Does extreme stress cause hair loss?

Author: Myron Pagac  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Yes, stress and hair loss can be related. Three types of hair loss can be associated with high stress levels: Telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase.

Will hair loss from stress grow back?

Hair loss caused by stress is usually only temporary. If you've lost hair as a result of stress or anxiety, there's every chance it will start to grow back once your stress levels are back to normal. Try working on reducing your stress levels as well as improving your general health and wellbeing.

How to stop hair falling out from stress?

10 Ways to Stop Hair Loss Related to Stress
  1. Understand the Symptoms.
  2. Don't Use Chemicals and Heat on Your Hair.
  3. Have a Healthy Diet.
  4. Regular Exercise.
  5. Use Gentle Hair Care Products.
  6. Massage Your Scalp.
  7. Seek Professional Help.
  8. Get Enough Sleep.

What are the mental effects of hair loss?

Some of the mild to severe symptoms of associated psychological problems with hair loss are: anxiety, anger, depression, embarrassment, decreased confidence, reduction in work and sexual performance, social withdrawal, and suicidal tendencies.

How does cortisol affect your hair?

The stress hormone, cortisol, is known to affect the function and cyclic regulation of the hair follicle. When cortisol is present at high levels it has been demonstrated to reduce the synthesis and accelerate the degradation of important skin elements, namely hyaluronan and proteoglycans by approximately 40%.

This is how stress affects hair loss

What does hair loss from stress look like?

No Visible Pattern. With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.

What are the symptoms of high cortisol mentally?

Initially, excessive levels of cortisol cause euphoria, but prolonged exposure of the brain to a high concentration can result in the appearance of other psychological symptoms such as irritability, emotional lability, and depression.

What emotion is linked to hair loss?

Hair loss may lead to depression, anxiety, and social phobia. Depression can lead to a feeling of low mood, lack of interest or pleasure in activities, loss of energy, and sleep deprivation.

What are the symptoms of chronic stress?

What are the symptoms of chronic stress?
  • Aches and pains.
  • Insomnia or sleepiness.
  • A change in social behavior, such as staying in often.
  • Low energy.
  • Unfocused or cloudy thinking.
  • Change in appetite.
  • Increased alcohol or drug use.
  • Change in emotional responses to others.

Can hair grow back after thinning?

You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatments for hair loss include medications and surgery.

How much stress can cause Hairfall?

Some stressors induce 70% of anagen hair into telogen, leading to hair loss. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), telogen effluvium or excessive hair shedding is common among people who experience extreme stress. Common stressors include: excessive weight loss.

What is the best shampoo for hair loss?

Top shampoos for thinning hair, at a glance
  • Best Overall: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $15.
  • Best for Thickening: Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo, $44.
  • Best for Damaged Hair: Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo, $38.
  • Best for Volume: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo, $37.

How to cure hair loss due to stress?

How to Regain Hair Loss from Stress: 8 Effective Methods
  1. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a proper diet is healthy for your body and your hair. ...
  2. Take a Supplement. ...
  3. Try a Topical Treatment. ...
  4. Get Enough Sleep. ...
  5. Manage Stress. ...
  6. Boost Root Volume. ...
  7. Massage Your Scalp. ...
  8. Use a Hair Growth Shampoo.

What is the best thing for stress?

Stress relievers: Tips to tame stress
  • Get active. Almost any form of physical activity can act as a stress reliever. ...
  • Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet is an important part of taking care of yourself. ...
  • Avoid unhealthy habits. ...
  • Meditate. ...
  • Laugh more. ...
  • Connect with others. ...
  • Assert yourself. ...
  • Try yoga.

Does caffeine cause hair loss?

And fortunately for coffee lovers, caffeine doesn't cause hair loss or baldness, either. Most hair loss is genetic. It's linked to high levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is a derivative of testosterone, which is why male or female pattern baldness is more common in men than in women.

When is stress too much?

Signs and effects of chronic or severe stress. When stress becomes excessive or chronic, meaning constant and persisting over a long period, it can have negative effects such as mood swings, fatigue, and emotional numbness. Stress is a natural response to challenges and demands in daily life.

What medication is best for stress?

One of the most commonly prescribed groups of sedatives is the benzodiazepines, which include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), triazolam (Halcion), temazepam (Restoril), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).

How to reset your body from chronic stress?

Physical activity can positively affect your mood and reduce stress. Walking is a great way to start, but if you want something more invigorating, try a heart-pumping aerobic activity like jogging, dance, or swimming. Just make sure you check with your doctor first. Try tai-chi or other relaxation exercises.

How to tell if hair loss is from stress?

If your daily hair fall is more than the usual 80-100 strands of hair, you might be suffering from stress-related hair loss. If you notice bald patches on your scalp, it may be a sign of Alopecia Areata. If you have had the urge to pull out your hair, it may be stress-induced Trichotillomania.

What organ controls hair loss?

If you have a problem with your thyroid, you may see thinning hair. Some people notice that their hair comes out in clumps when they brush it. Is regrowth possible? Yes, treating the thyroid disease can reverse the hair loss.

What does a cortisol belly look like?

Cortisol belly simply looks like abdominal fat, and there is no way to identify it by appearance. More important than its appearance is what cortisol belly can do to your health. Visceral fat is considered particularly dangerous because of its location near vital organs and its metabolic activity.

How do you flush cortisol out of your body?

Stressed? 10 Ways To Lower Your Cortisol Levels
  1. Eat a whole-food, plant-based diet. ...
  2. If needed, add supplements. ...
  3. Take deep breaths. ...
  4. Reduce your caffeine intake. ...
  5. Get adequate sleep. ...
  6. Exercise regularly. ...
  7. Write in a journal. ...
  8. Indulge in hobbies.

What is a cortisol face?

The buildup of fat deposits in the side of your skull can make your face so round that you can't see your ears from the front. The medical term for moon face is moon facies. Some people call it cortisol face. Using steroid medication like prednisone for a long time is often the cause.

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