Stress and Hair Loss

Elaine has been working since she was college to make ends meet. An attractive girl during her high school years, Elaine’s friends started to comment about her haggard lifestyle in the past two years. In addition to studying hard and working as a part-time call center agent, Elaine was unfortunately involved in very stressful and strenuous relationship with a man that lasted for a year and a half. Elaine was overworked and heartbroken and it gradually took a toll on her appearance.

Stress was becoming more and prevalent in Elaine’s life. Her skin was constantly dry and she was always sluggish and grumpy. The clincher occurred when Elaine noticed that her pillows were always covered with hair. Indeed, this was when she realized that stress was now causing her hair to fall. Elaine decided to consult a hair specialist or dermatologist to solve her stress related hair loss. The specialist advised Elaine that she needed to assess her lifestyle and try to become more positive. If Elaine wanted to improve her appearance and not to lose more hair, she needed to get away from everything that has been causing her pain and anguish.

Elaine proceeded to straighten out her life, as she decided to focus on school and drop her part-time job. She eventually reconnected with old friends and became more sociable. Elaine’s decision to become more open minded eventually helped her become more physically fit and attractive.

Stress, What?

According to the Oxford dictionary stress is “a demand upon physical or mental energy". However, stress is normally understood, as an above average demand of our energy and is very difficult to adjust with. Stress demands people to perform above their capacity but the momentum cannot be maintained without temporary relief.

Despite the negative perception on stress, it is a normal occurrence in every day life ever since time immemorial. Stress can also be defined in other ways:

- Stress is supposedly a recent phenomenon and is everywhere we turn to.
- Stress does not feel good and cannot be experienced in pleasant situations.
- Stress can be achieved when out problems go out of control.
- Stress and change are related.

Stress also plays a crucial part in causing hair loss in men and women. Keep in mind that the body always finds a way to alert you if stress is becoming more and more prevalent. Those that are healthy and know how to manage stress will have hair that will be shining are radiant and the scalp will be moist and pliant. It should be pointed out that normal day to day stress will not result in stress induced hair loss. Stress hair loss usually occurs when the stress begins to interfere with life and normal functioning. Lack of sleep and a proper diet usually result from the stress and take a toll on a person's outer appearance, which can end up affecting hair.

However, those that are not in good physical condition and let stress continue to ruin their mood everyday will have hair that is lifeless and dull. Hair in poor condition will eventually start to fall out and become waxy, as traumatised sebaceous glands will be produced in large quantities.

The condition of our hair will be good reflection of how a person is adapting to a certain situation in life. Those that are well and happy will reflect their condition in their hair and scalp. However, those with poor hair and scalp are likely encountering a depressing situation and are struggling to adapt.

Most commonly however, severe stress as in major surgery or illness or traumatic accidents is associated with stress induced hair loss in women and men. This is commonly referred to as Telogen Effluvian and may take six to twelve months to reverse.


Dr. Alex Khadavi is owner of Revivogen.com, a website offering information and solutions for hair loss in men and women. Revivogen's flagship product attacks DHT preventing the process of follecular deterioration from happening.

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