While it’s normal for a few hairs to go down the drain after a blow dry or get tangled in the hairdryer brush, sometimes you just lose too much. Before you start panicking about the strands that are landing on your pillow every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s normal to lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day.
Well, if you’ve noticed more hair getting caught in your brush after detangling lately, it could be for a simple reason: It could be the change in seasons. To learn more about seasonal alopecia (and other causes of hair loss), including why it happens and when it might be a sign of a bigger problem, we spoke to two experts.
What causes seasonal alopecia? | Best products for alopecia | How long does seasonal alopecia last? | Is seasonal alopecia reversible? | Does COVID-19 cause alopecia? | Meet the experts | Why we chose
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What causes seasonal hair loss?
Seasonal alopecia is real, says Dr. Angela Lam, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Clinic in New York City, but experts aren’t 100% sure why it happens. “We think it may be because our diet changes with the seasons and weather,” Dr. Lam says. “Hair goes through three cycles: telogen, anagen, and catagen. That means it’s growing, it’s resting, and then it’s dying, it’s falling out. And each of those cycles goes through at different rates. So, even though it might feel like you’re losing hair, it might just be that your hair cycle is different at different times of the year.”
According to Lam, this often happens during seasonal changes. “We’ve seen this phenomenon a lot in the last few months,” she added. According to Lam, it seems to happen most often in the fall and winter, when the weather transitions from warm to cold.
Dr. Robert Finney, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says seasonal hair loss typically peaks in September, but some studies have shown a second surge may be seen as soon as April.
If you’re concerned, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist to get examined, but in the meantime, we’ve got some expert-approved, reviewer-loved anti-hair loss products you can use to give your locks a boost.
Best products for hair loss
Rogaine for Women 5% Minoxidil Foam
What we like
Proven formula. Dries quickly. Easy to apply.
Size: 2 x 2.11 oz cans | Key Ingredients: Minoxidil, AHA
Both experts recommend Rogaine as a proven solution to hair loss: the treatment is clinically proven to promote hair growth with consistent use.
There’s one thing to be aware of, though: “One common side effect is increased hair loss when you first start using it,” says Finney. “For people who are already experiencing hair loss, this can be a bit alarming, so I always advise that this is normal and that you’re just kicking away hairs that are about to go into the resting phase. Hair will regrow and grow back healthier.”
Isdin Lambda Pill Hair Lotion
What we like
A nice fragrance that thickens
Size: 4.2 oz | Key Ingredients: Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Ginkgo Biloba, D-Biotin
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry previously recommended this lotion, which contains diaminopyrimidine oxide, ginkgo biloba, and biotin, as an alternative to minoxidil. It’s designed to be applied to the scalp daily to help add volume and thickness to hair over time without leaving a greasy residue.
Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumizing Paste
What we like
It claims to protect color. It deep cleans. A little goes a long way.
Points to note
Some people find the scent too strong
Size: 75 ml | Key Ingredients: Rasoul Mineral Clay, Baobab Leaf Extract, Centifolia Rose Water
If you’re just looking to add a little volume to your hair during temporary hair loss, Lam recommends using a volumizing product, as she experienced post-pregnancy hair loss and used this paste to add volume to her hair.
Miel Organic Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
What we like
Viral Products Highly Nutritious Product Specifications
Size: 2 oz | Main Ingredients: Castor Oil, Rosemary Oil
One expert previously said that rosemary oil has been proven to be the equivalent of 2.5% minoxidil. The best-selling oil is formulated with rosemary oil and mint and is designed to strengthen, lengthen and nourish hair, the brand says. The company adds that the oil is designed to deeply nourish 3A to 4C hair, chemically treated hair, and braids and weaves.
“My hair has been damaged for years and this has helped me get rid of the hair loss,” one reviewer wrote. “I started using this product 2 years ago and haven’t stopped using it ever since!! If you’re considering buying it, get it now.”
Bondi Boost Hair Growth Shampoo
What we like
Sulfate Free Strengthens the scalp Product Specifications
Size: 16.90 oz | Key Ingredients: Rosemary Oil, Peppermint Oil, Aloe Vera
A stylist previously recommended this shampoo to me as a solution for people with thinning hair, and it contains ingredients like saw palmetto, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil, which the brand says will help purify the scalp and combat thinning hair.
Prador Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo
What we like
Softens hairThickens hairAmazon Reviewer’s Favorite
Points to note
Some say it can be drying
Size: 16 oz | Key Ingredients: Tea Tree Oil, Argan Oil
Experts have previously said that this shampoo is perfect for those with sensitive scalps, and it contains ingredients like biotin, nettle extract, pumpkin seed, and black cumin seed oil, which the brand claims will help add volume and thickness to your hair.
Virtue Minoxidil 5% Foam
What we like
Easy to apply. No foaming. Product Specifications
Size: 16 oz | Main Ingredient: Minoxidil
“It’s a proven treatment that promotes faster, thicker hair growth,” Dr. Leah Jacob, assistant professor of dermatology at Tulane University, previously told Shop Today. “The new formulation makes it easier and more mess-free to apply.”
How long does seasonal hair loss last?
Here’s the good news: Seasonal alopecia and telogen effluvium are temporary. “True telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that doesn’t leave a scar and isn’t permanent,” says Finney. “And it happens for a limited period of time, usually six weeks or a few months. And as long as you can identify the cause, or if you can’t, like in the postpartum case, the hair loss will stop at some point, usually after a few months, and hair will start growing back.”
If you’re experiencing increased hair loss and it fits one of the common causes above, Finney says, “Try not to worry too much about it, but set a reminder on your calendar to check in and reassess in two or four weeks.” If the hair loss hasn’t stopped by then, see a dermatologist who can evaluate the concern. “That’s when they’ll usually do blood work to make sure there’s not an underlying condition,” she adds.
Will seasonal hair loss be reversible?
If you’re just experiencing seasonal shedding, your hair will regrow and won’t notice a major change in the overall quality of your hair, but if you notice a significant change in the amount of hair you have or you notice more of your scalp showing than before, this could be a sign of an underlying issue.
“If you’re noticing it, there’s probably an underlying genetic component to your hair loss, and you’re becoming more aware of it now, especially if you’re in your 30s, 40s or 50s,” says Finney. “Because if you lose some of your hair, say 10%, and you only have 50% of what you had as a child, that loss is going to be much more noticeable, whereas if you’ve got 100% of your hair, then it’s not going to be as noticeable no matter how much you lose.”
Can COVID-19 cause hair loss?
Besides seasonal changes, another possible reason for the recent increase in hair loss is COVID-19. Research has shown that some people experience hair loss as a long-term side effect after contracting the virus. This is because telogen effluvium, also known as “stress-induced alopecia,” can occur after illness, hospitalization, or childbirth, says Finney. COVID-19 and hair loss have been linked, but the basis for that connection is unclear.
Meet Our Experts
Dr. Angela Lamb is the chair of the Department of Dermatology at Westside Mount Sinai in New York City. Dr. Robert Finney is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City who specializes in alopecia and cosmetics. Dr. Leah Jacob is an assistant professor of dermatology at Tulane University.
Reasons for choosing
The Shop TODAY team spoke with hair industry experts, including dermatologists Dr Angela Lamb, Dr Robert Finney and Dr Leah Jacob, to get insights on choosing the right treatment for hair loss and tips on proper usage.
We then scoured the internet to select shopper-popular products that met the guidelines laid out by our experts.
