Seasonal Hair Shedding: Why It Happens in Autumn and Winter

Seasonal hair shedding is a temporary increase in hair fall, usually noticed between late summer and late autumn. It happens because more hairs move into the resting phase of the growth cycle during the summer months, then fall out a few months later.

If your brush, plughole or pillow has been collecting more hair than usual lately, you are not imagining it. For most people it is a normal part of how hair grows. Here is why it happens, how long it tends to last and how to look after your hair and scalp through the colder months.

Is seasonal hair shedding real?

Every hair on your head goes through the same cycle: a long growing phase, a short transition, then a resting phase that ends with the hair falling out to make way for a new one. At any time, most of your hair is growing and a smaller share is resting.

Research on seasonal patterns is limited, but the findings point in the same direction. A six-year study of more than 800 women found the proportion of resting hairs peaked in July. Because the resting phase lasts roughly two to three months, those hairs tend to shed from late summer into autumn, which matches what many people notice between August and October.

Why do I shed more hair in autumn?

One theory is that longer summer days play a part, signaling more hairs to stop growing and rest. The important point is timing: the hair you lose in October was usually set on its way months earlier. It is not a sign that something has suddenly gone wrong with your hair this week.

Does hair shed more in winter?

The main seasonal shed usually eases off as winter arrives, but colder months bring their own challenges. Central heating, cold winds and swings between indoor and outdoor air can leave hair drier and more prone to breakage. Scarves, coat collars and hats add friction at the nape and lengths.

Wash habits change too. Many people shampoo less often in winter, so naturally shed hairs build up between washes and come away all at once on wash day. It can look like more hair loss when it is really the same amount, just collected over more days.

How much hair shedding is normal?

Losing around 50 to 100 hairs a day is generally considered part of a normal cycle. Rather than counting strands, look at the pattern. Is your ponytail noticeably thinner? Is your parting widening? Are there patches? Those changes matter more than what is in your brush.

If you have curly or coily hair, shedding can look more dramatic. Shed strands stay caught in curls until you detangle, so they tend to appear in one go.

Hair shedding vs hair loss vs breakage

A shed hair falls out from the root and often has a small white bulb at one end. A broken hair snaps somewhere along its length, so it is usually shorter, with no bulb. Shedding is about the growth cycle. Breakage is about the condition of the hair itself, and it is the one your routine can influence most.

How to look after your hair through seasonal shedding

You cannot stop a natural seasonal shed, but you can support your scalp and protect the hair you have.

• Keep your scalp clean. Avoid stretching out washes just because it is colder. A clean scalp, free from excess oil and product build-up, is a good base for healthy-looking hair.
• Detangle gently. Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush, start at the ends and work up. Apply conditioner to mid-lengths and ends for extra slip.
• Turn the heat down. Lower your dryer and tool settings and use a heat protectant every time.
• Reduce friction. Choose looser styles over tight ponytails, swap rough scarves for smoother fabrics and try a silk or satin pillowcase.
• Look after the basics. A balanced diet with enough protein supports healthy hair. If you think you may be low on a nutrient, speak to your GP before reaching for supplements.

When to speak to someone

Seasonal shedding should settle within a few months. If heavy shedding carries on, you notice bald patches or a widening parting, or your scalp is sore or persistently itchy, speak to your GP or a trichologist. Hair responds to stress, illness and other changes in your health, so it is worth finding the cause rather than assuming it is the season.

Paul Mitchell picks for autumn and winter

For fine hair that feels thinner during a shed, the Tea Tree Scalp Care Regeniplex Shampoo and Regeniplex Conditioner cleanse the scalp and may help hair look thicker and fuller.

For extra body when styling, Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Spray can add fullness at the root.

If central heating leaves your hair dry, the Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo is a softer option for winter.

Explore the full Tea Tree Scalp Care collection.