This April is Stress Awareness Month in the United States, a moment on the calendar aimed at raising awareness of the pervasive and harmful nature of stress. We know that stress is an undeniable factor in most people’s lives, but its impact on so many aspects of our physical and mental health is probably greater than we realize. is also widespread. When it comes to our hair, stress is the second biggest cause of hair loss after genetics, but since this process usually takes three to six months to occur, many people don’t understand the connection. Not yet.
Of course, given the emotional impact hair has on everything from mood to self-esteem, it’s no wonder that losing hair can have a profound impact on everyone. “Hair removal can have a significant emotional impact, often affecting self-esteem and confidence,” says Hannah Gabodi, trichologist and Viviscal ambassador. “It can lead to self-consciousness, embarrassment, and even social withdrawal. The anxiety associated with hair loss can create a cyclical pattern where worrying makes the problem worse.”
What does normal hair growth look like?
All hair on your head follows a naturally programmed life cycle that begins with a growth phase (called anagen). This is followed by a transitional phase (catagen) and then a resting phase (telogen). Exogen is the fourth and final stage and is classified as an active shedding stage. Although it sounds alarming, it’s common to lose 80 to 100 hairs a day as part of the normal growth cycle.
What are the common types of hair loss?
Although there are many different types of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia (also known as pattern hair loss) and anagen effluvium, which often occurs after treatments such as chemotherapy, telogen effluvium is most commonly associated with stress. This is a type of hair loss.
How does stress affect hair?
Telogen effluvium usually occurs after a traumatic event or ongoing stress forces the hair follicle into the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. However, unlike the normal cycle, the next stage does not start and new hair falls out without growing. This type of hair loss usually manifests itself as hair loss that occurs on the top of the scalp, but in very extreme cases it can affect the eyebrows and pubic hair. In addition to hair loss, early graying and increased hair breakage are also common. There will also be a big change in the texture of your hair. “Stress can affect the production of hormones and nutrients needed for healthy hair growth, resulting in changes in hair texture,” adds Gabbodi. “This can lead to dry, brittle hair and increased frizz.”
How to deal with hair loss?
Fortunately, stress-related hair loss is usually temporary and highly responsive to lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy scalp is essential as it not only reduces stress levels through long-term relaxation rituals, but also promotes healthy hair growth. Often overlooked when it comes to hair care, a healthy, balanced scalp promotes healthy hair growth. In addition to thorough cleansing to remove product build-up and residue, we recommend using products that promote blood flow to the scalp. Avoid sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in your hair care regimen to avoid hair follicle irritation, which can damage already compromised hair follicles. “Avoid over-washing, which can strip your scalp of its natural oils and cause dryness and irritation,” says Gabbodi. “Gently massaging your scalp while washing improves blood circulation and promotes hair growth.”
I’ll do it gently
To avoid making hair thinning worse, it’s important to be gentle with your hair while it’s changing. It goes without saying that excessive heat or chemical treatments are never a good idea, but be sure to choose a protective hairstyle as well. “Choose hairstyles that minimize tension on the hair follicles, such as loose braids, buns, or ponytails,” advises Gabodey. “Avoid tight hairstyles and hair accessories that tug at your hair, and treat your hair with care to minimize breakage and damage. Especially if your hair is wet and prone to breakage, use vigorous towel drying or vigorous brushing. If you want to continue using some heat, we recommend both a heat protector and something like a leave-in treatment.
take an inside-out approach
Although reducing stress levels may seem insurmountable, making sure you’re eating the right things can go a long way in laying a good foundation for optimal hair growth. A healthy, balanced diet is also important for stress reduction, as it supports a healthy immune system, repairs damaged cells, and can even reduce elevated cortisol levels. Getting enough protein from your diet is essential as it provides the building blocks for proper hair growth. Meat, tofu, eggs, beans, grains, nuts, and fish are all good sources of protein. Some studies suggest that telogen effluvium may also be related to decreased iron levels, so consider eating iron-rich foods such as leafy greens, lentils, and liver. Please incorporate as much as possible. If you want to add supplements to your daily routine, there are also supplements that are specially formulated to contain ingredients that boost hair thickness and health.
