Stress-related hair loss - How do I get it under control?

Hair loss can have many causes. Stress-related hair loss is just one of them. Not only physical health plays a role in good hair growth; psychological health is also a crucial factor . But what can you do if your hair is falling out due to stress?

Stress-related hair loss is a common cause

Hair loss can have a variety of causes. One factor that repeatedly comes into play when it comes to hair loss in today's performance-oriented society is stress. Unhealthy, long-term stress in particular can have a huge impact on our well-being and our health – which is essential for healthy hair growth . This is how stress-related hair loss occurs. Hair is a part of our body and not just "dead tissue" as some might think. This makes it just as susceptible to stress as, for example, our stomach. The same applies to our scalp, by the way. Our lifestyle can have a significant impact on hair growth, both positive and negative.

When stress affects your hair

People who are constantly stressed are under constant, intense tension. The common result: stress-related hair loss. You're constantly on edge – and suddenly, in the morning, your hair is lying in clumps in the sink. In contrast to hereditary hair loss, where hair loss usually begins at the receding hairline, in this case the hair falls out all over the head. Doctors refer to this as effluvium , or diffuse hair loss . Once the stress is gone, the hair usually grows back miraculously.

Stress and the hair follicles

When we are stressed, our body sends out messenger substances that alert the body. This is a relic from ancient times, when, for example, our ancestors encountered a saber-toothed tiger. Many people today are under constant stress. This is anything but healthy - and this is also true for our hair. The unpleasant consequence is stress-related hair loss. The hair roots are surrounded by a sheath that is crisscrossed with nerves - the hair follicle. Constant stress can put such a strain on the hair follicles that they begin to become inflamed. The culprits here are the messenger substances noradrenaline, substance P and NGF. Due to their constant increased release, the growth phase of the hair is shortened. It falls out prematurely. In addition, the hair no longer regenerates as quickly. The hair that has fallen out either does not grow back at all or grows back only sparsely. Too much stress can also aggravate existing hair loss .

How is stress-related hair loss treated?

First of all, it is important to see a doctor . This is because diffuse hair loss can have causes entirely different from constant stress. It is important to find out what could have triggered the hair loss. If stress-related hair loss is to be treated, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. After all, everyone has a different stress level. The most important thing, of course, should be to reduce stress or to become more stress-resistant. Special treatment with medication is not usually necessary. A very good way to reduce stress is exercise. On the one hand, this gives the body the opportunity to break down the adrenaline produced by stress, and on the other hand, exercise clears your head.

The right lifestyle can help

A balanced diet can also play a crucial role. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water. This will, among other things, strengthen your immune system, your best partner when fighting stress-related hair loss. Dietary supplements containing, for example, zinc, magnesium, vitamins, and minerals can also be helpful. Please keep in mind, however, that it can take one to two months for these supplements to take effect. Another factor that will help you combat stress is getting enough sleep . Sleep is when your body regenerates and repairs itself—this also applies to your hair and scalp.

Hair transplantation as an effective solution?

Hair usually grows back once the body has "switched" from chronic stress to normal functioning. However, hair doesn't always grow back as beautifully and thickly after stress-related hair loss has occurred. A hair transplant can be the solution . At Elithair, the hair is replenished using the gentle FUE technique. Here, the grafts are precisely inserted into the recipient area so that the hair can grow back beautifully and fully – just as it did before the hair loss.

Conclusion: Stress-related hair loss can be eliminated

Hair loss can have many different causes. In addition to illnesses and hereditary factors, stress-related hair loss is also common. The first step to counteract this is to reduce stress. If all else fails and the hair no longer grows back well, a hair transplant is the optimal solution . The experts at Elithair are happy to help you and inform you about everything you need to know for perfect results.