Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Modern life can be stressful; there’s no doubt about that. Excessive stress can cause a whole host of physical and mental health issues, and one of those is hair loss. In this blog, we’ll delve into whether stress really does cause hair loss, why it happens and what men can do to combat it.

Can stress cause hair loss?

In short, yes. A recent study has uncovered some of the reasons why stress increases the severity of hair loss, and the answers are intricately linked to the stress hormone cortisol and the hair growth cycle. 

Put simply, hair grows in three stages: growth (anagen), degeneration (catagen) and rest (telogen). The health and consistency of these cyclical stages have a big part to play in determining whether hair loss occurs, as shown in the study from 2021. After testing mice, the team found that excessive corticosterone (the equivalent of cortisol in mice) inhibits hair growth and extends the resting phase of hair follicles. Consequently, it became clear that increased cortisol levels in humans are linked with male pattern hair loss.

How to lower stress levels

Lowering your stress levels isn’t only good for your hair but also for your overall physical and mental well-being. Here are some easily implementable ways to get your stress levels down:

• Exercise daily, whether that’s a walk around the woods or a session at the gym.
• Create a meal planner to ensure you’re eating a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet.
• Embrace mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga.
• Make sure you’re sleeping between seven and nine hours a day.
• Lower your alcohol intake, especially if it impacts your sleep quality.

Dealing with stress-induced hair loss

While taking steps to lower your stress will positively impact your hair loss, many men find topical treatment particularly beneficial. Clinically proven hair loss plans, such as our own subscription packages, combine various supplements and hair growth products to cultivate a healthy head of hair. The Full Works plan supplies you with a month’s worth of:

• Oral tablets 
• Minoxidil topical solution or oral minoxidil 
• DHT blocking shampoo
• Biotin tablets

These easily applicable products work collaboratively to block the transformation of the hormone DHT and enhance the health of your hair. When applied consistently, you could see visible changes to your hairline within months, as thousands of men across the UK have experienced.

All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.