Fall Hair Fall: Why Your Strands Are Dropping Like Leaves

If you’ve been seeing more hair in your brush lately, you’re not alone. Autumn tends to bring a spike in shedding—something dermatologists refer to as seasonal telogen effluvium. But before you panic over strands in the drain, let’s talk about what’s happening, why it’s normal (to a point), and what you can do to support your scalp through the seasonal shift.

Hair Fall vs. Hair Loss: Know the Difference

Hair fall is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. At any given time, about 10% of your follicles are in the resting (telogen) phase, and those strands will naturally shed. The problem isn’t the shedding—it’s when those hairs aren’t replaced.

 

That’s when we move into the territory of hair loss: a more chronic, often hormonal or medical condition where the growth cycle is disrupted. The biggest giveaway? Regrowth. With seasonal hair fall, it comes back. With hair loss, it doesn’t.

Why You Shed More in Fall

There’s a reason fall feels like prime hair-shedding season:

 

• Shorter daylight hours affect melatonin and serotonin, nudging more follicles into rest mode.
  

• Summer exposure—UV, salt water, chlorine—can cause delayed breakage that shows up months later.
  

• Environmental shifts, like drier air and cooler temps, can dehydrate the scalp, making it less hospitable for hair retention.
  

• Stress (back-to-school, holiday lead-up) triggers cortisol spikes that impact the hair cycle.
  

• Evolutionary cycles may play a role too; some mammals shed more in fall to prep for winter hair growth—and humans may still carry a whisper of that biology.
  
  

What Actually Helps with Hair Fall

If you want to minimize excessive shedding, the key is creating a scalp environment that’s clean, calm, and conducive to growth. Here’s how to think about your product choices:

1. Choose a Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione

Zinc pyrithione (ZPT) is a well-researched antifungal and antimicrobial active that helps regulate the scalp’s microbiome—particularly if Malassezia (a yeast naturally present on skin) is contributing to inflammation or excess oil. Inflammation is a major driver of hair fall, so calming that irritation is essential.

 

ZPT also helps reduce flaking and buildup that can clog follicles and interfere with the normal hair cycle.

 

Look for: A sulfate-free shampoo with 1% zinc pyrithione, ideally paired with calming ingredients like squalane or green tea extract.

 

Worth trying: Jupiter’s Balancing Shampoo—clean, clinical, and specifically formulated for scalp health with zinc pyrithione at its core.

2. Use a Conditioner That Supports the Scalp Barrier

Many conditioners are designed purely for the mid-lengths and ends—but during high-shed periods, it’s worth choosing one that supports the scalp too.

 

Look for ingredients like probiotics, vitamin E, and plant-based emollients that hydrate without weighing hair down or clogging pores. These help soothe inflammation, reinforce the scalp’s natural barrier, and support an environment that favors regrowth.

 

Worth trying: Jupiter’s Nourishing Conditioner is one example—it’s lightweight enough for the scalp, rich enough for dry strands, and designed to complement a medicated shampoo without counteracting it.

3. Incorporate a Weekly Scalp Treatment

A healthy scalp starts with a clear scalp. Weekly use of an exfoliating scalp mask can help remove debris, dead skin, and excess oil that regular shampooing may miss—especially if you're dealing with buildup from styling products.

 

Look for alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic or lactic acid, which gently exfoliate and improve product penetration without scrubbing or irritation.

 

Worth trying: Jupiter’s Purifying Mask uses glycolic acid in a pre-shampoo format to reset the scalp. It’s a great weekly reset, especially during seasonal transitions.

4. Support Circulation with Gentle Stimulation

Boosting blood flow to the scalp helps bring oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. You don’t need to be aggressive—a soft silicone scalp brush used during shampooing can make a big difference without causing damage.

 

Tip: Avoid hard-bristled brushes or fingernails. Think: massage, not scratch.

 

Worth trying: Jupiter makes a silicone-bristled Exfoliating Brush that’s great for this purpose, but any similar tool will work if it's gentle and well-designed.

5. Don’t Overlook the Basics

Even the best products won’t outpace poor habits. Be gentle with your hair—especially when wet—and avoid tight hairstyles or heavy heat styling during shedding season.

 

Also consider your internal factors:

 

• Protein, iron, and B vitamins are essential for hair health.
  

• Chronic stress can fast-track follicles into the resting phase.
  

• Sleep, hydration, and hormonal balance all play a role.
  
  

When to See a Dermatologist

If your shedding lasts more than a couple of months, or if you’re noticing thinning, bald patches, or inflammation, it’s time to check in with a professional. Hair fall is normal. Hair loss isn’t something to self-diagnose.

Final Thought

Seasonal shedding is real—but so is your power to support your scalp through it. Choose ingredients that are backed by science, treat your scalp like skin, and aim for products that work with your biology, not against it.

 

Curious about where to start? Jupiter’s collection is a strong example of products formulated with the right ingredients and science-backed approach to help you stay ahead of seasonal hair fall. Explore the full line at hellojupiter.com.