Autumn Hair Shedding and PRP: What to Check First

Many people say they notice more hair falling in autumn. Whether there is a reliable seasonal pattern is less clear, and a change of season is not an explanation for a sudden, heavy or lasting change. This guide walks through what normal shedding looks like, the common reasons it increases, and where PRP may or may not fit.

How much shedding is normal?

Losing hair every day is part of the normal hair cycle. The British Association of Dermatologists’ information on telogen effluvium explains that most people lose between 30 and 150 hairs from the scalp each day, and that around 15% of scalp follicles are usually in the shedding phase at any one time. Those hairs are gradually replaced by new growth.

That range is wide, and daily habits change how much you notice. Hair that is washed less often can seem to fall in larger amounts on wash day. Long hair looks more dramatic in a plughole than short hair. A new brush, a different styling routine or simply paying closer attention can all make ordinary shedding feel like a problem.

A more useful question is whether something has changed for you. Are you seeing noticeably more hair than your own usual amount? Has your ponytail become thinner, or your parting wider? Is the scalp showing through in a way it did not a few months ago? Those observations help separate a busy week of shedding from a change that deserves a closer look.

Shedding that follows a trigger

One common reason for a sudden increase is telogen effluvium. In this condition, more hairs than usual move into the shedding phase at once. The BAD lists triggers including childbirth, a severe illness with a high fever, major life stress, surgery, significant weight loss, extreme dieting, new medicines and stopping hormonal treatments such as the contraceptive pill.

The timing often surprises people. Shedding can begin around three months after the trigger, so the cause may not be obvious. A summer illness, a difficult period at work, a strict diet before a holiday or a change of medicine could all be relevant to hair that starts falling in the autumn. It is worth looking back at the months before you noticed the change, not just the last few weeks.

The BAD explains that the shedding phase lasts between three and six months, after which new hair starts to grow, although it may take many months for volume and thickness to return. It also notes that treatment is not normally needed, because the hair usually grows back naturally. If shedding does not improve, the advice is to see your doctor.

Thinning that builds gradually

Gradual thinning is a different pattern. Instead of lots of hair falling at once, you might notice a wider parting, less density on the crown or more scalp visible under bright light. Female pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in women, and male pattern hair loss often shows at the temples and crown. These patterns tend to develop over a longer period and do not usually resolve on their own.

Some changes should go to your GP first rather than to an aesthetics clinic. These include:

• round or patchy bald areas
• a sore, red, scaly or itchy scalp
• hair loss alongside other symptoms, such as unexplained tiredness or weight change
• very sudden or heavy hair loss
• hair loss that started after a new medicine

A GP can look at the cause and discuss options that suit it. Knowing the likely cause first means any cosmetic treatment is chosen for the right reason, rather than being used to cover up something that needs medical attention.

Where PRP fits

PRP uses a small sample of your own blood. As our PRP and PRF treatment page explains, the blood is taken in a similar way to a routine blood test and processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. The concentrate is then returned to the treatment area through microinjections or microneedling. PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) is a closely related preparation, and your practitioner will explain which is being proposed and why.

PRP is offered privately for some types of thinning, and it is important to be clear about the evidence. The BAD’s patient information on female pattern hair loss notes that PRP is not offered on the NHS and that research is still too limited to show when and how it might work. A good consultation should be honest about that uncertainty and explain why PRP is being suggested for your particular pattern of hair loss.

That also means PRP is not an automatic answer to shedding. If your hair loss clearly follows a trigger and is expected to settle, a course of treatment may not be needed at all. Where it is considered, it is usually discussed as a series of sessions with a review of progress, rather than a single appointment. Our earlier guide to PRP and PRF for thinning hair covers the treatment process in more detail.

PRP uses your own blood, but it is still an injectable procedure. Mild redness or swelling can occur afterwards and usually settles within a few days. Your practitioner should ask about your medical history, any blood disorders and the medicines you take, including blood-thinning medicines, before deciding whether treatment is suitable. Where more than one concern is involved, a combination of treatments may be recommended to address different concerns for a more optimal result.

Preparing for a hair consultation

A little preparation makes the conversation more useful. Before your appointment, note:

• when you first noticed the change, and whether it was sudden or gradual
• anything significant in the three months before it started, such as illness, stress, surgery or a change in diet
• the medicines and supplements you take, and any recent changes
• whether close relatives have experienced thinning
• changes to your hair routine, such as tight styles, heat or colouring

Photographs help too. Take pictures of your parting and crown in the same place and light, so any comparison over the coming months is fair. A flattering selfie and a close-up under a bathroom spotlight will tell very different stories about the same hair.

Most importantly, go in with an open mind about the outcome. A consultation might end with a treatment plan, a recommendation to see your GP first, or reassurance that the shedding is likely to settle. All three are useful answers.

Frequently asked questions