Stress And Hair Loss: Are They Really Related?
Stress is closely related to hair loss and can dramatically increase its severity. Although the risks of stress are better understood today than in the past, a significant part of society still perceives stress as merely a psychological challenge. However, stress-induced increases in cortisol can cause physical as well as mental or psychological problems.
Stress can damage the natural hair loss cycle of hair follicles. This can lead to accelerated hair loss and negatively impact hair health. Stress-based hair loss is usually a temporary problem. However, in the case of chronic stress, the individual may lose a significant amount of their hair due to a prolonged period of excessive stress.
How Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Stress can trigger a process called telogen effluvium by damaging the hair’s natural growth cycle. This may cause the hair to transition directly from the growth phase to the shedding phase, accelerating hair loss. Additionally, the hormone cortisol, which increases during stress, can disrupt the natural structure of hair, reduce blood flow to hair follicles, and negatively impact the immune system, potentially leading to autoimmune diseases that affect hair.
Types Of Stress-Related Hair Loss
The hair loss problems associated with stress can be listed as follows:
- Telogen Effluvium: It is a condition characterized by the transition of hair from the growth phase to the falling off phase due to stress.
- Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune disease characterised by the immune system mistaking hair follicles for harmful pathogens and attacking them. It is considered closely associated with stress.
- Trichotillomania: Usually caused by problems such as excessive stress. It involves the person pulling their own hair all the time without being conscious of it.
- Chronic Telogen Effluvium: It is a chronic version of telogen effluvium. In cases where the state of extreme stress becomes chronic, the individual may experience long-term, severe hair loss.
Hair loss problems related to stress can generally be summarized as follows: Individuals who have lost a significant amount of hair for any reason and wish to regain dense and full hair can consider procedures such as FUE hair transplant, provided their health conditions allow.
