Why Does Hair Fall More In Autumn?

Obviously, hair falls out more in autumn, but this should not be a cause for alarm as it is not due to any deficiency or problem. This is a completely normal process, which does not actually lead to hair loss, but to its renewal.

We all notice that our hair falls out more in the fall, but this should not be a cause for concern. It is perfectly normal for it to occur, because just as the leaves of the trees fall, the hair also undergoes a renewal process during this stage.

In fact, all mammals lose some of their hair during this time of year. Once this stage passes, everything returns to normal.

The process is called a “seasonal dip. ” It affects everyone, but usually those with long hair notice it more. There are those who are scared by this and buy vitamin supplements or tonics, but in reality it is not necessary, nor is it effective.

Hair loss

Regardless of the season we are in, all human beings, men and women, continually lose hair. In normal conditions, between 12 and 15% of the hair is always being renewed. This leads to us losing between 80 and 100 hairs per day.

It means that in approximately a period of 4 years we renew all our hair. However, there are times when the loss is greater. Usually, the hair falls out more in the fall, but it is not uncommon for something similar to happen during the spring.

This process has only one exception, which are newborns. Babies have a kind of fluff that completely falls off at three to four months of age. Then the hair itself appears.

Why does hair fall out more in autumn

In principle, all mammals are evolutionarily conditioned to change their fur to cope with winter. Cold weather requires renewed hair to cope with low temperatures. This is the first reason why hair falls out more in autumn.

Likewise, hair loss is due to its natural physiological renewal, associated with the seasonal factor. As a general rule, the hair dies in spring, but it takes up to three months to fall out and this coincides with the fall. Therefore, at that stage there is a peak in the fall.

On the other hand, the variation of light and the number of hours of sunshine influence hair loss. These factors cause a variation in the secretion of melatonin and prolactin to occur. The consequence is a change in the telogen effluvium of the hair that leads to its fall.

Myths and truths

There is a whole set of myths surrounding fall hair loss. It is said, for example, that it affects women more than men, which is not true. What happens is that women tend to have longer hair and therefore notice variations more.

It is also said that you have to brush your hair softer to avoid falling or that it stops if you do not do strappy hairstyles. Both of these claims are false, as the hair that falls out is practically loose. Hair that is not in the process of shedding is rooted half an inch below the scalp and is very difficult to pull out.

There are also those who claim that taking a vitamin supplement prevents hair loss from occurring in the fall. This is also false, since this process is not due to a deficiency, but to a completely natural physiological change.

When to worry

Although we are talking about a seasonal hair loss, it is actually a renewal. Hair that is lost in autumn reappears after three or four months, without the need for any treatment or routine. If a hair falls out, it is because there is already another one pushing to get out.

It is best to wash your hair frequently and brush it daily. In this way, the hair will fall out little by little. If you brush only once in a while, there will be loose hair built up and will give the impression that it has fallen out more than usual.

Fall hair loss should only be of concern if the hair loss is found to be extreme. Also when, once the season is over, a habitual loss continues to occur. In those cases, it is best to go to the dermatologist to assess the situation.