Could Stress Be Impacting Your Hair?

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but its effects go far beyond how we feel mentally. For many women, prolonged stress manifests physically—and one common yet often overlooked sign is hair thinning or hair loss. If you’ve noticed more strands in your hairbrush or an overall reduction in hair volume, stress could be the underlying factor.

Let’s explore the link between stress and hair health, and how you can address it.

What Is Stress and Why Does It Matter?

Stress is your body’s natural response to challenges. It can help you stay alert in short bursts (think of acing a presentation or reacting quickly in traffic), but when stress becomes constant, it can take a toll on your health—including your hair.

There are three main types of stress:

• Physical stress: Caused by things like illness, injury, or even over-exercising.
  
  
• Emotional stress: Triggered by challenging relationships or life changes, like losing a loved one or a breakup.
  
  
• Mental stress: Often linked to internal pressures, such as overthinking or juggling multiple responsibilities.

Each type of stress can contribute to hair issues if not managed effectively.

How Stress Affects Your Hair Growth

Your hair grows in cycles, and under normal circumstances, it spends years in the growth phase. However, prolonged stress can disrupt this process. Here’s how:

1. Shortening the Growth Phase
   Stress can push hair follicles into a resting phase prematurely, causing them to shed more quickly. This condition is known as telogen effluvium, a common type of stress-related hair loss.
   
   
2. Disrupting Hormones
   Elevated stress hormones, like cortisol, can interfere with other hormones that regulate hair growth, potentially leading to thinning or slower growth.
   
   
3. Reducing Scalp Circulation
   Stress can impact blood flow to the scalp, depriving hair follicles of the oxygen and nutrients they need to thrive.
   
   
4. Weakened Immune System
   Chronic stress can impair your immune system, sometimes triggering conditions like alopecia areata, where the immune system attacks hair follicles.

Why Women Are Particularly Susceptible

Hair thinning is a challenge nearly half of all women face by the age of 50, and stress can exacerbate this issue. Women's unique hormonal fluctuations, particularly during life stages like pregnancy, menopause, or periods of intense emotional strain, make them more vulnerable to stress-related hair loss.

Addressing Stress-Related Hair Loss

The good news? Stress-induced hair loss is often reversible. By managing stress and supporting your body holistically, you can encourage healthier hair growth. Here’s how:

1. Nourish Your Body
   A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals like biotin, zinc, iron supports hair follicles.
   
   
2. Practice Self-Care
   Incorporate stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or journaling into your daily routine.
   
   
3. Targeted Hair Care
   Use gentle, nourishing products to reduce breakage and protect your hair from further stress-related damage.
   
   
4. Support Your Stress Response
   Adaptogens in the form of herbal supplements such as Biota and Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) may help regulate cortisol levels and support healthy stress response in the body.
   
   
5. Seek Professional Help
   If hair loss persists, consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist to rule out underlying medical conditions.

Hair thinning or loss can significantly affect self-confidence. However, by managing stress and ensuring proper nutrition, you can support healthier hair and overall well-being.

References

1. Cleveland Clinic (2024). What is stress? [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11874-stress [Accessed 3 January 2025]
   
   
2. Thom, E. (2016). Stress and the Hair Growth Cycle: Cortisol-Induced Hair Growth Disruption. Journal of Drugs in Dematology, 15(8), pp. 1001-1004 https://jddonline.com/articles/stress-and-the-hair-growth-cycle-cortisol-induced-hair-growth-disruption-S1545961616P1001X/
   
3. Almohanna, H. M., Ahmed, A. A., Tsatalis, J. P., & Tosti, A. (2019). The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatology and therapy, 9(1), 51–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6
   
   
4. Sinha B, Tare H. (2024). Asparagus racemosus: A Holistic Review of Its Traditional Uses and Modern Research. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance. 15(1):531-538. DOI:10.25258/ijpqa.15.1.80