Maria’s Guide to Managing Seasonal Hair Loss

Hi, I’m Maria Sotiriou, co-founder of SILKE London and a hairstylist for 37 years.

Every autumn in the salon, clients would sit in my chair, worried by the sudden increase in hair they saw left behind in their brush or shower. I’ve experienced it myself too. There’s an old saying: “When leaves fall, hair falls too” - and it’s true.

While it can feel alarming, the truth is: this is a perfectly natural part of your hair’s cycle. And the good news is, with the right care, you can minimise unnecessary breakage and give your new growth the best chance to thrive.

Here’s what’s really happening - and my top tips for keeping your hair strong and healthy this season.

 

Why does seasonal hair loss happen?

Your hair grows in cycles:

• Anagen (growth phase): where new strands grow.
• Catagen (transition phase): when growth slows down.
• Telogen (resting/shedding phase): where older strands fall to make way for new ones.

Most of the time, your hair is in the growth phase. But come autumn, more hairs than usual shift into the shedding phase. It’s thought to be linked to the natural rhythm of our bodies after summer stressors - heat, UV exposure, and environmental changes - and is most noticeable around September and October.

This shedding is temporary, and it doesn’t mean your hair is “falling out.” It’s simply part of your body’s renewal process. The key is protecting the new growth and reducing unnecessary damage to the strands you already have.

 

My seasonal hair care tips

1. Protect overnight

Cotton pillowcases and synthetic fabrics tug, dehydrate, and weaken hair fibres while you sleep. Tossing and turning creates friction that leads to frizz, dryness, and breakage - especially for the fine new hairs growing in.

Switching to silk makes all the difference. Sleeping in a SILKE Hair Wrap cushions your strands, protects delicate regrowth, locks in hydration, and even keeps your style intact until morning.

Think of it as the easiest overnight treatment you’ll ever use.

 

2. Be gentle with wet hair

Your hair is at its most vulnerable when it’s wet - it stretches more easily and can snap under tension. If you’re rough with a towel or brush, you’re almost guaranteed to cause unnecessary breakage.

Instead:

• Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle slowly.
• Gently squeeze, don’t rub, excess water with a towel.
• Always let hair dry fully before tying it back - and when you do, use silk scrunchies or hair ties that won’t snag or pull.

This small change makes a big difference in protecting fragile strands, especially during shedding season.

3. Support your scalp

Healthy growth starts at the scalp. One of the best things you can do for your hair is to gently stimulate circulation, encouraging nutrients and oxygen to reach the follicles.

A few times a week, try using a scalp massage brush in small circular motions. For extra nourishment, apply a lightweight oil sparingly - focusing more on the scalp than the lengths.

Side note: Avoid overusing clarifying shampoos. While they’re good for removing build-up, they can strip the scalp of essential oils and leave fragile new hairs exposed.

 

4. Switch to heatless styling

Overusing hot tools is one of the quickest ways to damage new growth. Fresh strands are more delicate, and excessive heat can scorch them before they’ve had the chance to strengthen.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up styling altogether. My go-to solution is the SILKE Heatless Curler. It creates glossy, bouncy waves without heat damage - a game-changer for preserving the health of your hair during the shedding season (and beyond).

 

Your seasonal ritual

Seasonal shedding is nothing to fear - it’s your body making space for fresh, healthy growth. But autumn is also the perfect time to reset your routine and give your hair a little extra care.

Here’s a simple ritual I recommend:

• Sleep in a silk Hair Wrap or on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction overnight.
• Handle wet hair gently - always detangle slowly, and secure only when dry with silk ties.
• Massage your scalp regularly to stimulate healthy regrowth.
• Embrace heatless styling to minimise unnecessary damage.

These habits not only help you through seasonal shedding, but they’ll also keep your hair looking and feeling its best all year round.

Final thoughts

Seasonal hair loss is natural, temporary, and nothing to panic about. Instead of focusing on the strands you’re shedding, shift your attention to the healthy new ones growing in. With the right care and a little consistency, you’ll support stronger, fuller hair over time.

If you’d like to explore the products I recommend to clients during this season, take a look at my curated Autumn Hair Essentials collection.