As men age, hair thinning often becomes more noticeable. However, hair loss can also be influenced by seasonal changes, such as summer or transitional times of the year.

What kinds of strategies are effective for reducing this type of seasonal hair loss?

This article introduces effective countermeasures, as well as common mistakes that may worsen the problem.

When Are Men Most Likely to Experience Increased Hair Loss?

While hair loss in men is often considered a condition that occurs regardless of season, temporary increases in shedding can be triggered by changes in climate.

So, which seasons are especially known for causing more hair to fall out?

March to May

From March to May, the severe cold of winter begins to ease and the weather transitions to a warmer climate.

This rapid temperature change can place stress on the body, making it more prone to fatigue and illness.

Additionally, this period often brings major life changes such as job transfers, children entering school, or moving to a new residence—all of which can increase stress.

As a result, the autonomic nervous system may become imbalanced, reducing blood flow and nutrients to the scalp and leading to increased hair loss.

July to August

Summer brings the most intense UV rays of the year. Without proper sun protection, your scalp and hair roots can suffer serious damage.

In Japan, the combination of high heat and humidity in summer also increases sweat and sebum production, creating a scalp environment that easily deteriorates.

Neglecting proper care during this season can result in scalp irritation, dandruff, itching, and increased shedding.

October to November

Similar to early spring, the months of October and November mark another seasonal transition as the weather turns cold.

This shift can again disturb the autonomic nervous system.

In addition, daylight hours begin to shorten during this time, which can affect mood and contribute to stress-related hair loss.

How to Manage Seasonal Hair Loss in Men

Now that we’ve identified the seasons when hair loss is more likely to occur, what kinds of strategies can help prevent it from worsening?

UV Protection

Ultraviolet rays are a major threat to the scalp, especially in summer, so proper sun protection is essential.

When going outside or working outdoors, wear a hat and consider using a sunscreen spray designed specifically for the scalp.

Proper Hair Washing Techniques

The scalp produces a large amount of sebum and sweat, which can accumulate and worsen the scalp environment if not properly cleansed—potentially increasing hair loss.

To maintain scalp health, follow these hair-washing tips:

Rinse your scalp and hair with lukewarm water before applying shampoo.

Use an appropriate amount of shampoo and gently massage the scalp using your fingertips.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all residue.

Pat your hair with a towel to absorb moisture, then dry it with a hairdryer.

Pre-rinsing helps wash away dust and dirt on the scalp and hair, so be sure to do it before shampooing.

Also, when washing your hair, focus more on cleansing the scalp rather than the hair itself. Be thorough when washing from the hairline to the crown, sides, and back of the head.

A Balanced Diet

An unbalanced diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which in turn may prevent sufficient nutrients from reaching the scalp, contributing to hair loss.

It’s important to maintain a well-balanced diet. In particular, try to actively include the following nutrients:

Nutrient	Effect	Rich Sources
Protein	Main component of hair	Soy products, lean meats, fish, egg whites
Vitamins A & C	Antioxidant properties; protect the scalp from UV damage	Liver, butter, lemons, broccoli
Zinc	Promotes protein synthesis and supports hair growth	Oysters, beef, sardines
Iron	Delivers oxygen to the hair roots and promotes growth	Liver, hijiki seaweed, clams, spinach

Scalp Massage

Massaging the scalp can help improve blood circulation.

Using your fingertips, gently apply pressure across the entire scalp in a way that feels comfortable.

Avoid pressing too hard, as excessive pressure can damage the scalp and have the opposite effect.

Stress Management

Stress is harmful to overall health and can be an indirect cause of hair loss.

In modern life, it’s difficult to eliminate stress completely, so it’s important to learn how to manage it effectively.

Light exercise such as walking, jogging, or strength training can help.

You might also find relief through hobbies like travel, movies, or setting aside time for relaxation.

Improving Sleep Quality

Good sleep is essential not only for preventing hair loss but also for maintaining overall health.

In addition to ensuring enough hours of rest, consider avoiding smartphone use before bed, choosing bedding that suits your body, and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake.

Adjusting Lifestyle Habits

If irregular routines become the norm, seasonal hair loss may worsen and lead to a noticeable decrease in overall hair volume.

For example, working long hours at night, shift work, or high-stress jobs can all contribute to persistent hair loss if the root causes are not addressed.

If your hair loss continues to bother you, it might be worth considering a major change in your work or living environment.

How to Tell the Difference Between Seasonal Hair Loss and AGA

If you experience significant hair loss throughout the year, it may not be seasonal shedding but rather male pattern baldness, also known as AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia).

Although the symptoms can appear similar, there are key differences between the two.

Category	Seasonal Hair Loss	AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia)
Area of Hair Loss	Spread across the entire scalp	Thinning occurs in specific areas like the front or crown
Timing	Typically occurs in spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Nov)	Progresses regardless of the season
Duration	Usually resolves in a few weeks to 1–2 months	Continues over a long period and worsens if untreated
Hair Type Lost	Often thick, healthy strands	Usually thin, short hairs with deformed roots
Relation to Genetics	Not strongly related	Strongly influenced by hereditary factors
Scalp Condition	No major visible changes	Scalp becomes thinner, with more prominent follicles

Habits to Avoid During Peak Hair Shedding Seasons

Certain everyday behaviors might unknowingly worsen hair loss. Here are some actions to avoid—especially during times when hair shedding is at its peak.

Counting Fallen Hairs

When people become concerned about hair loss, it’s not uncommon for them to count the hairs they find in the shower drain or on their pillow.

However, this habit can actually increase stress, which may disrupt the autonomic nervous system and hormone balance—potentially worsening hair loss.

It’s normal for healthy adult men to shed around 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of the natural hair cycle.

Instead of obsessing over every fallen hair, focus on improving your sleep quality, diet, and scalp care routine.

Staying Up Late Past 2 A.M.

Staying up late is known to be harmful for hair health.

Hair growth is strongly influenced by growth hormones secreted during sleep, particularly between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Getting enough sleep during this period helps support healthy hair and prevent excessive shedding.

Leaving Sweat on the Scalp

Allowing sweat to remain on the scalp can create an unhealthy environment.

This is especially true after exercise or during Japan’s humid summer months, when sweat mixes with sebum and dirt, clogging the pores.

If not cleaned promptly, this buildup can promote bacterial growth, causing itching, inflammation, and even hair loss.

Whenever you sweat, try to wash your hair soon after or use a damp towel to keep your scalp clean.

Scrubbing with Fingernails While Shampooing

When the scalp feels itchy or sweaty, you may be tempted to scrub it hard with your nails while shampooing.

However, doing so can damage the scalp.

The scalp is particularly delicate, and scratching it with fingernails can create small wounds, increasing the risk of inflammation, dandruff, and hair loss.

People with long nails should be especially careful.

If you’re unsure how to shampoo correctly or find it difficult to stop using your nails, consider using a scalp brush for gentle cleansing.

Washing with Hot Water

Washing your hair with hot water may feel satisfying, but it’s not ideal for your scalp or hair.

Hot water can strip away even the essential sebum needed for scalp protection, leading to dryness and itchiness.

When the scalp becomes too dry, its barrier function weakens, making it more sensitive to external irritation and potentially increasing hair loss.

Use lukewarm water—around 38 to 40°C—to rinse your scalp gently.

If You’re Worried About Hair Loss, Consult Men’s Pride Clinic

When large amounts of hair fall out during seasonal transitions or summer, it can be hard to tell whether it’s just seasonal shedding or the onset of AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia).

The amount of hair loss varies greatly from person to person.

By the time you notice it, the shedding may have progressed, and your hair volume might already have visibly decreased.

If you start noticing hair loss during shampooing or right after waking up, it’s important to seek proper testing and treatment at a medical clinic.

However, for many men, hair loss is a sensitive issue.

Some may feel anxious about going to a clinic, fearing others will find out, or may simply be too busy with work to attend appointments.

That’s why Men’s Pride Clinic offers online consultations.

Without needing to visit the clinic in person, you can receive medical advice and treatment over the phone, reducing the emotional burden often associated with hair loss treatment.

In addition, online consultations only require payment for the prescribed medications—there are no consultation or travel fees, making it a more economical option.

If you’re looking for a reliable clinic that offers trusted treatment for hair loss and thinning hair—even for first-time patients—Men’s Pride Clinic is here to help.

Conclusion

Men often experience increased hair shedding during seasonal transitions in spring and autumn, or during summer when sweat and sebum production rise. This type of seasonal hair loss is distinct from AGA.

However, if proper hair care, healthy lifestyle habits, and stress management are neglected, the scalp environment can worsen, leading to further hair loss.

For those who have never dealt with hair loss before, the experience can be quite shocking.

But by undergoing early testing and receiving appropriate treatment, there is a strong chance of improvement.