Sometimes, we face particular stressors in life that can have little-known effects. One of those effects is hair loss. Both physical and emotional stressors can cause excessive shedding. This type of hair loss that’s brought on by stress is called Telogen Effluvium (TE), affecting people who have experienced severe stress or changes to their body.
Sometimes the stress event is obvious, and can easily be traced as the culprit of hair loss, such as trauma, surgery, job issues, and post-partum. Other times, the stress event may seem minor and many women don’t realize the connection, such as high fever, COVID-19, and dietary changes. The bottom line is, stress and hair loss are connected, but the good news is, it’s usually temporary and doesn’t last forever, especially with the right treatments.
Yes, stress can cause hair loss, and yes it can grow back in most cases. Telogen Effluvium is the type of hair loss associated with excessive shedding, and it usually occurs three to six months after the stressful event.
That’s why many women don’t make the connection right away, as sometimes the stressor may have seemed minor. But any physical or emotional changes to the body and mind can have an impact on our hair, from vitamin deficiencies and hormones to divorce or death in the family.
High levels of stress can inhibit hair regrowth, causing your immune system to begin attacking the hair follicles, or even lead to an irresistible urge to pull your hair (known as trichotillomania), according to Medical News Today. Most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. While not all hair loss is due to stress, people can shed significantly more after experiencing extreme stress. In that case, they may shed between 300 and 500 hairs a day.
This can be alarming and may cause panic. Some people stop washing their hair as often because they are afraid they will shed even more. They may only wash once a week, thinking they have stopped the shedding, when in reality the shedding is still occurring. It’s better to discover the root cause of the hair loss, and the first step to that is understanding the role that stress plays.
First, it’s important to explore the three stages of hair growth:
There are a few conditions that could be causing your hair loss.
The most common reason is Telogen Effluvium, which is the excessive hair shedding of resting (telogen) hair primarily due to stress.
Common stressors can include:
This shedding usually takes place about three months after the event and can last for up to six months. If it lasts longer, this is referred to as chronic Telogen Effluvium. Women are more susceptible to TE than men.
Alopecia Areata occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles in the anagen phase, thereby forcing them to the catagen phase. Since the follicle's stem cells remain intact, the hair follicles are able to regenerate and maintain their growth cycle. While stress can cause this condition, it’s more commonly brought on by environmental triggers and genetics.
This is a hair-pulling disorder where the person repeatedly pulls hair anywhere on the body, part of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While the cause of trichotillomania is still unknown, studies have shown that many people report stress events as the catalyst for the hair-pulling behavior.
While it can be stressful in itself to experience hair loss, it can be heartening to know that it’s usually a temporary situation and treatment can speed up the recovery process. Your hair will likely grow back with time, but it’s also important to get your stress under control to ensure it doesn’t become a repeating pattern.
Try these ways to lower your stress, such as:
Here at Medi Tresse, we understand every patient is unique. That’s why we perform a full medical history when you visit us for a consultation. We will sit down and talk with you about any stressful events you may have gone through in the recent past, such as a death in the family or even deficiencies in your diet. Rest assured, this consultation is always confidential and HIPAA-compliant.
One of the tests we will perform during your consultation is what’s called a pull test to determine the presence of active hair loss. It involves grasping a group of hairs near the scalp and gently pulling them out. If more than 10 percent of the hairs are pulled out, this indicates an active hair shed. Less than 10 percent is not an active hair shed.
This information will give us great insight into the cause of your hair loss. This guides us to the most effective treatment possible. Not every type of hair loss is treated the same way. In fact, treatments such as platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) and Minoxidil can actually exacerbate shedding and worsen the situation.
This is why it’s so important to see a hair loss specialist. We can diagnose the underlying cause of the hair loss, which is a vital first step in properly treating the shedding. While Telogen Effluvium is typically a temporary condition that will resolve itself over six months to two years, our treatments, ranging from topical treatments to Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) can speed up the process so you can enjoy fuller hair sooner.
If you are experiencing excessive shedding, we can help you get to the bottom of it and come up with an effective treatment plan. Call us today for a personalized consultation to explore the link between your hair loss and stress.
