How to Deal with Hair Loss Due to Stress

Mar 31, 2020Hair Loss Conditions

Stress can negatively impact your body. Even your hair isn’t spared from its effects. It is established that it plays a role in reversible hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium and trichotillomania. There are also reports suggesting that stress is one of the triggers for alopecia areata.

Stress-related hair loss manifests in different ways. For example, in telogen effluvium, diffuse shedding is experienced 6 to 12 weeks after you’ve experienced an extremely stressful situation. Meanwhile, for trichotillomania, one of the telltale signs is the presence of broken hairs or bald spots.

There is still no definitive explanation of why or how stress leads to alopecia. What’s clear so far is that many people are unaware that excessive physical and emotional stress is what’s causing them to shed more hair.

What should you do if you are suffering from stress-induced alopecia? Below are two tips on how to properly address this problem and restore your precious locks:

See a Hair Loss Specialist Immediately

The first thing you need to do is to consult a trichologist. This is essential to determine the exact cause of your hair loss.

Aside from stress, alopecia can be brought about by heredity and illnesses such as thyroid problems. It can also be due to nutritional deficiencies. Some cases of excessive hair shedding are because of hairstyling practices like tight ponytails and incessant use of heat-emitting equipment like a blower.

Identifying the cause of the hair loss is the first step in the treatment process. The earlier you see a hair and scalp specialist, the better your chances are of reversing the effects of or preventing the problem from worsening.

It should be noted that addressing the issue on your own using products that promise to cure hair loss is NOT recommended. So, don’t make this your first recourse when you realise that you are losing a lot of hair on your scalp. What you should do instead is to look for a qualified trichologist in Dublin and book a consultation.

Take note:

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating hair loss. Your treatment is going to depend on the cause and severity of your condition.

For stress-related hair loss, medications that promote hair growth may be required, especially for alopecia areata.

In telogen effluvium, no treatment is usually necessary unless the hair loss is extensive. This condition is reversible – once the stressor is removed, hair growth cycle goes back to normal.

On the other hand, the primary approach in treating trichotillomania is behavioural therapy. The goal is to reverse the habit of pulling your hair by employing other behaviours like clasping your hands together or clenching your fist when you feel the urge.

Keep this in mind.

Alopecia treatments do not yield instant results. It takes time before you are going to see the effects of the medication or therapy. So, be patient and trust your hair loss specialist.

Manage Your Stress Level to Prevent Hair Loss

Truth be told, for stress-related alopecia, medical intervention isn’t enough. You also need to take steps for you to have a stress-free life.

Admittedly, eliminating stress in your life is impossible. There are things you can do to reduce it though.

You can start by identifying your stressors. Knowing what’s causing your anxiety allows you to come up with a concrete plan on how to better deal with them.

For example, if you are overly stressed because of a co-worker, you might benefit from limiting your interactions with him or possibly request to be transferred to another department.

Another good way to manage your stress levels is to spend time exercising. Choose an exercise discipline that focuses on mind and body connection like Pilates or Yoga.

Studies reveal that both disciplines effectively keep stress levels low. Over time, practitioners also report living a happier and more balanced life.

Meditation is another technique proven to be effective in controlling and reducing stress. Spending even just a few minutes of quiet time without any distractions can bring your body and mind back to a calm state.

Research shows that people who regularly meditate eventually respond better to stress and are able to recover from stressful situations quickly.

Here’s the thing:

Contrary to popular belief, meditation doesn’t have to take an hour to be effective. Meditating even just for 10 minutes daily can be very helpful in terms of stress.

So, find time to meditate every day. Do it in the morning before your day starts or during your lunch break as a breather from your work – it doesn’t really matter when you schedule it for as long as you do it.

Remember, most stress-induced hair loss problems are temporary. For as long as you seek professional help immediately and manage your stress levels, you can expect your excessive hair shedding to stop and your hair to grow back.

Are you worried you might be suffering from stress-related hair loss? We have a trichologist experienced in treating alopecia due to stress. Call us now on 016793618 to schedule an appointment!

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