Is Stress-Induced Hair Loss Real?

Stress can be a major problem in our lives. It can cause us to lose sleep, reduce our appetite, and even thin our hair.

You probably heard that stress can cause your hair to fall out in clumps when you are under a lot of pressure. Is this true, or is it just a myth?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a healthy person will shed between 50 and 100 hairs per day. You may be experiencing excessive hair loss if you think you are losing more. This is a condition known as telogen effluvium.

Stress is one of the many causes of telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium can be difficult to diagnose because many people believe that the actual number of cases is much higher than the official diagnosis. Women are more likely than men to suffer from it because it is a result of pregnancy-related changes in the body.

This can cause a woman to lose up to one-third of her hair, but this is usually only temporary.

A delayed reaction

Stress can cause telogen effluvium, but the effects are not immediate. Excessive hair loss can occur between six weeks and three months after a stressful situation. This could be a work-related stress, a relationship issue, or even a chronic or short-term illness.

In a study from 2022, almost half of the nearly 6,000 people who were surveyed said that they experienced hair loss following their recovery from COVID-19.

Stress increases cortisol in the body. This hormone has been shown to inhibit hair growth.

What can you do?

Telogen effluvium sheds its skin for several weeks or even a few months before slowing down.

A daily multivitamin that contains vitamin B12 and vitamin D (which is important for hair growth) may shorten the shed phase.

Rogaine, a topical minoxidil product available over the counter, could help to accelerate hair growth. You can also ask your dermatologist to prescribe oral finasteride or oral minoxidil. These are usually covered by insurance.

Biotin-containing supplements that are sold over the counter to treat hair loss should be avoided. It has been proven that they interfere with thyroid hormone testing. Sometimes, they can cause acne to flare up.

You can also do nothing. Stress-induced hair loss usually stops, and hair regrows on its own. You should consult a dermatologist if you continue to lose hair after four or three months.

Talc

Johnson & Johnson has pledged to cease selling its talc-based baby powder worldwide by the end of this year after thousands of lawsuits alleged that it caused cancer. Other companies still use it in eye shadows and powders, as well as deodorants, blotting papers, and eyeshadows. Since the 1960s, research has shown that talc, especially in the pelvic region, can cause cancer. It’s possible that it could be contaminated by asbestos, which is a carcinogen known to occur near talc mining sites.

Triclosan

Antimicrobial agents used to be found in body washes, hand soaps, and toothpaste. They are still present in deodorants and many other personal care products. The FDA banned triclosan and triclocarban in soaps because the FDA believed that their safety was unclear over the long term. Evidence suggests that the use of antimicrobials in soaps can lead to resistance.