Does Stress Cause Hair Loss? Symptoms, Regain Hair and Stress Related Hair Loss

Can Stress Really Make Your Hair Fall Out?

For many individuals going through a tough time in life, they will eventually notice that they are losing hair on their pillow, in the shower, or on the hairbrush. At such a stage, many individuals will ask the question: can stress cause hair loss? The simple answer to such a question is yes, it can cause hair loss. Today, research has shown that there is a strong relationship between stress and hair loss.

The issue has gained much more attention over the last few years. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, many dermatologists across the globe have noticed that there has been a clear increase in the number of individuals complaining of hair loss. Many such individuals did not have a family history of balding. They were going through a tough time because of emotional pressure, health issues, financial problems, or other issues related to stress. At such a stage, many individuals were asking the question: can stress cause hair loss even if I am healthy? For many such individuals, the answer to such a question was yes.

In order to understand the concept of hair loss due to stress, it is important to first understand how the body responds to stressful events or situations. When we are exposed to stressful events, our body responds by releasing a hormone, which is called cortisol. This is a natural “fight or flight” response, which is necessary for survival in small amounts. However, if we are exposed to stressful events over a long period of time, it can affect various parts of the body, including the hair follicles, which can eventually result in hair loss.

There is also a strong connection between emotional stress and anxiety hair loss. People who are exposed to anxiety disorders or stressful events can also suffer from hair loss, and there is no other underlying condition that can explain this phenomenon. This goes to show that the concept of stress and hair loss is not just a myth, but it is connected with real biological events occurring inside the body.

How Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?

When people ask if stress causes hair loss, they are usually interested in knowing the mechanism of hair loss. The relationship between stress and hair loss is not merely psychological. It has biological implications as well.

Chronic or severe stress has been known to alter the hair growth cycle. As a result of this, hair enters the resting stage prematurely. As time passes, hair loss occurs weeks or months after the stressful event has ended.

Now let’s take a look at the different ways in which stress causes hair loss.

The Role of Cortisol (The Stress Hormone)

Cortisol is known to be the stress hormone because of its release during stressful times. When we are under stress or have an anxiety attack or are emotionally disturbed, our body releases cortisol as a response to the stressful event.

When we are under stress for short periods of time, the release of cortisol is perfectly normal because our body is responding to the stressful event. However, when we are under chronic stress, our body continues to release cortisol for long periods of time.

When our body is under chronic stress, our hair enters the resting stage prematurely because of the increased levels of cortisol in our body. After a few months of entering the resting stage prematurely, our hair starts to fall out.

High levels of cortisol have also been known to weaken hair follicle stem cells. When hair follicle stem cells are weakened, hair growth slows down. When hair growth slows down, we experience hair loss caused by stress.

How Stress Affects Hair Follicles

Hair follicles are very sensitive and react not only to hormones but also to other changes that occur in the body. Therefore, when one is under serious stress, all the body’s energy is directed to vital organs such as the heart and brain. This means that hair growth is not a priority.

Consequently, the hair growth phase, or anagen, is shortened, and many hair follicles enter the resting phase. This explains why most people who inquire about whether stress causes hair loss end up losing hair all over their scalp, not on specific areas. This hair loss is general and not localized.

However, for some individuals, especially those under severe emotional stress such as worrying and panic disorders, anxiety hair loss may occur. This is because the hair follicles remain weakened due to the constant stress, and this slows down hair growth.

Inflammation and Blood Flow Changes

Stress may also lead to inflammation, which may be negative for hair follicles. This may, in turn, interfere with hair growth because, when the scalp is not in good condition, hair may not grow at its normal rate.

In addition, when one is under serious stress, this may lead to reduced blood flow to different parts of the body, especially the scalp. This means that hair follicles do not receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients from the flowing blood, and this may lead to hair loss due to stress.

Even though this is temporary, this period may be extended due to prolonged stress, and this is another reason why one should always be careful about hair loss due to stress.

Stress and Hormonal Imbalance

Stress does not merely elevate cortisol levels; it has the potential to affect other hormones as well. For example, chronic stress has been known to affect thyroid hormones, reproductive hormones, and insulin levels. An imbalance of any of these hormones has the potential to trigger stress or hair loss.

Hormonal imbalances are especially significant for women's hair loss because they make the hair more prone to falling out. When there is an interplay of hormones with stress, hair loss becomes more prominent.

So, when people ask if stress causes hair loss, the answer to this lies in the interplay of cortisol levels, inflammation, circulation, and hormonal imbalances. This helps to explain that stress hair loss is indeed real because it is reversible.

Signs Your Hair Loss May Be Stress-Related

If you find that there is more hair in your hairbrush or drain than usual, you may be wondering if stress can actually cause hair loss in your situation. Not all hair loss is caused by stress, but some obvious signs can determine if you are experiencing stress hair loss or another condition.

Sudden Excessive Shedding

One of the most obvious signs of hair loss caused by stress is sudden, excessive shedding. You may find that you are losing large amounts of hair, especially when you are brushing or washing it, or even just by running your fingers through it. This is not the gradual thinning that can be caused by genetic predisposition, but rather it happens suddenly.

Hair Thinning 2-3 Months After a Stressful Event

While it may seem obvious, stress does not always result in immediate hair loss, but rather 2-3 months after the event that caused it. This can be a stressful event such as job loss, a personal crisis, or even illness. The reason for this is that stress actually puts the hair follicle into a dormant or resting phase, and it is only 2-3 months into the future when the hair actually falls out, giving you a scare if you were unaware it would happen.

Diffuse Hair Loss Instead of a Receding Hairline

Another significant symptom that indicates stress and hair loss is that the thinning of the hair is diffuse, which means that the thinning of the hair is uniform and not concentrated at the temples and the crown. In other words, the thinning of the hair is not associated with a receding hairline, as seen in female and male pattern baldness. The diffuse thinning of the hair also means that the hair appears to be thin, but there is no bald spot.

No Family History of Pattern Baldness

Lastly, if you don’t have a family history of pattern baldness, then the hair loss that you are experiencing due to the sudden thinning of the hair is likely due to stress. This is because genetics play a significant role when it comes to pattern baldness, and therefore, if you don’t have a family history of baldness, then the hair loss that you are experiencing is likely due to stress.

How Long Does Stress Hair Loss Last?

One of the most common queries that people ask is how long does hair loss due to stress last? The answer to this query depends on various factors like the type of stress that has occurred, its duration of occurrence, and the health of the person.

Acute Stress or Chronic Stress

Stress does not always have the same effects on different people. Some people experience acute stress, which is short-term or temporary stress. For example, if someone has experienced a sudden shock or a significant life event, then the stress hair loss that occurs in this case is usually temporary.

However, if the stress that has occurred is chronic or long-term, then there are more chances of experiencing prolonged hair loss. When people are under chronic stress, their hair follicles tend to stay in the resting stage for a longer time.

Therefore, we can say that if the stress that has occurred is acute or short-term, then the hair loss that occurs is usually temporary or short-term.

When Will Hair Grow Back?

For most people, their hair will begin to regrow when they are no longer under stress. Accordingly, it may take three to six months for the hair to come back. At first, it might not look very healthy and might even break easily. However, it will strengthen over time.

It is also important to note that it might not always regrow if the stress is prolonged. This means that the person might continue to lose their hair even when they are no longer under stress. This might make it seem like the hair is not growing back.

When to See a Doctor

It is important to note that although stress and hair loss are temporary problems, it is crucial to seek medical attention in the following situations:

• If the shedding lasts longer than six months
• If you are experiencing bald spots or uneven hair loss
• If your hair loss is accompanied by additional signs
• It is important to remember that the issue can be resolved and hair can grow back. This means that it is crucial to identify the type of stress and the state of your hair to avoid making the problem a long-term issue.

Hair Health with Hair Transplant Solutions

Stress-related hair loss is usually temporary. However, it is important to maintain the health of your hair and scalp, especially if you may need to restore your hair in the future. Hair transplant clinics can provide surgical solutions to your hair loss problem. At the same time, they can give you expert care to help maintain a healthy scalp and prevent further hair shedding. In İstanbul Vita, we can support your hair health with our experts.

To summarize, getting expert care from hair transplant clinics will help you maintain your hair and address the main cause of stress-related hair loss. When you are ready to restore your hair, you can do so safely and effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stress-Related Hair Loss

Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Yes. Emotional stress may cause a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium, which occurs when hair follicles go dormant too early. A few weeks or months later, you might notice that you’re losing hair. This is the first way that stress contributes to hair loss.

Can Anxiety Cause Hair Thinning?

Yes. Continuous anxiety may cause hair loss because it puts the body under a state of continuous stress. The high level of hormones from anxiety may cause many of the hair follicles to go dormant, leading to thinning hair as opposed to bald patches.

Does Hair Grow Back After Stress?

Yes, most times. Once the stressful situation is over and your body is no longer under stress, your hair follicles will start growing again. Your hair might be thin and soft, but after a few months, you will start to notice regrowth.

How Much Hair Loss Is Normal Per Day?

Losing 50-100 hairs a day is normal. Losing a lot of hair, especially after a stressful period, might be a sign that you’re losing your hair due to stress. You might notice that you’re losing your hair when you take a shower, when you change your pillows, or when you brush your hair.

Can Sudden Shock Cause Hair Loss?

Yes. Sudden emotional shocks, like a tragic accident, might cause telogen effluvium. Your hair will start falling out 2-3 months after the shocking incident. That’s the reason you might not notice that the hair loss you’re experiencing is due to stress.