As if the end of summer wasn’t bad enough, some women find that they experience way more hair loss in the fall. If that’s you, first here’s some good news: you’re not alone.
“Towards the fall, we see many more women coming to us for help with hair loss,” Dr. Christian Merkel, a dermatologist based in Munich, tells Glamour. “If this is the first time their hair has fallen out, they can be very worried and be looking for answers.”
Here’s why experts think this phenomenon occurs, and what you can do about it.
Why does hair loss occur more frequently in the fall?
“The so-called seasonal hair loss occurs frequently, especially in women,” says Dr. Merkel. “And it actually always happens at the same time of year, in late summer or fall.”
The exact cause is not entirely clear, but there are some theories.
“In evolutionary terms, our hair is still our coat,” Dr. Merkel notes. “And at the change of season, just like in animals, we can experience a change of coat.”
Anther idea is that seasonal hair loss may be buried in your DNA.
“Since hair loss recurs every year in many women, the assumption is that this is anchored in their genetics,” he says.
Why does it happen?
It’s all theories at this point, but it could be linked to how our hair grows.
“Falling hair in the fall is also related to the growth phases of the hair,” the dermatologist says. “Every hair goes through two growth phases: the living phase and the resting phase.”
In the living phase (anagen phase), hair grows for years. Ninety percent of our hair is in the anagen phase. The other ten percent is in the telogen phase, the resting phase, which lasts about two to four months. During this phase, the hair root regenerates.
“Normally, the alternation of resting and living phases with the accompanying hair loss is not noticeable, since the same number of hairs always remains on the head,” explains Dr. Merkel. “In the late summer and fall months, however, many women have more hair in the resting phase.”
For Dr. Merkel, the most plausible explanation could lie in the seasons.
“In summer, we need more hair for sun protection, so hairs remain longer in the living phase,” he speculates. “Toward the end of the year – with lower temperatures and less UV radiation – the hair then falls out.”
How long does hair loss last in the fall?
“Normally, patients notice increased hair in the hairbrush for one and three months,” Dr. Merkel says. “After the change period, new hair forms again from the hair follicles.”
What can be done about seasonal hair loss?
Dr. Merkel notes that increased hair loss towards the end of the year is not a disease, so it does not need to be treated like one.