Who isn't affected by hair problems? What causes our hair to lose its lustre and volume as we get older?
You have tried ....
You've tried plenty of hair shampoos, oils, conditioners, and other products in an attempt to restore the texture and volume of your lovely locks, but the results haven't been sufficient. You've tried going to a dermatologist and getting other people's opinions, but you still can't figure out what's causing your hair loss.
YOU CANNOT HEAL IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU GOT SICK
Hair loss doesn’t need proper shampoos or oil.
It needs proper care which is more than just cleansing your hair. It is not the environmental or pollution that causes hair problems it is the psychological problems that arise and further leads to hair loss.
Psychosomatic disorder is a disorder that affects both the mind and the body. Physical diseases are worsened by mental issues such as stress and anxiety, and such mental elements can harm your physical health.
Relation between hair loss, psychosomatic disorder, stress, and anxiety
Hair loss is caused by a variety of circumstances, but certain parts of our lives hurt our hair.
"Protect yourself from your own thoughts"-Rumi
Hair loss can be caused by poor mental health. Hair loss is influenced by our stress levels and the amount of sleep we get.
Although anxiety and stress are two sides of the same coin, they do overlap. Stress is the main link between anxiety and hair loss. Anxiety is a type of long-term and continuous stress that might impact your hair's development phase.
Anxiety can, also, cause trichotillomania – this is a habitual condition that is caused when a person is anxious and the person then begins to pull out hair without even realising. This can, in turn, lead to larger quantities of hair being pulled out and can lead to hair loss.
Depression's physiological states, such as low mood, discouragement, low self-esteem, and feeling fatigued, can cause the hair growth phase to slow down, resulting in hair loss.
Hair loss can be worsened by stress, but the good news is that stress-induced hair loss is not permanent.
The growth phase of the hair growth cycle can be disrupted when our bodies are subjected to mental or physical stress.
Stress can push the hair follicles into the resting phase, this stops the hair growth phase and the hair follicles can then lie dormant for around three months before eventually shedding.
Once the stress stops your hair growth cycle will begin to return to normal, and the hair loss will stop.
Stress can play a huge part in several different mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and many different sleeping disorders.
Types of Hair Loss
As we've seen, stress, anxiety, and depression all contribute to hair loss, and this is real. There are other types of hair loss, which we have listed here for your reference.
Normal hair loss
This is a natural factor that causes hair thinning, hair loss, and other issues, and it is caused by ageing.
Hereditary hair loss
Another factor that contributes to hair loss is genetic hair loss. Hair loss can also be caused by hormonal changes.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a prevalent condition that causes uncontrollable hair loss. White blood cells damage the hair follicles as a result of stress-induced hair loss. Hair falls out in patches in a matter of weeks with this form of hair loss. Hair loss is usually limited to a few spots for most people, though it can be more severe or worse in other circumstances.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is not the same as alopecia areata, which is a hair loss condition.
A person's hair may fall out in large numbers, although this is usually just temporary, and the hair grows back.
The most noticeable symptom of telogen effluvium is an increase in hair shedding. When someone washes or brushes their hair, they may find that more hair falls out than usual. More hair may also be found in the sink or on their pillow.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is a hair-pulling disorder that is brought on by high levels of stress, worry, despair, boredom, or irritation. This condition causes a person to remove hair from their scalp, brows, and lashes. The result is hair thinning on the scalp.
How to develop good mental / psychological health which can prevent the occurrence of hair loss?
In life, we face a variety of challenges and stumbling blocks, all of which result in stress and anxiety. While we may not be able to control our hurdles, we can regulate our stress, which will help us manage and avoid hair loss.
Here are some methods described to relieve stress.
Meditation.
Meditation has numerous advantages, including the ability to reverse your stress reaction and so protect you from the negative effects of chronic stress.
Eat a balanced and nutritious diet rich in nutrients, proteins, fibre, and vitamins.
Believing in yourself
Having a positive view of life might assist in properly dealing with stress. At all times, surround yourself with positive people and optimistic thoughts.
Consult a Psychologist
Other helpful techniques to lessen and prevent stress should be discussed with your therapist.
Establish a Hair Care Routine
Hair development can be aided by following a good hair care programme. To give a protective layer to the hair cuticle, wash it completely with a gentle shampoo and condition it. Use a heat protectant spray with moisturising elements like shea butter or green tea if you use heat styling equipment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Will my hair fall out as a result of stress, or will it regrow?
Yes, hair loss caused by stress is temporary and can be restored with correct treatment, a nutritious diet, and good mental health.
2. How long does it take for hair to fall out after a stressful situation?
Stress-related hair loss usually develops three months after a stressful event. After a traumatic or stressful occurrence, hair may take many weeks to months to regrow.
3. Is DHT Boosted by Stress?
Stress generates an increase in androgens (male hormones), which leads to an increase in the production of DHT, a hair-loss-related chemical (Dihydrotestosterone)
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone that both men and women produce. The conversion of testosterone by the testes and prostate in men and the ovaries in women results in the generation of DHT.
When DHT accumulates in the hair follicles over time, it causes the growth cycle to be disrupted. It shortens the hair development cycle and causes hair follicles to shrink.
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