Stress is often linked to a variety of health problems, High levels of the stress hormone can lead to psychological, physical, and even dermatological issues. This includes poor skin, brittle nails and most distressingly, hair loss.
While stress is a normal part of life, certain life events can trigger an abnormal amount of stress that the body finds difficult to deal with. Divorce, redundancy, and grief can all contribute to stress-related hair loss. So how exactly does stress affect the hair?
Its link to telogen effluvium
According to top dermatologist, Doctor Flor A. Mayoral, stress could be the main contributor to unexplained hair loss. When the stress levels rise, it can trigger the hair to go into what is known as the telogen phase. This is basically the falling-out phase and this type of hair loss is referred to as telogen effluvium.
Telogen effluvium can occur anytime up to three months after a major stressful event and it’s one of the most common types of hair loss. It is usually a temporary condition, with most patients experiencing regrowth within 6-9 months.
It’s important to note that stress affects everyone slightly differently. That’s why there is a lot of debate as to whether it can lead to hair loss. For some people, high levels of stress can result in the development of an ulcer or a heart attack, whereas in others it triggers a hair loss response.
Why it’s important to seek a proper diagnosis
While major stressful events could be the cause of your hair loss, it is important to seek a professional diagnosis. This is because there are so many potential causes of the condition and in order to treat it effectively, the root cause does need to be identified.
Overall, if you look at how stress can impact the hair growth cycle, you soon see how it can lead to hair loss or thinning. If you suspect stress is starting to affect your hair, seek medical advice before attempting any form of treatment.
