Concerns about hair loss are shared by both men and women. Although heredity plays a significant part, other variables such as stress, worry, drugs, diseases, and significant life transitions can also cause excessive hair loss or thinning. In this article we talk about whether stress and anxiety linked to hair loss?
We’ll look at any connections between stress, anxiety, and hair loss in this blog. Additionally, we’ll offer stress management advice to reduce hair loss and promote strong, healthy hair growth.
The Impact of Stress on Hair Growth Cycles
Hair grows in cycles. The three stages that every hair strand experiences are telogen (resting), catagen (transition), and anagen (active growth). 90% of hair is in the anagen phase, which lasts two to seven years, at any given moment.
Stress causes the body to release chemicals like cortisol and go into “fight or flight” mode. More hair follicles transition from the anagen to the telogen phase when cortisol levels are high. The disturbance of the growth cycle results in thinned or overly lost hair while the hair is in rest.
The relationship is complicated, but in essence, stress causes premature hair shedding by interfering with the normal evolution of the hair cycle.
How Hair Loss May Be Caused by Anxiety
Excessive worry, anxiousness, and tension are referred to as anxiety. While chronic anxiety is not the same as everyday stress, it can cause the body to remain hypervigilant all the time.
Hormonal responses to persistent stress and anxiety are comparable. Both entail lower blood supply to non-essential processes like hair growth and elevated cortisol.
According to one study, women with anxiety problems had a 30% increased risk of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. Although the exact causes are yet unknown, persistent worry may be the cause of immune system dysregulation.
All things considered, fear and worry seem to have an impact on hair loss, especially in those who are genetically prone.
Important Types of Stress-Related Hair Loss
Effluvium Telogen (TE)
Stress is strongly associated with this prevalent type of transient hair loss. Stress or a physiological shock can cause a large number of anagen hairs to enter the telogen phase too soon, which is known as TE. A few to four months later, when those dormant hairs finally fall out in large quantities, this causes abrupt, severe shedding.
TE often goes away in six to nine months as hair grows back. Chronic stress, however, may make the illness worse.
Pattern Baldness: Androgenetic Alopecia
Stress chemicals like cortisol can worsen ageing- and genetically-related patterns of hair loss.
Stress may eventually hasten the miniaturisation of hair follicles in people who are genetically sensitive to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Prolonged anxiety may also be a factor in oxidative damage and inflammation.
Therefore, although stress may not directly cause pattern baldness, it can accelerate the loss of hair in people who already have it.
Alopecia Areata, or immune-mediated hair loss
When the body targets its own hair follicles due to an autoimmune illness, patchy hair loss results. Stress may raise dangers, according to certain research.
According to one study, alopecia areata sufferers scored higher on anxiety and depression scales than participants in general health. Immune responses are altered by stress, which could account for the associations.
Trichotillomania, or the disorder of hair pulling
Trichotillomania, which is not the same as “hair loss,” is an impulse control disorder that causes compulsive, calming hair pulling. This behaviour might weaken hair in the places that are impacted over time and harm hair follicles.
Thus, worry and emotional stress frequently come before pulling episodes, even though stress alone does not cause trichotillomania.
Stress Management Techniques That Work for Hair Health
Evidence points to a high correlation between stress, anxiety, and other types of hair loss, while additional research is required.
Some useful advice if you think stress or anxiety is exacerbating hair loss or thinning is as follows:
- Regular exercise improves circulation, lowers anxiety, and aids in the metabolism of cortisol.
- Deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can trigger the relaxation response.
- Massage: massage relaxes tense muscles and improves blood flow to the scalp.
- A well-balanced diet that includes protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins B, C, and D promotes hair development.
- Enough sleep enables hair follicles to regenerate and mend.
- Stress management strategies: establish limits, take breaks, and preserve a healthy work-life balance.
- Expert assistance: If you struggle with persistent tension, worry, or emotional problems, think about counselling.
Although the course of hair loss is often determined by genetics, controlling stress and anxiety may assist to halt the process and promote hair growth.
Highlighting the Main Lessons
When examining the possible links between worry, stress, and hair thinning, bear the following points in mind:
- Stressful situations can throw off the regular cycles of hair development, causing shedding.
- Because the body does not view hair as necessary, excessive levels of stress direct resources away from the formation of new hair.
- Additionally, immunological dysregulation that is linked to some forms of hair loss, such as alopecia areata, can be triggered by anxiety.
- For those with a genetic susceptibility, long-term stress may exacerbate pattern hair loss.
- It’s critical to manage stress and develop coping mechanisms to preserve healthy hair and lessen anxiety-induced hair loss.
Even though the causes of hair loss are many, research indicates a significant correlation between high levels of stress and anxiety. Creating useful coping mechanisms helps lessen shedding and maintain the health of your current hair.
If you have unexpected increases in shedding accompanied with emotional stress, consult your doctor or dermatologist so that appropriate therapy can start. Early detection of transient hair loss enhances the prognosis for recovery. I sincerely hope you find this “Are Stress and Anxiety Linked to Hair Loss?” article helpful.
