout the summer. During this season, it is also very easy to get a scalp sunburn and experience hair loss caused by sun exposure.
Oxidative Stress May Negatively Influence Normal Follicle Function
Due to constant heat, dust in the air, and other negative factors, hair follicles experience oxidative stress. Their metabolism weakens, and the anagen phase (the active growth stage) becomes shorter. Meanwhile, the telogen phase (the resting stage when hair stops growing and eventually falls out) becomes longer.
Telogen Synchronization
Hair follicles constantly go through phases of active growth and rest. However, nature designed these phases to occur at different times for each individual hair. After summer, many follicles may synchronize their cycles. As a result, a large amount of hair falls out at once, and then, after some time, it starts growing back again.
Why Does Spring Hair Shedding Usually Feel Less Intense?
In winter, we wear hats more often, have more time for proper hair care, and experience less dehydration. In addition, there is no harmful ultraviolet exposure during winter. As a result, despite vitamin deficiencies after winter, hair volume loss in spring is usually much less noticeable.
How to Care for Hair During Seasonal Hair Loss?
If you regularly care for your hair and scalp, seasonal hair loss shouldn’t be a concern. A little attention goes a long way in minimizing hair loss during this sensitive time. Here’s a year-round hair care routine to adopt:
- Proper cleansing. Always select a shampoo that suits your hair type or addresses your concern. Use a scalp scrub at least once a month to help maintain scalp cleanliness and comfort.
- Hair Conditioner. A conditioner helps restore pH balance and seals the cuticle after washing. Apply it from mid-length to the ends.
- Nourishment. Hair masks provide intensive nourishment, repair, and strengthening through their concentrated formulas.
- Protection. Use sprays, oils, or leave-in products to protect hair. In case of using hot styling tools, a heat protectant is a must.
- Gentle brushing. A poor-quality brush can damage hair regardless of the products used. Opt for professional tools with soft bristles.
You do not need to perform all these procedures every day, so do not be alarmed. For example, after one wash, you may use a peeling treatment, while after another, you may apply a hydrating or nourishing mask. Different care combinations can be used on different days. This way, you will not feel overwhelmed, and the routine will remain manageable and easy to maintain.
What to Do If Seasonal Hair Loss Has Already Started?
As upsetting as it may be to see too much hair in the sink or on your brush, you cannot completely stop the hair that is currently falling out. It is the first thing you will have to accept. It does not mean that everything is lost now and nothing should be done. It simply means that the main focus shifts toward scalp health and supporting the structure of the hair that has not fallen out.
Why?
Because the hair that is falling out now “decided” to do so roughly 2 to 3 months ago, when it entered the shedding phase (the telogen phase).
What Should You Do?
You will need to take a comprehensive approach. On the one hand, avoid stress, tight hairstyles, and similar factors. Additionally, you may choose a high-quality silk pillowcase to reduce hair damage.
The next step is to take care of a full health check-up and provide the body with all the necessary micronutrients and vitamins. We will discuss this in more detail a little later.
And only after completing all these steps should you optimize your routine.
Which DSD Products Help with Seasonal Hair Loss?
Some DSD products may be useful when dealing with seasonal hair thinning.
Some cosmetic hair care products may help support scalp comfort and maintain the appearance of healthy hair during seasonal shedding. Product selection should always depend on individual scalp condition and professional advice.
DSD 3.4.1 Crexepil De Luxe Forte Lotion
The product is suitable in case of hair shedding, as it contains caffeine, purines, and pyrimidine bases. Its formula is created to help in regulating excess sebum and help support scalp condition and cosmetic hair care.
DSD 3.1 Intense Shampoo
It can be used in cases of weakened hair because the shampoo formula provides gentle cleansing without overdrying.
1.3 Peeling
A gentle peeling treatment about once a week works well for maintaining scalp health. Peeling removes dead skin particles and helps eliminate hyperkeratosis. As a result, the effects of other hair care products may become more noticeable because they are applied to well-cleansed and properly prepared skin.
To make product selection easier, we've summarized the most common seasonal hair concerns and the DSD products typically recommended for each situation.
| Concern | Recommended DSD Product | Main Action |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive shedding | DSD 3.4.1 Lotion | Helps support the appearance of fuller-looking hair during seasonal shedding |
| Weak, thin hair | 5.1 Steel & Silk Shampoo | Helps support the cosmetic condition of weakened hair |
| Sensitive scalp | DSD Dixidox De Luxe Forte Lotion | Gentle cleansing and scalp comfort |
| Slow regrowth | 3.4.4 Capixyl + Placenta Shock de Luxe Lotion | Helps maintain the appearance of healthy-looking hair density |
Prevention of Hair Loss
To prevent seasonal hair loss, it’s important to take vitamin D (under medical supervision) and B-complex vitamins. Vitamins A, C, and E also support the hair growth cycle – their deficiency can result in brittle or thinning hair. Schedule regular medical check-ups and blood tests once a year.
A well-balanced diet including different meats, dairy, vegetables, fruits, oils, grains, and cereals ensures a sufficient supply of essential nutrients. If you’re following a weight loss or medically recommended diet, consult your doctor about taking additional supplements to avoid deficiencies.
| Nutrient | Why It Matters | Food Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | Supports oxygen delivery to follicles | Liver, red meat, lentils |
| Vitamin D | Plays a role in normal hair follicle function | Fatty fish, supplements |
| Zinc | Supports follicle repair | Pumpkin seeds, seafood |
| Omega-3 | Reduces scalp dryness | Salmon, flaxseed oil |
| Biotin (B7) | Supports keratin production | Eggs, nuts |
Can Seasonal Hair Loss Be Prevented Completely?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely avoid seasonal hair thinning. However, its negative effects can be minimized. This is supported by:
- balanced nutrition,
- stress management,
- high-quality scalp care.
When Does Seasonal Hair Loss Become Pathological?
Consult a doctor if you notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Hair loss lasting more than two months.
- Visible bald patches or noticeably thinning areas.
- Severe scalp itching or inflammation.
- Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes.
All these symptoms may indicate inflammatory processes or other medical conditions that may not be directly related to the hair itself but still affect its strength and volume.
Common Mistakes During Seasonal Hair Loss
Seasonal hair loss is temporary, but sometimes follicles become additionally weakened because of other factors. This may include incorrectly selected hair care, self-treatment attempts, or the use of aggressive products. As a result, the telogen phase becomes longer, and hair volume decreases. Trichologists recommend avoiding certain mistakes in order not to worsen the problem.
Aggressive Coloring and Chemical Procedures
When you undergo keratin straightening, chemically perm, bleach your hair several shades lighter, or remove color entirely, it creates additional stress. The hair shaft is already thinner and weaker during seasonal shedding. When aggressive procedures are added on top of this, they may lead to breakage.
Daily Heat Styling
Your curls may look totally fab but if you use a hot curling iron every day, the cuticle weakens and moisture loss increases. Hair becomes more fragile and falls out more easily.
What Should You Do?
You can try alternative curling methods:
- soft rollers,
- robe belt curls,
- braid styling, and similar techniques.
Your hair will still look beautiful, but the structure will not suffer as much damage.
If you still cannot give up your curling iron, make sure to use high-quality heat protection. Ignoring heat protection means consciously accepting the potential damage that high temperatures may cause to your hair.
Tight Hairstyles
High ponytails, tight braids, and firmly secured buns look incredibly stylish. Even during autumn or spring shedding periods, these hairstyles are acceptable. The main rule is not to wear them every day.
Overusing Multiple Hair Loss Products
This is not the best solution because some ingredients may not work well together. It is better to choose a multi-step routine that suits your specific scalp type. Ideally, this should be done together with a trichologist, since they can perform a proper examination and base their recommendations on your individual characteristics.
Which Doctor Should You See for Hair Loss?
If you're experiencing hair loss, consider consulting a dermatologist or a qualified hair and scalp specialist. A trichologist focuses on cosmetic scalp and hair care and may help recommend supportive routines for hair and scalp maintenance.
A consultation may include discussing your symptoms (e.g., how long seasonal hair loss has lasted and the amount of hair lost), as well as a trichoscopy – a close examination of the scalp using a magnifying device. The doctor may also execute a pull test to assess shedding. Additional tests (e.g., blood work or other specialist referrals) may be recommended if needed.
This article is intended for informational and cosmetic care purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.