There are several reasons why men and women experience hair loss. Genetics and disease are the most common, but there is a third – stress. Stress is known to cause a wide variety of health concerns, from weight gain to cardiovascular problems. Therefore, it is no surprise that stress can lead to hair loss. For people suffering from hair loss, a hair transplant in Turkey presents a viable offer for a permanent solution.
In a word, yes. Stress can cause a wide range of hormonal disruptions within the body and some of these have been shown to cause hair loss. The most common ways that stress leads to hair loss are Telogen Effluvium, Alopecia Areata, and Trichotillomania.
- Telogen Effluvium
During telogen effluvium, stress can cause a significant number of hairs to enter the telogen phase (the “rest” phase of hair growth). Once this happens, the hairs will stop growing and, after a few weeks/months, will begin to fall out in large numbers while brushing/combing/washing your hair.
- Alopecia Areata
In patients suffering from alopecia areata, the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles causing widespread hair loss. There are a wide variety of factors that may cause this, including stress.
- Trichotillomania
While not a physiological response, trichotillomania can still lead to significant hair loss. Trichotillomania is the uncontrollable impulse to pull out one’s hair, This may be used as a coping mechanism in some people experiencing extremely negative emotions including stress.
What Are The Signs Of Stress Hair Loss?
Sudden hair loss can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. If you are noticing a significant increase in the amount of hair shedding during washing/brushing you may wish to see a dermatologist or hair loss specialist. If your hair loss is especially patchy, sudden, or accompanied by recent stress, it may not be due to genetics.
Will The Hair Grow Back?
Maybe. Unlike patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), hair loss from stress may not be permanent. As our hair naturally grows and sheds through four stages (Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, and Exogen), any hair lost due to stress may return on its own once the stress has subsided. This may take several months, or it may never happen. Each person is unique, and only a medical professional can diagnose your hair loss.
Can I Prevent Hair Loss From Stress?
Yes and no. There are several steps one can take to minimise stress and potentially prevent stress-related hair loss. However, these are all merely suggestions and individual results will vary.
Diet
What you eat can greatly impact the health of your hair. A balanced diet complete in B, C, & E vitamins has been shown to promote skin and hair health.
Stress Management
If stress is causing your hair loss, then reducing your stress may be all that is needed to see hair regrowth. Some of the best ways to reduce stress include:
- Exercise – Even 20 minutes a day of light exercise has been shown to have a tremendous impact on reducing stress levels. Get up and go for a walk in the afternoons.
- Hobbies – It can be hard to find the time for leisure, but carving out a block of time for your passion projects is key to maintaining mental health.
- Writing/Journaling – Putting your thoughts on paper helps to organise them and can lead to great insights.
- Therapy – Sometimes all that’s needed is just to talk it out. Nowadays, therapy is regularly offered online, from the convenience of your home.
- Meditation/Mindfulness – The simple act of sitting in a quiet space and focusing on breathing once a day can lead to a great reduction in stress levels.
However, these are all merely suggestions. There is no single way to prevent hair loss. If you are concerned with thinning hair, consult a doctor.
Hair Transplants At The Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic
Located in one of Turkey’s most prestigious hospitals, the Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic is a world leader in hair transplant surgeries. Named the Best Medical Tourism Facility by La Razon in 2019, our clinic has assisted more than 10,000 clients from around the world with a regrowth rate of 98%.
Dr. Serkan Aygin has more than 25 years of experience and is a pioneer in the development and use of Sapphire blades during FUE hair transplants. This advancement allows for much denser placement of transplanted hair, providing the most natural-looking results. Contact us today for your full, free consultation and learn what we can do for you.
