Stress and Hair Loss: The Real Deal

Stress and hair loss has always been a controversial subject. A lot of people scoff at others who blame their receding hairlines to stress; while in fact, stress can cause hair loss. Unscrupulous merchants add to these tensions by marketing products that do not work. What can be handy to remember is that stress isn't the only cause of hair loss; there are a number of factors other than being swamped with work that you aren't sure you can finish (but you are sure to get in trouble for that work staying unfinished). These factors can be an underlying medical condition, Trichotillomania or vitamin deficiency.

Well, if you look up the word stress online, or anywhere for that matter, you will see that it is defined as something that is physically or mentally demanding; although the modern context of stress is that of the psychological or mental.

Can stress really cause hair loss? Now, you aren't likely to loose hair over worries about whether you'll ever get to the office in time for an important meeting. However, if stress is chronic and acute, then you might have serious hair loss problems. Only a psychologist can help you find out.

In the case of males where hormones can trigger hair loss, stress can actually aggravate the condition. During stressful times, adrenaline glands can affect the production of hormones that can in turn influence the levels of a testosterone by-product called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. For those with skin that is sensitive to DHT, the possibility of hair loss increases. After all, the scalp is part of the skin.

Stress is also said to weaken one's immune system. Alopecia Areata (patchy hair loss for us mere mortals) in particular, has been connected to stress because it is believed to be the results of the body's auto-immune response, although more research still needs to be done in this department.

Intensely stressful periods such as death in the family or surgery can also result to shedding of hair or telogen effluvium. In this periods, the body's use of glucose increase, so your body would reduce the supply that would have been fore non-essential parts of the body such as your hair. Simply put, you lose you hair because your body knows that some other parts, particularly the more vital ones, need more nutrients.

Now you might be wondering how reduction of stress can slow down hair loss and how you can go about doing that. Since it is established that stress is an aggravating factor, the normal course of action is to reduce it to reduce hair loss. Now, hair loss might not be completely reversible but it is a good place to start. Note that we are talking about stress-induced hair loss. We need to reduce DHT output by getting stress to manageable levels.

Most people cannot afford to live in a stress-free environment since it would most likely mean letting go of their means for living; however, there are plenty of things that can be done instead. You can reduce stress by regularly engaging in physical exercises – twenty minutes a day will do. You also ought to hang out with people who can make you feel good. Another thing to try is to visit the spa or have a massage for relaxation. You can also start an 'output system' – write a journal or a blog. Start a hobby.

Stress might cause hair loss, but the ironic thing is that hair loss can get pretty stressful too. Having a not-so-pleasant head of hair would make you not want to go out. Be careful when you go off and start finding a cure for stress and hair loss. The best way is still to consult a doctor.