Stylists Reveal Autumn Hair Care Tips You Probably Didn’t Know
Autumn might be one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, but your hair often pays the price for those crisp mornings, chilly winds, and cosy central heating. According to top stylists at Fresha, the world’s leading beauty and wellness booking platform, the transition from summer to autumn can leave hair weaker, drier, and far more prone to breakage than most people realise.
From unexpected seasonal shedding to the hidden impact of scarves and hats, stylists reveal the lesser-known autumn hair care tips that can help you keep your locks strong, shiny, and healthy through to winter.
Why Hair Struggles in Autumn
While summer brings UV damage and humidity, autumn has its own unique set of hair challenges. Central heating dries out the air indoors, harsh winds increase breakage, and cooler weather changes how your scalp behaves. Fresha stylists explain that even seasonal shedding—a completely natural phenomenon—peaks during this time of year.
“Autumn is when hair needs the most attention,” says a Hair & Colour Specialist at Fresha. “People don’t realise that seasonal shedding is real, or that heating and hard water together can strip the scalp. Knowing these small tricks can completely change how your hair looks and feels through to winter.”
6 Surprising Autumn Hair Tips From Stylists
1. Seasonal Shedding Is Real – Eat More Protein
If you’ve noticed extra strands in your brush, you’re not imagining it. Autumn is a key time for shedding. To combat it, stylists recommend increasing protein in your diet with foods like eggs, beans, and lean meat. Protein is essential for hair growth, helping follicles bounce back faster.
2. Stop Static From Scarves With a Leave-In Mist
Jumpers, hats, and scarves are autumn wardrobe staples—but they can also cause static and frizz. Spritzing a fine mist of leave-in conditioner before heading out creates a moisture barrier, reducing friction and leaving hair smoother and more manageable.
3. Hard Water + Heating = Dryness — Use Clarifying Shampoo
As heating season begins, hard water build-up on the scalp becomes worse. Stylists suggest using a clarifying shampoo once a week to strip away minerals that amplify dryness and dullness. Just be sure to follow with a hydrating conditioner.
4. Flat Roots From Hats? Switch Your Parting
Woolly hats might keep you warm, but they can flatten your style. A quick fix? Change your parting occasionally. This prevents roots from becoming permanently weighed down, instantly giving your hair more lift and volume.
5. Balance Autumn Oiliness With a Scalp Scrub
Surprisingly, autumn often brings extra oil at the scalp—especially as heating and temperature fluctuations disrupt your skin. Gently exfoliating your scalp once a week balances oil production and keeps hair follicles healthy, encouraging stronger growth.
6. Don’t Forget UV Protection
While UV rays are weaker in autumn, they can still fade colour and damage hair. Stylists recommend using a heat and UV protection spray year-round. It shields your strands not only from styling tools but also from lingering sun exposure.
The Bottom Line
Autumn hair care is about prevention as much as cure. By making small adjustments to your routine—whether it’s tweaking your diet, adding a weekly scalp scrub, or spritzing on leave-in conditioner—you can protect your hair from the season’s hidden stressors.
As Fresha’s experts put it: “Hair care in autumn isn’t about spending more, it’s about knowing what your hair really needs.”
So the next time you reach for your cosy jumper or crank up the heating, remember these tips. A little extra attention now could be the difference between dull, lifeless strands and healthy, glowing locks all winter long.
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