If you’re finding more strands of hair than usual on your pillowcase and in the shower drain, you may be wondering if anxiety is to blame.
You’ve probably heard about a possible link between stress and hair loss, but is there any truth to that claim? Whether you’re feeling frazzled by work or are overwhelmed by emotional events such as divorce or a death in the family, it’s natural to feel concerned about how stress can affect your body.
But it's very common for hair to change in texture and thickness over the course of one's life. Knowing this may not make it easier if you're one whose hair is getting thinner seemingly with each passing day.
Normal Hair Loss
This may be a surprise, but our hair wasn't meant to stay in your scalp indefinitely. There is a natural life span to each strand of hair after which it falls out naturally.
Hereditary Hair Loss
Genetic hair loss isn’t due to excessive amounts of hair falling out, as many believe, but to an insufficient amount of hairs growing back to replace the hairs that have been shed.
Other Hair Loss Factors
There are other factors that can also cause hair loss, including but not limited to:
- Chemotherapy5
- Hormonal changes
- Illness
- Nervous habits
- Pregnancy,6 childbirth, and birth control pill usage
If your hair is thinning, or you’re experiencing baldness and it seems abnormal (i.e. if you’re in your teens or 20s, if it’s an odd pattern, etc.) it’s a good idea to see your doctor in order to determine the cause.
Also, if you’re concerned that stress is the culprit, it’s always a good idea to cut down on lifestyle stress and find some effective coping techniques for the stress that remains.
Is it possible that stress can cause hair loss?
Yes, stress and hair loss can be related. As per Daniel K. Hall-Flavin MD of Mayoclinic
Three types of hair loss that can be associated with high stress levels are:
- Telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might fall out suddenly when simply combing or washing your hair.
- Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh) is an irresistible urge to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body. Hair pulling can be a way of dealing with negative or uncomfortable feelings, such as stress, tension, loneliness, boredom or frustration.
- Alopecia areata. A variety of factors are thought to cause alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh), possibly including severe stress. With alopecia areata, the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles — causing hair loss.
Stress and hair loss don't have to be permanent. If you get your stress under control, your hair might grow back.
If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss when combing or washing your hair, talk to your doctor. Sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. If needed, your doctor might also suggest treatment options for your hair loss.
What to do…
First and foremost, you need to reduce anxiety.
A lot of facilities now are taking active steps to reduce your anxiety levels their aim is to understand the root of your anxiety and provide treatment options so you can live a healthy life.
With your anxiety and stress reduced after receiving treatment, your hair may begin to grow back on its own. A healthy diet and exercise can help also provide the nutrients needed for hair growth. Hair growth is a long process and your hair may not come back for months, so it’s important to be patient and continue working on monitoring your anxiety.
Stress management
Learning how to effectively manage your stress levels may help you reduce your risk for further hair loss. Of course, this is often easier said than done.
You may have to try several different stress-management techniques before you find what works for you.
Popular ways to reduce stress:
- Exercise. Exercise is a great way to eliminate stress. Try taking a light daily walk, signing up for a dance class, or doing some yard work.
- Hobbies. Occupying yourself with something that you enjoy doing can be a great way to combat stress. Consider doing volunteer work, joining your local community theater group, planting a garden, or starting an art project.
- Writing. Try taking a few minutes each day to write about your feelings, and the things that cause you stress. Reviewing the daily items that trigger your stress may help you to discover ways of coping with it.
- Breathing and meditation. Meditation and breathing exercises are great ways to allow yourself to focus on the present moment. You may also wish to try techniques that combine meditation with physical exercise, like yoga or tai chi.
On our previous blog we shared about Alopecia and why Hair extensions plays an important role to people who suffer from hair loss.
And regardless any condition we have or we are going through, Empress Hair Extensions are here for all awesome kids and women.