How to stop hair loss that is caused by stress and anxiety
Hair loss comes in many forms, and one of the most common hair loss types is stress or anxiety related. Although temporary (depending on how long the stress period lasts for), stress/anxiety related hair loss can be severe in many men and women.
Losing hair through stress and anxiety can also be hugely detrimental to the scalp, particularly if you are already prone to another hair loss type such as androgenic alopecia.
Getting on top of stress/anxiety related hair loss is crucial for the long-term wellbeing of the hair. Thinning hair that is caused by stress is not curable, however, it can be minimised.
How does stress and anxiety cause hair loss?
During stressful periods, the hair enters a temporary resting phase called telogen effluvium. Within a few months, affected hairs might fall out suddenly when simply combing or washing your hair. This can be mortifying for many women, particularly when the shedding is excessive.
If your daily loss of hair is more than the usual 100 strands, it is likely that you are suffering from stress-related hair loss. If you notice bald patches on your scalp, it may be a sign of Alopecia Areata. If you have had the urge to pull out your hair, it may be stress-induced Trichotillomania.
Does stress related hair loss grow back?
Stress-related hair loss occurs when your body is experiencing high levels of stress and/or anxiety. This phase usually lasts for as long as the person is stressed/has high levels of anxiety, so the excessive hair loss from stress typically stops when the stress stops.
If left untreated, the hair will likely regrow to its normal fullness in 6 to 9 months, but a good treatment plan can speed up the recovery process. If you are already prone to hair loss (androgenic alopecia or alopecia areata) then it is likely that less hair will grow back without any treatment.
How can stress related hair loss be treated?
As we’ve already stated, hair loss, no matter what type, cannot be cured, but most hair loss types can be treated to a certain extent. Hair loss caused by stress and anxiety can be reduced with treatments and by implementing certain lifestyle changes.
Getting some essential nutrients and vitamins into your body can do amazing things for your hair. Multi vitamin extract supplements like HR23+ and Viviscal can help reduce the amount of shedding, and even promote the function of healthy hair growth.
Opt for natural and organic shampoos, as chemically based hair products can cause more harm than good to your hair. Also, reduce the heat setting on hairdryers and hair straighteners, as these types of products can do some real damage to your locks.
If you hair loss is purely caused by stress, then avoid using harsh medications like minoxidil. These types of treatments can cause excessive hair shedding, which is something that you definitely do not want.
Try your hand at mediation, breathing techniques, or yoga. These types of practices are proven to help reduce stress and anxiety levels, which will help reduce the amount of hair you lose.
Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest and sleep, will help promote healthier hair growth and reduce the likelihood of stress and anxiety related hair loss. Just remember to be patient with yourself—regrowth is not an overnight process.
Conclusion
Stress related hair loss is a perfectly normal process to go through, and remember, it’s temporary, so try not to “stress” about it. The better you deal with your stress and anxiety, the more control you will have over your hair loss.
However, if you are noticing after-effects of stress related baldness, then try and implement as many of the tips mentioned above into your daily routine. Treatments can definitely help, it’s just a matter of choosing the right ones that will work best for you, individually.
Leave a Reply