Seasonal Hair Loss – Myth or Reality?

Many women begin to notice significant hair loss in late autumn, particularly in October and November, leading many to believe that hair loss could be seasonal.

Around this time of year many men and women - though women in particular - become aware of more hair being lost during washing or brushing than normal. After careful analysis Swedish researchers have confirmed that some hair loss is indeed seasonal.

Humans tend to shed between 50 and 100 hairs every day, a direct result of the hair growth phases. A typical strand of hair has a life cycle of between 24 and 72 months (2 and 6 years) during which time it will grow normally. However around 10 per cent of a person’s hair may be in a “resting” phase (known as telogen), at which point the hair can fall out.

Research suggests that women experience slightly higher rates of telogen during the Summer month of July, which sees the affected hairs falling out around 100 days later, in Autumn, around mid October or November. Exactly why this happens is unclear, but some suggest that stress brought on by summer heat may provide some explanation.

Swedish scientists examining this phenomenon suggest that women grow more hair during summer months to protect their scalps from hot sun and ultraviolet radiation. Come the autumn this additional growth is no longer required and is therefore shed.

The Ludwig Scale of Female Pattern Hair Loss

Is my hair loss seasonal?

Hair loss in October and November may have been a purely seasonal phenomenon for many women, the results of which are barely visible. However, some women may have found themselves losing much more every day than the 50 to 100 one would generally expect.

It is only through close observation that you can know for sure. A good indication of whether you are experiencing excessive hair fall is to look at your parting - often, thinning hair will cause the parting to look wider. If your hair is long enough to form a ponytail, you may also find that this feels thinner than normal due to a drop in hair density.

Although some hairloss is perfectly normal, so too is regrowth. Occasionally people may lose significant amounts of hair on a daily basis, but speedy regrowth means that the loss is not noticeable.

If you notice slow regrowth, or hair falling out in a specific pattern, such as at the temples or the crown, this could be an indicator of a more permanent underlying hair loss condition.

Typically, consistent shedding in specific areas around the top of the scalp is known in women as female pattern hair loss, or Androgenic Alopecia to give it it’s scientific name.

More than just Autumn?

Although seasonal shedding may be noticeable to you, the entire process is perfectly normal and no cause for concern.  Seasonal hair loss is common amongst all mammals, including humans, although it is not restricted to Autumn. Women may also experience slightly higher levels of hair loss during the Spring, although the autumnal loss will be more noticeable.

For women affected by thinning hair all year round or in defined patches, it can be beneficial to take professional advice from a hair loss specialist. They will not only assess what is causing the shedding but will also discuss the range of treatments available to stabilise this hair loss and encourage regrowth.

Among the many hair loss treatments available to Belgravia Centre clients is the clinically-approved topical solution Minoxidil. Minoxidil helps increase blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, ensuring delivery of essential nutrients to the hair in order to promote regrowth in “resting” hair follicles. Belgravia treatment courses offer a range of additional hair growth boosters which can be used alongside recommended formulations of high strength minoxidil in order to provide a holistic approach to encouraging healthy hair regrowth.

One of these boosters is a nutritional support product designed especially for women. Hair Vitalics for Women hair growth supplement is a potent one-a-day tablet which contains highly-targeted key vitamins, minerals, amino acids and botanical extracts identified by Belgravia's experts to be beneficial to hair health. These are available both as part of Belgravia treatment courses and, to non-clients who can purchase Hair Vitalics for Women - or Hair Vitalics for Men - directly via hairvitalics.com.

Many women have benefited from following bespoke treatment programmes from Belgravia and there are numerous examples featured in our Success Stories gallery which can help to give hope to those stressed by their hair thinning.