Uptown Funk may have gone on to become a global chart-topper, but creating it wasn’t so easy. Mark Ronson has revealed that the stress he felt producing the smash hit, caused him to start losing his hair and become seriously ill.
The musician reportedly lost an inch of his hairline over the months he worked on the huge hit. After creating a massive 54 different versions of the single and still being no closer to finishing after six months’ work, Ronson’s health really started to suffer.
According to experts he’s not alone either. Many people suffer from stress related hair loss each year. So why exactly does stress cause hair loss and are the effects long-lasting?
Understanding stress-related hair loss
There are actually three different types of hair loss that can occur through stress. These include:
- Trichotillomania
- Telogen Effluvium
- Alopecia Areata
Trichotillomania includes a strong urge to pull out the hair either straight from the scalp or eyebrows. It can also affect other parts of the body. It is a psychological condition that eases negative feelings or stress.
Telogen Effluvium is caused by significant levels of stress and it causes a large amount of hair follicles to go into a resting phase. Within a few months the hair may then go on to fall out either in the shower or whilst you are brushing your hair.
Finally, Alopecia Areata occurs when the body’s immune system begins to attack the hair follicles. There are actually many factors that can lead to this condition, with extreme stress being one of them. While for many sufferers the hair does grow back after a few months, for some it remains permanent. There isn’t a cure, but there are several treatments available that can help.
Are the effects permanent?
While the hair loss can be permanent, most of the time it is fully reversible. As soon as you get your stress levels under control, you should start to see an improvement. It might not happen overnight, but within a few months you should start to notice the hair growing back.
Stress can have a negative impact on all areas of life. However, hair loss can be particularly worrying. If you’re concerned you’ve started to lose your hair due to stress, it’s important to go and see your GP. They will be able to determine whether any other factors are contributing to the problem.
If you are diagnosed with stress-related hair loss, then the first thing you need to do is come up with a stress management solution. Overall, getting your stress under control will help you to reverse its effects on your health.
