Stress can affect your hair cycle, and losing your hair
can cause a lot of stress! Under most circumstances,
increased hair shedding occurs between four and
sixteen weeks after the stress trigger has occurred.
Although it is often difficult to pinpoint a specific
stress episode as the cause of your hair loss, acute and
chronic stress may precipitate hair-loss conditions such
as genetic hair loss, telogen effluvium (hair shedding)
and alopecia areata (patchy hair loss). In addition to
stress causing hair loss, hair loss undoubtedly causes
stress for the sufferer. It affects one’s self esteem and
quality of life, which in turn can cause more hair loss.
Dr. David Kingsley’s solutions for Stress Induced Hair Loss
1. Exercise.
Exercising can be very effective at relieving mild to
moderate stress and depression. You should exercise
at least three times a week for more than thirty
minutes. When you are under more stress, increase
your exercise frequency to five or six times a week. Any
exercise that you enjoy should be adequate, as long as
it increases your heart rate. Go for a walk or take yoga.
Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety, increase
oxygen supply in the body and reduce stress-related
problems that can affect the hair cycle.
2. Stay Flexible.
If you are too rigid with your plans, you may be putting
more stress on yourself. So stay flexible with your plans
to help reduce this type of stress.
3. Stop Multi-‐Tasking.
Try your best to concentrate on one activity at a time.
You’ll feel less stressed and do a better job at your tasks
if you work on them individually.
4. Get Some Sleep.
Not getting enough sleep can cause stress and
depression. Try to go to bed earlier to make sure you
get in a full 7-8 hours every night.
5. Meditate.
Another way to help stress is to meditate. A few
minutes three to four times a week can really help
to relieve stress. A good time to meditate is after you
have exercised, when you tend to be a little tired
and can relax more easily (although don’t fall asleep
during meditation or you will lose some of its benefits).
Relaxing the mind helps your body relax and improves
both physical and mental health.
6. Deep breathing.
While sitting, take slow deep breaths and count to five
as you inhale and five as you exhale. Repeat this three
to five times.
7. Muscle relaxation.
While lying down, tense and then relax your arm
and leg muscles one at a time. First, clench and then
unclench your fists one at a time, relaxing your arms
on the floor. Second, lift and then lower your legs one
at a time, leaving them relaxed on the floor. Lay relaxed
for at least five minutes.
8. Listen to Music.
While sitting, listen to gentle music (preferably music
without words). Music often helps soothe people’s
stress. Continue sitting for at least five minutes.
9. Have a Bath.
Lie in a warm bath for a few minutes. It often helps to
relax your body’s muscles and can also help ease your
anxiety.
10. Positive Thoughts.
Try to think of positive life events rather than dwelling
on negative ones. Try to concentrate on something
positive you did today or something you are looking
forward to doing. Ignore any negative thoughts that
may ‘try’ to enter your mind.
11. Talk to Someone Close.
I find that it helps to talk to someone close to you
about your hair anxieties. Often discussing your
concerns about losing or thinning hair helps to
diminish the stress that hair loss can cause.
Please call 718-698-4700 to make an appointment to see Dr. Kingsley.
©2018 British Science Corporation