Loss of hair is known as alopecia in medical terms. At some point in their lives, both men and women may experience hair loss. If you’re losing your hair, it could be due to stress. Continue reading to learn more about your hair’s health, whether the effects are permanent, and what you can do to encourage regrowth.
Understanding Stress Related Hair Loss
Stress related hair loss occurs when physical or emotional stress disrupts the normal hair growth cycle. Stress and hair loss can be related because stress activates the sympathetic nervous system and affects hair follicle activity. In some cases, chronic and emotional stress is related to hair loss because stress hormones interfere with the processes that support healthy hair growth.
How Stress Affects The Hair Growth Cycle
Hair grows in several phases, including the anagen phase, catagen phase, and resting stages of the hair growth cycle. When a person experiences high levels of stress, more hair follicles may shift into the resting phase, which can lead to increased hair shedding. This condition is often referred to as telogen effluvium and is one of the most common forms of stress related hair loss.
Medical Conditions Linked To Stress And Hair Loss
Stress related hair loss may also be connected to conditions such as alopecia and alopecia areata. Psychological stress and chronic stress can trigger changes in the immune system that affect hair follicles. Research suggests that stress hormone activity can impair stem cells necessary for hair growth and disrupt the function of hair follicle stem cells.
Treatment Options For Stress Related Hair Loss
Treatment for stress related hair loss often focuses on addressing the underlying stress and supporting healthy hair growth. Managing stress through lifestyle changes, therapy, and improved health habits can help restore the normal hair growth cycle. In many cases, hair regrowth begins once the source of stress is reduced and the body returns to balance.
Recovery And Hair Regrowth After Stress
The encouraging news for many patients is that your hair follicles haven't been permanently damaged in most cases of stress related hair loss. Once stress levels decrease and the body stabilizes, hair regrowth usually occurs over time. With proper care and attention to overall health, many people experiencing stress related hair loss see improvement in hair density and reduced hair shedding.
What to do?
There are many ways people can try to slow hair loss and encourage new hair growth.
Diet and nutrition
For your body’s health — and your hair — you need to eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet rich in whole foods.
While everyone should include all of the essential vitamins in a healthy diet, there are a few that are particularly important for hair growth:
● Vitamin E. This vitamin is high in antioxidants, which can help keep your scalp in good shape. Shrimp, broccoli, olive oil, spinach, and Sunflower seeds are some of the foods that are high in vitamin E.
● Vitamin B. This multivitamin complex supports a healthy metabolism, as well as skin and hair health. Dark leafy greens, beans, nuts, and avocados are all excellent sources of B vitamins.
● Vitamin C. Collagen is formed with this vitamin’s help, which is found in hair follicles and is the skin’s connective tissue. Citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, and strawberries are some of the foods that contain vitamin C.
Consult your doctor about supplementation if you aren’t getting enough of these nutrients in your diet. They can go over your options with you and suggest the proper dosage for you. Without first consulting your doctor, you should never add nutritional supplements to your daily routine.
Maintaining proper hydration is also essential for overall health. Water is necessary for the adequate functioning of every cell in your body.
Aim for 15 and a half cups of water per day for men and 11 and a half cups of water per day for women. Food, water, and other beverages can all contribute to this total. Drinking eight water glasses per day is a reasonable goal, with the rest coming from your diet and other beverages.
Stress management
Learning to manage your stress levels effectively can help you reduce your hair loss risk in the future. Of course, saying something is easier than putting it into action.
You may have to try several different stress-reduction techniques before you find one that works for you.
Popular ways to reduce stress:
● Breathing and meditation. Meditation and breathing exercises are excellent methods for focusing on the present moment. You could also try techniques like yoga or tai chi, which combine meditation and physical activity.
● Writing. Try writing about your feelings and the things that stress you out for a few minutes each day. Examining the daily events that cause you stress can help you figure out how to deal with them.
● Hobbies. Keeping yourself occupied with something you enjoy can be a great way to relieve stress. Volunteering, joining a community theatre group, planting a garden, or starting an art project are good ideas.
● Exercise. Exercising is a fantastic way to de-stress. Consider going for a daily walk, enrolling in a dance class, or doing some yard work.
Topical treatments
A variety of topical creams, oils, and other products are available to help with hair loss.
- Castor oil. This is a well-known folk remedy for regrowing hair. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that topical application can promote hair growth, there is little scientific evidence to back this up.
- Topical corticosteroids. Alopecia areata is sometimes treated with topical OTC and prescription corticosteroids, such as prednisone. They’re frequently used in conjunction with other treatment options.
- Topical Minoxidil (Rogaine). Minoxidil is a topical medication that is available over-the-counter (OTC). It comes in the form of a spray, cream, or foam. You can use it up to twice a day on your scalp, brows, and beard. It isn’t suitable for use on other parts of the body. There are male and female-specific formulations available. Minoxidil has an unknown mechanism of action, and it is thought to prolong the growth phase. It is possible that it will not work for everyone, and results could take up to four months to appear.
What if things don’t seem to be getting better?
It’s possible that stress has nothing to do with your hair loss. There are a variety of factors and conditions that can lead to hair loss.
Hair loss can also be caused by a variety of other factors, including:
● Nutritional deficiency, for example, iron or proteins.
● Hormonal changes as in pregnancy and menopause
● Recent surgery or other illness
● Chemotherapy
● Medications, e.g., antidepressants or antiplatelets
● Genetics
● Aging
Note To Know
Your hair follicles haven’t been permanently damaged if your hair loss is caused by stress. Your hair may return to an average growth rate if you manage your stress and take care of your health.
Consult your doctor if over-the-counter remedies aren’t working or you don’t see results. They can help you determine your hair loss cause and advise you on the best course of action. If regrowth is a possibility, they can help you choose the best treatment option for your symptoms.
References:
- Alopecia areata. (n.d.).
aad.org/public/diseases/hair-and-scalp-problems/alopecia-areata - Fong P, Tong HH, Ng KH, Lao CK, Chong CI, Chao CM. In silico prediction of prostaglandin D2 synthase inhibitors from herbal constituents for the treatment of hair loss. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Dec 4;175:470-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.10.005. Epub 2015 Oct 9. PMID: 26456343.
- Hair loss: Overview. (n.d.).
aad.org/public/diseases/hair-and-scalp-problems/hair-loss - Hall-Flavin DK. (2016). Can stress cause hair loss?
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/expert-answers/stress-and-hair-loss/faq-20057820 - Stevens C. (n.d.). Hair and its growth cycle.
hairscientists.org/hair-and-scalp-conditions/hair-and-its-growth-cycle - Telogen effluvium. (n.d.).
americanhairloss.org/types-of-hair-loss/effluviums/ - Treatments for alopecia areata. (n.d.).
https://www.naaf.org - Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder). (2016).
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichotillomania/symptoms-causes/syc-20355188 - What you need to know about alopecia areata. (n.d.).
naaf.org/alopecia-areata