One of the most common causes of hair loss is stress. Though everyone knows that it is a primal enemy, no one can avoid it. The world forces people to live with stress. Coming from office workers to sweepers, stress has been one common danger for all. Even you and I are experiencing the stress pumps right now, which result in hair fall. For people like us, it has become a necessity to balance work life, aka stress, and personal health. Today let’s look at how stress affects your hair and preventive and handling measures you can take.

How Stress Affects Your Hair?

When we experience stress, our bodies react in various ways; this includes hair. To understand this connection, we must look at the science behind it.

The Science Behind Stress and Hair Loss

If you are a biology student, you might have come across the word "cortisol," aka "stress hormone". Our body releases cortisol in stressful conditions. This hormone prepares our body for the fight-or-flight response. It induces immediate action. But if your stress stays high too long, the cortisol could weaken your hair follicles.

Our body becomes hyperactive under stressful situations when managing a given circumstance or defending ourselves. The pupil dilates, we sweat a lot, and our hands shiver. We call this a fight-or-flight response. But the thing is, only vital body parts engage to fuel fight-or-flight reactions. Other non-essential functions, like hair growth, stay behind. This cycle harms the hair life cycle and causes hairs to shed early.

Types of hair loss linked to stress.

Stress triggers distinct forms of hair loss in certain individuals. Understanding which one you are dealing with can help you find the right solution.

Telogen Effluvium

This is one of the most common stress-related hair loss conditions. When you stress a lot, your body can push more hairs into the "telogen" phase. This is the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. After a couple of months, you may notice a significant increase in hair shedding.

Alopecia Areata

Extreme stress can trigger this autoimmune condition. Your immune system starts attacking your hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss. Managing stress levels often results in the regrowth of hair.

Trichotillomania

This is a psychological condition where stress causes you to feel the urge to pull out your hair. It helps some people cope with intense stress. But, it can cause noticeable hair thinning or bald patches.

How stress impacts the hair growth cycle

Your hair has three stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Anagen is the growth phase. Catagen is the transitional phase. Telogen is the resting phase. Stress affects the hair life cycle. This disruption shifts more hairs to enter the telogen phase. Only 10-15% of hairs are in the telogen phase at any given time. But stress can push 70% of your hair into the resting phase. You may notice an alarming amount of hair loss as a result.

Signs That Stress Is Affecting Your Hair

It’s one thing to feel stressed, but how do you know if it’s actually impacting your hair? Here are some telltale signs.

Hair shedding increases.

You might notice an uptick in the amount of hair left in your brush, on your pillow, or in the shower. This could be a sign of telogen effluvium. It causes stress to shed more hairs than normal.

Patchy hair loss

If you see circular bald patches or uneven thinning, you may have alopecia areata. It's often linked to stress.

Thinning Hair

Though not having large hair loss patches. Stress can cause gradual thinning. This makes your hair appear less voluminous over time.

Changes in Hair Texture

Stress can also alter the texture of your hair. It may become more brittle, dull, or lose its natural bounce due to the strain your body is under.

The Emotional Toll of Stress-Related Hair Loss

Hair loss, especially from stress, harms more than your looks. It can also cause great emotional pain.

Confidence and self-esteem issues

Hair is a big part of how we present ourselves to the world. Losing hair can hurt your confidence. It's tough when you see thinning or bald spots.

Anxiety and worsening stress levels.

The irony of stress-related hair loss is this: the more hair you lose, the more stressed you become. It creates a vicious cycle. Worrying about your looks can increase stress. This may cause more hair loss.

What You Can Do About Stress-Related Hair Loss

Don't worry if you see these signs. You can take steps to control stress and its hair damage effects.

Manage Your Stress Levels

Practice mindfulness and Meditation.

The more calmer you stay, the more your hair will grow. To keep yourself calm, try mindfulness practices. This includes meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga. The fact is that these practices help reduce stress levels. In turn, they help protect your hair from extensive loss.

Regular Physical Activity

Often our mentors tell us to exercise at least 2 times per week. This is because exercise is a proven stress buster that helps release an alternative hormone to cortisol called endorphins. The endorphin release helps balance cortisol levels and improve well-being.

Adequate Sleep and Relaxation Techniques

Sleep is an underrated medicine that most of us avoid to put ourselves forward. Quality sleep is necessary for stress management. Studies say no one can sustain themselves without sleep for more than 11 days. If done, they will be dead. This particular fact proves how important sleep is, not food, and not even water.

Always have a bedtime routine and limit screen time. Also, try relaxation techniques. Read or listen to calming music before bed.

Improve your diet.

A healthy diet can do wonders for your hair. Eat protein-rich foods like eggs, nuts, and lean meats. Also, eat leafy greens high in vitamins, like iron and zinc. They are essential for healthy hair growth.

Watch for nutritional deficiencies. Iron and vitamin D deficiencies are common in stressed people. A blood test can reveal whether you are lacking in these areas, and supplements can be a great help.

Hair Care Practices to Protect Your Hair

Avoid Harsh Treatments and Over-styling. This may add extra pull to the hair strands, which results in unnecessary hair fall. Limit the use of heat tools, chemicals, and tight hairstyles. They can stress your hair even more.

Use gentle shampoos and conditioners. They should nourish, not strip, your hair. Look for ingredients like biotin and keratin to strengthen your strands.

Professional Treatments for Stress-Related Hair Loss

Not everyone has the same stress intensity. Some may need extra medications. Have dermatologist consultations. A visit to a dermatologist can diagnose your hair loss. They can also suggest targeted treatments.

Hair Growth Treatments (Minoxidil, PRP Therapy) OTC treatments like Minoxidil (Rogaine) can help grow hair. PRP therapy is another option. It involves injecting your own platelets into the scalp to promote hair regrowth.

When to Seek Help for Hair Loss

If your hair loss persists or worsens, it might be time to seek professional advice. Look for a dermatologist under these signs.

Chronic Hair Shedding and Patches

If you have chronic hair shedding or large bald patches, consult a doctor. It's important to rule out any underlying conditions. Don't delay anymore.

Emotional Distress Due to Hair Loss

Sometimes, we might have to wonder if the mere thought of hair fall affects mental health or if poor mental health leads to hair fall. There is an interconnection between both. If hair loss affects your mental health, seek help. A therapist or support group can help you cope.