If you notice a little bit of shedding, don’t panic: Some minor hair loss is a normal part of the hair growth process. The problem comes when that minor hair loss snowballs into something more major—something that some women experience seasonally. Autumn can be an especially bad time for seasonal hair loss—but what’s the cause of it? And more importantly, what’s the solution?
The Cause of Autumn Hair Loss
Understand that your hair grows in cycles. A follicle will produce hair that grows by about half an inch every month, spanning two full years. Then, that follicle will go into a rest stage, where existing hair sheds to make room for new hair to grow. At any given moment, you should have about 10 percent of your hair in rest mode, which means a little shedding; this is normal, and nothing to worry about.
When that rest period stretches longer and longer, or encompasses more than 10 percent of your hair, that’s when it becomes a problem. This can sometimes happen during the fall, simply because shorter days and colder weather—combined with less sunshine—send your roots into a dormancy; lack of Vitamin D can be an especially significant cause of this. For a period of a month or two, you may notice more shedding than normal. The good news is, there are a few ways in which you can prevent against this seasonal hair loss.
Preventing Autumn Hair Loss
Here are some specific things you can do to curb shedding this autumn:
Spend some time massaging your hair every day. You don’t necessarily have to use shampoo every day, but do massage your scalp every time you’re in the shower; give it a little TLC to increase blood flow to the follicles.
Beat stress. Engage in some activities to keep stress at bay; stress, after all, can lead to an increase in hair shedding. Start jogging, doing yoga, painting, journaling—whatever works for you to release daily stress.
Eat foods that promote hair growth. Lean poultry (for protein), leafy greens, citrus, iron-fortified oats or cereals—all of these are good for providing your follicles with the necessary nutrients. Taking a Vitamin D supplement during autumn is another good idea.
Get an autumn hair cut. Make an appointment with a New Image stylist now, and get all those loose ends and damaged hairs tidied up before the fall season really begins.
Invest in topical solutions. You can also ask a New Image stylist for recommendations on shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, and other topical treatments that can help to prevent shedding and promote healthy hair growth.
Get a Consultation from New Image
The bottom line: If you’re worried about excessive shedding or seasonal hair loss, there are action steps you can take—and the first one should be contacting us at New Image. Come ask us what we can do to help you promote healthy hair growth, and to prepare for everything that autumn will bring.