When to seek medical attention
So when does hair loss reach a point of concern? “A person will generally know how much hair they see fall out in their brush or in the shower on a daily basis,” says Gretchen Friese, certified trichologist for BosleyMD. “If you’re losing way more hair than usual or if the hair is coming out in clumps, that would be considered abnormal or excessive.” If you’ve been going through an unprecedented hair loss phase, you’re not alone. It might prove helpful to consider what else has been going on in your life, too. Hair loss can be a symptom of chronic stress.
Why do we lose hair when we’re stressed?
This phenomenon is called telogen effluvium (also called “shock hair loss”), a temporary hair loss from excessive shedding due to a shock to the system. According to Friese, this usually begins several months after a stressful experience. “Women who have given birth will often experience this kind of hair loss in the months following,” she says. Hair loss may be related to increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Think of the life cycle of a follicle in three stages (growing, resting, and shedding). “A hormonal imbalance can pause the growing phase and put large numbers of hair follicles into a resting (telogen) phase,” says Friese. “This is the third phase of hair growth and the one before the hair sheds (exogen phase). When a larger than normal amount of follicles go into this resting phase, it will force more hair loss in the final shedding stage.” There may be other factors at play, too. During periods of high stress, it’s common to stay indoors, stress eat, or consume more alcohol than usual. “A poor diet can take a toll on the whole body, including the hair follicles,” says Friese. Cabin fever is another health concern. “Lack of sunlight is known to affect hair loss. Your hair needs vitamins, so without enough vitamin D from the sun (as well as the circulation your body gets from activity), you aren’t providing these essential nutrients for your hair,” says Laura Polko, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles, Calif.
Is sudden hair loss reversible?
The good news? Sudden hair loss—even if you have telogen effluvium—is completely reversible. Because it’s a hormonal imbalance and not genetic (like alopecia), your hair loss is likely not going to be a permanent issue. If anything, take it as your body’s wake-up call to check in with yourself and prioritize your mental health, both of which are important for creating a balanced lifestyle. “Keeping stress levels down as much as possible is key. A good diet, sunlight exposure, exercise, and meditation are all great practices in stress management,” says Friese. “Also, reach out to loved ones. Even a phone call can help lift spirits.”
Can products help with regrowth?
Using products to help prevent hair loss—as well as regrow lost hair—can also help. “Don’t overdo the dry shampoo which can clog the follicles and work against you,” says Polko. “Instead, wash your hair regularly with products that promote hair growth, like NatureLab Tokyo’s Perfect Volume Shampoo and Conditioner ($15 each; ulta.com).” You may also want to look into personalized haircare services that provide targeted remedies. BosleyMD offers customized formulas for any stage of hair loss and will deliver the products straight to your home. The takeaway: Stay calm. Stressing about hair loss is only going to work against you, so a levelheaded attitude is the best medication for a full head of hair. And be patient: Hair growth takes time—usually a 1/2-inch per month. Even hair-loss treatments that work take time, so you usually won’t see results for three to four months. And if it still isn’t improving? Book an appointment with a trichologist or dermatologist. “Hair loss is much more common than most women realize,” says Friese. “There are really good solutions out there—we just have to find the right one for you.”
