Hair loss due to stress: symptoms & treatment options for stress-related hair loss
Hair loss can have a variety of triggers. Stress-related hair loss is particularly widespread, in which your body releases hormones that cause your hair follicles to become inflamed. In many cases, hair loss caused by stress is reversible. With the right treatment, it can be stopped and hair growth stimulated. We will summarize for you in this article what options you have for this.
Key facts at a glance
How does stress-related hair loss manifest itself?
Stress increases hair loss and can lead to bald patches. Find out here how you can tell whether you can identify stress as the cause of your hair loss.
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How are stress and hair loss related?
Find out more about how stress can trigger hair loss, which hormones are responsible for it and when it becomes noticeable.
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What can I do if I have stress-related hair loss?
Find out what you should do if you experience hair loss due to stress and what simple tricks can help you.
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Which care products help with stress-related hair loss?
Get an overview of YELASAI's product range and find out which products can be particularly helpful for stress-related hair loss.
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How does stress-related hair loss manifest itself in women and men?
If you lose around 100 hairs a day, then this is a completely normal process. However, if you are constantly under stress, it can have a negative effect on your hair. In the case of stress-related hair loss, those affected lose significantly more than 100 hairs per day - this is then referred to as effluvium, or in the case of sudden severe hair loss, it is called telogen effluvium.
Increased stress levels can cause your hair follicles to suffer. Various neurotransmitters are responsible for this. Each hair follicle is surrounded by a network of nerve fibers. These fibers contain neuronal messenger substances - stress can influence the concentration of the crucial messenger substances and thus also the number of nerve fibers.
Your hair is subject to a hair cycle: the growth phase is followed by a resting phase. If the stress occurs during the transition phase between the individual phases, it can lead to inflammation in the hair follicles.
This stops hair growth and causes diffuse hair loss. This usually occurs with a delay: only after about two to three months does the hair fall out and the symptoms become noticeable.
How are stress and hair loss related?
There is no question that the body and the psyche are closely related and influence each other. Research has not yet been able to definitively clarify how hair loss is caused by stress.
It is currently assumed that stress affects the immune system and the hormones it releases cause hair loss. When stressed, the body produces more adrenaline and norepinephrine. These ensure an increased concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hair follicle.
These attract immune cells that release inflammatory substances. The result is that the hair follicle becomes inflamed, shortening the growth phase. This is why the hair falls out prematurely.
What other factors can cause temporal hair loss or hair thinning?
Hair loss can have a variety of triggers - stress is just one of them. Hair loss in women is often due to hormonal reasons. Various hormonal changes occur over the course of life.
These include menopause, pregnancy and birth. Taking birth control pills also affects the hormonal balance and can be a cause of hair loss.
Temporal hair loss can also be caused by medications and illnesses. Taking antidepressants or antihypertensives are two possible triggers for hair loss. Thyroid diseases or diabetes mellitus can also promote hair loss. Hereditary hair loss is also common.
Reduce stressors
Everyday stress from work, family, or persistent overload can affect overall well-being and even the feel of your hair. To better manage stress-related changes, it can be helpful to consciously recognize your own stress triggers and gradually reduce them.
The focus here is not on completely avoiding stress, but on dealing with it in a healthy way. Targeted periods of rest in everyday life, improved time management, and small breaks can help to create more balance and reduce personal stress levels.
Sufficient sleep and rest also play a special role. A regular sleep rhythm supports the body's regeneration and can have a positive effect.
Meditation and Relaxation Techniques
If you find yourself in a cycle of stress and hair loss, targeted relaxation can help rebalance your body and mind. Methods such as breathing exercises, meditation, or autogenic training can help you promote inner calm. Yoga and gentle mindfulness exercises can also contribute to stress management and prevention.
A balanced mental state can also improve the conditions for healthy hair growth. Additionally, regular scalp massages for hair growth can promote blood circulation and thus support the supply to the hair follicles.
Balanced diet
An unbalanced diet or a nutrient deficiency can be an additional stress factor for the body and have negative effects on hair and scalp health. A healthy lifestyle with a balanced, nutrient-rich diet therefore plays a central role.
Important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements support numerous processes in the body and also contribute to nourishing the hair follicles. Adequate nutrient supply can thus help strengthen the hair structure from within.
In addition, our hair supplements can be a useful support to specifically supply the body with important micronutrients.
Hair and scalp care
The scalp forms the basis for strong-looking hair, as it nourishes the hair roots and important processes for hair growth take place here. It is therefore advisable to use mild, natural products that do not unnecessarily burden the scalp. Our shampoo for hair loss, for example, is particularly suitable, as it is designed for gentle cleansing and nourishing support.
Daily care outside the shower is also important: regular and gentle brushing with a soft hairbrush can stimulate the scalp and gently support blood circulation. For this, we particularly recommend our boar bristle brush, as it detangles the hair and at the same time naturally massages the scalp.
Treatment and Therapy Options
Enormous stress can also be triggered by mental health disorders. Signs of this could include recurring distressing thoughts, unresolved inner conflicts, anxieties, or a persistently low mood. In these cases, we advise seeking help from a mental health professional who can initiate appropriate treatment measures to reduce stress levels in the long term.
What happens to my hair if I’m constantly stressed?
A disorder in hair growth can have serious consequences for those affected. Depending on the type of hair loss, a vicious circle can quickly arise.
Stress causes hair loss, which leads to visible bald patches. This leads to even more stress: those affected feel uncomfortable, sad or angry. Stress and psychological strain then make the problem even worse - the vicious circle begins.
In this case, you should definitely get help in dealing with stress and we recommend caring for your scalp and hair growth with suitable products from YELASAI.
Can my hair grow back after stress-related hair loss?
Yes, your hair can grow back if it has fallen out due to stress-related hair loss. Stress and the hormones released as a result attack the hair follicles: However, the hair root is not damaged in this process. This means that your hair growth is still intact and alopecia is unlikely to develop.
It is important to know the process of hair growth and hair loss. If you are under a lot of stress, it will only be noticeable in your hair after about two to three months. As soon as the stress relief begins, your hair roots begin to grow normally again.
Frequent questions about stress-related hair loss
Here you can find more information and answers to frequently asked questions on the topic:
Stress-related hair loss usually manifests as diffuse hair loss over the entire scalp. This means that the hair does not only fall out in one specific area, but rather the hair generally appears thinner and more hairs are noticeable when combing or washing. Often, the hairline initially appears unchanged, while the overall density gradually decreases.
The progression is usually delayed: Hair loss often only occurs two to three months after an intense period of stress. After that, there may be a phase of increased hair loss before the hair cycle normalizes again as stress levels decrease and new hair can grow back.
Yes, in most cases, hair can regrow after stress-induced hair loss. While stress can temporarily disrupt the hair cycle, the hair follicles usually remain intact. Since hair loss often appears with a delay, the effects usually only become visible after a few weeks. Once stress is reduced and the body recovers, the hair growth cycle can usually normalize again, and new hair can regrow.