Every October, Sarah noticed the same alarming pattern. More strands swirling down the shower drain. More hair on her pillow when she woke up. Her brush seemed to be collecting a small ecosystem's worth of lost locks. Was she going bald? Had something gone terribly wrong?
Sarah's experience reflects a phenomenon that millions of people encounter each year—and it turns out there's solid science behind it. Seasonal hair shedding is real, and autumn happens to be prime time for this natural process.
The Science Behind the Seasonal Cycle
Recent research tracking hair growth patterns in hundreds of women over six years has confirmed that hair loss follows seasonal rhythms, with peak shedding occurring during fall months1. A 2009 study published in the journal Dermatology found that the proportion of resting hairs peaked in July, and considering that the resting phase lasts about 100 days, this explains why many people notice increased shedding in autumn2.
To understand why this happens, we need to dive into the remarkable biology of hair growth. Every follicle on your scalp follows a predictable cycle with four distinct phases:
Anagen (Growth Phase): This is when your hair is actively growing, lasting anywhere from two to seven years. About 85% of your hair is in this phase at any given time3.
Catagen (Transition Phase): Hair begins preparing to shed by detaching from its blood supply and shrinking. This brief phase lasts just 1-2 weeks3.
Telogen (Resting Phase): The hair stops growing and simply sits dormant for about 2-6 months. About 15% of your hair rests in this phase normally3.
Exogen (Shedding Phase): Finally, the old hair is pushed out by new growth underneath—leading to those strands in your brush3.
The precise cause of seasonal hair loss isn't fully understood, but research suggests that seasonal changes affect more women compared to men4, with peak shedding often occurring during fall months such as September and October5.
Why Fall Becomes Shedding Season
Several theories explain why autumn triggers this hair exodus:
The Summer Protection Theory: Swedish researchers suggest that women grow more hair during summer months to protect their scalps from hot sun and ultraviolet radiation, and come autumn, this additional growth is no longer required and is therefore shed6.
Hormonal Shifts: Our bodies produce different levels of hormones throughout the year in response to changes in daylight and temperature, and these hormonal fluctuations may influence hair growth cycles7.
Environmental Stress: Sun exposure during summer can damage hair follicles through UV radiation8, making hair strands more brittle and prone to shedding when cooler months arrive. Additionally, activities like swimming in chlorinated pools can weaken hair strands by stripping away natural oils9.
Lifestyle Transitions: End-of-summer transitions, like returning to school or work, can introduce stressors that potentially contribute to hair loss by pushing more hairs into the shedding phase9.
The good news? This is completely normal. Seasonal hair shedding usually lasts only 2-3 months and is mostly during fall5. Although seasonal shedding may be noticeable to you, the entire process is perfectly normal and no cause for concern6.
When to Worry (And When Not To)
It's important to distinguish between normal seasonal shedding and more serious hair loss conditions. Typical hair fall means losing 50-150 strands every day10, but when hair sheds in excess, it can be called Telogen Effluvium10.
Red flags that suggest something beyond seasonal shedding include:
- Hair loss lasting more than 3-4 months
- Visible thinning or bald patches
- Sudden, dramatic hair loss
- Hair that doesn't seem to be growing back
- A widening parting line or a ponytail that feels noticeably thinner than normal
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's worth consulting with a dermatologist or hair loss specialist.
Strategies to Minimize Seasonal Shedding
While you can't completely stop this natural process, you can take steps to support your hair through the transition:
Nutrition and Hydration
Fuel from Within: Ensure your diet includes plenty of protein, iron, vitamins A, C, D, and E, along with biotin and zinc. These nutrients are the building blocks of healthy hair growth.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water—around eight cups or two litres daily—ensures your hair follicles are nourished, preventing dry, brittle strands.
Gentle Hair Care
Handle with Care: Ensure your hair is wet when detangling, and always use a wide-toothed comb, starting from the tips and moving up gently to the roots to prevent breakage.
Avoid Heat Damage: Heat styling tools can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to breakage. Try to minimize their use, and when styling with heat, always apply a heat protectant.
Protective Styling: Consider letting your hair down or opting for looser styles instead of tight hairstyles, especially during shedding season when hair may be more prone to falling out.
Environmental Protection
Shield from the Elements: Keep your hair covered with a scarf or cap during extreme weather conditions to protect against environmental damage.
Combat Dryness: Cold, dry climate leads to scalp irritation, dryness, and itching, which causes hair follicles to become inflamed and hair becomes liable to breakage.
Revolutionary Light Therapy: A Modern Solution
One of the most promising developments in hair loss treatment involves harnessing the power of light itself. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation, represents a cutting-edge, non-invasive approach to stimulating hair growth.
The Science of Light and Hair
LLLT uses red light (typically 630-670 nanometers) to stimulate cellular activity in hair follicles11. Research shows this specific wavelength is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme in hair follicle cells, triggering biological reactions that enhance gene activity, decrease cell death, and promote follicle health11.
The therapy works by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, boosting ATP production, and inducing transcription factors that activate genes and produce proteins useful to hair cells12. This stimulates hair follicles to re-enter the active growth phase, prolongs the duration of growth, and increases proliferation rates in active follicles11.
FDA-Cleared Technology
The United States Food & Drug Administration has cleared LLLT hair regrowth devices as effective for treating androgenetic alopecia, based on clinical data showing that devices emitting red laser energy result in increased terminal hair counts over time with continued use12.
The Research Evidence
A major real-world study involving 1,383 patients found that LLLT achieved nearly 80% overall clinical effectiveness, with users typically seeing results after 38-40 weeks of treatment15. Systematic reviews confirm that FDA-cleared LLLT devices are both safe and effective in patients with male and female pattern hair loss who did not respond or were not tolerant to standard treatments16.
Recent research has shown that combining LLLT with traditional treatments like minoxidil can achieve even better results, with the combination accomplishing superior improvement in transforming intermediate hair to terminal hair and increasing hair diameter17.
Xtrallux: State-of-the-Art Innovation
Why settle for less? At Xtrallux, we've revolutionized hair regrowth technology with the most powerful wearable laser devices on the market. Founded by hair restoration industry veterans with four decades of experience, we've worked alongside renowned leaders in hair restoration surgery since the 1990s, mastering everything from pharmaceutical solutions and platelet-rich plasma therapy to follicular unit transplantation.
Now, we've channeled that expertise to create laser caps that deliver Xtra Power for Xtra Results.
What Makes Xtrallux Different:
- More Lasers, More Power: We provide more lasers in each price category than any competitor. While others cut corners, we maximize your treatment potential with true laser technology—no weak LEDs that lose energy from source to target.
- Advanced SMT Technology: Our Surface Mount Technology lasers target your follicles with precision, delivering superior energy exactly where you need it most.
- Comprehensive Scalp Coverage: From our Alpha model, featuring 136 powerful lasers, to our clinical-grade Extreme RX with 352 laser diodes, we've engineered complete scalp coverage for maximum effectiveness.
- Xtra Convenient: Just 6 minutes daily. That's it. Our wearable, battery-powered technology means you can continue your daily routine while treating your hair loss—no interruptions, no hassles.
- Proven Results: Published clinical studies show laser therapy can increase hair density by as much as 35-51%14. Individual results vary, but our FDA-cleared technology delivers real results you can see and feel.
- Xtra Safe: Unlike finasteride, which has potential side effects, Xtrallux laser therapy is a drug-free and safe option. No impotence. No fertility concerns. Just effective, gentle treatment for mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia.*
- The Xtrallux Promise: We don't compromise on quality or service. Every device represents our commitment to providing you with the most potent and effective hair regrowth technology available.
Putting It All Together
Seasonal hair shedding might feel alarming, but understanding the science behind it can provide reassurance. This natural process, while noticeable, is temporary and represents your hair's normal response to changing environmental conditions.
The key is supporting your hair through gentle care, proper nutrition, and, when needed, proven therapies like LLLT. With proactive action and the right approach, seasonal hair shedding can be managed effectively.
Modern innovations like Xtrallux devices offer hope for those seeking not just to manage seasonal shedding but also actively promote stronger, healthier hair growth year-round.
Remember, if you're concerned about the extent of your hair loss or if it persists beyond the typical seasonal timeframe, consulting with a healthcare professional or hair restoration specialist is always the best first step. Your hair—like the autumn leaves—may shed seasonally, but with proper care and cutting-edge treatments, it can return stronger and healthier than before.
References
1 Belgravia Centre. (2022). Seasonal Hair Loss – Myth or Reality?
2 Toppik Blog. (2024). Seasonal Hair Shedding in Autumn.
3 Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center. Does Hair Loss Get Worse In Autumn?
4 Daniel Alain. How to Prevent or Stop Women's Seasonal Hair Loss & Shedding.
5 Goldie Locks. (2022). Seasonal Hair Loss: What It Is and How to Stop It.
6 Belgravia Centre. (2022). Seasonal Hair Loss – Myth or Reality?
7 Toppik Blog. (2024). Seasonal Hair Shedding in Autumn.
8 FUE Clinics. (2023). Seasonal Hair Loss Explained: How Can I Prevent Seasonal Shedding?
9 FUE Clinics. (2023). Seasonal Hair Loss Explained: How Can I Prevent Seasonal Shedding?
10 Daniel Alain. How to Prevent or Stop Women's Seasonal Hair Loss & Shedding.
11 International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). (2024). Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss.
12 Avci P, Gupta GK, Clark J, Wikonkal N, Hamblin MR. (2014). Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss. Lasers Surg Med. PubMed Central.
13 Xtrallux. LLLT Hair Loss Treatment | SMT & VCSEL Laser Therapy. https://xtrallux.com/pages/lllt-hair-loss-treatment-smt-vcsel-laser-therapy
14 Xtrallux. Top Reasons to Choose Xtrallux to Treat Hair Loss. Available at: https://xtrallux.com/pages/top-reasons-to-choose-xtrallux-to-treat-hair-loss
15 Li, L., et al. (2022). Efficacy assessment for low-level laser therapy in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a real-world study on 1383 patients. Lasers in Medical Science.
16 Zarei M, Wikramanayake TC, Falto-Aizpurua L, Schachner LA, Jimenez JJ. (2016). Low level laser therapy and hair regrowth: an evidence-based review.
17 Cheng, C., et al. (2024). Comparative efficacy of 2% minoxidil alone against combination of 2% minoxidil and low-level laser therapy in female pattern hair loss. ScienceDirect.
* See Indications for Use: https://xtrallux.com/pages/indications-for-use
