The Truth About Stress and Hair Loss

Hello Queen!

I wanted to remind you just who you are because sometimes amidst work, kids, school, your business and everyday challenges, you may have forgotten! That's normal right? We get so busy at times that we forget to love up on ourselves. This can lead to stress. Stress is defined as, "a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances" -Google

Needless to say, 2020 has us all with high anxiety, depression, restlessness or stress. If you weren't affected directly by Covid-19 and everything involved with it, you've probably felt the ripples from it. And that's ok. Its actually normal. Stress, this chemical change in our bodies, can affect mood, sleep, blood pressure, mental clarity and more. It also can have an affect on the crown you never take off, your hair.

Hair thinning, hair loss and hair breakage are a few damages that can occur as a result of stress on the body. It affects the overall health of your hair dramatically. Even though there may be circumstances out of our control that cause hair loss, there are some things that we can control. Lets jump in!

Stress can be scientifically linked to 3 types of hair loss which are Telogen Effluvium, Alopecia Areata and Trichoyillomania. These words seem scary right? Well, lets break them down for better understanding.

TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM

At any given time, about 85% to 90% of the hairs on the average person's head are actively growing (the anagen phase) and the others are resting (the telogen phase). Typically, a hair is in the anagen phase for two to four years, then enters the telogen phase, rests for about two to four months, and then falls out and is replaced by a new, growing hair. The average person naturally loses about 100 hairs a day.

In a person with telogen effluvium, some body change or shock pushes more hairs into the telogen phase. Typically in this condition, about 30% of the hairs stop growing and go into the resting phase before falling out. So if you have telogen effluvium, you may lose an average of 300 hairs a day instead of 100. 

Because hairs that enter the telogen phase rest in place for two to four months before falling out, you may not notice any hair loss until two to four months after the event that caused the problem. Telogen effluvium rarely lasts longer than six months, although some cases last longer.

Although losing a great number of hairs within a short time can be frightening, the condition is usually temporary. Each hair that is pushed prematurely into the telogen phase is replaced by a new, growing hair, so there is no danger of complete baldness. Because hair on the scalp grows slowly, your hair may feel or look thinner than usual for a time but fullness will return as the new hairs grow in.

ALOPECIA AREATA

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes hair to fall out in small patches, which can be unnoticeable. These patches may connect, however, and then become noticeable. The condition develops when the immune system attacks the hair follicles resulting in hair loss.

Sudden hair loss may occur on the scalp and in some cases the eyebrows, eyelashes, and face, as well as other parts of the body. When hair does grow back, it’s possible for the hair to fall out again. The extent of hair loss and regrowth varies from person to person. It can also develop slowly and recur after years between instances. 

There’s currently no cure for alopecia areata. However, there are treatments that may help hair grow back more quickly and that can prevent future hair loss.

TRICHOTILLOMANIA

Trichotillomania also called hair-pulling disorder, is a mental disorder that involves recurrent, irresistible urges to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body, despite trying to stop.

Hair pulling from the scalp often leaves patchy bald spots, which causes significant distress and can interfere with social or work functioning. People with trichotillomania may go to great lengths to disguise the loss of hair.

For some people, trichotillomania may be mild and generally manageable. For others, the compulsive urge to pull hair is overwhelming. Some treatment options have helped many people reduce their hair pulling or stop entirely.

TIPS ON DECREASING STRESS OR AVOIDING IT

We will always have some type of stress in our lives so we can't avoid it 100%. It will pop up and yell, "Surprise!!", when you least expect it. So knowing this, be prepared when it rears it ugly head Sis!

Here are a few things you can implement now to help: 

• Breathing exercises (YouTube has tons of videos)
• Meditation (Give it a try before you roll your eyes lol)
• Exercise ( Yep, can't get around it)
• Aromatherapy ( Break out the candles, incense and essential oils)

A few more things to help avoid stress are:

• Meditation
• Exercise
• Healthy diet
• Emotional/Social support ( Go talk to someone Hun, it's ok.)

"I'm calling my Doctor!"

When in doubt about the reason your hair may be thinning, breaking off or falling out please consult a doctor. It's better to be on the safe side and get a professional's opinion.

Asili Creations hair care is plant based. Yes, naturally created without harsh chemicals. Your hair's health and body is our sole focus. There is no need to use chemicals/ingredients that can harm you or your hair. There is enough out here trying to do that anyway.

If your hair goals are longer, thicker, shinier healthier hair, then we can help. Check out our Best Seller to help you on your path to regrowing your hair!

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