The Impact of Stress and Anxiety on Hair Health

Introduction to Hair Loss Due to Stress and Anxiety

Stress is something most of us have experienced. In fact, 74% of UK adults have felt "overwhelmed" by stress in the last year. Anxiety and stress often come hand in hand, with 61% of stressed adults also feeling anxious.

Most people accept that significant stress and anxiety have a psychological impact, but it's easy to forget the toll extreme stress and anxiety have on the whole body.

Stress, particularly chronic stress, has been linked to worsening immune health, cardiovascular health, and hormonal disruption. Disrupting the balance of hormones and other chemical messengers in the body affects many bodily functions, including hair growth.

High-stress levels can disrupt the hair growth cycle, which is essential for healthy hair growth. In this article, we'll discuss the different types of stress-related hair loss and how best to avoid them.

Understanding the Types of Stress-Induced Hair Loss

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a temporary (and non-scarring) form of hair loss triggered by stress, shock, or traumatic events. This type of hair loss involves excessive shedding of resting hair (hair in the telogen phase of the growth cycle).

Telogen effluvium disrupts the normal hair cycle, shifting hair from the growth phase to the resting phase. When the hair follicle re-enters the growing phase (anagen phase), the old hairs are lost.

Symptoms include thinning hair and increased shedding, with a diagnosis typically via a medical history review. Sometimes additional tests are needed to rule out other causes of hair loss.

Childbirth, severe stress, medication (like blood thinners), and hormonal changes can all trigger telogen effluvium.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss in small, round patches. Stress can exacerbate alopecia areata, potentially triggering or worsening the condition.

Unlike telogen effluvium which involves generalised hair shedding, alopecia areata presents as patchy hair loss, with distinct bald patches on the scalp or other areas of the body.

While telogen effluvium is linked almost entirely to physical or emotional stress, alopecia areata is due to an autoimmune response targeting the hair follicles. Both alopecia areata and telogen effluvium are non-scarring forms of hair loss.

Diagnosis of alopecia areata involves examining the pattern of hair loss and sometimes a scalp biopsy.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, is a mental health condition where someone has frequent and irresistible urges to pull out scalp hair, or body hair, like the eyebrows and eyelashes.

This compulsive behaviour is often linked to stress and anxiety and can be triggered by a severely stressful event.

Unlike alopecia areata or telogen effluvium, trichotillomania involves behavioural hair pulling rather than an autoimmune disease or stress-related shedding.

Treatment for trichotillomania may involve cognitive therapy to address beliefs about hair pulling, medications to manage anxiety disorders and depression, and support groups for coping strategies.

If you're suffering from trichotillomania, it's important to seek help from your healthcare provider.

Exploring the Science Behind Hair Loss and Stress

The Role of Stress Hormones

Stress hormones affect your hair follicles during the hair growth cycle. High levels of cortisol can disrupt hair follicle function and regulation of the hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss.

In fact, high cortisol has been linked to androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata.

The Impact on Hair Follicles and Growth Phase

As we've already mentioned, high levels of cortisol, induced by stress, can interfere with the hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss.

Specifically, high cortisol can push the hair follicle into the catagen phase of the growth cycle, where the blood supply to the hair is cut off. Cortisol can also inhibit hair growth by acting directly on the hair follicle

Research on mice has highlighted how stress hormones impair stem cells needed for hair growth. This may be an area to target with future treatments.

Signs and Symptoms of Hair Loss Due to Stress and Anxiety

There are a few ways to differentiate between normal hair shedding and stress-related hair loss.

1. Bald Patches: Bald patches on the scalp, especially if they appear suddenly, can be a sign of conditions like alopecia areata, which can be stress-induced. Typical shedding is usually more evenly distributed.

2. Thinning Hair Volume: Stress-related shedding often leads to noticeable thinning of hair volume, particularly at the crown and top of the head.

3. Increased Hair Loss: Experiencing more hair shedding than normal can be a sign of stress-related hair loss.

4. Duration: Stress-induced hair loss may persist or worsen over time if stress levels remain high, unlike normal shedding that tends to stabilise.

By understanding the differences between regular shedding and stress-induced hair loss, you can take proactive steps to manage stress levels and promote healthy hair growth.

Preventive Measures and Treatment Options

Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Stress

Various lifestyle changes can help reduce stress and support healthy hair growth. Physical activity, especially aerobic exercises like walking or dancing, can help lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, contributing to stress reduction.

Getting enough quality sleep is essential for managing stress. Adequate rest allows the body to recover and better cope with daily stressors. Individuals with poor sleep are more likely to develop hair growth disorders like alopecia areata.

Eating a healthy diet rich in whole, natural foods can support stress management. Including a variety of nutrients as part of a balanced diet is vital for overall health and resilience to stress, and to provide your body with the right nutrients to support hair growth.

Medical Treatments and Therapies

There are various treatments for hair loss, some of which are more useful for non-stress-related types of hair loss like androgenetic alopecia.

Over The Counter Treatments

Over-the-counter medications like minoxidil can help promote hair regrowth for both men and women. This treatment is applied directly to the scalp, as a shampoo or spray. However, minoxidil is generally used for genetic hair loss (commonly known as male pattern baldness).

Nutritional supplements can support hair health and growth, but will only help with hair regrowth if it's caused by a nutritional deficiency. Be careful not to take too much of certain supplements, like vitamin A, as this can actually cause hair loss. We'll discuss hair loss supplements in more detail later.

Prescription Medications

The most effective prescription medication for stress-related hair loss is steroid injections. Dermatologists may administer corticosteroid injections to stimulate hair regrowth in bald or thinning areas in people suffering from various types of alopecia, including alopecia areata.

Finasteride is a prescription medication commonly used to treat male pattern baldness by inhibiting the hormone dihydrotestosterone, a type of testosterone. Again, this treatment is generally not effective for hair loss caused by stress.

Psychological Therapy

When hair loss is caused by stress, the most effective way to treat it is by reducing stress and anxiety. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a helpful psychological therapy for managing stress and anxiety. It's also effective for breaking the hair-pulling cycle in people suffering from trichotillomania.

Joining support groups is another way to seek emotional support and develop coping strategies for dealing with stress.

Natural Remedies and Supplements

Evidence suggests a link between alopecia areata and low vitamin D levels. The NHS recommends all adults should consider taking vitamin D supplements during the winter, so there are many health benefits to taking vitamin D.

Other vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, vitamin C, biotin, iron, and zinc, are important for hair growth. However, research suggests that supplements only help with hair loss if you're deficient.

There are lots of herbal supplements out there that claim to improve hair growth, and have variable evidence behind them. Before taking a herbal supplement, make sure to do your own research and consult a healthcare professional.

The Role of Professional Help

If you're struggling with your mental health, a healthcare professional can help. This may be by facilitating time off work (if that's the case), referring you for talking therapy, or prescribing medication.

Quick Meds offers online hair loss consultations for people struggling with hair loss. If you're considering trying hair loss treatment, or are looking for advice on the best option for you, our team can help.

Conclusion and Summary

Stress and anxiety can be associated with hair loss, which may even lead to more stress. Thankfully, stress-related hair loss is often reversible and there are treatment options to help.