Will Stress Lead to Hair Loss and Hair Loss Treatment

The body’s natural ability to cycle hair can be hindered by stress. This blocks new follicles from growing into healthy strands, which will cause your existing hairs to fall out more easily over time, even if you are washing or combing them. Your hair follicles may stay in a “resting” phase and stop producing new strands with stress. This phase is also called Telogen Effluvium.

When we go through a stressful period in our life, the body’s Partially Dedicated Survival Mechanism (PDSM) kicks into gear. This means that some tissues and organs are now prioritized over others- like diverting energy away from hair growth for more essential things like maintaining blood pressure or heart rate.

This is why people going through a rough phase observe a decline in hair growth, leading to hair thinning and balding in the worst cases. Luckily, the conditions subside as soon as the level of stress decreases, causing the body to return to its normal function, including normal hair growth. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed with stress and start seeing a little more hair in your brush than normal, take heart.

This type of hair loss is only temporary and should reverse once your stress levels subside. In the meantime, here are a few tips for minimizing hair loss during stressful times:

• Avoid tight hairstyles that put tension on your scalp
• Don’t over brush or pull on your hair
• Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for thinning hair.
• Consider using a topical treatment like Minoxidil to help stimulate new hair growth.

 

How to Reduce Stress and Anxiety

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults. External stimuli like stressors and emotional triggers cannot be controlled. However, there are plenty of ways to lessen the intensity. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing stress and anxiety, here are some tips that might help;

Practice Relaxation

Healthy habits like daily meditation, maintaining a gratitude journal, and doing yoga are often looked down upon. These activities help clear out negative thoughts facilitating the ability to think rationally. Moreover, yoga and meditation help strengthen muscles and nerves simultaneously.

Take Enough Sleep

Resting and hydrating are the two most abandoned vital habits that help to decrease the stress level. Taking enough sleep recharges the mind and body, enabling the person to do better executive functioning. In short, good sleep leads to better problem-solving.

Plan, Plan, and Plan

Poor time management and disorganized behavior open doors to several stressors. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and start planning your daily activities. Work according to a proper schedule, and you will be able to achieve more in a day than you normally do.

Planning leads to increased productivity, which is directly proportional to the stress level.

 

Hair Loss Treatment

There are many different treatments for hair loss, but not all of them are effective. Some people may choose to go with a hair transplant, while others may try a topical treatment like Rogaine.

There are also a number of pills and supplements that claim to help with hair growth. Before trying any new treatment, it’s important to do your research and talk to your doctor to make sure it is the right choice for you.

Here is a quick follow up for different hair loss treatments:

Medication

Minoxidil and Finasteride are the two readily used medications for hair loss. Finasteride is an oral drug, while Minoxidil (rogaine) serves as a topical treatment that is available in the form of medicated hair sprays, shampoos, and lotions. These medications require four to six months before showing results.

Some people may experience slight discomfort while using these medications, such as bloating, nausea, blurred vision, decreased sexual drive, and insomnia. These medications must not be used without consulting a physician.

Hair Transplant

Hair Transplantation is a surgical technique that removes hair follicles from one part of the body, called the “donor site,” to another – called the recipient site, where hair growth has stopped causing bald spots.

The surgical hair transplant process is quite extensive, requiring time and money. The procedure is also a little painful and comes with great post-surgery care. Less painful surgical treatments like laser transplants are now also available; however, the cost of these medical treatments is unaffordable for many. Since hair loss due to stress is only temporary, spending money on such treatments might not be a great idea.

Hair Replacement / Alternative Hair Systems

 

For hair loss that is not permanent, wigs and toupees work best. These hair systems add desired length and volume while successfully covering bald spots till the original hair does not start growing back.

These alternative hair systems are now available in various colors, lengths, and designs. Most hair systems have real human hair and monofilament bases in which hair strands are hand-tied to lace or silk base to provide a natural-looking hairline. A wide range of wigs and toupees helps men and women cover hair loss due to stress without costing an arm and leg.

 

Conclusion

Although more research is needed, it is plausible that stress could be a contributing factor to hair fall. If you are experiencing excessive hair fall, it may be worth trying some relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation to see if they help.

If you find that your hair loss persists even after implementing these measures, consult with your doctor for further evaluation. Early diagnosis may help in recovering faster and maintaining stress levels. Meanwhile, alternative hair systems like wigs, toupees, and extensions can be utilized to show off a head full of hair. Since the hair loss due to stress is temporary and subsides once the stress becomes manageable, using medications or opting for an expensive hair transplant seems relatively unnecessary.

So, if you factor in the zero side-effects and affordability, wigs and toupees are rather a smart choice. However, your scalp may feel sensitive due to extensive hair loss. Therefore, you need a hair system that is specifically designed for sensitive scalp.

Bono Hair crafts such wigs and toupees with excellence. These hair systems are specifically designed for those suffering from medical hair loss to help soothe the irritated scalp.