Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Stress is a part of daily life for many people, but can it cause hair loss? This article will look at the connection between stress and hair loss, exploring common causes and how to recognise when your hair loss might be stress-related. We will also provide advice on preventing hair loss, ways to reduce your stress levels and other relevant frequently asked questions about stress-induced hair loss.

Key Takeaways

Here are the 5 biggest takeaways from this article about stress-related hair loss:

• Hair loss can result from genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, and certain medications.

• Stress can cause hair loss through conditions such as telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata.

• Stress-induced hair loss often follows significant life events like illness, emotional turmoil, or rapid weight loss.

• To combat stress-related hair loss, it's important to practise self-care, use mindfulness techniques, maintain a healthy diet, take key supplements, exercise regularly, get sufficient sleep, and consider scalp massages.

• If you are concerned about hair loss, it is advisable to speak to a doctor.

What are the common causes of hair loss?

Hair loss can be distressing, and understanding what is causing it can be important for finding out how to combat it. Previously, we have outlined the common causes of hair loss as being:

• Genetics: One of the most common causes is hereditary hair loss, known as androgenetic alopecia, which affects both men and women.

• Hormones: Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid imbalances, can lead to hair loss.

• Medical Conditions: Conditions like alopecia, scalp infections and certain illnesses can result in hair thinning or bald patches.

• Medications: Some medications, including those for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure, can cause hair loss as a side effect.

Can stress cause hair loss?

Yes, stress can cause hair loss by affecting the body in different ways. There are three types of hair loss associated with hair loss (Hall-Flavin, 2023). Below is a table outlining these three types of hair loss that are caused by stress:

How can you recognise stress-induced hair loss?

If you are experiencing hair loss, recognising that it is caused by stress involves looking for distinct features that make it different to other forms of hair loss. Typically, hair loss due to stress follows significant stressful life events.

Events that can cause hair loss include the death of a loved one, illness, surgery, emotional turmoil, or rapid weight loss. You may also experience gradual or excessive hair shedding when you experience a stressful event. This usually occurs over a few months and is usually temporary.

In some cases, stress-related hair loss does not show any visible patterns and can appear random. If you feel that you are particularly stressed you may find that your hair is thinning, or you find more hair than usual in the shower, on your pillow, or whilst combing or brushing your hair.

What simple measures can help with stress-related hair loss?

If you suspect that your hair loss is connected to stress, there are several ways you can assess the situation:

• Track your hair loss by using a hair catcher. Count the amount of hairs you lose.

• Identify any potential causes of your stress and try and use techniques to ease them.

• Improve your sleeping habits by aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

• Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet to promote hair health. 

• Consider using hair loss treatments such as Regaine and Finasteride.

Preventative measures

Preventative measures can help you to combat the impact of stress on your hair. Some methods you can use include:

• Practising self-care techniques such as walking, reading and socialising.

• Trying mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga and visualisation.

• Eat a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean meats and nuts.

• Take supplements including biotin, iron, vitamin D, zinc and protein.

• Aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week.

• Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.

• Get a scalp massage to increase circulation and reduce stress.

Should I speak to my doctor as soon as possible if I am concerned about hair loss?

Yes, it is advisable to speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you are concerned about hair loss. Consulting with a healthcare professional can help find the underlying cause of your hair loss, whether it is stress-related, genetic, or due to another factor. Your doctor can provide a diagnosis, recommendations on appropriate treatments and guide you on the best steps to take for managing your hair loss.

Stress-Related Hair Loss FAQs

What are common chronic stress symptoms?

Chronic stress can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms, both mental and physical. Some examples of these symptoms according to the mental health charity Mind are:

Mental and Emotional Symptoms

• Decision-Making Difficulties: Struggling to make decisions and feeling indecisive.

• Concentration Issues: Finding it hard to concentrate on tasks.

• Memory Problems: Experiencing forgetfulness or slower memory recall.

• Constant Worry: Persistent feelings of dread or worry.

• Irritability: Snapping at people and feeling easily irritated.

• Nervous Habits: Biting nails or picking at skin.

• Jaw Tension: Grinding teeth or clenching your jaw.

• Sexual Problems: Losing interest in sex or not enjoying it.

• Eating Changes: Eating too much or too little.

• Substance Use: Increased use of cigarettes, recreational drugs, or alcohol.

• Restlessness: Feeling like you can't sit still.

• Emotional Outbursts: Crying or feeling tearful frequently.

• Spending Habits: Spending or shopping more than usual.

• Exercise Changes: Exercising less or more than you typically would.

• Social Withdrawal: Withdrawing from social interactions.

Physical Symptoms

• Breathing Difficulties: Experiencing difficulty breathing or panic attacks.

• Vision Issues: Blurred eyesight or sore eyes.

• Sleep Problems: Trouble sleeping or insomnia.

• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness and lack of energy.

• Aches and Pains: Muscle aches, headaches, and chest pains.

• Digestive Issues: Indigestion, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhoea.

• Nausea: Feeling sick, dizzy, or fainting.

• Weight Changes: Sudden weight gain or loss.

• Skin Issues: Developing rashes or itchy skin.

• Sweating: Increased sweating.

• Menstrual Changes: Irregularities in menstrual cycles.

• Worsening Health: Existing health problems getting worse.

Can anxiety cause hair loss?

Yes, anxiety can cause hair loss according to the Harley Street Hair Clinic. Emotional stress from events can trigger hormonal imbalances, leading to hair loss through conditions like telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss occurs when stress pushes hair follicles into a resting phase, causing increased shedding that is usually temporary, with hair regrowing within 2-3 months. Anxiety can also trigger alopecia, a condition which causes the immune system to attack hair follicles. While hair loss from alopecia areata is often not permanent and can grow back, treatment may sometimes be necessary.

How to tell if my hair is thinning or if I'm being paranoid?

Everyone naturally loses around 50-100 hairs daily as part of the normal hair growth cycle, which might seem like a lot but is minimal compared to an average follicle count of 100,000. If you find a few strands it’s usually no cause for concern. However, if you notice significantly more hair shedding when washing or brushing your hair, or if the hair loss seems more substantial than usual, you might be experiencing sustained hair loss, according to the Wimpole Clinic.

Will my hair grow back if I'm losing it because of stress?

Yes, if you are losing hair due to stress, it is likely to grow back according to Alopecia UK. Telogen effluvium, a common form of stress-induced hair loss, typically lasts no longer than six months, although in some cases, it can persist for years. Once the underlying stress is managed or resolved, hair growth usually resumes, and the hair often grows back within a few months.

Sources

Stress and hair loss: Are they related? - Mayo Clinic

Signs and symptoms of stress - Mind

10 stress busters - NHS