Stress & Hair Loss Explained
Understand How Stress Affects Hair Growth and What You Can Do About It
What Is Telogen Effluvium?
Stress can mess with more than just your mind—it can mess with your hair too. When your body is under stress, it can push your hair follicles into a resting phase, causing a condition called Telogen Effluvium. This means more hair falls out than usual, often months after the stressful event.
The good news? Stress-related hair loss isn’t permanent. Once the stress is under control, your hair usually grows back within 3 to 6 months. Recognising the signs early and understanding how stress impacts your hair can help you take steps to fix it.
What Is Telogen Effluvium?
Stress can mess with more than just your mind—it can mess with your hair too. When your body is under stress, it can push your hair follicles into a resting phase, causing a condition called Telogen Effluvium. This means more hair falls out than usual, often months after the stressful event.
The good news? Stress-related hair loss isn’t permanent. Once the stress is under control, your hair usually grows back within 3 to 6 months. Recognising the signs early and understanding how stress impacts your hair can help you take steps to fix it.
Why Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Stress can throw off your hair’s natural growth cycle, leading to a condition called Telogen Effluvium. Normally, your hair grows in three phases:
- Anagen (Growth Phase): Hair actively grows for 2–7 years.
- Catagen (Transition Phase): Hair stops growing and prepares to shed.
- Telogen (Resting Phase): Hair falls out, and new hair starts growing in its place.
When your body is under stress, it can push more hair than usual into the Telogen phase, meaning you’ll notice more shedding a few months later. This doesn’t mean your hair is gone forever—it’s just taking a break. Once the stress is reduced, your hair can return to its regular cycle.
Why Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Stress can throw off your hair’s natural growth cycle, leading to a condition called Telogen Effluvium. Normally, your hair grows in three phases:
- Anagen (Growth Phase): Hair actively grows for 2–7 years.
- Catagen (Transition Phase): Hair stops growing and prepares to shed.
- Telogen (Resting Phase): Hair falls out, and new hair starts growing in its place.
When your body is under stress, it can push more hair than usual into the Telogen phase, meaning you’ll notice more shedding a few months later. This doesn’t mean your hair is gone forever—it’s just taking a break. Once the stress is reduced, your hair can return to its regular cycle.
How to Reduce Stress and Regrow Hair
The key to stopping stress-related hair loss is reducing your stress levels and creating a healthy environment for your hair to grow back. Here are some proven tips:
- Practice mindfulness or meditation to calm your mind.
- Stick to a balanced diet that supports hair health (think iron, protein, and omega-3s).
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep to help your body recover.
- Talk to a professional if you’re dealing with chronic stress or anxiety.
Taking these steps won’t just help your hair—it’ll improve your overall well-being. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll see results.
Want a second opinion? Watch this video to learn how you can start to manage your stress.
Want an Expert Opinion?
For severe & continued Stress related Hair Loss, you should consult a professional. Whether that be your local doctor or perhaps a trichologist (hair specialist).
Check out our Clinics Directory to view Hair Specialists near you and get some help.
How to Reduce Stress & Regrow Hair
The key to stopping stress-related hair loss is reducing your stress levels and creating a healthy environment for your hair to grow back. Here are some proven tips:
- Practice mindfulness or meditation to calm your mind.
- Stick to a balanced diet that supports hair health (think iron, protein, and omega-3s).
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep to help your body recover.
- Talk to a professional if you’re dealing with chronic stress or anxiety.
Taking these steps won’t just help your hair—it’ll improve your overall well-being. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll see results.
Want a second opinion? Watch this video to learn how you can start to manage your stress.
Want an Expert Opinion?
For severe & continued Stress related Hair Loss, you should consult a professional. Whether that be your local doctor or perhaps a trichologist (hair specialist).
Check out our Clinics Directory to view Hair Specialists near you and get some help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stress can disrupt your hair’s natural growth cycle, pushing more hair into the resting (telogen) phase. This condition, called Telogen Effluvium, results in more hair shedding than usual, often months after a stressful event.
Not all hair loss is permanent. Genetic hair loss, like Male Pattern Baldness, is irreversible—even with treatments like Finasteride, Minoxidil, or hair transplants, you’re managing the condition, not curing it. However, hair loss caused by stress, diet, or illness is usually temporary. Once you address the underlying cause, your hair can often regrow within a few months.
It depends on the severity of the stress and how quickly you address it, but most people see regrowth within 3 to 6 months after reducing their stress levels.
Start by managing your stress with mindfulness, meditation, or therapy. Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients like iron and protein, get enough sleep, and avoid harsh hair treatments while your hair recovers.