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Can hair loss be seasonal?

Can hair loss be seasonal?

Seasonal changes can affect your hair, influencing both growth and loss. You might notice increased hair loss during certain seasons, particularly in winter, because of low sun exposure and cold, dry air, which can cause your hair to become dry and brittle.

This is known as seasonal shedding, and the good news is that it’s temporary, so you don't need to worry about it too much.

Daniel Atkinson
Medically reviewed by
Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical lead
Table of contents
Reviewed on Jan 27, 2025. by Dr Daniel Atkinson GP Clinical lead Registered with GMC (No. 4624794) Next review due on Jan 27, 2028.
Daniel

Last updated on Aug 01, 2025.

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Summary: Summary:
  • Shedding can increase during winter due to cold, dry air and low vitamin D levels.
  • In summer, higher temperatures, increased UV exposure, hormonal imbalances, and excess sweat can damage hair, leading to increased shedding too.
  • Prolonged exposure to UV rays in the summer can degrade hair proteins and melanin, making hair more vulnerable to breakage.
  • To minimize hair loss, use moisturizing products, stay hydrated, manage stress, and ensure proper nutrition.

How does hair grow?

Hair grows in four main stages:

  1. Anagen: This is the growth phase where the majority of your hair follicles (about 85-90%) are in at any given time. It lasts approximately two to six years.
  2. Catagen: This is the transitional phase, marking the end of the active growth phase. Blood supply to the follicle is cut off and growth is slowed down or completely stopped. This phase usually lasts for a few weeks.
  3. Telogen: This is the resting stage where the hair remains inactive for around three months. Around 10-15% of your hair is in this stage at any given time.
  4. Exogen: This is the shedding phase, an extension of the telogen phase. During this period, 50-100 hairs fall out naturally every day. As the old hair falls out, new hairs replace it.

Your hair shed will look different depending on the thickness and length of your hair. For instance, someone with thicker hair may appear to lose more hair than someone with thin hair, even though the actual rate of hair loss is similar.

Do you lose more hair in winter?

Reasons for winter hair loss: Why?
Dry, cold air It strips hair of moisture, making it fragile and prone to breakage.
Reduced blood circulation Fewer nutrients and less oxygen reach hair follicles.
Low vitamin D levels Lack of vitamin D can force hair into the telogen (resting) phase.

Seasonal changes, such as colder weather and reduced sunlight exposure, can contribute to increased hair loss in the winter.

Cold weather can remove the moisture from your hair, making it fragile and susceptible to breakage and split ends. Your blood circulation also reduces in the colder months to conserve heat. This decreases the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, which can cause hair thinning.

Low vitamin D, common in winter because of reduced sun exposure, can cause hair loss. Vitamin D is essential for hair growth as it helps regulate the anagen phase. When vitamin D levels drop, the anagen phase shortens, meaning hair enters telogen earlier, which can increase shedding in the winter months. Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with several hair loss conditions including telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and androgenetic alopecia.

Another reason for hair shedding may not be directly linked to the winter months but rather to the warmer seasons. Warmer temperatures and increased UV exposure in summer can push hair follicles into their resting phase. This phase typically lasts about three months, meaning that you may notice more hair shedding by the time autumn arrives. This phenomenon is more related to summer than to winter. By December, the additional hair loss should taper off.

Do you lose more hair in summer?

Reasons for summer hair loss: Why?
Hormonal imbalances Higher temperatures can stimulate cortisol and androgen release, which could lead to hair loss.
Increased exposure to UV rays UV rays can damage hair and make it fragile.
Increased sweat Excess sweat can clog hair follicles, leading to inflammation.
Dehydration Dehydration can deprive hair of moisture and nutrients, making it brittle.

Some people may experience more hair loss in the summer, while others won’t notice much difference. Typically, most people will have more hairs in the telogen phase during summer than in winter. Reasons for this include hormonal changes and increased sun exposure.

High temperatures can increase stress levels, causing hormonal imbalances. This stimulates the release of cortisol, a steroid hormone. When cortisol levels are too high, it leads to a condition called telogen effluvium, triggering the hair to enter the telogen (resting) phase prematurely.

Increased exposure to sunlight and UV rays can damage hair, leading to breakage and hair loss. It also speeds up hair loss in people with androgenetic alopecia. While melanin can protect hair from UV rays, too much exposure can degrade melanin.

During summer, people tend to sweat more, and without proper care, this sweat can clog your hair follicles. This buildup can lead to inflammation, disrupting the hair growth cycle. Additionally, excessive sweating may result in itching, which can damage your hair if you scratch too much.

And lastly, dehydration can also lead to hair loss. Hair is the fastest-growing tissue in the body, so it needs to stay hydrated to function properly. When dehydrated, the water supply for the follicle is reduced to support your vital organs. This can make your hair dull, brittle and prone to breakage.

What can be done to help seasonal hair loss?

Seasonal hair loss is usually temporary, and there are steps you can take to prevent it.

Look after your hair

Caring for your hair to match the weather conditions of each season can prevent seasonal hair loss. 

In the winter, using a conditioner or a leave-in hair mask can help restore lost moisture, and oils, like avocado, olive and argan oil, can deeply moisturize your hair from the roots. In the warmer months, wash your hair more frequently, especially if you sweat a lot. This will help clean your scalp and prevent hair from falling out due to clogged pores.  

Massage your hair every day even if it's just for a few minutes. This helps stimulate blood circulation to the follicles, delivering nutrients and oxygen needed for hair to grow healthily. 

In both seasons, wearing a hat can protect your hair, but for different reasons. In summer, it can protect from UV rays and absorb excess sweat, and in winter, a warm hat (like a beanie) can protect your hair from dry, cold air. 

You should also apply sunscreen to your scalp to protect against UV rays. This is more important if you're blonde as you’re more likely to lose hair protein after sun exposure. You’re also more likely to have pheomelanin, which is more susceptible to UV damage than dark hair.

Prioritize your health

A good diet and sleep can promote healthy hair. Eating a varied diet that provides nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, D, and E, biotin, zinc and fatty acids, is essential for hair growth. Insufficient amounts of these nutrients could trigger the onset of androgenetic alopecia and worsen hair loss. While obtaining these nutrients through a balanced diet is ideal, a healthcare professional can help identify if you have specific nutritional gaps and recommend supplements if needed.

Not getting enough sleep can cause stress, which could lead to inflammation and conditions like telogen effluvium. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night. If you’re struggling to sleep, try to practice good sleep hygiene, develop a consistent routine, or see a sleep specialist or healthcare provider.

You should also drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Poor hydration can make your hair brittle and dull, making it prone to breakage.

Reduce stress levels

Managing your stress levels can reduce the likelihood of hair loss. When you experience stress, hormones like cortisol are released, which causes inflammation. This inflammation can damage hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as meditation, can relieve stress.

Hair loss treatments

If you’ve tried home remedies and you’re still experiencing hair loss, using medication might be more effective.

Based on your diagnosis, general health and health goals, your doctor will recommend the most appropriate course of action for you after a consultation.

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