What Is Stress Hair Loss and How to Treat It

While losing 100 to 150 strands of hair per day is normal, some women lose much more. This is often known as stress hair loss, which can be a huge problem. If you want to know if stress can cause hair loss and subsequently how to regain hair loss from stress, read on. Luckily, there are measures you can take to prevent and treat hair falling out from stress.

Clinical Types of Stress Hair Loss for Women

Hair thinning from stress happens to many people. You may just feel like your hair isn’t as thick as it used to be, especially since you’ve been crumbling under the pressures of everyday stress. But there are some actual conditions that affect the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out much more than normal. Knowing the difference between the various medical conditions is crucial, so here is some background.

• Telogen effluvium (TE) is a condition that makes hair rush through its natural growth cycle, according to American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Stress causes hair to be pushed into the resting cycle, meaning less growth. When things go back to normal, the hairs get pushed out. It looks like handfuls of hair, but this is actually a sign of regrowth.  It typically affects women 30 to 60 years of age and starts suddenly. It has a tendency to fluctuate for a period of years. This condition does not cause baldness.
• Alopecia actually means “hair loss”. This form of female pattern baldness can happen due to severe stress. However, there is little evidence that alopecia is stress-related. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in round patches, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.

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Myths Associated with Stress Hair Loss

Misunderstanding your hair problems can be dangerous, so let’s dispel the most common myths about stress hair loss.

• It appears immediately. Stress hair loss takes anywhere from 6-12 weeks to appear, based on hair growth cycles. Your hair goes into a resting stage to protect itself when under stressful situations, as most studies suggest. Once your hair cycle returns to normal, it pushes the hair out to grow new strands. It is possible for hair loss to appear up to three months after that stressful event.
• Minor stress can cause hair loss. A stressful event can be physical like surgery or trauma. It can be emotional, like a divorce or loss of a job. Stress can also be hormonal, like switching birth control or recently having a baby. Anxiety hair loss doesn’t usually happen because you are stressed about your morning commute.
• Any hair loss is stress-related. Stress does not equate balding. Just because you see your hairbrush covered in day-old hair or you are sweeping up more hair than usual these days does not mean it is stress-related. It may be damaged hair breaking off. Make sure you are not damaging your hair if you want to maintain thickness.

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How to Regain Hair Loss from Stress?

Hair loss due to stress, will it grow back? You may be asking yourself this after seeing extra hair in the shower drain recently.

Again, if you see hair loss, it is most likely that the stressful event has passed and your hair has begun to regrow. That’s good news! In order to reverse hair loss from stress, it’s important to have stress under control and talk to a doctor if it’s a recurring event in your life.

Even if you are seeing lots of fallouts, it’s unlikely others will notice a change in your hair’s thickness. However, in the meantime, get a jumpstart in regrowing hair and ensuring it is strong and healthy so that you are your most confident self.

Reverse Hair Loss from Stress!

Stress-related hair loss is not permanent. As soon as you relax and the stress stops, your hair will resume its normal growth cycle. So don’t worry if you’ve been seeing extra stress-induced hair loss because both time and stress hair loss treatments will be your new best friend.

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Adding a supplement and hair oils can put you on the fast-track to healthy-looking hair. Want to know how to regain hair loss from stress? Check out some of the recommendations below.

#1: Castor Oil

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This all-natural oil is packed with Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids and vitamin E. To help treat damaged hair from either stress or lack of care, castor oil is a recommended stress hair loss treatment that both promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss.

#2: Biotin

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Biotin is a B vitamin that nourishes your stressed tresses, leaving it healthier and longer. As a bonus, it’s also great for growing healthy nails and skin. A biotin supplement for a brief period of time can help reverse the noticeable signs of hair loss due to stress.

#3: Vitamin D

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Studies show insufficient levels of vitamin D have been implicated in alopecia areata. So, soak up the vitamin D in sunlight with a de-stress beach day and add a daily vitamin D supplement. It is one of the best vitamins for stress and hair loss.

Related Post: Thinning Hair Treatment: How to Stop Hair Loss in Women

Expert’s Comment on Stress Hair Loss

When looking at the cause of premature hair loss, don’t discount your eating habits and lifestyle. Improving your diet, drinking enough water, and exercising daily will help reduce stress and also improve your hair, skin, and nails.
In addition to taking supplements and making necessary lifestyle changes, opt for regular scalp massages to reverse premature hair loss. Massage will relax the scalp and promote blood circulation, which in turn can help stimulate hair growth. Most salons offer scalp massage treatments as do massage studios. Small changes can offer big results when you’re diligent in practicing them.

Jodie Michalak

Hair Falling Out from Stress? Let’s Talk

Hair loss can happen to anyone and for a number of reasons, so it’s important to talk to a doctor if you are seeing handfuls of hair in the shower unexpectedly. However, if you need a pick-me-up after a few stressful weeks or months in your life, you can reverse hair loss from stress at home with the help of hair care products and the right vitamins and supplements. So while there is no magical pill for knowing how to stop hair loss from stress, reading up on what causes hair loss and practicing self-care are two of the first steps. And you’ve already begun them both!