Why Does Seasonal Hair Loss Happen? Symptoms and Treatment

Seasonal hair loss is a temporary condition that typically appears during the autumn months as sunlight decreases, the weather shifts, and the hair cycle enters a resting phase. While losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered completely normal, this number can noticeably increase as the seasons change in Istanbul. However, if the shedding lasts for more than a few months, underlying issues such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, or other dermatological conditions might be to blame.

• During autumn, the transition of hair into the resting (telogen) phase speeds up.
• If you are losing more than 100 hairs a day or noticing thinning patches on your scalp, a dermatological evaluation is highly recommended.
• Deficiencies in iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin D are among the most common triggers for hair shedding.
• Diagnosis involves detailed blood tests and a specialized scalp examination known as trichoscopy.
• Treatment options often highlight PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), hair mesotherapy, and medical products prescribed by a physician.

What is Seasonal Hair Loss?

Every single strand of our hair has its own life cycle. This cycle basically consists of three phases: growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and resting (telogen). On a healthy scalp, about 85 to 90 percent of the hair is in the growth phase, while 10 to 15 percent is resting. At the end of the resting phase, the hair strand falls out, and a new one begins to grow in its place. Because of this natural rhythm, losing a certain amount of hair every day is perfectly normal.

Seasonal hair loss, on the other hand, happens when environmental factors cause more hair strands than usual to enter the resting and shedding phases at the same time. This condition, a mild form of what is medically known as "telogen effluvium," usually peaks in the autumn months as the weather begins to cool down across Türkiye. It is almost always a temporary process; because the hair follicles remain alive and healthy, new hair will eventually replace what was lost. However, the severity and duration of this shedding can vary significantly from person to person.

Why Does Hair Fall Out in Autumn? What Are the Risk Factors?

As the weather cools, there are several reasons you might start seeing more hair on your brush or in the shower drain. Research shows that during the summer, human bodies tend to keep more hair in the growth phase to protect the scalp from the sun's harmful UV rays. As summer ends and the lively days of August fade, the need for this protective mechanism decreases, causing the hair to shift into the resting phase and eventually fall out. Furthermore, the shortening of daylight hours can lead to minor shifts in hormone levels (particularly melatonin and prolactin), which can also impact the hair cycle.

That being said, hair loss during seasonal transitions isn't strictly limited to weather changes. Shifting dietary habits after a summer holiday, or the stress of returning to a busy work or school routine, can accelerate the process. One of the most significant triggers is a vitamin deficiency. Rapidly depleting the vitamins stored up over the summer, or simply not eating a balanced diet, deprives your hair follicles of the energy they need. A lack of iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and folic acid directly impacts hair health. As winter approaches, getting less sunlight also increases the risk of a vitamin D deficiency, paving the way for increased shedding.

What Are the Symptoms?

To understand whether your hair loss is just a normal renewal process or an issue requiring medical attention, you need to observe the symptoms carefully. Seasonal shedding usually presents as a diffuse thinning spread evenly across the entire scalp. Localized baldness or coin-sized bare patches are not signs of seasonal shedding; they are often indicators of different medical conditions.

If you are finding significantly more hair on your pillow in the mornings, if clumps of hair come out in your hands during a shower, or if you notice your brush filling up rapidly while combing, you should take note. Additionally, if your hair tie feels looser than it used to when you pull your hair back, if the strands look thinner and duller, and if your scalp has become more visible in the mirror, these are signs that the shedding has intensified. If these symptoms are accompanied by an itchy, red, or flaky scalp, an underlying skin condition (such as seborrheic dermatitis) may be the culprit.

Diagnosis: How is it Diagnosed at the Hospital?

When you visit the hospital complaining of hair loss, a dermatology specialist will first take a detailed medical history. They will evaluate how long you have been experiencing the shedding, your dietary habits, any medications you are taking, your stress levels, and your family history of genetic hair loss. This is followed by a physical examination. Your doctor may perform a "pull test" to gently check how easily the hair comes out.

For a closer look, a special device called a trichoscope is used. Trichoscopy is a type of dermatoscopic examination that magnifies the scalp and hair follicles. This allows the doctor to clearly see the thickness of the hair strands, the structure of the roots, and any potential inflammation on the scalp. To determine the internal causes behind the shedding, blood tests are an absolute must. A complete blood count (hemogram), ferritin (iron stores), thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4), vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc levels are checked. Based on these results, the exact type and cause of your hair loss can be definitively diagnosed.

What is Good for Hair Loss and How is it Treated?

The treatment plan is customized based on the cause and severity of the shedding. If the problem is solely due to the change in seasons, it is generally expected to resolve on its own within a few months. However, to support this process and find out what helps with hair loss, there are both steps you can take at home and medical treatments offered at the hospital.

For your at-home care routine, it is recommended to avoid tying your hair too tightly, limit the use of high-heat styling tools, and use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos suited to your hair type. Including foods rich in protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids (like eggs, fish, walnuts, and spinach) in your diet will help nourish your hair follicles from the inside out.

Dermatological treatments applied at the hospital, on the other hand, help the hair recover much faster. If blood tests reveal a vitamin or mineral deficiency, prescription supplements are started under a doctor's supervision. In addition, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and hair mesotherapy are frequently preferred to directly stimulate the hair follicles. During a PRP procedure, a small amount of your blood is drawn, processed in a special centrifuge to enrich it with healing cells (platelets), and then injected into the scalp using very fine needles. In mesotherapy, special mixtures containing the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and circulation-boosting medications your hair needs are delivered directly to the hair roots. These procedures are usually performed in sessions spaced a few weeks apart, effectively stopping hair loss and encouraging new growth.

Complications and Risk Groups

While seasonal hair loss is not a dangerous condition on its own, ignoring it or missing the underlying root cause can lead to certain complications. Prolonged and untreated shedding can result in permanent thinning and a loss of volume. Furthermore, hair loss can sometimes be the first symptom of more serious health issues, such as thyroid diseases, severe anemia, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Delaying the diagnosis of these conditions can negatively impact your overall health.

Some individuals are simply more susceptible to hair loss. Women who have recently given birth (the postpartum period), people who have recently undergone major surgery, those who have lost weight rapidly through crash diets, and individuals working under intense stress are in high-risk groups. For these individuals, seasonal transitions hit an already weakened hair cycle much harder, and the severity of the shedding can be far greater.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If the shedding in your hair has reached a point where it affects your daily routine, it is time to seek professional help. If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, it is crucial to see a dermatology specialist without delay:

• If your hair loss has been continuous for more than two months,
• If you develop completely bald, coin-sized round patches on your scalp (alopecia areata),
• If the shedding is accompanied by severe itching, scaling, redness, or pain on the scalp,
• If your hair is only starting to thin at the crown or the temples (a sign of male-pattern baldness),
• If you are experiencing extreme fatigue, heart palpitations, pale skin, or weight changes alongside your hair loss.

The Process at BHT CLINIC

At our hospital, all your complaints regarding hair health are evaluated meticulously. Our specialist physicians in the Dermatology department use the most up-to-date diagnostic methods to pinpoint the root cause of your shedding. Following trichoscopic examinations and comprehensive laboratory tests, the most appropriate treatment protocol is created just for you.

In our outpatient clinic, PRP, hair mesotherapy, and medical treatments are applied safely under strict hygienic conditions. For allergic reactions requiring immediate intervention or sudden-onset skin diseases, our hospital's 24/7 emergency department is always at your service. To start your treatment process and regain healthy hair, you can easily book an appointment through our call center or website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does seasonal hair loss last?

Seasonal shedding typically slows down and stops on its own within 4 to 6 weeks. If the shedding lasts longer than 2 months, a medical evaluation is necessary, as there may be an underlying vitamin deficiency or hormonal issue.

Which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss?

The most critical components for hair health are iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, and biotin (vitamin B7). A lack of these vitamins and minerals weakens the hair follicles and accelerates the shedding process.

Does shaving or cutting hair short make it grow thicker?

No, cutting your hair short or shaving it does not affect the structure or the number of hair follicles. Because the split ends are removed, the hair may visually appear healthier, but it does not have any effect on stopping hair loss.

Do natural homemade masks stop hair loss?

Natural ingredients like olive oil or argan oil can add moisture to the hair strands and provide superficial care. However, if the cause of the shedding is a vitamin deficiency or a hormonal imbalance, topically applied masks will be insufficient to stop the shedding because they cannot resolve the root cause.

Does PRP treatment hurt?

The PRP procedure is performed using extremely fine needles (mesotherapy needles). Because local anesthetic creams can be applied to the scalp before the procedure, any pain or discomfort felt is kept to an absolute minimum.

This article is for informational purposes only; please always consult your physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment. In case of a medical emergency, please call 112.