Is Pandemic Stress Causing Hair Loss?
Hair loss can be devastating for many of us, with the cause of it often just attributed to genetics and something we can’t control. However this isn’t entirely true as there are plenty of things we can do to help fight against the destress of thinning hair. Expert in hair transplants Dr Michael May from The Wimpole Clinic provides a guide for hair loss and what to do to avoid furthering the issue:
“It is very important that we, as medical professionals, distinguish hair loss from hair breakage.
Hair breakage is from the hair shaft and hair loss is due to decreased hair growth. These are two different things. At Wimpole we always examine this carefully before any proceeding with any treatment as the treatment between both is very different.
“Common balding is known as androgenetic alopecia and occurs in men and women. It is caused by the effect of testosterone on genetically susceptible hair follicles, this is what we see typically in many men - the traditional receding hair and balding crown. Another form of hair loss is called Alopecia areata, hair loss produced by the autoimmune destruction of hair follicles in localised areas of the scalp.
Dr Michael adds that “Additionally, thyroid disease, low levels of iron (anaemia), protein, vitamin and mineral deficiency, chemotherapy, and other illnesses may cause hair loss. Health check-ups with a GP are important for hair loss to see if there are any deficiencies in the body that can cause underlying hair loss, before seeking hair loss specialist treatment. However, for common balding or age-related hair loss, treatment is more straightforward, we treat these daily with successful results. It is important to catch both hair loss and hair breaking early, before it gets worse, as reversing hair loss is harder than preventing further hair loss. “Hair breaking is caused by slightly different things - over styling, colouring, hair products, incorrect use of shampoo, drying techniques, irregular haircuts and importantly nutrition depleting diets and eating disorders. Diets and eating disorders can cause breakage to the hair and can lead to hair loss by disrupting the natural cycle of hair growth.
This disruption causes hair to break off during the growth phase of the hair cycle, which is called the anagen phase, hence the hair appearing much thinner.” “Finally, stress is a huge contributing factor to both hair loss and hair breakage” says Dr Michael, “Stress can cause the hair roots to reach the resting stage of their growth cycle before they are meant to and stay in that phase longer than normal.
The expert team at vegan haircare brand Centred agree.
"Stress creates a change in hormones, diet and sleeping patterns, all of which can really interfere with the active growth phase of hair, causing it to slow, or enter its resting phase early. This disturbance to the hairs' 'growing phase' is what causes hair loss and thinning hair. If you're suffering from stress related hair loss, take an inside out approach to your hair health with kind, gentle and natural products that will care and nourish both internally and externally."
Keiron Tudor Creative Director for Centred
As tensions rise due to the pandemic and economic uncertainty, stress could be a major factor in your hair suddenly becoming thin and lacklustre. To fight against the plight of thinning hair the team at Centred have developed a range of vegan hair care products designed to nuture the scalp and promote healthy growth.
Keiron recommends:
Centred. Tender Love and Hair Supplements
1. Nutritional Supplements
Centred. Tender Love and Hair Supplements (£30 / 60 capsules)
provides all the vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and nutrients necessary to help promote hair growth and healthy, shiny, strong hair with a blend of bamboo extract, organic aloe vera, zinc and vitamins B5 and C
also helps boost energy, strengthen the immune system and counteracts a stressful lifestyle which, in this modern age, is one of the key reasons for poor hair quality and hair loss
Centred. Tender Love and Hair Supplements
2. Gentle Cleansing
Centred. Daily Calma Shampoo (£22 / 250ml)
this gentle, nourishing and sulphate free, coconut-derived cleanser develops a rich luxurious lather that gently cleanses whilst protecting your hair's natural lipid layer and maintaining the scalp's oil balance
enriched with orange blossom water and amino acid proteins that promote strength and shine, this calming formula is also packed with aloe vera and chamomilethat will help to sooth the scalp, smooth the hair and calm the mind
Centred. En-Root Scalp Treatment
3. Scalp Care
Centred. En-Root Scalp Treatment (£36 / 100ml)
encourage hair growth, hair retention and promote overall healthier hair with this nourishing detox treatment
deeply nourishing olive, hemp and lavender oilsreplenish moisture to dry brittle hair, whilst detoxifying salicylic acid exfoliates the scalp to remove product build-up
soothing rosemary and peppermint oils stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles maximising hair growth potential
Finally it is imperative that you make time for yourself to reduce the production of cortisol which actively elevates stress levels. Gentle exercise such as yoga and walking outdoors can have a significant effect on your wellbeing and in turn can begin to reverse the signs of hair loss by regulating hormones and promoting re growth.
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