Stress-related hair loss has a lot of science behind it. In this article, we discuss how and why it happens, and the stress hair loss treatments available.
What is Stress?
Stress is any type of change that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. There are different types of stress, including acute, chronic, and episodic.
Acute Stress
Acute stress is a short-term response. It’s a consequence of a stressful event or situation. When it helps you avoid danger, or meet a deadline, it can be positive.
Episodic Stress
This occurs when a person often experiences acute stress. Ultimately, this can lead to a range of health problems, including anxiety, depression, and heart disease.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is a long-term response that happens when you’re exposed to stressors over a long time. This can be harmful to your health and can lead to a range of physical and mental health problems.
How Stress Impacts the Body
High-stress levels affect both the mind and the body. When you experience stress, your body releases hormones that make your brain more alert, cause your muscles to tense, and increase your pulse.
In the short term, this helps you handle the situation. However, it’s not good for your body to stay alert long-term when there is no danger. Over time, this puts you at risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and hair loss.
What Powers Hair Growth?
The growth cycle is divided into three phases: the anagen phase, the catagen phase, and the telogen phase.
During the anagen phase, the hair follicles are active. Hair bulb cells divide rapidly, making new hair grow. Hair follicles stay in this stage for 3-5 years.
After the growth phase, the hair follicle enters a transitional phase. Lasting around 2-3 weeks, hair growth stops, and the follicle detaches itself from the blood supply.
Finally, comes the resting (or telogen) phase of the cycle. It lasts for a few months, around 2-4, causing the hair to fall out before the cycle starts again.
Several factors influence growth, including sex, age, diet, stress, and your genes.
What Is Considered as Hair Loss?
Hair loss is normal. It's typical to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. However, if you notice more hair falling out, you may have a medical problem.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder, which means the immune system attacks your own body. This condition causes patchy hair loss. It affects both men and women and can be triggered by chronic stress, or additional stress from an illness.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium causes a significant number of hair follicles to enter the resting phase early, leading to hair loss. Emotional stress, and other causes like hormonal changes, and certain medications are likely related.
Hair loss caused by more serious medical problems is rarer but does happen. It's important to seek medical help if you're worried.
Unravelling the Stress and Hair Loss Connection
You may be wondering: "How does emotional stress cause hair loss?" Here are three ways that emotional stress leads to lost hair.
Cortisol-Related Disruption
The release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, can disrupt the hair cycle. Follicles enter the resting phase too early. Inflammation due to cortisol can also damage the hair follicle.
Triggering Telogen Effluvium
Chronically raised stress levels can trigger telogen effluvium, resulting in significant hair shedding.
Disrupting the Immune System
Significant stress levels can cause an immune response targeting hair follicles on the head and body. This may result in alopecia areata.
Is There Clinical Evidence Linking Stress to Hair Loss?
Lots of studies suggest emotional stress can trigger hair loss, both in men and women. The NHS website even lists stress as a cause of hair loss. It's clear that stress can make your hair fall out, but what else can affect hair loss?
What Other Things Can Cause Hair Loss?
Genetics
Genes play an important role in determining growth rate and pattern. A common type of hair loss that runs in families is male pattern hair loss.
Age
Hair production slows down with age. This is partly due to hormones and genes, but also due to the ageing of the cells that produce hairs.
Sex
Hairs tend to grow faster in men than in women, partly due to hormone levels. Androgens, like testosterone, can stimulate more hair growth, while oestrogens can slow it down. Confusingly, certain types of testosterone are also linked to hair loss.
Diet
Nutritional factors are also important. Fatty acids, iron, sufficient protein, and biotin are essential for healthy hair. A diet lacking these nutrients reduces hair quality and may make your hair fall out.
Behaviour
Trichotillomania, also known as hair pulling, is a condition that usually affects teenagers. Sufferers usually pull out their body, head, or scalp hairs as a way to manage anxiety, usually. Damaging hair products and styling may also trigger hair loss.
What Does Hair Loss From Stress Look Like?
Unfortunately, there's not a simple answer. It depends on the condition causing it.
Telogen effluvium triggers diffuse thinning of the scalp. More hairs are dry and brittle, making them prone to breakage and shedding.
With alopecia areata, most people experience a patchy loss that doesn't cover the entire scalp. However, other areas on the head and body can be affected, including the beard, eyebrows, and even armpits.
To confirm the cause, a doctor can examine your scalp hair. This may involve the "pull test" – if telogen hairs are seen, telogen effluvium is diagnosed. A blood test might be needed if another health condition is suspected.
How Can You Manage Stress-Induced Hair Loss?
While stress-related hair loss can cause a lot of anxiety itself, it's usually not permanent.
Managing emotional stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, getting enough sleep, and seeking support can help with hair regrowth.
If you're experiencing significant hair loss or have concerns, you can speak to us about medical treatment options.
What Medical Treatments Are Available for Stress-Related Hair Loss?
Several options are available to help treat hair loss due to emotional stress.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, usually prescribed for a few months, are often used for individuals with alopecia areata.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical medication that's available over the counter for male pattern baldness. For other conditions like telogen effluvium, you can speak to us to see whether minoxidil is suitable for you.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy stimulates the follicles, helping to avoid further hair loss, and promote regrowth.
Surgery
Scalp reduction surgery and hair transplants are some of the available surgical treatments.
The best treatment approach may vary depending on the underlying cause and severity. At Quick Meds, we have various hair loss treatments available. Start a consultation with us today!
Can Natural Remedies Help Combat Stress and Hair Loss?
Natural and non-pharmaceutical hair loss treatment is another option.
Evidence shows that scalp massage can improve hair loss or stop it from getting worse in 68.9% of people. By adding essential oils, massage can be even more effective.
Don't forget, diet is also important.
Conclusion
Yes, emotional stress can affect your hair health. However, managing your stress can lead to your hair returning to normal. If not, there are plenty of treatments available.
Don't forget, that stress management is essential for your overall health and well-being.