Seasonal Hair Loss

Why Are You Losing So Much Hair in October and November?  Learn about Autumn Hair Shedding

 

More hair in your shower? More strands on your pillow? A brush that suddenly seems to be full every morning?

If this happens to you every autumn, you are not imagining it.

Many people notice an increase in hair shedding towards the end of summer and into September, October and November. Research has found that the human hair cycle does show seasonal variation, with a greater proportion of hairs entering the resting phase during summer and increased shedding following later in the year.

But there is an important distinction:

Not every case of autumn hair shedding is simply “seasonal hair loss”.

Sometimes the change of season is just when you happen to notice a problem that has another cause — such as stress, illness, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, thyroid dysfunction, rapid weight loss or an underlying pattern of hair loss.

At NAR LONDON, Harley Street, we take a slightly different approach. Rather than simply treating the hair that you can see, we look at the hair, scalp and the factors that may be influencing the hair-growth cycle. Here is what may really be happening when your hair suddenly starts falling out more in October and November.

Is seasonal hair loss actually real?

Yes – there is evidence that hair shedding can vary with the seasons.

Our hair does not grow at exactly the same rate all year round. Each follicle moves through a continuous cycle:

Anagen → Catagen → Telogen → Shedding → New growth

Anagen: the growth phase

This is when the follicle actively produces a hair shaft. Most scalp hairs are normally in this phase.

Catagen: the transition phase

Growth slows and the follicle begins to transition into its resting state.

Telogen: the resting phase

The follicle temporarily rests before the old hair is eventually released.

Shedding

The old hair falls out and a new growth cycle begins. The important thing to understand is that a hair entering the resting phase does not necessarily fall out immediately.

This delay helps explain why you can have a summer change in the hair cycle but notice much more hair in your shower months later. A study of 823 healthy women found that the proportion of hairs in the resting telogen phase was highest during summer and lowest in late winter. Earlier research conducted in Sheffield, UK, also found seasonal variation in human hair growth. In that study, the number of shed hairs reached a peak around August/September, when the proportion of follicles actively growing was at its lowest.

So if you are looking at the hair in your brush in October and thinking: “Why is my hair suddenly falling out?” The answer may have started several weeks or even months earlier.

Why does my hair fall out more in October and November?

There isn’t one single explanation for everyone. The most likely explanation for genuine seasonal shedding is a normal variation in the hair-growth cycle. During summer, a larger proportion of follicles may enter the resting phase. Those hairs remain in the scalp for a period of time before eventually being shed. That means the visible increase in hair fall can appear later.

Think of it as a delayed biological calendar.

Summer: more follicles enter resting phase
↓
Late summer / early autumn: resting hairs remain in place
↓
Autumn: more of those hairs are released
↓
New growth: follicles begin another growth cycle

This is why the phrase “autumn hair shedding” makes sense – even though the process doesn’t necessarily start in autumn. And it is one reason why you may suddenly notice:

• More hair in the shower
• More hair on your pillow
• More strands in your hairbrush
• Hair coming out when you run your fingers through it
• A larger amount of hair collecting around the plughole
• More loose hairs on your clothes

It can look dramatic. But the amount of hair you see does not automatically tell you that you are developing permanent hair loss.

How much hair is normal to lose each day?

Most people shed hair every day. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that shedding around 50–100 hairs a day can be normal, while the British Association of Dermatologists states that many people lose approximately 30–150 hairs from the scalp each day as part of the normal hair cycle. And there is an important practical problem with counting hairs: You probably don’t see every hair you shed.

Some fall out during washing. Some remain in your clothing. Some stay in your brush. Some are lost without you noticing them.So counting individual hairs is not a particularly reliable way to diagnose hair loss. What matters more is whether you are seeing a change from your normal baseline and whether your hair density or pattern is changing.

Seasonal shedding vs actual hair loss: what’s the difference?

This is the part that matters. A temporary increase in shedding is not necessarily the same thing as progressive hair loss.

Seasonal shedding may look like:

 

• More loose hairs than usual
• Diffuse shedding across the scalp
• More hair in the shower or brush
• No obvious bald patches
• No dramatic change in your hairline
• Hair density otherwise remaining fairly stable
• Shedding that eventually settles

 

Hair loss may look more like:

 

• A widening parting
• Progressive thinning at the crown
• A receding hairline
• Reduced density at the temples
• A ponytail that is becoming progressively thinner
• Clearly visible scalp
• Bald patches
• Persistent or worsening shedding
• Hair that continues to become thinner over time

 

This distinction is important because autumn may reveal an underlying problem rather than cause it. For example, someone with early female or male pattern hair loss may suddenly become much more aware of reduced density when seasonal shedding adds to the hairs already being lost.

What if it’s not seasonal hair loss?

This is where you need to look beyond the calendar. One of the most common causes of sudden diffuse shedding is telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium occurs when a larger-than-usual number of follicles enter the resting phase following a physiological or psychological stressor.  The important clue? The trigger may have happened months before you noticed the hair loss.

Possible triggers include:

• Significant stress
• Illness or high fever
• Surgery
• Major infection
• Rapid weight loss
• Very restrictive dieting
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Iron deficiency
• Thyroid disorders
• Hormonal changes
• Pregnancy and postpartum changes
• Certain medications
• Major changes in the body

 

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that excessive shedding can occur several months after a significant stressor, while the British Association of Dermatologists describes telogen effluvium as excessive shedding associated with illness, stress or major changes in the body.

So when someone tells us: “My hair has suddenly started falling out this October.” We don’t necessarily start by asking what happened this October. We may ask: What happened two or three months ago?

Did something happen to your body this summer?

This is a particularly useful question if your shedding has suddenly increased.

Think back to July, August and September.

Did you:

• Lose weight quickly?
• Start a restrictive diet?
• Become particularly stressed?
• Have an infection or high fever?
• Have surgery?
• Experience significant hormonal changes?
• Stop or start medication?
• Have a major life event?
• Change your eating habits?
• Experience prolonged poor sleep?
• Spend a lot of time travelling?
• Have a particularly stressful summer?

 

The connection is not always obvious because hair operates on a delayed biological timetable. Your body may have experienced the trigger months before your hair gave you the signal.

What about summer itself?

Summer can also change the way your hair and scalp behave. Sun exposure, heat, sweating, swimming, chlorine, salt water and changes in routine can all affect the hair fibre and scalp environment.

But it is important not to oversimplify this. Sun-damaged hair is not the same thing as hair shedding from the follicle. The hair shaft can become dry, brittle or damaged while a separate process is happening inside the follicle. That is why excessive breakage and genuine hair shedding need to be distinguished. If your hair is snapping halfway down the shaft, that is different from finding complete hairs that have been released from the follicle.

Why women often notice autumn hair shedding?

Hair shedding can be particularly distressing when you have long or thick hair because a relatively small change in daily shedding can produce a surprisingly large amount of visible hair.

You may suddenly notice:

“There is so much hair in my brush.”

But the visual amount does not necessarily correspond to permanent loss of density. On the other hand, if your ponytail is becoming smaller, your part is widening or your scalp is becoming increasingly visible, don’t automatically blame autumn. That is when an assessment becomes much more useful.

When should you worry about hair shedding?

A seasonal increase in shedding can be temporary. But there are situations where it is worth investigating.

Consider seeking professional advice if:

Your shedding is unusually heavy

If you are losing substantially more hair than your normal baseline and it is not settling, it deserves attention.

Your hair density is visibly changing

A widening part, receding hairline or increasing scalp visibility can indicate something more than seasonal shedding.

You develop bald patches

Patchy hair loss should be assessed rather than attributed to the season.

Your scalp is changing

Itching, inflammation, pain, scaling or other scalp symptoms can point towards a scalp condition that needs assessment.

The shedding persists

If your hair continues to shed excessively for months, it is worth looking for an underlying cause.

You have other symptoms

Hair changes can sometimes occur alongside nutritional, hormonal or thyroid-related issues. The British Association of Dermatologists recommends considering the underlying cause of excessive shedding rather than simply assuming that it is a normal cycle.

Could low iron or thyroid problems be causing your hair loss?

Sometimes. Hair is particularly sensitive to changes in the body’s internal environment.

Iron status, thyroid function, hormones, nutritional status and other health factors may all be relevant depending on the individual’s history and pattern of shedding.

This is why “take a hair vitamin” isn’t always the answer.

If you are genuinely experiencing unexplained hair loss, the more useful question is:

Why is my hair shedding?

rather than:

Which supplement should I buy?

At NAR LONDON, our approach can include appropriate blood testing where indicated.

Our Hair Loss Blood Test includes markers relating to hormones, proteins, iron status, thyroid hormones and inflammation, while the Advanced Hair Loss Blood Test assesses a broader range of markers, including hormones, autoimmunity, minerals, iron status, thyroid health and blood-cell parameters. Testing is not automatically required for everyone. It should be guided by your symptoms, history and clinical assessment.

What can you do if your hair is shedding more this autumn?

First:

Don’t panic.

If the shedding is seasonal, the follicles themselves may still be perfectly healthy.

Second:

Look at the bigger picture.

Think about what happened during the previous few months.

Third:

Don’t ignore persistent changes.

If you are seeing genuine loss of density, it is worth assessing early.

And fourth:

Support the scalp and follicles appropriately.

This is where regenerative hair treatments may have a role for selected patients.

Hair Loss Treatment at NAR LONDON, Harley Street

At NAR LONDON, we don’t believe that every person experiencing hair shedding needs the same treatment.

Our approach is to understand the type, pattern and likely contributors to the hair loss first, then select a treatment based on the individual.

Our regenerative hair treatments include:

PRP Hair Treatment

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) uses a concentrated preparation derived from your own blood and is used to support the scalp and hair follicles.

At NAR LONDON, PRP is used as part of personalised hair-restoration protocols, with treatment plans tailored to the individual’s pattern of hair loss and goals.

Explore: PRP Hair Treatment London

PRF Hair Treatment

Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is another autologous regenerative approach using your own blood.

PRF contains platelets and fibrin and is used to deliver a regenerative stimulus to areas of the scalp affected by thinning.

It may be considered for patients looking for an autologous approach to hair restoration.

Explore: PRF Hair Treatment London

Autologous Exosomes for Hair

NAR LONDON also offers Autologous Exosome Therapy, using biological material derived from the patient’s own blood. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles involved in cell-to-cell communication and are being investigated for their potential role in tissue regeneration and hair biology.

At NAR LONDON, autologous exosome treatment is positioned as an advanced regenerative option for selected patients experiencing hair thinning and loss. Importantly, exosome-based hair treatments are an evolving area of regenerative medicine. They should not be presented as a guaranteed cure for hair loss, and suitability depends on the individual.

Explore: Autologous Exosomes Hair Treatment London

Salmon-Derived E50 Exosomes

NAR LONDON also offers E50 salmon-derived exosome treatment for hair, a different approach from autologous exosomes.

This uses a commercially prepared extracellular-vesicle product rather than material derived from the patient’s own blood. It may be considered as part of a personalised regenerative hair protocol depending on the patient’s circumstances.

Hair Mesotherapy

Hair Mesotherapy uses small injections into the scalp to deliver a selected combination of ingredients such as vitamins, amino acids, minerals and other hair-supporting compounds.

At NAR LONDON, it may be considered for early thinning, diffuse shedding and nutritional or lifestyle-related hair concerns, and can also be combined with regenerative treatments such as PRP, PRF or exosome therapy.

Explore: Hair Mesotherapy London

Which hair treatment is right for you?

There isn’t one treatment that is automatically right for everyone.

That is especially important when the main complaint is “my hair is suddenly falling out.” Someone experiencing temporary seasonal shedding may need reassurance and monitoring. Someone with nutritional or thyroid-related contributors may need investigation. Someone with persistent telogen effluvium may require a different approach. Someone with early pattern hair loss may benefit from a longer-term hair-restoration strategy. And someone with significant or unexplained hair loss may need medical or dermatological assessment rather than immediately proceeding with an aesthetic treatment.

Why October can actually be the right time to assess your hair?

There is an interesting paradox about seasonal hair shedding.

People often wait until they see a dramatic increase in hair fall before doing anything. But by then, the biological process may already have been underway for months.

If you have noticed a genuine change in your hair this autumn, October and November can therefore be a useful time to assess what is actually happening rather than simply waiting and hoping. That doesn’t mean every autumn shed needs treatment. It means that if your shedding is unusually heavy, persistent or accompanied by visible thinning, it is worth understanding why.

At NAR LONDON, our approach combines hair and scalp assessment, appropriate investigation where indicated, and personalised regenerative treatment options rather than automatically recommending the same procedure to every patient.

Our approach to hair loss

We look at hair loss as more than a cosmetic issue. The health of the hair follicle can be influenced by multiple factors, including:

Follicle biology · hormones · nutrition · inflammation · stress · health · genetics · scalp environment

That is why our hair protocols can combine regenerative treatments with appropriate investigation into potential underlying contributors. Our aim is not simply to make your hair look fuller for a few weeks. It is to understand what is happening and create a treatment plan appropriate to your hair, scalp and long-term goals.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why does my hair fall out more in October?

Research suggests that human hair growth has seasonal variation. A higher proportion of hairs may enter the resting phase during summer, with increased shedding occurring later. This means that some people notice more hair shedding in late summer and autumn, including October.

Is seasonal hair loss normal?

A temporary increase in shedding can be a normal variation of the hair-growth cycle. However, persistent, severe or patterned hair loss should not automatically be attributed to seasonal shedding.

Why am I losing hair in November?

November hair shedding can reflect the same seasonal pattern that becomes noticeable during autumn. However, hair shedding that is unusually heavy or persistent may also be related to telogen effluvium, nutritional factors, hormonal changes, illness, stress or other causes.

Does autumn hair shedding mean I am going bald?

Not necessarily. Seasonal shedding and progressive hair loss are different processes. If you notice a widening part, receding hairline, visible scalp or progressive reduction in density, an assessment can help determine whether another form of hair loss is present.

How long does seasonal hair shedding last?

There is no single fixed duration that applies to everyone. A temporary seasonal increase should settle as the hair cycle moves on. Persistent excessive shedding should be assessed rather than assumed to be seasonal.

Can stress cause hair shedding?

Yes. Significant physical or psychological stress can trigger telogen effluvium, with increased shedding often becoming noticeable several months after the triggering event.

Can low iron cause hair loss?

Iron deficiency can be associated with hair shedding, although the relationship is not the same for every person. If there are symptoms or risk factors suggesting a nutritional or medical contributor, appropriate testing may be considered.

Can thyroid problems cause hair loss?

Thyroid disorders can be associated with diffuse hair shedding. If your hair loss is unexplained or accompanied by other symptoms, thyroid assessment may be appropriate.

Is PRP good for seasonal hair loss?

PRP is a regenerative hair treatment that may be considered for selected types of hair thinning and loss. It is not necessary for every case of temporary seasonal shedding, which may resolve without treatment. A consultation can help determine whether PRP is appropriate for your individual situation.

Is PRF better than PRP for hair loss?

PRF and PRP are different autologous platelet-based treatments. There is not a universal answer that one is “better” for every patient. The appropriate choice depends on the individual’s hair-loss pattern, treatment goals and clinical assessment.

Are exosomes good for hair loss?

Exosome-based hair treatments are an emerging area of regenerative medicine. They are being investigated for their potential effects on hair follicles and the scalp environment, but results should not be guaranteed. At NAR LONDON, exosome treatment is considered as one option within a personalised hair-restoration approach.

Should I have a hair loss blood test?

Not everyone with seasonal shedding needs blood testing. However, if hair loss is persistent, excessive, unexplained or accompanied by other symptoms, investigating possible contributors such as iron status, thyroid function, hormones and other health markers may be appropriate.

Seeing more hair in your shower this autumn?

Don’t automatically assume you’re going bald. But don’t automatically assume it’s “just seasonal” either.

Your hair is giving you information. The important thing is understanding what it is telling you. If your shedding has noticeably increased this autumn, NAR LONDON can assess your hair and scalp, discuss potential contributing factors and determine whether monitoring, investigation or a regenerative hair treatment is appropriate for you.

 

NAR LONDON
Harley Street Regenerative Aesthetics Clinic
15 Harley Street, London W1G 9QQ

 

Hair Loss Consultation · PRP · PRF · Autologous Exosomes · E50 Exosomes · Hair Mesotherapy · Hair Loss Blood Testing