What’s the difference?

 

Has your ponytail been feeling a little thinner than usual? Do you see more hair in the shower or pillowcase than is normal? It’s probably not your imagination. Hair loss has become a common issue that can be caused by a number of factors, including some outside of your control.

 

That doesn’t make the effects any less devastating. The good news is that it’s usually temporary and treatable. If thinning hair or hair loss is a concern for you, just know that you are not alone! Read on to learn more about two of the most common causes of hair loss this time of year. You can also book an appointment to discuss your hair concerns with one of our expert stylists or reach out at the “Chat with us” button in the left-hand corner.

 

What is seasonal hair shed?

Do you ever feel like as soon as the days get shorter & the leaves start dropping you can also feel more of your hair falling? You’re not alone. It’s been proven that many people suffer from excessive hair shedding at the same time. This seasonal hair shed mostly affects women and is known to occur in the fall time, around September and October. It’s a unique type of hair loss that is characterized by excessive shedding all over the head. You won’t see any bald spots or receding hairlines, just more hair than usual in your brush and overall thinness.

 

Don’t worry! This isn’t permanent or long-lasting. It generally only lasts as long as the season, a few weeks. To avoid long-lasting effects, be diligent about your haircare and focus on getting a balanced diet. See more treatment tips below.

 

What causes seasonal hair shed?

There’s still more to learn about this unique occurrence but a few things are known for sure:
1. Hair growth is part of a cycle. It starts with growth, moves to a resting phase and then transitions to a shedding phase. This transition to a shed phase often lines up with the changing season. Hair is often in telogen, or the “resting phase” in summer months & exogen, or the “shedding phase” in fall. This is one of the reasons why we see more shedding than normal this time of year.

 

2. Changes to the temperature can put stress on the follicles causing more hair to fall out more quickly. The colder, drier air can irritate the scalp which can also affect hair shed/regrowth due to the dryness & overproduction of sebum.

 

Obviously, the change in weather is outside of our control and therefore so is the likelihood of seasonal hair loss. The best thing we can do is make sure you’re following a beneficial hair care routine and preparing yourself for the shed!

What is short-term hair loss?

Short-term hair loss is a type of alopecia called Telogen Effluvium. This is one of the most common types of hair loss and can be caused or triggered by a number of factors. Temporary hair loss appears as thinning hair either at the top of your hair or all over. Instead of a receding hairline, it looks more like a widening part, thinner ponytail and sometimes even bald spots.

What causes Telogen Effluvium?

The actual cause of temporary alopecia can differ from person to person. It’s most often caused by a sudden or drastic change to the body such as hormonal changes, medication, diet, stress or illness. This stress on the body triggers a reduction in the number of hair follicles growing at once.

So, what’s the difference?

Although both are characterized by increased hair fall and thinning there are a few key differences between seasonal hair shedding and telogen effluvium that can help you treat it more effectively.

1. Telogen Effluvium is often caused by stress to the body whereas seasonal hair shed is triggered by a colder, drier climate. Season hair loss is outside of your control. Though both are temporary, you will generally see some improvements to seasonal shed after the season ends.
2. Temporary hair loss can happen any time of year, but usually occurs after a major event or change such as illness. Seasonal hair loss is most common in the fall time.

How can they be treated?

One of the best things you can do for both preventative care and treatment is to focus on a balanced diet with a variety of nutrients, antioxidants and protein! This gives your body the foundation to grow lots of gorgeous hair.

 

Here’s a tip → Blueberries have a specific type of plant hormone called proanthocyanidins that naturally stimulates hair growth. Try adding plenty to your diet for a hair regrowth boost.

 

The other really important factor to focus on is hair care. You want to:

1. Incorporate a product that will protect your hair from heat and pollutants that cause dry, fragile hair. We love Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
2. Do a deep cleanse and deep conditioner regularly to keep the scalp free of buildup and hair feeling strong. We like Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub for cleansing and Davines Purity Circle Mask for deep conditioning.
3. Don’t skip your trims! Regular haircuts will keep hair healthy and prevent breakage. Book an appointment here.

All-in-one hair loss treatment kits

If hair loss is causing you stress and you want to take action to see amazing results we have two incredible solutions for you.

 

1. Davines Energizing Thinning Hair Bundle - This is ideal for those dealing with temporary alopecia who want to encourage new hair growth while reducing the rate of hair loss. This set stimulates circulation and soothes the scalp to encourage new hair growth, improves hair elasticity and reduces hair loss and sebum production.
2. Eufora Thickening Bundle - This set is ideal to counteract seasonal hair shed. It is specifically designed to protect from follicle atrophy leading to hair loss, nourish your scalp and transform thinning hair into thicker, fuller hair. Results you can see and feel in 30 days.

 

We highly recommend either of these kits to anyone struggling with hair loss. They will help reenergize and nourish the scalp, encourage regrowth while also protecting hair from additional loss.

 

We have curated an entire collection in our shop dedicated to hair loss for those affected by either seasonal hair shed or temporary alopecia. Take a look through and feel free to reach out with any questions!