Feature Image by Element5 Digital
If you’ve been noticing more strands of hair falling from your head or clumps of it falling out in the shower, you might be dealing with hair loss due to stress.
“When we’re stressed, our adrenal glands produce a hormone called cortisol, and then cortisone signals our hair follicles to shift, from the growth phase into a transition phase, and the hair will fall out,” explains Adel Chabbi owner of Adel Atelier Salon.
Hair loss can occur three months after the initial “stressful event and could take an additional 3 to 6 months to grow back after that,” says Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, cosmetic dermatologist, chief medical officer, and founder of PFRANKMD.
Here are a few tips on how to deal:
Nourish yourself
Since stress is the cause of hair loss, it’s important to find ways to minimize it. Try meditating and make sure your body is “receiving proper nutrition through a balanced diet, daily multivitamins, and hair re-growth supplements,” says Nick Stenson, Matrix artistic director. Be patient as these changes don’t work overnight but instead take up to four months.
Look for the right ingredients
Not many ingredients have been proven to help with hair loss, but there is one that has shown success: Minoxidil, which is found in Rogaine products. This ingredient helps to slow the rate of hair loss and encourage new growth,” states Savannah St. Jean, owner of Savannah Rae Beauty.
Try scalp massages
Help boost your hair health by massaging your scalp morning and night. When there’s “poor blood flow to the hair follicles, it limits the availability of the nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth,” explains Cedric of Cedric Salon.
Avoid harsh styling
When your hair is falling out due to stress, it’s already in a vulnerable state, so it’s critical to pick the right tools. “Choose brushes and combs that are gentle on the hair, so no fine teeth or hard bristles,” says Stenson. Also, “show your hair some extra love and care by using the least amount of heat because it’s hard on the hair and can cause breakage,” shares St. Jean. Instead of depending on your tools, opt for hairstyles that are loose and naturally styled as opposed to overly tight ponytails and updos.
Pass on chemical treatments
Until you gain control of the hair loss and stress management, forgo your “color, bleach, and other chemical services as this will only cause further irritation, damage, and breakage to the hair,” notes Stenson.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
