Stress & Hair Loss

Stress does not cause hair loss per se but has been known to precipitate hair loss. It can do so by different mechanism such as increasing normal levels of blood dihydrotestosterone, causing a miniaturization of the hair follicle, thus making the hair appear thinner. One of stress-induced conditions is Telogen Effluvium, where the hair stops growing but remains asymptomatic for two to four months until it falls out later. This type hair loss is not permanent and the hair returns completely within a year. 
Another common type of stressed-related hair loss affecting one to two percent of the population is Alopecia areata, where the white blood cells attack the hair follicle, causing rapid hair loss, starting off in bald patches. Over time, the whole scalp can be affected and all the hair is lost (alopecia totalis). If you think you are experiencing premature hair thinning or baldness, it is advisable to visit our Trichologist.