How To Stop Hair Loss Due To Stress

Why Hair Falls Out

Hair grows and eventually falls out as part of its normal cycle. It can build up on hair brushes, pillows, or shower drains.

Most people will not notice the natural hair loss that occurs daily. Hair thickness and the hairline usually remain the same.

People are more likely to notice excessive hair loss. This is a good time to take action as it may be due to an underlying condition. Symptoms of excessive hair loss include:

• sudden loss of hair
• noticeable thinning

There are several possible reasons for excessive hair loss.

One of the most common causes is due to genetics. According to a 2019 review, pattern baldness affects up to 50% of men and women.

Commercial products could help to slow and treat this type of balding. One example of these products is Rogaine.

Pattern baldness occurs slowly with aging. Some more immediate causes of hair loss include:

What Is The Relationship Between Hair Loss In Women And Menopause

During menopause, you might see one of two things happen with your hair. You might start growing hair where you didnt before. Or, you might see the hair you have start to thin. One cause may be changing levels of hormones during menopause. Estrogen and progesterone levels fall, meaning that the effects of the androgens, male hormones, are increased.

During and after menopause, hair might become finer because hair follicles shrink. Hair grows more slowly and falls out more easily in these cases.

Your healthcare provider will do a thorough examination and take a detailed history to help you deal with changes in hair growth. You may be directed to have your iron levels or thyroid hormone levels tested. Your medications might be changed if what you take is found to affect hair loss or growth.

How Can Stress Cause Hair Loss

There are three stages of hair growth cycle anagen, catagen , and telogen . During its final stage of resting, hair begins to detach from the hair follicle and fall out under the slightest pressure or pulling. Extreme or prolonged stress can cause hair to prematurely enter the resting stage and break off more easily.

Nevertheless, with relaxation techniques and better nutrition, you can expect hair growth to return to normal after a period of 3-4 months.

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Stress And Female Hair Loss: What You Need To Know

Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP

Feeling stressed? According to data from the American Psychological Association, Americans are feeling more stressed than ever.

Stress can originate from a variety of sources. A difficult personal life, challenging job or tough financial situation can all cause and worsen stress, lead to symptoms ranging from insomnia and fatigue to headaches, aches, pains and a weakened immune system. Hopefully, you are doing all you can to overcome stress by engaging with essential wellness resources. Managing stress is different for everyone so be patient with yourself as you find what works for you.

Physical stress is one of several factors that can contribute to hair certain types of hair loss. If youre feeling overly stressed, its possible that you might notice your hair starting to fall out and thin, even if youre not genetically prone to female hair loss.

Below, weve explained how stress can affect your hair health, as well as what you can do to treat hair loss from stress. Weve also listed other potential causes of hair loss in women that are easy to mistake for stress-induced hair loss.

How To Prevent Hair Loss Due To Stress

This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 13 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 860,616 times.

Sometimes emotional or physical stress can lead to hair loss, which is a serious concern for most people and something they wish to reverse. However, due to the length of the hair growth cycle, people often only begin losing their hair weeks or months after the stressful event has occurred, and the hair loss can continue for several months afterwards. Luckily, hair will usually grow back on its own once the source of stress has been removed, but there are several things you can do to help the process along. By easing your stress and taking good care of your hair, you can reduce the effects of hair loss.

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How Will A Healthcare Provider Diagnose Hair Loss In Women What Tests Are Done

The tests performed to diagnose hair loss in women can be simple or complicated:

• Gently pulling on your hair to see how many hairs come out.
• Blood tests. These check for vitamin and mineral levels and hormone levels .
• Scalp examination under a microscope and trichoscopy.
• Scalp biopsy to remove and examine a very small piece of scalp skin.

What Can I Do About Traction Alopecia

To protect your hair from traction alopecia and prevent further damage:

• Ask your stylist to create looser braids or dreadlocks.
• If you have braids, remove them after three months.
• If you wear a weave or hair extensions, remove them after eight weeks.
• If you have relaxed or dyed hair, make sure these treatments are applied by a professional. If you still notice breakage or hair shedding, avoid chemical treatments completely.
• Minimize heat styling, including hair dryers, flat irons and curling irons. These wear out the hair and can lead to major hair loss.

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What Other Lifestyle Habits Are Increasing The Chance Of Increased Hair Fall

Dr Harshna Bijlani of The Ageless Clinic explains further, For almost all of us, the lockdown has affected our mental as well as physical health. Our skin and hair are reacting in strange ways and there are a number of lifestyle changes that can be attributed to this,” she says. She points out the changes in diet as a major reason, but also suggests that a switch-up in the daily routine can be at fault too. “Direct factors contributing to increased or sudden hair fall are non-availability of our regular hair products and lack of focus on hair supplements. Were all so caught up with consuming immunity boosting supplements like Vitamin C, a lot of people are ignoring their hair related supplements that they would normally be taking,” she says.

How To Control Hair Fall Due To Stress

There are several ways you can address hair fall caused due to stress.

Over-the-counter, FDA-approved topical solutions and drugs like Minoxidil and Finasteride can help in promoting hair growth and act as treatments for hair loss due to stress. Minoxidil or Rogaine enhances the blood flow and oxygen supply to the scalp, thereby nourishing the hair follicles. Finasteride, on the other hand, is a prescription medication that reduces the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone , the hormone that is primarily responsible for hair loss in men. Finasteride stimulates hair growth by bringing down the DHT levels.

Massaging the scalp with certain essential oils is also said to be an effective remedy for hair loss. Some examples include lavender oil, castor oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, lemongrass oil, and thyme oil.

Besides addressing hair loss, your stress level needs to be managed too. Relaxation techniques like yoga, exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, and positive thinking can effectively deal with stress. While yoga and meditation calm the mind, exercise releases chemicals like endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which impact your mood and help you manage your stress.

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Hair Loss From Stress Vs Male Pattern Baldness

There are several major differences between telogen effluvium and hair loss from male pattern baldness:

• First, hair loss from male pattern baldness is typically permanent. In contrast, almost all of the hair you lose from telogen effluvium will grow back, provided the primary cause of the telogen effluvium is treated.

• Second, hair loss from male pattern baldness looks different from hair loss thats triggered by stress. Male pattern baldness typically causes a receding hairline, balding on the crown or other baldness patterns. Telogen effluvium causes diffuse thinning on the entire scalp.

• Third, telogen effluvium is not related to androgen hormones such as DHT. This means that some treatments for male pattern baldness, such as finasteride, arent effective as treatments for stress-related hair loss.

• Fifth, If your hair loss is caused by stress, you may also lose body hair. Telogen effluvium hair loss the type of hair loss linked to stress typically affects your scalp and may appear as patchy hair loss. However, it can also cause you to shed more body hairor notice less hair on your body than you normally would.

If youre starting to lose your hair and arent sure whether its caused by stress or male pattern baldness, its best to talk to a healthcare professional.

Most dermatologists can diagnose telogen effluvium using one or several tests, including a hair pull test.

Hair Loss From Thyroid Problems

Either an underactive thyroid, a medical condition called hypothyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, can result in hair loss because each condition causes a hormonal imbalance. Hormones help to regulate nearly every function in the body, including hair growth. Getting the right treatment to control either of these thyroid conditions will get hormones under control, stop hair loss, and allow your hair to starting grow back.

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Follow Mindful Eating Habits

You should always include adequate amounts of nourishing superfoods to strengthen your hair follicles. The food you consume will tackle stress hormones in your body and keep your hair tissues healthy. The goal is to eat more leafy vegetables, fruits and whole grains, which have more amino acids and nutrients to sustain the health of your hair. Also, reduce or entirely refrain from eating sugar treats, red meat or caffeinated beverages.

Along with eating superfoods, you can also incorporate them in your hair care regime. Opt for the Avocado Nourish Duo to strengthen and gradually nourish your hair.

Usage Recommendation:

• Wet your hair and apply the Avocado Nourish Shampoo on the scalp.
• Gently massage your scalp in circular motions and work up the lather through the lengths of hair.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Take generous amounts of the Avocado Nourish Mask and distribute it evenly through hair while massaging your scalp.
• Leave it on for 3 mins and rinse off with cold water.

The Avocado Nourish Duo is primarily made of avocados that help maintain the strength of your stressed hair. The shampoo and mask are enriched with vitamin B, E, and fatty acids that will repair hair damage caused by external aggressors like pollution and sun exposure. It is also enriched with almond oil that will not only nourish your hair but also keep your locks soft and glossy. It works best for fragile hair.

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Can Stress Really Make Your Hair Fall Out In Patches

Alopecia areata is patchy hair loss that is primarily related to your genetics, but can also be caused by excessive stress. While stress hair loss is not common, excessive stress can affect the health of your hair. It is important to know how to deal with stress and keep your hair happy and healthy.

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Final Thoughts On Natural Treatments For Thinning Hair

I hope you find these natural treatments for thinning hair to be effective. Remember that change wont happen overnight and consistency with natural treatments for thinning hair are key to optimal results.

If youre a woman experiencing hair thinning, hair loss experts recommend getting tested for thyroid problems and hormone imbalances as a good starting place. If you can get to a fixable cause of your hair thinning, the great news is that hair will often grow back and continue growing at a healthy rate once the underlying cause of your hair thinning is addressed. If youre a man or woman and youre afraid that its all just genetics, dont throw in the towel. While a family history might not be in your favor, you can still do a lot through your diet and lifestyle to slow down hair thinning and preserve your mane for as long as possible.

With a consistent, patient approach, natural treatments for thinning hair can help your scalp get back to work growing your hair as it should as often as it should or, at the least, help to to thin out at a slower pace. I know hair thinning is not easy to deal with, but I encourage you to give natural treatments for hair thinning a try and not put vanity before health because the conventional options can cause seriously alarming health issues that are a lot more concerning and damaging than a thinning head of hair.

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What Should You Do If Your Hair Is Falling Out Meme

The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology recommends evaluating anxiety and stress when diagnosing hair loss. Many of these non-genetic causes of hair loss can be successfully treated and hair loss can be prevented or even reversed. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and the possible causes of hair loss.

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Infections That Cause Hair Loss

A number of infections and illnesses can lead to hair loss. An infection that causes a high fever, a fungal skin infection, and bacterial infections like syphilis can all be responsible for balding or thinning hair. Treating the underlying infection can restore hair growth and prevent future hair loss. So your first step is to seek medical attention for the primary health problem.

What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

• What is the cause of my hair loss?
• How many strands of hair am I losing per day?
• What type of hair loss do I have?
• Will my hair loss be permanent?
• Whats the best treatment for me?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Hair loss may cause you distress whether it happens because of genetics, a disease, or even stress. Know that there are some treatments you can try, and expert dermatologists are there to help you. Your hair loss may be able to be reversed. See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice something wrong because the sooner you start treatment, the better.

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