How do I know if my hair loss is stress related

What does hair loss from stress look like?

Stress-related hair loss often looks like a gradual thinning all over your scalp rather than sudden bald patches. This temporary type of hair loss is called Telogen Effluvium. It happens when stress pushes more of your hair into the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle.

The good news is that for most people, stress-related hair loss is reversible. As you reduce stress and start to feel better, your hair should grow back to its normal fullness.

But it does take time. You likely won't see those new hair strands right away—it can take 3-6 months to see improvement after removing what triggered the hair loss in the first place.

So don't panic! With some patience and TLC for your hair, you can get through this rough patch.

Key takeaways:

• Stress-related hair loss often looks like gradual thinning across the scalp rather than patchy bald spots. It's called Telogen Effluvium.
• Reducing stress and taking care of your overall health can help reverse hair loss and promote regrowth. But it takes time and patience.
• Stress-induced hair loss is different from male/female pattern baldness, where thinning starts at the hairline and crown. It also differs from patchy alopecia areata.

Understanding stress-related Hair Loss

What does Hair Loss from stress look like?

If your hair loss is due to stress, you'll notice more strands than usual coming out when you brush or wash your hair. Rather than patches of baldness, the hair on your entire scalp will look thinner because stress causes more hair to enter the shedding phase at the same time. You probably won't notice anything until 2-3 months after a major stressful event because it takes time for those resting hairs to fall out.

Some key signs of stress-related thinning include:

• Gradual thinning of hair strands all over the scalp, not just one area
• More hair coming out when you shampoo or run your hands through your hair
• Hair feels lighter and less dense overall
• No bald patches or receding hairline, like pattern baldness
• No round bald spots like alopecia areata

You may notice more hair collecting in your shower drain or hairbrush. Don't panic if you see what looks like a lot of hair falling out—we naturally shed up to 100 hairs per day as part of the normal hair growth cycle. With stress-related hair loss, that number rises to up to 300 lost hairs per day.

What are the causes?

Any big physical or emotional stressor can trigger hair loss and push your hair into the shedding phase.

Major life events like losing a loved one, divorce, job loss, or moving can all be culprits. Illness, surgery and childbirth can also cause hair loss a few months later when the stress of it catches up with you. Crash dieting or losing a significant amount of weight very quickly is another common cause of Telogen Effluvium.

Basically, when your body is under pressure dealing with something traumatic, your hair follicles can shift into survival mode, temporarily shutting down growth.

How is this different from other types of Hair Loss?

If your hair is thinning evenly all over, that points to stress-induced hair loss rather than pattern baldness. Male and female pattern baldness causes the hairline to recede and hair to thin out, mainly at the top and crown of the scalp. With this progressive form of hair loss, you may notice a widening part or a bald spot developing on the top of your head.

With alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder, people lose hair in round patches, usually on the scalp. The bald patches can range in size—some cases result in total hair loss on the scalp or entire body. And stress can be one of the triggers.

Other types of hair loss, like traction alopecia, are also distinct from stress-induced hair loss. Traction alopecia results from damage to the hair follicles caused by excessive pulling or tension over time (from tight hairstyles, hair treatments, etc.). This tends to result in patchy thinning at the hairline or temples rather than overall shedding.

How do you stop stress-induced Hair Loss?

Immediate stress relief

To address stress: 

• Start incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing or yoga. Even 10-15 minutes per day can make a difference.
• Evaluate your schedule and commitments. Cut out unnecessary obligations or activities causing you stress.
• Get emotional support from friends, family or a therapist to help you through a difficult time.
• Improve your sleep habits and aim for 7-8 hours per night. Lack of sleep compounds stress.
• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Stress might deplete important nutrients required for healthy hair.

Long-term strategies

• Exercise regularly to reduce stress levels and boost feel-good endorphins.
• Manage chronic stress through healthy coping mechanisms you can stick with long-term.
• If hair shedding persists for over 6 months, see your doctor to explore medical treatment options.

Medical treatments

If your hair loss persists for over 6 months or is very severe, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist to explore medical hair loss treatment options.

Your doctor may run blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances or other underlying conditions that could be impacting your hair growth. They may also examine hair and scalp samples under a microscope to help diagnose the type of hair loss.

If stress-related hair loss is confirmed, your healthcare provider may ultimately recommend or prescribe medication to help stimulate hair regrowth.
Oxford Online Pharmacy does not offer treatment for Telogen Effluvium.

Over-the-counter biotin supplements may also help strengthen hair shafts. But always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements, especially if you take other medications.

Be patient when trying medical treatments. Follow your doctor's instructions closely and let them know if you experience any concerning side effects.

Take the next steps with Oxford Online Pharmacy

Dealing with stress hair loss can make you feel powerless over your hair health. But knowledge is power. When you understand your hair loss and are ready to explore effective treatment options, Oxford Online Pharmacy can help.

Our team of medically-trained advisers and pharmacists is available by phone or email to answer your questions and provide guidance about recommended hair loss products.

When you're informed and proactive about stress-related hair loss, you can take control. Contact us to start your hair growth journey today.

FAQs

Does hair grow back after stress-related hair loss?

Yes, in most cases, hair loss from Telogen Effluvium is temporary. As stress levels come down and the hair growth cycle gets back to normal, the hair follicles should regain their strength and begin regrowing new hair strands over time. 

If I worry about my hair loss, could that make it worse?

It's understandable to feel concerned about thinning hair. But chronic stress and anxiety will only further aggravate the problem. That’s why it’s important to prioritise stress management and self-care when dealing with Telogen Effluvium. Counselling and relaxation techniques can help minimise distress.

When should I see a doctor about hair loss?

Make an appointment if excessive shedding lasts longer than 6-8 months or suddenly increases. A doctor can assess for underlying causes and possibly prescribe medications to help stimulate stronger regrowth. The sooner treatment starts, the better your chances of restoring hair thickness.

References:

Elizabeth C. Hughes; Dahlia Saleh (2023). Telogen Effluvium

WebMD (2023). Hair Loss (Effluvium) and Types

NHS (2024). Hair loss