Is Your Hair Shedding More This Fall? Here’s What to Do (and Why It’s Probably Okay)

Every single autumn, it’s the same story. As soon as the weather gets crisp, people start to notice it—more hair in the brush, on the pillow, or swirling down the shower drain. It’s a moment of panic for many, and the first question is always, “Is this normal?!”

I want to start by saying: yes, in most cases, a little extra shedding in the fall is completely normal. It’s a real, biological thing. But knowing that doesn’t make it any less unsettling. The good news is, there are some incredibly effective, simple things you can do at home to support your hair and scalp through this seasonal shift.

My entire approach is built on understanding why things happen. I’m not about miracle cures, but I have a huge amount of respect for the power of natural, well-chosen ingredients. We’re going to dive into some amazing at-home hair masks, but more than that, I’ll explain why your hair sheds in the first place and how these specific ingredients actually work. This is about giving your hair what it truly needs to be healthy for the long haul.

First, Let’s Talk About “Normal” Shedding

So, how much is too much? It’s totally normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. During the fall, that number can sometimes jump up to 150 without being a cause for alarm. The key is that it’s a temporary increase. If you’re suddenly losing hair in clumps, noticing distinct bald patches, or the shedding continues for more than a few months, it’s time to check in with a doctor or a trichologist (a scalp specialist). Those can be signs of underlying issues like nutritional deficiencies or thyroid problems that these masks can’t fix. Always put your health first!

The Science Bit: Why We Shed More in the Fall

To really get a handle on this, you need to know that your hair grows in a cycle. Think of it like a little plant in your scalp. It has three phases:

1. The Growing Phase (Anagen): This is the long haul, lasting anywhere from two to seven years. At any given time, about 85-90% of your hair is in this active growth stage.
2. The Transition Phase (Catagen): A short, two-week period where the hair follicle shrinks and growth stops.
3. The Resting Phase (Telogen): The hair just kind of hangs out for about three months before it naturally sheds, making way for a new hair to grow. This is the hair you find in your brush.

So what’s up with autumn? Research suggests our bodies might cleverly hold onto more hair during the summer to give our scalps extra protection from the sun’s UV rays. Once fall arrives and the sun isn’t as intense, the body signals all that extra hair to enter the resting phase at once. About three months later—right on schedule for fall—they all shed. It’s a temporary condition some pros call seasonal telogen effluvium.

Honestly, summer can also just be rough on hair. Sun, chlorine, and heat can cause damage and breakage, which can look like shedding. The key takeaway is that it’s a biological rhythm. Our job is to make sure the scalp is healthy and the hair coming in is strong and nourished.

Before You Mix: Know Your Hair Type

Okay, before we get to the recipes, let’s figure out what you’re working with. You’ll see terms like ‘fine,’ ‘coarse,’ ‘high porosity,’ and ‘low porosity.’ Knowing yours is the secret to choosing the right ingredients.

Quick Tip: The Strand Test
Pinch a single strand of hair between your fingers. Can you barely feel it? You probably have fine hair. If you can distinctly feel a solid, thick strand, you likely have coarse hair.

Good to know: The Porosity Test
Porosity is all about how well your hair absorbs and holds moisture. This one is a game-changer. Drop a clean, dry strand of your hair into a glass of water.

• If it sinks right away, you have high porosity hair. It absorbs moisture easily but loses it just as fast. It loves richer, heavier oils and butters.
• If it floats on top for a while before sinking, you have low porosity hair. Its cuticles are tightly packed, making it hard for moisture to get in. It needs lighter oils that won’t just sit on top.
• If it hangs out in the middle, you have medium porosity, which is the easiest to manage.

Armed with that knowledge, you can pick the perfect mask for you.

Choosing Your Mask: A Quick Guide

Here’s a quick rundown of the masks we’re about to make, so you can pick the right one at a glance:

• The Strengthening Protein Mask: Best for fine, weak, or damaged hair. Its main job is to add strength and reduce breakage. Use it every 1-2 weeks.
• The Deep Moisture Sealing Mask: A lifesaver for dry, coarse, frizzy, or high-porosity hair. It’s all about deep hydration and shine. Safe to use weekly.
• The Antioxidant Powerhouse Mask: Perfect for dull, lifeless hair. Think of it as a revitalizing green smoothie for your scalp and strands. You can use this one weekly.
• The Clarifying Scalp Mask: The go-to for oily or flaky scalps, or if you use a lot of styling products. It cleanses and soothes the scalp. Use this one only every 2-3 weeks.

Sourcing Your Ingredients (Without Breaking the Bank)

The quality of your mask really does depend on the quality of your ingredients. It makes a huge difference. Look for oils that are “cold-pressed” or “unrefined”—this means they hold onto more of their nutrients. You can find excellent options in the organic aisle of most supermarkets, at health food stores, or online. A good bottle of cold-pressed castor or coconut oil will usually run you between $10 and $20 and will last for ages.

For honey, try to get raw, unfiltered stuff. For eggs and yogurt, fresh and full-fat is best. If a recipe calls for aloe, using the gel straight from a fresh leaf is far better than the green stuff in a bottle, which often has drying alcohols.

Heads up! Always mix your masks in a non-metallic bowl (glass or ceramic is perfect) with a wooden or silicone whisk. Some ingredients can react with metal. And a pro tip I swear by: if your mask has banana or avocado, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after blending. Trust me, nobody wants to spend 20 minutes picking fruit bits out of their hair.

Four Foundational Mask Recipes for Autumn Hair

Alright, let’s get mixing! For any new concoction, please do a quick patch test on your inner arm 24 hours before putting it all over your scalp, just to be safe.

1. The Strengthening Protein and Oil Mask

This is my go-to for hair that feels weak and snaps easily. It delivers a perfect balance of protein for structure and oil for flexibility.

Total Time: About 45 mins (5 min prep, 30 min treatment, 10 min rinse)
Storage: Use immediately. Do not store this mask.

The egg yolk is the star here—it’s packed with proteins to patch up weak spots in the hair shaft. Castor oil is an old-school favorite for stimulating the scalp, while honey draws in moisture to keep the hair from getting stiff.

Ingredients:

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tbsp unrefined castor oil (around $10-15 online or at a health store)
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

How to Apply It Like a Pro:

1. Whisk the egg yolk until it’s frothy. Slowly drizzle in the oils while whisking constantly, like you’re making mayonnaise. Stir in the honey.
2. On dry or slightly damp hair, section your hair and apply the mask to your scalp first. Spend 3-5 minutes massaging it in with your fingertips in firm, circular motions.
3. Work the rest down the lengths of your hair, focusing on the ends.
4. Pop on a shower cap and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Don’t overdo it—too much protein can make hair brittle.
5. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP: Rinse with COOL or LUKEWARM water. Hot water will cook the egg into a scrambled mess in your hair. (I learned this the hard way after an apprentice made this mistake once… it took an hour to fix!) After a thorough rinse, shampoo and condition as usual.

2. The Deep Moisture Sealing Mask

If the dry autumn air is making your hair frizzy and brittle, this is your moisture bomb. It’s protein-free, so it’s great for weekly use.

Total Time: 1 hour or more (5 min prep, 45+ min treatment, 10 min rinse)
Storage: You can store leftover oil mix in a sealed glass jar in a cool, dark place for up to a month.

Coconut oil is amazing because its molecules are small enough to actually penetrate the hair shaft for deep moisture, while olive oil seals the cuticle to lock it all in.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil (~$8-15 for a jar)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Optional: 1 tsp avocado oil for extra softness

How to Apply It Like a Pro:

1. Gently melt the coconut oil until it’s liquid, then stir in the other oils. Let it cool so it’s warm, not hot.
2. Apply this to DRY hair, from the middle to the ends. Applying oil to dry hair ensures it soaks in properly. If your scalp is also dry, feel free to massage it in there, too.
3. Let it sit for at least 45 minutes. For a deep treat, you can even leave it on overnight (just protect your pillow!).
4. Washing-out tip: This can be tricky. Apply your shampoo directly to your oiled, DRY hair before you add water. Lather it up to break down the oil, then add water and wash as normal. You might need to shampoo twice.

3. The Antioxidant Powerhouse Mask

This is like a superfood smoothie for dull, tired hair. It’s fantastic for revitalizing your strands and promoting a healthy scalp.

Total Time: About 50 mins (10 min prep, 30 min treatment, 10 min rinse)
Storage: This is best used fresh. Toss any leftovers.

Banana is rich in potassium and natural oils that soften hair and improve elasticity. The yogurt contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates the scalp.

Ingredients:

• 1 very ripe banana
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp full-fat plain yogurt

How to Apply It Like a Pro:

1. Blend the banana in a blender until it is COMPLETELY smooth. I’m not kidding. If you just mash it with a fork, you’ll be picking out banana bits for days. (Ask me how I know.) Straining it is even better.
2. Stir in the honey and yogurt.
3. Apply to damp hair from roots to ends, massaging it into the scalp.
4. Leave on for 30-40 minutes under a shower cap, then rinse very, very thoroughly before you shampoo.

4. The Clarifying and Soothing Scalp Mask

If you have an oily or flaky scalp, or you use a lot of styling products, this mask will help reset everything by gently clarifying and soothing the skin.

Total Time: About 25 mins (5 min prep, 15 min treatment, 5 min rinse)
Storage: Use immediately.

Aloe vera is a rockstar—it contains enzymes that break down dead skin cells and it’s super soothing. The lemon juice cuts through oil and product buildup. But a word of warning…

A Critical Safety Note: Lemon juice can be irritating and can lighten your hair, especially in the sun. Use it sparingly. If you have a sensitive scalp, I’d suggest a great alternative: use 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar instead. It’s also clarifying but generally gentler.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp fresh aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (OR 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar)

How to Apply It Like a Pro:

1. Whisk your aloe gel and stir in the lemon juice or ACV.
2. This mask is for your SCALP ONLY. Apply it directly to your scalp on dry hair.
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes MAX. If it starts to burn or feel really uncomfortable, wash it out immediately.
4. Rinse thoroughly, then shampoo and condition, focusing the conditioner on your ends. Use this targeted treatment only once every two or three weeks.

No Time for a Full Mask? Try This.

Let’s be real, sometimes you just don’t have an hour. For a quick win, just give yourself a 5-minute scalp massage with your fingertips while you’re watching TV. Use firm, circular motions all over your head. It costs nothing, feels amazing, and helps stimulate blood flow to your follicles. It’s a great first step.

Final Thoughts

Caring for your hair is a deeply personal thing. Your hair will tell you what it needs if you learn to listen. Maybe it feels a bit weighed down after an oil treatment—try using less next time. Or maybe it feels incredibly strong after the protein mask—great, stick with that every couple of weeks.

Consistency is always better than intensity. A simple, regular routine will do more for your hair’s long-term health than one frantic, complicated treatment. Be patient. The seasonal shedding will pass. By giving your hair this foundational support, you’re setting yourself up for a healthy, resilient head of hair all year long.