“I’m stressed enough to rip out my own hair.”

Is that a familiar feeling? If so, you’re probably horrified when you look in the mirror, only to see bald patches on your head.

Have you been pulling out your hair in your sleep?

Not very likely.

Stress and hair loss correlate in a shocking way: one may be a consequence of the other. Read on to learn how you can decompress from life’s day-to-day challenges and keep your hair from falling out as well.

Causes Of Stress And Hair loss

Did you know that women account for approximately 40 percent of hair loss cases in America?

While the thinning of hair is most often associated with men, women tend to develop bald spots during their mid-20’s to late 30’s. though hormonal changes account for the majority of female hair loss, stress triggers several conditions that lead to the shedding of hair of both genders.

Telogen Effluvium

In 2014, it was reported that approximately 70 percent of women with thinning hair suffer from a stress-related condition called Telogen Effluvium.

Telogen effluvium is a temporary form of hair loss caused by a hormonal imbalance due to medical transitions or stress. In its early stages, this condition restricts or prevents hair growth. Eventually, this leads to the weakening of hair follicles, which leads to hair falling out in small clumps when brushed or otherwise handled.

The shedding of hair from Telogen Effluvium may occur over a period of a couple of years.

Therefore, the link between stress and hair loss may not be immediately noticeable.

Alopecia Areata

When you’re stressed, your immune system becomes compromised.

Short bouts of stress may not affect your body permanently. However, when stress becomes chronic, your immune system may begin to attack itself. This may manifest in a condition known as Alopecia Areata, where white blood cells cluster around and weaken hair follicles.

When the hair follicles are weakened, patches of hair fall out at random, often without any prompting. Though bald spots typically appear on the head, people suffering from this disorder can also experience body and facial hair loss.

Here are some shocking facts about this condition:

• Alopecia Areata affects both men and women equally.
• Stress and hair loss can culminate in Alopecia Areata in children.
• Bald spots present as round patches about the size of a quarter in its beginning stages.

In most cases, if you fix the root of this condition, the hair grows back after several months. the affected hair follicles aren’t damaged permanently. In severe cases of Alopecia Areata, however, the condition can evolve into Alopecia Totalis, which is a total loss of hair.

Possible Methods of Treatment

If you suffer from either of the above conditions, you can seek treatment to prevent any further hair loss. With several options at your disposal, you don’t have to contend with the idea of being bald for the rest of your life. That alone can help to minimize your stress.

Laser Therapy

Lasers are often associated with hair removal. Thanks to amazing advancements in the fields of medicine and technology, however, they can do wonders for hair restoration as well.

Low Level laser therapy was first studied in the 1960’s as a possible way to restore weakened hair follicles. Since then, it has evolved from an experimental theory to an effective medical standard.

Laser therapy, such as Capillus, is a non-invasive approach that you can try at home. Forget having to visit a clinic over several weeks or months; solutions like this are designed for you to manage on your own time.

the low-level laser technology uses light to strengthen and restore damaged hair follicles. You simply wear the cap, and over time, the roots of your hair become strong enough to sustain healthy, new hair.

Topical Medicine

Are you just becoming aware of your hair loss?

If so, your condition might be in its beginning stages, which means you can take advantage of more traditional treatments.

These topical creams are products you can just pick up at the beauty and wellness isle at any pharmacy or grocery store.

Typically, they consist of natural vitamins and minerals combined with synthetic chemicals that are scientifically proven to re energize hair follicles.

Hair Transplant

Is your loss of hair very noticeable?

If so, the right treatment for you might be hair transplantation.

In recent years, hair transplantation has seen a surge in global popularity among men and women alike. This cosmetic procedure is the most invasive, but also the most effective treatment for hair loss.

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure. During this surgery, healthy hair follicles are grafted from one part of your head to the areas on your scalp affected by stress and hair loss.

Hair grafts are completed with local anesthesia, making this a rather quick, outpatient procedure. The recovery period from any side effects of the surgery is typically from one to two weeks long. That being said, the intended results of the hair transplant may take up to 18 months to appear.

Reducing Stress

Now that you understand how stress and hair loss correlate and you’re ready to seek treatment, it’s important to tackle the underlying cause as well — stress.

You can endure a hair transplant or invest in laser therapy, but if you ignore the reason why your hair is thinning in the first place, you’re just putting a temporary patch on a persistent issue. Learn how to cope with stress, and you might just improve your health beyond your receding hairline.

Meditation

Have you ever tried clearing the clutter of your mind?

Meditation is challenging because it requires you to focus on a single thought or mantra for several minutes at a time without allowing the distraction of other thoughts. When you’re stressed, your mind has trouble switching off, which in turn, piles on more stress. Master the art of meditation, and you’ll be able to release enough tension to help you cope with the everyday stressors in your life.

Holistic Therapy

While meditation is a great self-management tool, not everyone can get used to it. Also, some forms of stress are too severe for a person to cope with alone.

If you need help dealing with your stress, consider holistic therapy. Find a counselor or therapist that you’re comfortable talking to, and let them guide you to a healthier self.

Holistic therapy treats the body as well as the mind and well-being. Therefore, if you need extra medical help to keep your anxiety or stress at bay, you and your therapist can decide this accordingly.

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