Stress and Hair Loss: Is There a Connection?

A stressed man with his hand in his hair looking at a laptop

There is a reason “tearing your hair out” has become an idiomatic expression in response to stress, due to the correlation between stress and hair loss. Stress is part of all of our lives, and hair loss is very common, so it is natural to wonder if there is a connection between the two issues. Stress-induced hair loss is only one type of hair loss, but it could be more prominent than you think. Let’s review this connection and explore the common causes of hair loss, in addition to the role our physiological state may play in hair reduction.

When Is It Considered Hair Loss?

In order to consider stress and hair loss, we have to establish what “counts” as hair loss. It is important to note that people typically lose 50-100 strands of hair a day. That may seem like a high number (unless you’re a parent of teenage daughters with long hair, in which case it probably sounds about right), likely because we don’t notice how much hair we lose a day. 

In a normal hair cycle, new hair is growing in as a replacement at approximately the same rate as other hair is being shed. This means that, according to the Mayo Clinic, “hair loss occurs when new hair doesn’t replace the hair that has fallen out.” 

What are the Types of Hair Loss?

Now that we know what hair loss is, we can talk about the different types of hair loss. There are a wide range of hair loss types, but typically, factors leading to hair loss include hereditary conditions associated with age, changes from sickness that can include effects from medications, and consequences from circumstances such as stress and pregnancy. Any type of hormonal change can result in hair loss, and it isn’t always visible right away. 

Obviously, some types of hair loss are gender-specific, such as pregnancy-related hair loss. Men often have a genetic receding hairline with age, and women often experience thinning hair and can have dramatic changes in their hair due to hormonal changes in pregnancy and postpartum conditions. For this reason, there can be different hair loss treatments that will be better for women and others that work better for men.

What Is the Role of Stress in Causing Hair Loss?

Undeniably, stress and hair loss are connected in many cases, so understanding the role of stress in causing hair loss is important. As the Mayo Clinic explains, “many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock.” A variety of stressful events can produce that type of shock, such as intense grief. Luckily, stress-induced hair loss can be a temporary occurrence, and you can counteract its effects with targeted methods.

A man reducing stress lying on a massage table

Is Stress-Induced Hair Loss Reversible?

Obviously, you don’t have full control over what stressful events come up in your life, and no hair loss can be fully reversible, per se. Still, while it may not be possible to fully prevent or reverse stress-induced hair loss, you can counteract the effects of hair loss with targeted treatment plans.

At Salameh Plastic Surgery and Hair Transplant, we counteract any type of hair loss with growth treatments for your hair, innovatively combined with our targeted medical-grade hair care products. Just like the stressful events that cause hair loss are individual, your hair rejuvenation plan will also be customized with us.

Combatting Stress and Hair Loss

While we can’t do anything about the stress that causes hair loss, we can help you get your hair back and empower your confidence in the process. Dr. Salameh uses an innovative ARTAS hair transplant system to stimulate growth directly on the scalp to restore hair in both men and women. This nearly-painless procedure provides natural-looking results that can remove the effects of stress and hair loss from your appearance. We offer a PRP hair procedure that makes sense for you.

For the best results, combine our treatment programs with supplemental products to help your hair grow and stay healthy. If you choose your high-quality hair care products well, ideally with customized care from an experienced professional, you can counteract the physical effects of stress on your appearance to refresh and rejuvenate your scalp. Not only will your hair be healthier, but you can also soothe your skin and counteract the effects of stress-induced hair loss by promoting growth instead. 

Don’t Stress About Your Hair

Yes, there is a real connection between stress and hair loss, but there’s no need to worry. With Salameh Plastic Surgery and Hair Transplant, you don’t have to stress about your hair. Schedule a consultation with us to get started on your journey towards your best hair.

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