Many people eventually deal with hair loss for different reasons. Genetics, hormones, nutrition, and medical issues are a few of the common causes, but mental health can be a factor too. One question associated with that is can hair loss be caused by overthinking?
The answer is not as simple as giving a yes or no. Overthinking does not cause hair to fall out. But, the stress, anxiety, and sleep issues from overthinking can disrupt and cause changes in your body’s normal hair growth cycle. If left unmanaged, chronic stress can cause more hair loss and worsen existing hair loss conditions. Knowing this connection is a good starting point to protect your mental health as well as your hair health.
Does Overthinking Cause Hair Loss
The first thing to understand is that overthinking involves prolonged stress and anxiety. Stress causes the body to produce cortisol, the stress hormone, and prolonged stress causes increased levels of cortisol. When cortisol levels increase, the body’s hair growth cycle is disrupted.
There are three phases for hair to grow:
- Growth phase
- Transition phase
- Resting phase
Stress can cause more hair follicles to enter the resting phase. After a few months, those hair follicles shed, more visible. This is called Telogen Effluvium and is a common hair loss condition caused by stress.
How Stress Reason Hair Loss
There are several ways that stress impacts the body, and all of them impact hair growth.
The Effects of Elevated Cortisol
Increased Cortisol levels impact hair negatively. Increased cortisol has been shown to limit the nutrients and oxygen that reach hair follicles. This leads to weakened hair follicles as well as a decrease in the rate of hair growth.
Sleep Deprivation
Chronic overthinking and stress lead to insomnia and poor sleep. Sleep is one of the body’s methods of repairing bodily tissues, including hair follicles. Ongoing sleeplessness leads to the extended recovery of hair follicles.
Effects of Inflammation
Chronic stress generally causes an increase in inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation has been associated with hair loss of many types, including, but not limited to alopecia areata.
Indications of Stress-Related Hair Loss
Stress-related hair loss occurs slowly, not all at once.
Here are some common indicators:-
- More hair loss while brushing or washing hair
- Hair collecting on your clothing or on your pillow
- General hair loss across the entire scalp
- Lower hair volume
- Hair becomes thinner
- A rise in anxiety or stress is felt prior to hair loss
When to Consult a Doctor
Stress is not the sole cause of hair loss. The following warrant a medical professional’s services:
- Ongoing hair shedding beyond a 6-month time.
- Bald patches forming on a previously full head of hair.
- Family history of significant hair loss.
- Irritation of the scalp.
- Observable receding of the hairline.
- You have ongoing hair thinning, despite lifestyle changes
Treatment Options for Hair Loss
Treatment is determined by the reason for hair loss, but there are common options such as:
Lifestyle changes
Stress can be reduced by using meditation, exercise, yoga or counseling and healthy hair growth may return.
PRP Therapy
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy involves drawing blood and processing it to a concentrated needed level to re-inject it back into areas of the scalp where hair follicles have become inactive.
Low Level Laser Therapy
This therapy is also a non-invasive procedure to promote hair growth by creating a healthier environment in those hair follicles.
Hair Transplant Surgery
There is a genetic factor that causes some people to have permanent hair loss. Surgery to transplant hair that has been cut and relocated to areas of a bald scalp, has been proven to have long term effects and provide a viable solution to the problem at hand.
When you are considering having the best hair transplant in Raipur, you need to look for the best technology, the best specialists, and an experienced hair restoration clinic, in order to have safe and natural results.
Conclusion
Overthinking does not cause permanent hair loss. The chronic stress caused by overthinking will influence the normal cycle of hair growth, therefore causing hair loss. More positive changes in the lifestyle and nutrition of the individual should enhance the hair growth. If thinning or the loss of hair continues despite stress management, consulting a hair restoration expert is the best option. If permanent hair loss is an issue, the best hair transplant in Raipur can provide treatments that will promote hair growth.