UNDERSTANDING SEASONAL HAIR SHEDDING
Each hair follows a natural cycle: it grows, enters a resting phase, and then falls out to make way for new hair.
During seasonal changes, this renewal process can intensify and lead to temporarily heavier hair loss, particularly in the spring and fall. Autumn: mid-August to mid-November. Spring: mid-March to mid-May. The main shedding period is in August / September and another less common shedding period sometime in April.
Seasonal shedding stops after a few months and hair grows back and density slowly improves. The best hair density for humans is probably sometime in the month of February (August in the southern hemisphere). However, we always want to ensure stronger regrowth, not weaker. This is done with good scalp treatments with targeted functions.
Support always begins before hair loss becomes a cause for concern.
Why does Seasonal Shedding happen?..
The exact reason why seasonal shedding occurs is not clear although there are discussions relating to vitamin D, Melatonin, and Prolactin. The reality is we don’t fully understand all the reasons why some people are affected and not others. Poor hair hygiene or frequent use of products that leave residue may impair regrowth, cause inflammation and may promote more shedding.
We must therefore promote optimal regrowth by ensuring the scalp is healthy.
What else does your scalp experience during Seasonal Transitions?..
Skin reactivity…
Does your scalp feel more irritated during this time of year? As the seasons change and the weather gets cooler, we also start cranking up the indoor heating system. Dry air inside, colder air outside. There may be cold-dampness or cold-dryness, depending on where you live. It’s common to notice changes in your scalp: itching, dryness, flaking or overall irritation than usual.
What can be done to help with all of this? …
Regular in-salon scalp care along with a bespoke home care regimen is always recommended.
Keeping track of your scalp and hair condition via regular trichoscope analysis and adopting the appropriate scalp care and hair care products which are suitable for your “current” scalp condition. Your scalp condition is forever changing, so is the condition of your hair based on your maintenance, chemical services, lifestyle and weather changes. When people say that their shampoo “has stopped working”, it is not because the product itself has diminished effectiveness; it is because your scalp condition has changed.
House Of Yoko’s bi-annual in-salon treatment: Offered between Sept~November and March~May
“Seasonal Shedding Renewal Ritual” — House Of Yoko’s special in-salon treatment ritual specific to Seasonal Shedding:
This is a professional in-salon ritual involving 2 services done 4 weeks apart.
Phase 1: Anti-Residue Purifying Treatment: Targets removing buildup by softening and loosening.
Phase 2: Regenerating Treatment: Continuing and completing the deep cleansing process by removing the buildup that has been softened. It targets deeply nourishing, hydrating the hair while stimulating the hair follicles to ensure stronger regrowth.
The combination of these two treatments allows for a gradual and more longer lasting process whereby the Purifying Treatment prepares the scalp, while the Regenerating Treatment completes the deep cleansing process and deeply nourishes the scalp while stimulating the follicles to produce stronger hair.
When you may want to seek the help of a Certified Trichologist:
Seasonal shedding is a completely normal part of the hair growth cycle. We naturally lose hairs daily as older terminal hairs make way for new growth. However, the important thing to be mindful is when your shedding becomes heavier than usual, continues for long periods or you begin to see changes in hair density, If you are noticing more of your part, temples or crown, you may be experiencing androgenetic alopecia, whether male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss. There may be various reasons for acute or chronic Telogen Effluvium that is separate from Seasonal Shedding. Moreover, Hair Loss in general is very multi-factorial. Every individual’s hair loss will be different and the factors triggering it are all different, hence, a bespoke approach to treatment is crucial.
