Hair loss causes & types · UK

Seasonal Hair Shedding in Autumn: Myth or Real?

By Dr. Steven Goh · Reviewed 2026-11-03

Seasonal shedding appears to be real for many people. Small studies, including one carried out in Sheffield, found that more scalp hairs enter the resting phase in summer and are shed later in the year, often around late summer and autumn. This kind of shedding is usually temporary. Shedding that is heavy, patchy or lasts for months should be checked by your GP.

Key takeaways

Losing some hair every day is normal, and the NHS says many people lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day
Research suggests more hairs rest in summer and fall out later, so many people notice extra shedding in late summer and autumn
Seasonal shedding tends to be diffuse and settles on its own, while patches, a widening parting or a receding hairline point to something else
A simple record, such as monthly photos in the same light, helps you judge whether shedding is seasonal or ongoing
Sudden, heavy, patchy or long-lasting hair loss should be checked by your GP

Part of the guide: Hair Loss Causes Explained: Types, Triggers and When to Get Help

Why people notice more hair in autumn

Every year, as the evenings draw in, plenty of people in the UK spot more hair in the plughole, on the pillow or in the hairbrush and start to worry. It is a fair question to ask whether this is a real seasonal pattern or simply something we notice more when we are indoors and paying attention. Our hair loss causes guide covers the full range of reasons for hair loss; this article looks specifically at the seasonal pattern and what it may mean for you.

A quick guide to the hair growth cycle

Each hair on your scalp grows from its own follicle, and each follicle goes through a repeating cycle:

Growing phase (anagen): the hair actively grows, and this phase usually lasts for years.
Transition phase (catagen): a short phase in which growth stops.
Resting phase (telogen): the hair rests for roughly a few months before it is shed, and a new hair usually starts to grow from the same follicle.

Because follicles are at different stages at any one time, losing some hair every day is normal. The NHS hair loss page notes that we can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing. Seasonal shedding is about a temporary shift in how many hairs reach the end of their resting phase at the same time.

What the research suggests

The evidence comes mainly from a few small, older studies, so it should be read with some caution. Even so, the findings point in the same direction.

The Sheffield study

Researchers in Sheffield followed 14 healthy men over 18 months, measuring their hair every four weeks. The share of scalp follicles in the growing phase was highest in March and lowest in September, and the number of hairs shed peaked around August and September. As this study was carried out in the UK, it is particularly relevant to British readers, although it was a very small group.

A larger study in women

A Swiss study reviewed hair samples from 823 otherwise healthy women who had come to a hospital hair consultation service. The proportion of resting hairs was highest in summer, with a smaller rise in spring, and lowest in late winter. Because hairs rest for a few months before they fall, the authors expected the summer peak to show up as extra shedding by autumn.

Why it might happen

Nobody knows for certain why hair follows a seasonal rhythm. Researchers have suggested that changes in day length may play a part, as they do in many animals that moult, but this has not been proven in people. What matters in practice is that a modest rise in shedding in late summer and autumn can be a normal pattern rather than a sign that something is wrong.

Seasonal shedding or something else?

Seasonal shedding has a typical look. It tends to be spread evenly across the scalp, with no bald patches, and it usually settles within a few weeks to a couple of months. Other types of hair loss look and behave differently:

Shedding after illness, stress or childbirth: a noticeable increase in shedding can follow a few months after a fever, an operation, a major life event or having a baby. This is often called telogen effluvium and can look similar to seasonal shedding, so timing is a helpful clue.
Pattern hair loss: a gradually receding hairline or thinning crown in men, or a widening parting in women, develops over months and years rather than coming and going with the seasons. Our guides to men's hairline and crown thinning and hair thinning in women explain these patterns.
Patchy hair loss: round or smooth bald patches are not seasonal and need a proper diagnosis.
Scalp problems: itching, redness or flaking alongside shedding may point to a skin condition. If your scalp also feels tight and itchy in the colder months, our article on itchy scalp in winter may help.

How to keep track over the darker months

When you are worried about your hair, it is easy to misjudge how much you are losing. A simple record can give you a clearer picture:

Take monthly photos. Photograph your parting, hairline and crown in the same spot, with the same light and the same hairstyle, once a month.
Note when it started. Write down when you first noticed extra hair and anything that happened two or three months before, such as an illness or a stressful period.
Look for patterns, not single days. Hair often comes out in larger amounts on wash days, especially if you wash less often in winter.
Compare like with like. Judge your photos against the same month last year if you have them, rather than against a single bad day.

Gentle hair care while shedding settles

There is no special routine that stops normal seasonal shedding, but gentle habits can help you avoid adding breakage on top of it:

Wash with warm rather than hot water and use a mild shampoo.
Detangle carefully with a wide-toothed comb, starting from the ends.
Go easy on very tight hairstyles, which can pull on the hairline over time.
Turn down the heat on hairdryers and styling tools when you can.
Eat a varied, balanced diet, as hair can reflect your general health.

If shedding is making your hair look thinner while you wait for it to settle, our instant fuller hair guide covers simple ways to make hair look fuller day to day.

When a hair care centre can help

A hair care centre is not the place to diagnose the cause of hair loss; that is a job for your GP or a dermatologist. Where it can help is with a clear picture of your scalp over time. The first step of the Folli-Doc process is a digital scalp analysis that records the condition of your scalp and existing hair, which can be useful as a baseline if you want to compare from season to season. If you are unsure whether what you are seeing is seasonal, mention it when you make an enquiry. If any of the warning signs below apply, see your GP first.

Summary

Seasonal hair shedding appears to be a real pattern for many people, with research suggesting more hairs rest in summer and fall out later in the year. It is usually diffuse and temporary. Keep a simple record, be gentle with your hair, and see your GP if shedding is heavy, patchy, comes with other symptoms or lasts longer than a few months.

Frequently asked questions

What is behind seasonal hair loss in autumn?

Research suggests that more scalp hairs move into the resting phase during summer. Resting hairs are shed a few months later, so many people notice extra hair in the brush or shower in late summer and autumn. The exact reason is not fully understood, and changes in day length have been suggested as one possible factor.

When should I see a doctor about seasonal hair loss in autumn?

See your GP if shedding is heavy or sudden, if you notice bald patches, a widening parting or a receding hairline, if your scalp is itchy, sore or inflamed, if you feel unwell, or if extra shedding lasts longer than a few months. These signs suggest something other than a normal seasonal pattern.

How long before changes are noticeable?

Seasonal shedding often settles within a few weeks to a couple of months, but it varies from person to person. New hairs grow slowly, so it can take several months before the hair looks as full as before. Monthly photos in the same light are a more reliable guide than day-to-day impressions.

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