What to Do If You Suffer From Hair Loss Due to Stress

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 3 years ago · 5 min read

Hair loss can be a real pain. It can occur for a number of reasons, with hair loss due to stress being one of them. Of course, if you were stressed to begin with, losing your hair will only serve to make you feel worse, so it's important to nip the problem in the bud as soon as you can.

If you have a condition where hair falls out, you might be wondering what to do and how to manage the problem. There are a few different strategies you might decide to try if you're dealing with hair loss, and we explain some of the best, most common steps here.

Types of Stress-Related Hair Loss

Before we start to discuss the steps you can take when you notice your hair falling out more than usual, we need to get into the different types of hair loss you might be experiencing. There are three key types which we'll mention here.

Telogen Effluvium

This is when, under a lot of stress, hair follicles are pushed into what's known as a resting phase. As a result, these hairs might fall out, seemingly in a random fashion, when you're washing or styling your hair. 

Trichotillomania

You may already be familiar with this term. It describes a compulsion to pull out your hair - either from your scalp or elsewhere - and can stem from stress and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

Alopecia Areata

It's thought that alopecia areata is caused by a number of factors, and this may include high levels of stress. If you live with alopecia areata, your immune system will be mistakenly attacking your hair follicles, which in turn causes hair loss.

Hair Loss Due to Stress: What Can I Do?

Of course, the steps you can take will differ slightly depending on the particular type of hair loss, but we've got some tips that you may want to try. Some are specific to stress, while some are more generalized hair loss treatments. Keep reading to find out what they are.

Speak to a Therapist

We don't know why you're stressed, but if you're dealing with excessive hair loss, it might be worth speaking to a professional about how you're feeling. It might not be an instant cure for hair loss, but by addressing the root causes of the problem, you're likely to make a recovery naturally.

Healthy Behaviors

Got a habit of ordering takeout and eating it in front of the TV? Ditch the habit. Having a healthy, balanced diet helps to counter stress and reduce the risk of you losing more hair. 

At the same time, it helps to exercise frequently. Working in tandem with a healthy diet to reduce stress, exercise can make you feel better and keep your hair on your head too. 

Self-Care Strategies

If you're still looking for steps to reduce stress naturally, try these out. You might not think that these exercises are the sort of thing you'd normally try, but give them a chance. 

Meditation is one option, as it allows you to slow down and take back control of your thoughts if they're threatening to run away with you. Likewise, deep breathing can help as you gain back control of your breath. Alternatively, there's yoga - you may find the gentle pace calming and relaxing too.

Finasteride

Moving on to more active treatments compared to those listed above, we're getting started with finasteride. FDA-approved for hair loss prevention, this is one for the men to consider. 

Essentially, the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is believed to cause follicles to miniaturize. By taking finasteride, you're stopping the testosterone in your body from converting to DHT, preventing hair loss.

Minoxidil

There's also minoxidil. As it's a vasodilator, it opens blood vessels so that blood flow is improved. If it's applied topically, it increases blood flow to your scalp, stimulating hair growth.

It allows for more oxygen and other nutrients to travel to your hair follicles, keeping your hair in great condition.

Platelet Rich Plasma

Platelet rich plasma, or PRP, is another option. This treatment involves taking your blood and separating platelets and plasma from the rest of your blood, and injecting them into your scalp.

Platelets promote hair growth by forming new blood vessels in your scalp. Like with minoxidil, this means that more oxygen and nutrients can get to your hair follicles. PRP strengthens your existing hair too, so it's multifaceted in its ability to look after your hair.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

To date, this has been targeted more at those suffering from hereditary pattern hair loss, but can also form part of a strategy to treat hair loss due to stress. The therapy increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and this prompts a release of nitric oxide. 

The increase of nitric oxide stimulates hair growth, while the therapy can also reduce levels of DHT, so it's worth trying if you want to prevent further hair loss.

Other Products to Try

Essentially, if you're going to turn to products to treat your hair loss, you need to make sure that your hair follicles have a steady supply of nutrients that help grow and regenerate your hair. 

If a product claims to improve blood supply or hair resistance and strength, or offer an additional energy source for your hair, it's likely to be something that can stimulate hair growth or prevent hair loss. NuDew hair loss treatment combines finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole into one product for ultimate results.

Speak to Your Dermatologist

If in doubt, you should always consult a dermatologist. When dealing with hair loss due to stress, there are many potential steps you can take to manage the problem, so it's best to speak to a professional first. 

If you're unsure as to the type of stress-related hair loss you're suffering from, they can provide insight while also advising on the best treatment for you. For example, if you're suffering from a temporary case of telogen effluvium, some alterations to your lifestyle might be all that you need.

Your Next Steps

How you choose to manage your hair loss due to stress is up to you - we've explained a few of the main steps available, from lifestyle changes to our NuDew treatment. Consider what might be right for you and your hair.

If you're looking for more advice on your health, check out the rest of our posts, or contact us for more information.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.