Stress and Hair Loss

Although stress has been with mankind down through the ages, it is in recent times that it has been identified as a root cause of many ailments, including having an effect on the hair.

Humans need stress in moderation. But like with all things, too much of a good thing can be harmful. An increase in stress levels often manifests itself in an increase in other factors that are detrimental to healthy hair growth such as an increase in smoking, drinking coffee, and eating the wrong kinds of food. These habits go hand in hand and can often escalate if left unchecked.

Probably the most difficult aspect of suffering from stress is identifying that you are suffering from stress in the first place. Most people lead a hectic lifestyle these days, and often small ailments that affect us are put down to having such a hectic lifestyle, when perhaps it is a result of stress – mild or otherwise. The hair and skin are normally the first places to exhibit symptoms of stress and if you are shedding hair more than usual it might be wise to examine your lifestyle and identify if undue stress could be a factor.

Like with diet, hair loss is more than likely not the sole result of stress, but stress can certainly play a part – and like dietary deficiencies, stress-induced hair loss is reversible.