Stress and hair loss

Stress and baldness, stress and hair loss

Let's get right to the point: yes, a hypersensitive character and significant physical stress can cause hair loss. There are two types of hair loss.

The first type of stress - related hair loss is called the telogen effluvium . Telogen hair loss is due to serious causes such as illness, childbirth or serious injury and will initially cause a stop of hair growth (they go into the rest phase, unlike a growth phase called anagen phase). Two to three months later, hair will suddenly start to fall. Finally, the hair can eventually start to grow again six to nine months later.

Intense stress can also cause widespread acute alopecia . In case of generalized alopecia, the white blood cells attack the hair follicles which stops their growth. In a few weeks, the affected hair will start to fall. The area affected by this type of stress-related alopecia often starts from a small circular area but may eventually affect the entire cranial surface. Your hair may eventually regrow, but a treatment adapted to the sources of your stress will be necessary.

Hair loss after childbirth

It is not uncommon for women to lose some hair approximately three months after giving birth, a time of undeniable stress for all women. This hair loss is caused by the abrupt hormonal change caused by this event. Some research indicates that between 20% and 45% of mothers lose their hair in the period after birth. Fortunately in most cases, the hair will normally grow back in a period of nine to twelve months.

Many women feel that their hair is stronger and shinier during pregnancy. This is due to higher levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones that keep hair in the growth phase. When the baby comes into the world, all these hair in the growth phase suddenly go into the rest phase due to the sudden drop in certain levels of hormones. As a result, these same hair begin to fall usually three months after birth.

Hair loss in times of emotional stress

Some people may experience the phenomenon of telogen efflucement or sudden hair loss in places after a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one or a serious accident. This type of hair loss is usually temporary and the hair will eventually grow back. However, it can happen that the hair does not grow back if the source of the stress is not treated or well managed. For example, the following diseases require medical treatment to see the hair grow back:

• Dysregulation of the thyroid gland
• Diabetes
• Anemia
• Lupus erythematosus