How Trauma Can Induce Temporary Hair Loss
Since each person has 100,000 hair follicles or more, some hair loss is common. While about 40% of women lose extra hair because of how they style it, some conditions could be causing hair loss.
If you’re stressed out, it could exacerbate hair loss. While it can feel stressful and like you have no control, there’s hope. Read this guide to learn more about trauma, temporary hair loss, telogen effluvium, and what you can do today.
What Happens to Our Bodies Under Stress
Within your body, you have the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and the sympathetic nervous system. When you find something stressful, it activates the sympathetic nervous system.
This is due to a release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands. This causes the fight-or-flight response. You might experience an increase in respiration and heart rate.
The HPA axis becomes active but works slower than the nervous system. Your body then secretes several hormones into the bloodstream, including cortisol.
Cortisol is the stress hormone and provides your body with energy during stress. If you have elevated levels of cortisol, this weakens the immune system.
In chronic or extreme stress it can lead to negative problems such as stress disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and hair loss.
What Is Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is temporary hair loss that occurs after shock, stress, or a traumatic event. There are products specific to this condition that could help you gain your hair back.
While you might lose large amounts of hair, it’s normally temporary hair loss. You normally don’t lose all of your hair, but it’ll be much thinner.
Your hair cycle has three phases:
- Anagen or growth phase
- Catagen or transitional phase
- Telogen or resting phase
In telogen effluvium, you’re in the telogen phase. The anagen phase slows down, and your hair will begin shedding. You might notice more hair falling out than usual when you brush or wash your hair.
Stressful Encounters
If you experience extended periods of stress, you might notice your hair begin to thin. It might have a delayed effect and occur a few months after a stressful event. Once it occurs, it could last for six months or longer.
Traumatic Events
Trauma such as personal injury or automotive accidents could also lead to hair loss. In telogen effluvium, a stress-induced dysfunction is sent to the normal hair growth cycle.
Hairs then go into the resting (or shedding) phase. If you continue to experience trauma, it could become a chronic condition.
Other reasons for hair loss could include:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Genetics
- Aging
- Chemotherapy
- Medications
- Hormonal changes
Stress Management
After trauma, you’ll want to focus on what you enjoy. This could include your favorite hobbies, exercise, meditation, and yoga.
Practice mindfulness and have a gratitude journal. Practice deep breathing exercises to focus on your breaths instead of stress.
Establish a routine with exercise. It should include strength and cardiovascular training.
Get enough sleep at night, at least seven to nine hours. Waking up and going to bed at the same time is important. Avoid electronics a couple of hours before bedtime.
Mental Health
If your stress is chronic, you might need to seek professional help. Whether it’s a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor, they’ll teach you coping methods for stress.
Hair Loss Treatment
There are topical treatments that you can try. You might need to contact your dermatologist if you don’t notice an improvement.
Consider taking a tablet specifically for telogen effluvium to increase hair volume and reverse hair loss.
Be Gentle With Your Hair
Give your hair time to grow back. Don’t wear it in a bun or ponytail every day.
This could cause further hair loss or breakage. Wait to brush your hair when it’s dry since wet hair could break easier.
Avoid heat products whenever possible. If you must, use heat-protectant sprays on your hair.
Curling, blow-drying, and flat ironing could lead to hair shedding and breakage. Never wash your hair in very hot water.
This could dehydrate your scalp and cause inflammation. Inflammation could make your hair more likely to break and weaken strands.
Excessive dying or bleaching could also cause further hair loss. It could also damage your hair.
Hair extensions could also weaken hair follicles. This could cause more hair loss over time.
Be gentle with yourself. Understand that it’ll take time for your hair to grow back. The good news is that telogen effluvium is reversible.
Talk With Your Doctor
If everything fails, you might need to consider seeing a doctor. They might recommend hair supplements or healthy diets. Doctors will specify the diagnosis and treatment options.
Telogen effluvium is temporary, and if yours isn’t, you might have a different condition. If you notice more than usual or patchy hair loss, you’ll want to reach out to your doctor.
Understanding Temporary Hair Loss Due to Trauma
This guide explores the trauma and stress behind temporary hair loss and effective solutions. Take your time going through your various options.
While telogen effluvium might feel stressful, the good news is that it’s temporary. If you’re dreaming of getting your healthy and full hair back, look no further!
Check out our products today that are for telogen effluvium specifically. This condition could be due to changes in the weather, unbalanced diets, and stress.
Through our tablets and shampoos, you’ll say hello to hair growth and an increase in hair volume! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out or check out our FAQs section.