I know sometimes it can be difficult to talk about hair loss, but I’m a firm believer in opening up about uncomfortable topics to recognize we’re not alone, as many are facing similar issues. For today’s post, I am here to help clarify the way stress-induced hair loss can occur and what should be done about it. In order to tackle any type of hair loss, you have to first understand the root causes.

For starters, hair loss or thinning most often occurs in one of two ways: one being sudden and the other being chronic, developing slowly over-time. Although it’s impossible not to panic either way, it is important to recognize which type you may be experiencing. The former one I mentioned, which happens suddenly, is a temporary and often reversible effect while the latter is a bit more complicated and progresses over time. If you’re noticing major, sudden hair loss, it can be a sign your body just went through some sort of deprivation or an intense/tragic event.

Most commonly this happens during periods of extreme stress. Stress related hair loss looks like a diffused loss of hair, where you’ll notice more thinning throughout your scalp, instead of around specific areas, which are usually associated with certain autoimmune disorders or long-term, hormonal imbalances.

Check out my honest answers and solutions given to a recent Women’s Health interview about the top six hair loss related questions I get asked!

1. What are the short-term and long-term treatment options available? When we face any kind of difficulty with a physical attribute, we’re always hoping for a quick fix! The reality with repairing any hair loss related issues is it takes a lot of patience, consistency and long-term use in order to produce the best results. While it may be tempting to immediately cover balding areas quickly, in actuality, you really need to focus on growing in stronger and healthier hair to prevent any further loss.

2. What are the 4 pillars of hair health and what can be used to treat them?

• Stage 1 – A healthy scalp microbiome: The right daily shampoo and conditioner to maintain a healthy scalp environment.
• Stage 2 – Topical nourishment for hair follicles: Topicals to nourish your follicle and stimulate growth.
• Stage 3 – A healthy diet: A colorful diet and targeted supplements to boost your nutrient intake to strengthen your hair growth.
• Stage 4 – Laser treatment: Laser devices to enhance the effects of each solution.

3. How long until a person sees regrowth after hair loss? If you’re looking to see results overnight, I hate to break it to you, but this isn’t one of those instances. Your existing hair cannot show the benefits from a complete hair growth treatment, so you really have to be patient and wait for the visible results to grow in. Your new hair will reflect the new routine and all your efforts. Keep in mind, on average hair grows about half an inch every month, so you can expect to see fuller looking hair around three to four months later, or sometimes even longer.
4. Is there a difference in the rate men and women experience stress related hair issues?
   Yes! For men, stress related hair loss tends to exacerbate their pre-existing hair loss conditions. These areas are primarily the crown area at the top of the head and the front hairline. Female stress related hair loss tends to appear all over and is most noticeable around the hairline. It can happen anytime after two to four months following the beginning of a traumatic or high-stress state.

3. What other factors can determine whether or not you will experience stress related hair loss? Stress related hair loss can happen to anyone at any age. It’s even very common amongst both female and male college students. The quality of our hair goes down with age, as the cellular function in the follicle weakens naturally, which is why it’s so important to take preventative measures early on to avoid the inevitable from occurring. Genetic predispositions can also be prevented with proactive measures such as supplements and topicals. The earlier the better!
4. Can you fully recover from this type of hair loss, or will it reoccur as determined by your stress levels? The good thing about stress-related hair loss is that it’s an acute problem and if you act fast, you can usually reverse it. But the longer you let hair thinning persist (the longer you find yourself in a stressful state), the weaker your hair follicles become and if they enter the inactive phase for too long, you then run the risk of irreparable damage of the follicles, which can lead to permanent hair loss.

While the process can be long and is a true commitment, I’m here to tell you – There IS hope for hair loss!
As we’ve learned here, it CAN be reversed or prevented, and you can even improve the health of your original hair.

Cheers to witnessing positive change!

-Shab