5 Tips to Stop Stress-Related Hair Loss, According to Pros

Not to state the obvious, but no one loves feeling stressed out—even our bodies hate it. Research has found associations between the presence of stress and increases in cardiovascular issues, weakened immune systems, irritated gastrointestinal tracts, thrown-off hormone levels, and more. And if you’ve recently navigated something in particular that took a lot out of you, you might notice you’ve been shedding more hair than normal.

There’s definitely a connection between thinning hair and feeling stressed, says board-certified dermatologist Delila Foulad, MD. “Stress can lead to a condition called telogen effluvium, which causes diffuse hair shedding from the scalp about three to six months after a stressful event,” she says. “In this condition, stress causes hair follicles to transition from their active growth phase, called the anagen phase, to the resting phase, telogen, ultimately leading to hair shedding.”

Meet Our Expert

• Delila Foulad, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles.

• Jill Lee is a hairstylist and a United States Trichology Institute–certified trichologist based in Los Angeles.

Below, learn more about the typical hair cycle and how stress can get in the way of it. Plus, how to deal with stress-related hair shedding once you notice it.

The Connection Between Stress and Hair Loss

First, a key distinction: Stress isn’t singlehandedly making you bald but rather temporarily disrupting your hair-growth cycle. Understanding what separates those two scenarios—permanent hair loss and off-cycle hair shedding—is crucial.

“There’s a difference between hair loss and hair shedding: While the former is the complete loss of the follicle, where hair can no longer grow, the latter is a temporary type of hair loss in which the hair will grow back after the stress is addressed,” says hairstylist and USTI-certified trichologist Jill Lee. “Stress-related hair shedding for very long periods of time could have long-term negative effects on the quality of the hair, but permanent hair loss is rare.”

The hair cycle is made up of four phases: anagen, the growth stage; catagen, the transition or regression stage; telogen, the rest stage; and exogen; the shedding stage. Every day, it’s normal to shed up to 150 telogen hairs. While that might sound like an eye-popping, drain-clogging amount, bear in mind that a person typically has around 100,000 total hairs on their scalp, and the anagen (or growth) phase accounts for 90 percent of hair at a given time. Anagen is also the longest of the hair phases, reportedly lasting between two to eight years. So, you typically won’t notice the strands you routinely shed because of the volume that’s actively growing.

A caveat, though, is when the hair cycle is thrown off, which can lead to excess hair shedding—or the temporary and treatable condition called telogen effluvium. “Stress-related hair loss, called telogen effluvium—or heavier than normal shedding—is considered a self-correcting type of hair loss,” says Lee. “So if the stressor is eliminated, the excessive hair shedding should stop. Shedding is usually first seen two to three months after the initial stress.”

What to Do About Hair Loss Due to Stress

Consult an Expert

If you notice more hair shedding than typical, feel like your hair is suddenly thinner, or are experiencing other scalp symptoms like patchiness, burning, itching, or pain, Dr. Foulad says it’s important to consult your board-certified dermatologist as a first step. “They can help you determine whether your hair loss is within the normal range or if it may be indicative of an underlying issue requiring further attention,” she says.

Consider the Source of Stress

If you can pinpoint what has been stressing you out, Lee suggests recognizing that and taking lifestyle steps to eliminate or better manage how it affects you. Some strategies might include practicing breathwork, meditation, yoga, or mindfulness exercises; prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and exercise in your daily routine; or talking to a therapist.

If the stress in question is likely due to a physical event, like surgery or childbirth, be patient with your body as it recovers, and feel empowered to consult a professional if you are concerned about the shedding volume or duration. “Acute telogen effluvium is typically a temporary condition,” reminds Dr. Foulad. “However, if stress-related hair loss persists beyond six months or shows no signs of improvement, it’s important to seek evaluation.”

Manage Stress Levels About Hair Shedding

It’s great to get a handle on whatever was stressing you out in the first place, but you’ll also want to work on ensuring you’re not excessively worried about the shedding itself. “The act of experiencing heavy shedding can exacerbate stress, creating a cycle of stress-shedding and more stress,” says Lee. “We also don’t want the shedding to become chronic [rather than acute], because this can cause the hair to get thinner and thinner over time.”

As Lee reminds, it’s unlikely to lose most or all of your hair due to stress-related shedding. Rather, the extra shedding is a result of more loss and less growth. Even so, the hair continues to grow in the midst of this.

Try a Topical Treatment

You and your healthcare provider may decide that a topical treatment like minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) may be a helpful option for you, says Dr. Foulad. However, it’s important to know that minoxidil typically doesn’t work immediately, but requires several months to notice results.

Side effects are generally minimal, and may include scalp irritation, hair growth in unintended areas, and increased shedding in the first few weeks of using the treatment, Dr. Foulad adds.

Practice Patience

With any treatment for stress-related hair shedding, don’t expect immediate results. “Remain patient, as hair regrowth can take time,” says Dr. Foulad. “With proper care, the hair typically starts to grow back once the triggering factors are addressed.”

Also, know that simply experiencing stress doesn’t automatically mean you’ll notice an increase in shedding a few months down the line. “In some individuals, higher levels of stress can cause an increase in hair shedding,” says Lee. “Some people can have increased stress and not see any change in their hair, though. Everyone is different.”

Make a point to be patient with yourself, not jump to catastrophic thinking, practice stress-relieving strategies that work for you, and seek treatment from a healthcare professional when necessary.

Read the original article on InStyle