Can stress truly cause your hair to fall out? The answer is yes. There are a variety of causes for hair loss and intensified stress is one of them!
If stress is the trigger to your hair loss, the impact may not be seen until months after the onset of increased stress levels. By getting the stress back under control, hair growth will usually resume naturally. The key is getting a diagnosis to ensure the appropriate treatment options are considered.
Here are three types of hair loss associated with high stress levels as well as other hair loss causes and various treatment options.
Types of hair loss linked to stress
These three types of hair loss are linked to high stress levels:
- Telogen effluvium – significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs may begin to shed when combing or washing your hair.
- Trichotillomania – 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, possibly including severe stress. With alopecia areata, the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss.
Source: Mayo Clinic
The effect of heightened stress on hair loss is usually reversible if you can reduce stress levels back to normal. If you're concerned about hair loss and suspect it may be related to stress, it's best to speak with a GP or dermatologist to confirm your diagnosis.
Other causes of hair loss
The most common cause for hair loss and baldness is genetics. Other causes include nutrient deficiencies due to a poor diet, smoking, hormones and disease or infection. Once you have received an informed diagnosis for the cause of your hair loss, there are various treatment options to consider.
Treatment options for hair loss and hair loss prevention
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy can be used to thicken hair and stimulate new growth. A small amount of blood is taken and the blood cells removed to leave behind the plasma, containing growth factors and nutrients that stimulate follicle activity. The plasma is injected into the scalp to improve hair growth.
Prescription treatment can help stop genetic hair loss, while strengthening and thickening existing hair. Two ingredients have been clinically proven to help with hair loss, both of which you can discuss with hair loss specialist doctors through Gro Online Care.
Hair transplants offer a permanent solution to genetic hair loss. Healthy hair follicles are taken from areas of the scalp that aren’t affected by hair loss, and are then implanted where they are needed. These hairs are genetically resistant to balding and keep growing hair in their new location for life!
Next steps
A correct diagnosis is the first step to treating hair loss. Gro is Australia's leading provider of scientifically backed hair loss solutions to genetic balding. We're here to help people with genetic hair loss take back control over their hair.
If you'd like to learn more about hair transplants, book a consultation with one of our Hair Growth Specialist. If you'd like to know more about preventative prescription treatments, you can see a doctor online through Gro Online Care.
