The short answer is: yes, stress can cause hair loss. The relationship is complex, though, and various sources of stress impact the extent and duration of hair loss in different people. But no matter how quickly you lose your hair due to stress, or whether the change is temporary or permanent, it’s bound to be an emotionally difficult experience. In this article, we cover how stress can cause hair loss, how to regrow hair loss from stress and ways to manage your appearance in the meantime to keep you looking and feeling fabulous.
Stress and Hair Loss
Stress-related hair loss can affect anyone who has experienced trauma or chronic stress, which causes a range of health problems. If you’re experiencing symptoms of hair loss due to stress or depression, you might have suffered a recent ordeal such as an illness, divorce or bereavement. Stress can contribute to hair loss in anyone, regardless of their age or gender, distinguishing the phenomenon from hereditary conditions such as pattern baldness.
Why Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?
There are a few conditions and lifestyle factors through which stress can cause hair loss. Stress-related hair loss is most commonly due to telogen effluvium, but is also strongly linked to alopecia areata, trichotillomania, hormonal imbalances and poor nutrition.
Telogen effluvium: Stress hormones force your hair follicles into the resting phase of growth too early, so that friction from daily activities, like combing and washing, causes your hair shed.
Alopecia areata: Alopecia is known for linking stress and hair loss. Your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, causing your hair to fall out completely or in patches.
Trichotillomania: Trichotillomania is a disorder where you compulsively pull out your hair as a reaction to stress or even without realising.
Hormonal imbalance: Stress produces a chemical cocktail that can lead to hair loss. For example, an influx of adrenaline can cause high volumes of testosterone, sometimes triggering hair loss.
Malnutrition: Nutrition is very important for hair health. If you’re stressed, you’re less likely to take care of yourself by eating well, or your body may struggle to digest food and absorb nutrients.
How to Combat Hair Loss From Stress
There are several ways to treat hair loss due to stress and anxiety, depending on the exact cause. To find the right treatment, you should consult your GP, who will first help you determine whether stress is the root cause of your hair loss.
The most effective treatment for stress-related hair loss is to recognise and reduce the stress itself. Your GP may also suggest practising stress-management techniques to prevent future hair loss from stress. These may involve:
Diet – Eat balanced meals and drink plenty of water. If you’re vegan, ensure you’re getting enough nutrients in your diet or take supplements to keep your hair and body healthy.
Sleep – The average adult needs eight hours of sleep per night. If you struggle to drift off, your GP will be able to recommend some sleep tips.
Exercise – Burning energy releases endorphins, which alleviate stress and help you return to a calmer state of mind.
Mindfulness – Mindfulness, meditation and yoga have been shown to help people manage anxious thoughts, reducing hair loss due to stress.
Help – If you’re feeling down or struggling with stress, you may find relief in speaking to a trusted friend or loved one. If not, you can always seek professional help.
How to Manage Symptoms of Hair Loss Due to Stress
Although hair loss from stress does often grow back, the process will probably take a while. In the meantime, we have some suggestions for reclaiming your confidence!
Wear a wig
Some people choose to boost their self-esteem with a beautiful wig. This way, you can experiment with many different looks, returning to your natural style or reinventing an entirely new one! So you can step out with confidence the first time you wear a wig and reap all the benefits, we recommend reading our beginner wig tips and community advice.
Try headwear
If wigs aren’t your thing, there are plenty of gorgeous pieces of headwear. Combining comfort and style, our turbans and caps are designed with hair loss in mind. As an added bonus, headwear doesn’t put any strain on your existing hair, which is especially convenient for those dealing with conditions like telogen effluvium.
Find comfort in community
One of our favourite aspects of wearing wigs is chatting to and swapping tips with our community! Many members have experienced symptoms of hair loss due to stress and generously shared ways they’ve found to stay looking chic while their tresses grow back, whether they wear a wig or a headpiece.
Stress and Hair Loss
Since worrying about your hair loss can keep you stuck in the cycle, it’s important to put yourself first. If you’re experiencing symptoms of hair loss due to stress, consult your GP and take their advice to address the cause. In the meantime, remember that hair loss is more common than you might think and keep reading our blog for support and wig guidance. For more information about our wig services, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team!
Thank you for this article which I hope will reassure many people who find their hair falling out for no apparent reason, and for the advice on how to try to deal with it. I am pleased to have my wig to fall back on – and as my own hair loss has regrown and now fallen out again, patchily, I think I can now deal with it. Well worth reading carefully and noting the advice given.