The Connection Between Stress and Hair Loss: Strategies for Prevention

Hair loss (also known as alopecia) is a concern that affects many individuals, and while genetics and aging are common causes, stress is also a factor that can significantly impact hair health. Understanding how stress contributes to hair loss and implementing effective prevention strategies can help maintain a healthy head of hair well into old age.

At Indulge Salon, we’re all about helping you feel confident from the inside out. In this article, we explain why stress-related hair loss happens and what you can do to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.

How and Why Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?

We all deal with health, work, relationship, and general life-related stress, but did you know that stress could be one of the major reasons why you’re noticing more hair is ending up in your brush or the shower drain than is staying attached to your head?

While it’s normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day, noticeable thinning or shedding could be related to a lifestyle that is impacted by a lot of stress. There are a few different ways stress can lead to alopecia:

• Shedding: Stress can cause your hair to stop growing, which means it falls out more than usual and in bigger clumps.
• Bald patches: In more serious cases, stress might even trigger a condition where the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, leading to round patches of hair loss.
• Hair pulling: Some people also develop a habit of pulling their own hair when they’re anxious or stressed. They may not subconsciously realize they’re even doing it until it’s too late!

Research has shown that stress hormones like cortisol can disrupt the hair growth cycle by preventing stem cells from replacing hair that has fallen out.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Hair

You can’t always avoid stress, but you can take steps to manage it and care for your hair. Here are some simple things that can really help, not just your hair but your overall quality of life:

1. Find ways to relax: Whether it’s meditative deep breathing, going for walks, journaling, or just committing to a digital detox for a few hours or days every so often, finding time to de-stress is important. Even 10 minutes a day can make a difference.
2. Eat well: Your hair needs nutrients to grow. Try to eat a balanced diet that is rich in protein (such as eggs or beans), iron (from red meats or spinach), and vitamins (especially vitamin D and B vitamins).
3. Be gentle with your hair: Avoid tight hairstyles like slicked-back ponytails or braids that tug on your scalp. Let your hair air-dry whenever possible and use a wide-tooth comb to avoid breakage or shedding.
4. Massage your scalp: This is an easy and relaxing way to boost blood circulation to your hair follicles, which can encourage growth. Just use your fingertips and rub gently in circles for a few minutes a day. Alternatively, why not treat yourself to a professional Indian head massage?
5. Talk to a professional: If you’re experiencing a lot of sudden hair loss, it’s worth checking in with your doctor to rule out anything serious. And of course, our team at Indulge Salon is always here to help with personalized tips and treatments.

At Indulge Salon, we understand how personal and emotionally stressful hair issues can be. That’s why our team is here not just to style your hair, but to support you in regaining your confidence after experiencing hair loss. Whether you’re dealing with thinning hair or hair that isn’t regrowing properly, we’re here with expert advice and customized treatments.

Want to learn more? Call or pay us a visit. Let’s talk about what’s going on with your hair and how we can help.