An unavoidable fact of aging is that the older we get, the higher the probability becomes that we will experience some form of hair thinning and loss. Losing our hair has been shown to have a negative impact on our self-confidence, the side effects of which include depression, social withdrawal and lower work performance. And while some people are lucky enough to make it into their 50’s or 60’s before showing visible hair loss, others are dealing with this life-changing event as early as in their 20’s.
Today we’ll be examining one of the single most common factors involved in hair loss – stress – and how you can identify it and counter its effects.
Can Stress and Anxiety Cause Hair Loss?
Stress and anxiety are a cause, but rarely the only cause in hair loss. While male and female pattern baldness (one of the most common forms of hair loss) occurs regardless of stress levels, there are three kinds of hair loss with ties to stress.
One of the conditions, telogen effluvium, is when stress is tied to pushing excessive amounts of hairs into the resting phase – which could result in excessive shedding. The other two forms of stress related hair loss are known as trichotillomania and alopecia areata.
What Does Stress Hair Loss Look Like?
While telogen effluvium looks like excessive shedding, trichotillomania and alopecia areata look very different. Trichotillomania is hair loss through physically pulling out one’s hair, resulting in a patchy type of hair loss. The condition may be triggered by stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health conditions.
Alopecia areata is another form of patchy hair loss, but for a very different reason. This kind of hair loss is the result of our bodies’ immune system attacking our healthy hair follicles and is much more random than male or female pattern baldness when determining where the hair loss will occur.
How Can I Stop My Hair Falling Out Due to Stress?
The best way you can hope to stop hair loss related to stress is to properly deal with your stress and reduce it in your day-to-day life. This may require medical attention to address, like with trichotillomania. If you have experienced hair loss as a result of stress, you should speak with a hair restoration professional to explore your options, as some stress related hair loss could end up being irreversible.
PNW Hair Restoration Will Help Restore Your Hair After Stress-Related Hair Loss
Our bodies’ reaction to stress has been shown to include a number of adverse responses, which include hair loss. While hair loss as a direct result of stress often grows back if lifestyle adjustments quickly follow, it is not a guarantee. And over time, the majority of men will experience hair thinning and loss regardless of stress levels.
Thankfully, many people are good candidates for hair restoration utilizing the ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant System. In fact, we are the only facility in the state of Oregon that provides this service. Submit a consultation request on our website and begin your journey towards a fuller, healthier head of hair today.
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