This April marks Stress Awareness month in the US, a calendar moment designed to raise awareness of the pervasive and damaging nature of stress. While we know that stress is an undeniable factor in most people’s lives, its impact on so many aspects of our physical and mental health is perhaps more far reaching than we might imagine. When it comes to our hair, stress is the second biggest cause of hair loss after genetics, but because the process usually takes anywhere between three and six months to happen, many people don’t make the connection.
Of course given the emotional impact your hair has on everything from mood to self-esteem, it’s no wonder that losing it can affect everyone deeply. “Hair loss can have significant emotional consequences, often affecting one’s self-esteem and confidence,” says Hannah Gaboardi, trichologist, and Viviscal ambassador. “It may lead to feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment, or even social withdrawal. The anxiety associated with hair loss can create a cyclical pattern where worrying exacerbates the problem.”
What does normal hair growth look like?
Every hair on your head follows a naturally programmed life cycle that begins with a growth phase (called anagen). This is followed by a transition phase (catagen) and then a rest phase (telogen). Exogen is the fourth and final phase and is classed as the active shedding phase. Although it sounds alarming, it’s common to lose between 80-100 hairs a day as part of a normal growth cycle.
What are common types of hair loss?
While there are many different types of hair loss such as androgenetic alopecia (known as pattern hair loss) and anagen effluvium, which often results after medical treatment like chemotherapy, telogen effluvium is the type of hair loss most associated with stress.
How does stress affect hair?
Telogen effluvium usually occurs after a traumatic event or ongoing stress pushes the follicles into the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. Unlike a normal cycle though, the next phase doesn’t begin, causing hair to fall out without new hair growth. This type of hair loss usually manifests with hair loss occurring on the top of the scalp although in very extreme cases it can affect eyebrow and pubic hair. As well as hair loss, premature greying and increased breakage is common. As are significant changes in hair texture. “Stress can affect the production of hormones and nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth, resulting in changes in hair texture,” adds Gaboardi. “This may manifest as dry, brittle hair or an increase in frizz.”
How to deal with hair loss?
Luckily, stress-related hair loss is usually temporary and is usually very reactive to lifestyle changes. As well reducing your stress levels via extended relaxation rituals, maintaining a healthy scalp is vital as it will encourage healthy hair growth in turn. Often overlooked when it comes to haircare, a healthy, balanced scalp will foster healthy hair growth. Aside from thorough cleansing to remove any product build up or residue, using a product that promotes blood flow to the scalp is a good idea. To avoid irritating the hair follicles, which can compromise already aggravated follicles, steer clear of sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS) in your haircare formulas. “Avoid over-washing, as this can strip the scalp of natural oils and lead to dryness and irritation,” says Gaboardi. “Gently massage your scalp while washing to improve circulation and promote hair growth.”
Gently does it
Being gentle with your hair while it’s experiencing change is important so as not to exacerbate any thinning. It goes without saying that excessive heat and chemical treatments aren’t a good idea, but try and opt for protective hairstyles too. “Opt for hairstyles that minimize tension on the hair follicles, such as loose braids, buns or ponytails,” advises Gaboardi. “Avoid tight hairstyles and hair accessories that pull on the hair and handle your hair with care to minimise breakage and damage. Avoid vigorous towel drying and harsh brushing or combing, especially when the hair is wet and more prone to breakage.” If you do want to continue using some heat, a heat protectact and something like a leave-in treatment are both recommended.
Take an inside out approach
Although reducing your stress levels might seem insurmountable, making sure you’re eating the right things will go a long way to setting a good foundation for optimum hair growth. A healthy balanced diet is also important in stress reduction too as it can support a healthy immune system, repair damaged cells and even reduce elevated cortisol levels. Getting enough protein in your diet is essential as it provides the building blocks for proper hair growth; meat, tofu, eggs, beans, grains, nuts, and fish are all good protein sources. Some studies suggest that telogen effluvium can also be connected to low levels of iron, so include iron-rich foods like leafy vegetables, lentils and liver where you can. If you like the idea of adding supplements to your routine, there are some which are specifically formulated to contain ingredients that increase hair thickness and health.
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