Stress & Hair Loss

Life is stressful and there are a lot of things out in the world that add more stress to the pile. These stressors affect us both mentally and physically. It can cause your muscles to tense, can trigger asthma attacks, raise blood pressure to lead to heart problems, a host of other things, and hair loss. There are many links between stress and hair loss, but fortunately in many cases there is hope of reversing the effects.

Can Stress and Anxiety Cause Hair Loss?

Hair loss is one of many symptoms of long term (or chronic) stress. Telogen effluvium is a hair loss condition that occurs when stress forces hair follicles into the resting phase. You will notice more hair falling out through regular brushing and washing.

Under stress, some people develop an irresistible urge to pull out hair from their scalp, eyebrows, and other areas of the body. This hair pulling impulse is known as Trichotillomania and can be a way of dealing with negative or uncomfortable feelings.

Severe stress can also cause one’s own immune system to attack the hair follicles and cause a form of hair loss called alopecia areata. While not life-threatening, hair loss from alopecia areata stress can be upsetting and affect a person’s emotional well-being. When suffering from stress alopecia, it is important for a person to tend to their mental health.

Can Stress Cause Hair Loss and Will It Grow Back?

While stress can have negative effects like anxiety, sleep deprivation, and hair loss, it’s important to understand that these are often short-term conditions. In many cases, they will mostly begin to reverse themselves once the cause of the stress is removed.

It is important to understand that it is necessary to address or learn to manage stress before recovery can begin. It will take 3-6 months for your hair to begin the recovery process once you start to remove and manage your stressors. Remember that nothing happens overnight, and everything is about building healthy practices.

What Does Stress Hair Loss Look Like?

Hair follicles are always cycling through the stages of hair growth, and it is perfectly normal for a person to lose 50-100 hairs a day. If stressful conditions are resulting in telogen effluvium, then it is likely to exceed that number by a noticeable margin.

If your shower drain or your brush seem exceptionally full of hair, then it could be a signal of stress-induced hair loss. You might also notice your hair beginning to start thinning and see more of your scalp through your hair, especially under bright lighting.

How Can I Stop My Hair Falling Out Due to Stress?

It will take your hair 3-6 months to begin recovering but, in the meantime, it is important to adopt healthy habits and methods to manage stress. Here are a few examples:

• Try to maintain regular physical activity.
• Practice relaxation techniques (like meditation or yoga).
• Spend time with family and friends who are not a source of stress.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Make sure to get enough sleep.
• Take time to invest in a hobby.
• Watch something funny – laughing is good for you.

Start Your Hair Restoration Journey With Us

LA FUE Hair NYC has the experience and treatments to help you understand and restore your hair loss. We can walk you through the entire process and tailor treatments to suit your specific needs. Take that first step, and contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation.