It’s undeniable: stress is hard on our bodies. Stress can have a negative impact on all the body’s major systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive. It can even affect our appearance, wreaking havoc on our skin and hair.
In observance of National Stress Awareness Month, we will examine how stress harms our hair and what we can do to lessen its effects.
Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Absolutely, yes – stress causes hair loss. From your job, money, or relationship issues; to illness, injury, and poor nutrition; to otherwise happy events like travel or pregnancy… stressors can trigger excess hair shedding or other disorders that result in hair loss.
Fortunately, stress-related hair loss is treatable. And there are steps you can take to lessen or reverse it.
What Types of Hair Loss are Associated with Stress?
- Telogen effluvium is the most common form of stress-related hair loss. Characterized by excess diffuse shedding, it occurs when stress disrupts the hair’s growth cycle. More follicles than usual are jolted out of the growing phase and into the shedding and resting phases, causing an overall thinning of the hair.
- Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing inflammation and coin-sized patchy hair loss. While not proven to be directly caused by stress, there is a significant correlation between stressful trigger events and the onset of alopecia areata, so much so that it’s often referred to as “stress alopecia.”
- Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder where stress causes the sufferer to literally pull hairs from their scalp, eyebrows, or other area of their body, often resulting in bald patches.
How Can I Stop Hair Falling Out from Stress?
To stop stress-related hair loss, you will need to address your stress. Eliminating stressors isn’t always possible but finding ways to manage stress will lessen its impact on your health and appearance. There are also ways to protect your hair during stressful times so you can avoid making stress-related shedding worse.
To minimize the impact of stress:
- Exercise regularly.
- Get regular, adequate sleep.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Use calming techniques like yoga, meditation, or mindfulness.
- Avoid becoming isolated from friends or family.
- Consider seeking assistance from a professional therapist.
To preserve your hair during periods of stress:
- Use gentle, natural shampoo, conditioner, and styling products.
- Use low heat settings on styling tools.
- Avoid tight hairstyles such as ponytails or braids.
- Avoid chemical processes like straighteners or perms.
- Don’t pull or stretch hair when washing, drying, or styling.
- Set up a consultation with RHRLI to discuss treatments that can protect your existing hair and create the best possible conditions for regrowth.
RHRLI Can Diagnose and Treat Your Stress-Related Hair Loss
If you’re experiencing stress-related hair loss, RHRLI can help you create optimal conditions for healthy regrowth. We offer a full spectrum of surgical and non-surgical options to restore a full, natural-looking head of hair. From non-invasive low-level laser light therapy to the ARTAS® robotic-assisted hair transplant system, we have a solution to treat your hair loss – whatever the cause. Contact us to arrange a free consultation today.