stress related hair loss Archives - Modena Hair Institute

Telogen effluvium is the second most common type of hair loss. This type of hair loss is characterized by diffuse thinning of the hair, mostly on the top of the scalp. Contrary to the popular receding hair line, telogen effluvium does not involve any receding, rather widespread thinning.
Telogen effluvium occurs when a large number of hair follicles stop producing hair and enter the resting phase. The result is a large number of hairs that are shed each day.
What causes telogen effluvium? It is widely agreed that high levels of stress and/or an unbalanced diet are the causes of this type of hair loss. The exact effect of these stressors can be short-lived or prolonged.
For example, a sudden stressor or environmental shock such as a physical trauma like a car accident or the start of a new medication can cause a sudden onset of telogen effluvium. As you recover from the trauma or adjust to the new medication, the hair loss should resolve and return to normal.
A more prolonged case of telogen effluvium would be caused by a persistent trigger. This could be due to a chronic illness, chronic stress, or a diet deficiency. This cause of hair loss is more difficult to treat, as the follicles have experienced more long-term damage.
Here are some things you can do to manage the root cause of your telogen effluvium:
Stress: If you have a particularly stressful job or life, it could be taking a toll on your hair. Try finding a stress management method that works for you. Many individuals have had success with yoga, meditation, running, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Diet: If you’re a vegetarian, or your diet is low in red meat, you may not be getting enough iron. Low iron can result in hair loss over time. A balanced diet is key to overall health. If you are unable to introduce more iron into your diet naturally, try a supplement.
While simply changing your diet or managing your stress is a great place to start if you have telogen effluvium, it may not be enough to solve all your hair loss problems. The follicles may need some help entering the growth stage once more. If that’s the case, PRP therapy and laser therapy have proved effective in jump-starting the growth process.
If you’d like to learn more about your hair loss options, give us a call today.

We’ve all heard that stress can cause our hair to fall out – but is this actually true? According to the Mayo Clinic, yes! There are three types of hair loss that are correlated with high stress levels. They are telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata.
Telogen effluvium – this condition causes hair follicles to be converted into a resting phase. The affected hairs can then fall out suddenly during brushing and washing.
Trichotillomania – this condition has more to do with hair pulling as a coping mechanism for stress. Some individuals utilize hair pulling as a way of dealing with negative feelings, such as stress.
Alopecia areata – although there are many factors that can cause this condition, severe stress is thought to play a role in some patients. Stress can affect our immune system which then attacks our own hair follicles causing hair loss.
The good news about stress related hair loss is that it isn’t permanent for most patients IF you can get your stress under control. Of course, that’s easier said than done. But, the important thing to keep in mind is that living a healthy lifestyle involves more than just adding vegetables to our dinner and going for a walk occasionally. Our mental health plays a huge role in our complete wellbeing. If we don’t take care of all aspects of our wellbeing, we may find that our bodies are negatively impacted.
Here at Modena, Dr. Yazdan specializes in the medical management of hair loss. Our clientele often face extremely stressful environments. We are skilled in evaluating the condition of your hair loss and determining the exact cause, utilizing tests and lab work. Once we know the cause we can begin working towards correcting the problem.
If you think stress is causing your hair loss and you aren’t sure how to reverse or stop the process, give us a call for a consultation.