Guide: How to avoid hair loss after stress

When it comes to hair loss, stress is often overlooked as a contributing factor. The reality is that stress can have a big impact on the health of your hair and can cause temporary or permanent hair loss. In fact, stress-induced hair loss can manifest in various forms, including telogen effluvium and alopecia areata, which are directly related to emotional and physical stressors.

In this blog post, we will examine the different types of hair loss associated with stress, their causes and possible treatments. We will also look at how you can prevent and manage hair loss due to stress, so you can keep your locks healthy and beautiful. So don't worry if you've noticed some extra hair down the shower drain lately, as this blog post will give you the tools to get your hair back in shape.

Does stress cause hair loss?

Yes, stress can lead to hair loss. Stress can have an impact on how the hair grows. Some examples of situations that can help to trigger stress for short or longer periods can be:

Economic uncertainty
Great pressure from work or other external environments
Great pressure from yourself
Imbalance in a relationship
Divorce
External factors such as pandemics or natural disasters

This is not an comprehensive list, there can be many other factors that can also affect your stress level.

Stress can affect hair loss in several ways: by triggering an inflammatory response, causing physical damage to the scalp, disrupting the follicle's normal growth cycle, and leading to nutrient deficiencies that can further inhibit healthy hair growth.

The most common form of stress-induced hair loss is called telogen effluvium, which occurs when a large number of hair strands go into a resting phase at once due to stress. Normally you have 10% of your hair which is in the life cycle phase called the resting phase, but with stress it can be 20% and in some cases up to 50%. In this phase, the hair stops growing and is no longer supplied with nourishment. It typically takes 3 months before the hair falls out from the start of this phase. Therefore, you will be able to experience your hair is delayed in relation to your stress level. Fortunately, this type of problem is usually temporary and will stop when the stress is removed or managed more effectively.

Stress can also cause alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder in which patchy bald patches appear on the scalp or other areas of the body due to an overactive immune system attacking healthy hair follicles.

It is not easy to predict when stress may manifest as hair loss; however, there are some warning signs that you should look out for, such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, or weight gain/loss.

If you want to know more about the causes of hair loss, read our blog post about the causes of hair loss here.

Woman looks at hair brush full of hair

What does hair loss from stress look like?

Hair loss caused by stress is a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. This condition occurs when a person experiences a significant amount of emotional or physical stress, causing the hair follicles to go dormant. This can manifest itself in the form of thinning of the hairs on the scalp or a general decrease in the total number of hairs. Normally, you lose between 30 and 150 hairs a day, so you must be aware if it suddenly becomes more. The hair may start to feel brittle and break off easily, and thicker patches may appear on different areas of the scalp. In some cases, bald or patchy areas may appear on different parts of the head, e.g. on the forehead or crown. Early signs of this type of hair loss may include increased shedding, especially after washing or brushing your hair. The drop may gradually become more obvious and noticeable due to its patchiness and thinness.

Hair loss often follows periods of stress. It typically takes approximately 2-3 months before the hair starts to fall out following a stressful event. However, there is hope ahead!

If you manage your stress, the hair loss will often just be a temporary thing and your hair will return after some time. It’s important to note that while regrowth is possible, it may take some time before the hair is back to full strength again. Incorporating stress management techniques, such as exercise, mindfulness, and scalp massages, can significantly aid in the recovery process.

Have you noticed hair loss due to stress?

Yes, it’s been significant

Yes, but it seems manageable

Occasionally, during high stress

Not yet, but I’m concerned

No, I haven’t experienced it

Can hair loss from stress grow back?

Yes, hair loss caused by stress can grow back.

Once the underlying stress is managed, hair follicles can return to their normal growth cycle. Typically, hair begins to regrow within three to six months after the stressor is removed.

However, if hair loss persists or worsens, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.

How to regain hair loss from stress

If you experience hair loss due to stress, it can be very discouraging. However, there are steps you can take to help regrow your hair and restore its strength. Here are 6 tips that you should consider:

Manage stress in everyday life

It's important to remember that everyone experiences stress differently, so it's important to find the methods that work best for you. Here are some tips to reduce stress:

Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep can affect your mental and physical health, making it difficult for you to complete your daily tasks and leading to higher stress levels. Make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Now that you need to sleep well, you can consider a bamboo pillowcase that helps protect skin and hair while you sleep.
Take breaks from work or other activities during the day. Give yourself time to relax and clear your mind - it can be as simple as going for a 10-minute walk or talking to a friend or family member.
Regularly practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or meditation; this will help you focus on the present moment instead of worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, both of which can contribute to increased stress levels.
Prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency rather than trying to do everything at once; it will help you manage your time more effectively and minimize the feeling of overwhelm that often accompanies high-stress situations.
Connect with family and friends; social support is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress over time because it provides emotional comfort during hard times and helps build resilience to future stressors

Exercise is important

Exercise regularly: Exercise is another great way to reduce stress levels and improve emotional well-being. Not only does regular exercise release feel-good endorphins, but it also helps increase circulation to the scalp and stimulate hair follicles. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week for best results.

Woman Exercises

Eat a healthy and varied diet

Eat healthy: Good nutrition plays an important role in normal hair growth as well as general health and well-being. If you eat a balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals, your body will get the nutrients it needs to maintain normal hair. Make sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and get a good amount of protein from sources such as lean meat and dairy products. Proteins are essential when you need to rebuild your hair, as hair consists of proteins.

Consider a dietary supplement

Another tip in relation to your diet, in addition to the very important advice about a healthy and varied diet, is to get good vitamins such as vitamin A, B6, B12 and vitamin C, which can help you maintain a normal immune system. Yuaia Haircare's hair vitamins contain these vitamins as well as Biotin and Zinc, which help to maintain normal hair. In other words, here you get a lot of vitamins and minerals that you need to maintain normal hair. The vitamins are in a tasty wine gum form which makes it easy to remember. If you want to get a closer look at which vitamins and minerals play a role for your hair, you can read our blog post here.

Avoid heat styling

Try to reduce the use of hot styling tools such as straighteners or curling irons as much as possible if you want longer, healthier locks. Excessive use of these tools can lead to damage, making your hair more prone to stress hair loss and breakage. If necessary, use a heat protectant spray before using hot tools to further minimize any damage that occurs from regular use.

Use sulfate-free shampoo

Switching to a sulfate-free shampoo is a great way to protect fragile strands from further breakage due to harsh chemicals that can strip your scalp of natural oils that are necessary for healthy hair growth. Using a gentle, sulfate-free formula helps maintain your hair’s moisture balance, which is crucial for preventing stress hair loss. These shampoos are specifically designed to cleanse without over-drying, allowing your hair to remain healthy and vibrant. Here we can clearly recommend our shampoos, which are sulphate and silicone free, you can find them just below.

Get a haircut regularly

It may seem counterintuitive when you're trying to grow out your locks, but having regular trims every six to eight weeks is actually beneficial in keeping split ends at bay, which would otherwise likely have caused further damage up the length of each strand. if they were left untreated, causing breakage further up than where it originally started. This will lead to an overall reduction in overall length rather than an increase over time with regular trims every few months. So make sure to include it in your hair care routine, it will pay off over time!

Try a scalp massage

A scalp massage is a simple yet effective way to promote hair growth and improve overall scalp health. Not only does it stimulate blood circulation to the hair follicles, but it also helps to reduce stress and tension, which are common contributors to hair loss. By incorporating regular scalp massages into your hair care routine, you can create a calming ritual that supports both your mental well-being and your hair health.

We recommend using our Deep Scalp Brush to enhance your scalp massage experience. This specially designed brush effectively stimulates the scalp while gently exfoliating, helping to remove dead skin cells and buildup. Its ergonomic design makes it easy to use, allowing you to focus on relaxation while promoting healthier hair growth.

Hear Frederikkes story about hair loss due to stress

Frederikkes hair loss began when she suffered from stress in her job as a teacher. This triggered alopecia, also known as patchy baldness, which just got worse and worse. She says: ‘My journey with Alopecia has been insanely hard! It was very sudden - one day in May 2023 I could see a small bald spot on the top of my head. I remember panicking a bit. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with stress and Alopecia. The spot got bigger, and suddenly one day in August I noticed another spot on the back of my head, and they both grew bigger and bigger.’

It affected her not only physically, but especially emotionally, as hair is often a part of one's identity. She says: ‘It affected me a lot emotionally and also gave me a blow to my self-confidence. I was often very sad and didn't want to go out because of my bald patches.’

How Frederikke got her hair back

Yuaia Haircare's hair vitamins came to Frederikke in early February 2024 and now in May 2024, she can see a huge difference in her hair. Where there used to be patches, she has now grown hair of just under 11 centimetres. She says: ‘I started using Yuaia's hair vitamins and hairbrush in February 2024 and it was definitely a life changer for me! I started to notice an effect pretty quickly and continued for a few months, hoping to get my hair back. Things picked up when I started using Yuaia's hairbrush and hair vitamins. I wasn't losing as much hair anymore and my scalp quickly became balanced. To this day, my scalp doesn't hurt anymore and my hair is much healthier! It's denser, longer and shinier! The little hairs are no longer small, but a good 11-12 cm long! It blends in well with the rest of my hair and I don't even notice it anymore.’

This story is important to share with those of you who also suffer from stress-induced hair loss. You've probably experienced many of the same thoughts and problems as Frederikke. So don't worry, you're not alone. We will always be here to give you the best advice possible, whether you are a customer or not, it makes no difference to us. As long as we can help you on the road to your dream hair!

Product recommendations for stress hair loss

We have gathered some of our best product recommendations for you. We've tried to put together our recommendations based on the fact that the hair as a whole should have the optimal conditions.

Hair vitamins

We can't do without them! When the body is under stress, it's working overtime and it takes a toll on the body and not least the hair. That's why it can be particularly important to make sure you get the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body to maintain normal hair. We believe we've developed some of the best hair vitamins on the market with our unique formula containing biotin, zinc, bamboo extract, vitamins C, D, E, B6, B12 and more. They're made as deliciously tasty strawberry flavoured gummies. They are free from gluten, gelatine, lactose and sugar.

Hair serum for hair loss

Our Grow and Glow serum will be a big hit. It is formulated with growth-promoting ingredients such as Capilia Longa and Amaranthus Candstus Seed Extract, which help counteract hair loss and increase hair growth. In addition, the serum contains a combination of several active ingredients that give the scalp a gentle exfoliation that maintains the scalp microflora. This reduces the tendency for oily hair and scalp. By reducing excess oil and supporting scalp health, the serum can effectively combat conditions that may contribute to stress hair loss. The serum in particular is worthy of a recommendation as it is the most concentrated of our Grow and Glow products and is designed to stay on the scalp, allowing it to work for a long time.

Grow and Glow shampoo and conditioner

This shampoo and conditioner, like the serum, is designed to minimise hair loss. They also contain Capilia Longa and Amaranthus Candstus Seed. These powerful ingredients work together to nourish the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. These products penetrate deep into the hair roots, strengthening the hair shaft and adding radiant shine. The unique formulation includes fruit acids that gently exfoliate the scalp and leave it refreshed. Making it especially good if you also experience scalp problems. Of course, they're sulphate and silicone free, so they're as gentle on the hair as possible.