We asked trichologist Deborah Maguire, co-founder of Love Hair in the Cotswolds and the Seed & Soul Nutrition for Hair brand with Katie Hemming.
As the seasons shift from long summer days into cooler autumn evenings, many clients start to notice more hair fall in the shower, on their brush, or even on their pillow. While it’s easy to assume summer sun, holidays or heat styling are to blame, the reality lies deeper in our biology. Hair naturally moves through three key phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (shedding).
For some people, telogen peaks in late summer into early autumn, and this seasonal shedding is thought to be linked to changes in daylight hours rather than environmental damage or weather alone. What’s often misunderstood is the timing – when a client notices hair shedding today, it’s usually a delayed response to something that happened two to three months ago. That could be physical or emotional stress, illness, travel disruption, dietary changes, or even hormonal fluctuations. A common misconception is that summer causes shedding directly, but what we see in September or October is typically the result of earlier events triggering telogen effluvium, a temporary, diffuse shedding where more hairs than usual shift into the resting phase.
When supporting a client through seasonal shedding, it’s important to look at the wider picture. Nutrition plays a central role, especially when it comes to protein and essential vitamins. Clients who are dieting, on weight loss medication, or simply leading hectic lives with irregular meals may be nutritionally depleted, and if the follicles aren’t getting what they need, hair quality and growth inevitably suffer. Low iron levels, particularly low ferritin, are a well-known but often overlooked trigger of hair loss, especially in women. Hormonal balance also plays a huge part. Postpartum, perimenopausal, or post-pill clients may experience changes in shedding patterns, and stress – whether physical, emotional, or even low-grade chronic – can disrupt the normal growth cycle and lead to excess shedding.
In my trichology clinic and through Seed & Soul, I always emphasise that healthy hair starts from within. Our targeted supplement has been carefully formulated to nourish the follicle at the root, supporting the hair cycle with essential vitamins, minerals and botanicals such as reishi mushroom and green tea extract. These ingredients are selected for their ability to promote normal growth, strength and resilience, helping protect against lifestyle stressors and nutritional gaps that contribute to shedding. By working in harmony with the natural hair cycle, we can support the scalp and strands during more vulnerable periods, including seasonal transitions.
If a client’s shedding feels excessive or prolonged, it’s worth looking beyond the seasonal pattern. Significant thinning, changes to hair texture or hairline, or scalp discomfort may indicate an underlying issue that warrants referral to a GP or registered trichologist. Hair often reflects overall wellbeing; when the body is under pressure, the hair is often one of the first areas to show it. As professionals, we’re in a unique position to spot these signs early and help guide our clients toward the right support.
While autumn may bring an uptick in shedding, it also presents an opportunity. It’s a chance to check in with clients about their broader wellbeing, offer guidance around internal health as well as external care, and position the salon as a place where hair wellness is treated holistically. Rather than focusing on loss, we can focus on resilience – restoring confidence, replenishing nutrients, and reinforcing healthy habits for the season ahead.
To book a trichology seminar with Deborah or to find out more about Seed & Soul:
https://www.seedandsoul.co/
hello@seedandsoul.co
https://www.instagram.com/seedandsoul.co_
