Stress and Hair Loss: What You Need to Know

“We help you to get healthy and luscious hair of your dream” Skinqure

Everyone wishes for long and healthy hair. Hair is the most prominent aspect of the face, and it is a form of self-expression for many people. However, with a hectic lifestyle, stress, pollution, and a variety of other reasons, the problem of hair loss is on the rise. Hair loss affects both men and women equally all over the world. While it is normal for people to lose 100 to 150 stands every day, when this number increases, it is cause for concern. 

While many factors can lead to hair loss like age and genetics, stress is one of the key elements. People who have undergone a stressful situation are more likely to experience hair loss. 

Losing more hair than normal can have a negative impact on a person’s self-image. Many people find it embarrassing in social situations.  

But there are numerous treatment options available today for treating hair loss. So, if you are concerned about your thinning hair, it is important that you understand everything about hair loss. Knowing about the causes and available treatment options is important, to make an informed decision and choose the right treatment plan.

Table of Contents: 

Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye: 

1. What are the Major Causes of Hair Loss?

1. Is Hair Loss caused by Stress Permanent?

1. How can stress cause hair loss?

1. types of hair loss caused by stress.

1. Tips to reduce stress.

1. Treatment for Hair Loss.

Takeaway

• What are the Major Causes of Hair Loss?

It can be very upsetting to wake up with a pillowcase full of hair or to lose a large amount of hair while combing your hair.  And you might wonder: What exactly is causing my hair to fall out?  

Below are some of the major causes of hair loss:

• Age: As common as it may sound, it is one of the leading causes of hair loss. The follicles in the hair deteriorate with age, and new hair stops growing, eventually leading to hair loss with age. 
• Genetic factors: Hair grows from a structure known as the hair follicle, which is found beneath the dermis in the scalp. In many conditions, such as pattern baldness (hair loss in a pattern), these hair follicles shrink and, as a result, there is no new hair growth.

The gene for shrinkage of hair follicles can be inherited from one’s parents. So, if your parents had pattern baldness, you are at an increased risk of hair loss. Males are more likely to suffer from pattern hair baldness as compared to females.

• Stress: You might not realise but stress and hair loss are related. One of the major causes of hair loss is stress. It is common for people to suffer greater hair loss following traumatic situations such as the death of a loved one, surgery, accidents, or depression. 
• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy is a beautiful yet difficult period in a woman’s life. After pregnancy, the female body goes through a number of hormonal changes, and these hormonal changes might cause excessive hair loss. PCOS is another condition that can cause hormonal abnormalities and hair loss in women.
• Hairstyling: Tight hairstyles increase excessive friction and put a lot of stress on the hair follicles. This might cause internal damage to the hair follicles and result in permanent hair loss. In medical terminology, this is called traction alopecia. 
• Scalp infection: Another reason for significant hair loss in the area where the illness is present is scalp infection. 
• Thyroid imbalances: Having hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can cause hair loss. 
• Immunological conditions: certain immunological conditions like lupus and myasthenia gravis can lead to an inflammatory response in the body resulting in hair loss.

• Is Hair Loss caused by Stress Permanent?

Stress and anxiety are detrimental to your overall health, including the health of your scalp and hair follicles. According to several studies, hair loss due to stress is very common.

To determine how stress and hair loss are related, it is necessary to understand the hair growth cycle.  The hair growth occurs in the following way

• Anagen, which is known as the growth phase and lasts between 2 to 7 years. The active development of hair follicles takes place in this phase. 
• Catagen is the phase during which hair follicles stop dividing in the scalp. This period is also known as the transition period. The hair stops growing at this stage.
• Telogen, also known as the resting stage, is the period in which new hair follicles begin to develop and detached hair follicles rest on the scalp. Following this, the hair sheds. 
• Exogen which is known as the hair shedding phase.

The normal day to day hair loss is the telogen hair that is being lost. During stressful times, this hair loss multiplies to several folds. More and more hair follicles start to enter the telogen stage prematurely.

The following are some of the most frequent symptoms of  hair loss due to stress: 

• It is commonly observed following a stressful experience both emotional and physical.
• The overall volume of hair decreases and a general thinning of hair is observed. 
• Hair loss increases while combing and washing the hair.

But it is important to note that hair loss caused by stress is temporary and can be reversed if appropriate measures are taken at the proper time. 

To make an accurate diagnosis, see a qualified dermatologist and a hair expert who can walk you through the procedure and help you identify the cause of your hair loss. 

• How can stress cause hair loss?

One of the primary reasons associated with temporary hair loss is stress. When the body is under stress, hair follicles transition prematurely from the active growth phase to the resting phase, telogen. This results in severe hair loss from the whole scalp region. 

According to a study, during a stressful condition, a certain hormone known as corticosterone is released. This corticosterone is also known as the stress hormone and affects hair regrowth.

So how does this corticosterone affect the hair follicle?

A high corticosterone level hinders the regrowth of the hair from the follicle. So during this time, the telogen hair will shed but no new hair will grow. There are 3 ways by which the stress hormone affects the hair cycle

• Affects the hair follicles directly
• Interfere with other hormones that are necessary for hair regrowth
• Can cause certain diseases which will eventually lead to increased hair loss 

 This results in thinning of hair. Stress can disrupt the balance of the hair growth cycle.

• Types of hair loss caused by stress.

Medically, there are three major types of hair loss that are induced by stress:

• Telogen effluvium is a condition where a large number of hair follicles enter the telogen stage. Telogen is the resting phase. It leads to an increased number of hairs falling even while doing normal activities like brushing the hair or washing them.
• Trichotillomania is a psychological condition that leads to people pulling their own hair from the scalp and other regions of the body. Increased stress, anxiety and going through depression can trigger this condition and can lead to excessive pulling of hair resulting in hair loss.
• Alopecia Areata is one of the most common conditions which is induced by stress. In this condition, random bald patches start forming around different areas of the scalp.

• Tips to reduce stress.

Stress management is something that everyone needs to master in today’s hectic lifestyle. It is critical to take a break from the factors or surroundings that are stressing you out. Some of the most prevalent stress management strategies are listed here. 

• Meditation and breathing exercises are excellent strategies to alleviate stress in everyday life. 
• Exercising is yet another excellent way to reap various health benefits. Regular exercise not only decreases stress and regulates corticosterone levels in the body, but also promotes healthy hair growth.
• Managing work-related stress. Separating work and personal life, as well as establishing a work-life balance can help with stress management.
• Talking to a therapist: Talking to a therapist might help you understand the sources of your stress and lessen it. Stress, worry, and sadness may all be alleviated by talking to a therapist and receiving psychological counselling. 
• Dealing with stressful events such as the death of a loved one, accidents, or undergoing surgery all have a significant influence on one’s overall health. In such cases, it is critical to look after your general health and give your body adequate time to recover.

• Treatment for Hair Loss.

Although stress-related hair loss is not permanent, receding hairlines and thinning hair can have a significant influence on your confidence. There are various hair loss treatment methods available, both surgical and non-surgical, that can help you regain your healthy hair. 

Before determining treatment choices, it is critical to understand what is causing the hair loss.  A dermatologist makes a diagnosis by:

• Hair plucking test
• Scalp tissue biopsies 

• Counting the number of hairs lost each day. 
• A blood test will be performed to determine whether or not there is a hormonal imbalance. 
• Trichoscopy.

A correct diagnosis aids in the development of the right treatment strategy. Treatments for hair loss in Delhi include oral medicines, laser operations, topical remedies, and hair transplant in cases when the amount of hair fall and hair loss is severe. 

• Minoxidil is a medicine that is specifically intended to treat hair loss. It comes in the form of a topical solution. There are two versions, 2% and 5%, and this drug works by accelerating the growth phase of the hair cycle. After four to six months of taking minoxidil, the hair begins to grow and you can see the result.

• Ketoconazole is an anti-inflammatory medication that can assist with a variety of skin problems.
• Platelet-rich plasma is a relatively recent method that uses activated human plasma containing platelets to promote hair growth. 
• Lifestyles changes like exercising, taking a healthier diet as well as stress management can help in reducing stress-related hair loss.

• Supplements: Hair loss can also occur as a result of a lack of essential minerals and vitamins. Hair growth is aided by supplements such as vitamin D, biotin, zinc, and amino acids. 
• Light therapy: Light treatment is a relatively advanced procedure used to treat alopecia. This treatment employs the use of a laser device in conjunction with low-level light therapy. This aids in hair regeneration. 

• Hair transplant surgery is one of the most common procedures used to stimulate hair regeneration. This is generally done in the later phases once a significant amount of hair loss has taken place. Hair follicles from the healthy portion of the scalp are removed and surgically transplanted to the bald area during the procedure. 
• Hormone therapy: in people where the hair loss is due to hormonal imbalances, hormonal therapy can help in treating excessive hair loss.

The treatment options are subjective because everyone’s hair loss pattern and condition is unique. The cost of hair loss treatments varies among individuals. 

The following variables contribute to cost variation: 

• The clinic referred to and the amenities available.
• Preoperative tests
• Medications
• The surgeons and their expertise
• The cost also varies on the basis of the surgical procedure involved.
• Post-surgical care

The SkinQure clinic provides the best possible treatment for hair loss along with an affordable range of hair loss treatments. The cost of your hair treatment can be decided after a proper diagnosis.

Takeaway

Hair loss is a painful experience that needs a great deal of patience and care. It is essential to seek the advice of an expert dermatologist who specialises in hair loss treatments to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Dr Jangid is a well-known hair specialist in Delhi. He has assisted more than 800 people with their hair loss treatment journey. When it comes to treatments, the facility boasts cutting-edge technology and a holistic approach. The Skinqure clinic is one of the best hair clinics in South Delhi for treating hair loss. 

So, speak with the experts right away to get the best option for your hair loss treatment!