You know, we often talk about stress in passing, like it’s just a part of everyday life, but when stress starts to affect your body, especially your hair, it’s a whole different story.
You might notice your hair thinning, shedding more than usual, or even coming out in clumps. Those who have been through it will tell you that it is a terrifying experience.
How Stress Leads to Hair Loss
When you’re under stress, your body responds in ways you might not expect. Stress triggers a whole lot of changes in your body, and one of those changes happens in your hair growth cycle.
Hair goes through different phases: growing, resting, and shedding. Stress, particularly when it’s prolonged or severe, can push your hair prematurely into the shedding phase, a condition known as telogen effluvium.
Telogen effluvium is a temporary condition, but that doesn’t make it any less distressing. In telogen effluvium, large numbers of hair follicles are pushed into the resting phase all at once.
Normally, around 10% of your hair is in this resting phase, but with stress, that number can shoot up dramatically. About two to three months after a stressful event, you might notice a sudden increase in hair loss, and you could be losing handfuls of hair, especially when you’re washing or brushing it.
What’s frustrating is that it’s not always immediate. The delay between the stressful event and the hair loss means you might not even connect the two at first. It could be a major life event, like losing a job, going through a break-up, or even something like the prolonged stress of working under pressure that eventually triggers the hair shedding.
How to Manage Stress and Prevent Hair Loss
In any case, here is how you can manage stress to prevent hair loss:
Look After Your Physical Health
When you’re stressed, it can be tempting to skip meals, reach for junk food, or stop exercising. But your body, and your hair, need good nutrition and regular movement to stay healthy. Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals, especially iron, zinc, and biotin, which are crucial for hair health.
Try to include leafy greens, nuts, eggs, and fish in your diet. If you’re not getting enough through food, you might want to consider a supplement (just make sure to check with your GP first).
Take Time to De-stress
It may be hard to find time to relax, but taking even 10 minutes a day to focus on yourself can do a lot of good for your body, especially your hair.
Meditation, deep breathing exercises, or even just sitting in a quiet space can help your body wind down from the stress that’s wreaking havoc on your hair. There are plenty of meditation apps that can guide you if you’re not sure where to start.
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. It’s when your body repairs itself, including your hair follicles. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and create a bedtime routine that helps you wind down.
Switch off the screens an hour before bed, and keep your bedroom dark and cool to help improve the quality of your sleep.
Alternatives and Solutions for Hair Loss
If you’re already noticing hair loss, there are steps you can take to address it. Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is a popular and highly effective solution, especially here in Australia.
If you’ve never heard of it before, SMP is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure where tiny pigments are applied to your scalp to mimic the appearance of hair follicles. It’s an excellent option if you’re dealing with hair thinning or bald patches, as it creates the look of a fuller, shaved head of hair.
What’s great about SMP is that it’s a long-lasting solution. It’s not going to make your hair grow back, but it can give you the appearance of a denser head of hair without having to resort to more invasive treatments like hair transplants. Also, it’s low maintenance, so once the procedure is done, you don’t have to worry about daily upkeep.
Also Read: Scalp Micropigmentation or Hair Tattoo: A Non-Surgical Solution for Hair Loss
Hacks for Managing Hair Loss While Coping with Stress
While you’re working on managing your stress, there are some practical hacks that can help you take care of your hair in the meantime:
- Avoid harsh treatments: Things like excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, and tight hairstyles can all put additional strain on your hair. When your hair is already stressed, it’s important to be gentle with it. Try to minimise the use of heat tools and avoid tight ponytails or braids that pull on your hair.
- Switch to a mild shampoo: Look for shampoos that are free of sulphates and harsh chemicals, as these can strip your hair of its natural oils, making it more prone to breakage.
- Scalp massage: A regular scalp massage can do wonders for improving blood circulation to your hair follicles. You don’t need any fancy tools for this – just use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp in circular motions for a few minutes each day. You can even use essential oils like rosemary or peppermint, which are known for their hair-stimulating properties.
- Stay consistent with a hair care routine: Stress can throw you off your game in more ways than one, but staying consistent with a simple hair care routine can help keep your hair healthy. Make sure you’re shampooing and conditioning regularly and using products that nourish and strengthen your hair.
Conclusion
In many cases, hair loss caused by stress can be reversed. Once you get your stress under control, your hair should begin to recover. But it can take time, typically, you’ll start to see new growth within 3-6 months.
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