If you’ve been noticing more hair than usual falling out when you brush your hair (or just touch it) over the last few weeks, you’re not alone.
Like it or not, the colder months bring with them increased hair shedding (it can’t all be fun and games).
“Many people notice more hair coming out in their brush or shower during autumn, and research suggests that our hair can follow a seasonal cycle,” explains Samantha Stewart, Consultant Trichologist and Ambassador for vegan trichologist-backed haircare brand, Hair Gain.
“Hair grows in different phases, including the active growth phase, known as anagen, and the resting phase, known as telogen.
“Some studies have found that more hairs can enter the resting phase and be retained for longer during the summer months, which means they may subsequently shed towards the end of summer and into autumn.” Wow, I guess we’re more like leaves than I thought.
If, like me, you’ve had enough of finding hair stuck to all your socks, slippers, and tangled in your washing machine, I consulted Stewart to find out what you can do to prevent hair shedding, and did my own research and testing to find the best products to prevent it.
Scalp matters
We spend so much time thinking about the skin on our faces, but we often forget that our scalp is also made of skin; skin that can impact the health of our hair as a whole.
“Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp,” explains Stewart. “The scalp is the environment in which our hair follicles function, so looking after the scalp is an important part of maintaining healthy hair.
“When the scalp becomes excessively dry, irritated or inflamed, it can affect comfort and, in some cases, contribute to hair problems. Certain inflammatory scalp conditions can also cause increased shedding.”
You’ve probably heard the misconception that washing contributes to increased hair shedding (I certainly have) but actually, that’s not true. Hair that falls out during washing have already entered the telogen cycle, so they’ve aleady stopped growing, Stewart explains.
Rather than washing your hair less to avoid hair shedding, she recommends using products designed to support scalp health, such as shampoo or topical scalp treatments.
Best products for scalp health
If you’re worried about your scalp health, Polytar has created a free to use calculator, which asks you 13 questions about your scalp, gives you a scalp health score out of 100, and offers personalised insights into how to improve it.
If you’re in need of a day two (or three) hair refresh, this spray can be applied to damp or dry hair to give your scalp a boost.
Designed specifically to take care of your scalp microbiome, this daily tonic includes bakuchiol, prickly pear and biotin to leave it feeling fresh and hydrated. If that’s not enough for you, the tonic also hydrates your hair, which can help with detangling and building up strand resilience.
It might be an investment, but this longevity serum has been carefully formulated with peptides to fight the signs of hair ageing, including grey hairs and scalp ageing, and prevent shedding.
Each bottle comes with four weeks of serum, which is intended to be applied to the scalp every night before you go to bed.
After just one month of nightly use, 100% users showed reduce hair fall, and after two months 100% saw improvements in their scalp barrier. Three months in, 70% of testers saw fewer grey hairs, and up to 19,000 more hairs on their head – which sounds 100% worth it, if you ask us.
Created with a healthier scalp in mind, this exfoliator targets scalp buildup and dead skin cells and can visibly reduce the appearance of a flaky scalp.
I’ve been using this for a couple of years now – just whenever my scalp feels dry and uncomfortable – and the results are almost instantly noticeable.
If you brush it through your hair, it doesn’t make your scalp look greasy, meaning you can use it on dry hair. Plus, I love that it comes with a targeted applicator to really get into those itchy spots.
Formulated by trichologists, Philip Kingsley’s Density range has been clinically proven to reduce hair shedding in three months. This starter pack comes with drops, a shampoo, and conditioner, so you can explore if the range is right for you during the first signs of air loss or ageing.
After just two months of using the scalp drops every day, three in four users reported that their hair was visibly denser.
Plus, the range is packed with a biomimetic peptide Blend, azelaic acid, pyridoxine HCL and zinc PCA, which all work together to improve hair density and quality over time.
“Hair Gain’s Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner combines pea peptides, vitamins and marshmallow root extract to help hydrate and nourish the hair and scalp while strengthening vulnerable strands,” says Stewart.
Designed specifically for women, this serum can again be placed onto wet or dry hair. Approved by dermatologists, the serum uses advanced stem cell technology and plant-derived growth factors to boost blood flow to the scalp, improve hair strength, and reduce hair loss by up to 89%.
After five months of use, 97% of users said they observed a decrease in hair loss, while 73% saw an increase in hair density.
Face the Future
“Hair Gain’s Scalp Foam, formulated with AnaGain™ and caffeine, is designed to nourish the scalp and support healthier looking hair as part of a consistent routine,” Stewart explains.
Rethink how you wash
The weather might be cold outside, but inside is oh so roasty toast to make up for that.
“During autumn and winter, colder outdoor temperatures and central heating can contribute to dryness, leaving the hair feeling more brittle and the scalp less comfortable,” Stewart explains.
“My first recommendation is to review your washing routine. Avoid very hot water, which can contribute to dryness, and use a shampoo that cleanses without leaving the scalp feeling tight or irritated.
“Conditioning is particularly important during the colder months, as hair that is dry and fragile is more vulnerable to breakage, especially when we’re using heated styling tools or exposing it to friction from scarves, hats and winter clothing.”
Hydrating shampoos and conditioners, and a weekly conditioning treatment, can help with dry hair, Stewart suggests.
“For dry or fragile hair, I recommend looking for conditioning and moisturising ingredients that help protect the hair cuticle and reduce friction and breakage,” she says.
“Ingredients such as panthenol and glycerin can help improve moisture retention and manageability, while certain peptides are incorporated into hair strengthening formulations.”
She also recommends reducing excessive heat styling, and using a heat protectant when you are styling, as well as being careful when detangling wet hair to prevent breakage.
Best hydrating shampoos and conditioners
Blended with baobab extract, this shampoo is not only formulated for growth, but also for hydration, which is claims to boost by up to 35%.
If you’re concerned about hair density, it’ll also target that too, by increasing your hair’s volume and adding a dose of shine.
“Hair Gain’s Hair Mask is a good option for giving dry, fragile hair some additional conditioning care,” says Stewart.
No matter your hair type, Percy & Reed’s Wonder range will both hydrate your hair and balance moisture levels, so you won’t have to worry about that mysterious combination of flaky scalp and grease this winter.
Inside out
Diet is just as important as a good haircare routine when it comes to hair shedding.
“Hair follicles are highly active structures, and healthy hair growth depends on the body receiving adequate energy, protein, vitamins and minerals,” Stewart explains.
“Crash dieting, rapid weight loss, restrictive eating and nutritional deficiencies can all contribute to increased shedding.
“I always recommend starting with a balanced diet containing sufficient protein and paying particular attention to nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin D and vitamin B12, as deficiencies in certain nutrients can contribute to hair problems. Zinc and selenium can also be significant.”
If you find it tricky to get all the nutrients you need through your diet, targeted hair supplements might be useful, Stewarts suggests.
Best supplements for hair shedding
Whether you’re looking for an inside-out or outside-in solution to hair thinning and shedding, Hair + Me is a prescription service that asks you a ton of questions about your hair health, before sending you a personalised supplement to boost your hair growth.
The questionnaire is extremely comprehensive, and once you’ve decided on your plan, it’ll send you your selection of pills or serum to your house each month so you never have to think about reordering.
“Alongside AnaGain™, biotin and zinc, Hair Gain Capsules contain MSM, a sulphur-containing compound, bamboo extract providing silica, and L-proline, an amino acid,” says Stewart. “They also include vitamins C, E, B3 and B5. Biotin and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal hair, while the additional ingredients form part of the brand’s broader nutritional formulation.”
