We all experience changes in the condition of our hair now and then. It’s common to lose a few strands while styling or develop a dry scalp. These issues are manageable. However, stress might be the culprit if you’re noticing more serious changes.
Stress can have an impact not only on our mental and physical health but also on the health of our hair. It can lead to problems ranging from a dry scalp to complete hair loss.
By recognizing how stress affects your hair, you can find ways to manage it and nurture your hair back to health.
To help get your hair back to its normal healthy state, especially when it has been affected by stress, De Lorenzo offers an extensive range of hair care products. They cater to all hair types, ensuring there’s the right one for you.
One of the benefits of choosing De Lorenzo is the assurance of natural ingredients. They use native Australian plants in their products which are also free from animal testing.
How Stress Affects Hair Health
When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol which affects the condition of your hair and can ultimately lead to hair loss.
Hair loss is not just a male issue; it also affects women and can be a great source of worry for anyone experiencing it. In addition to stress, several other factors contribute to hair loss and other hair conditions. These include poor diet, environmental issues and certain medications.
Here are some common stress-related hair conditions:
- Irritated scalp
When stress-related chemicals are released, it reduces moisture levels causing the scalp to dry out. This leads to itching and flaking, similar to dandruff. More severe dry and itchy scalp conditions, like psoriasis and eczema, often get worse because of stress.
- Oily Roots
Stress can also cause the opposite effect, making hair limp and oily. If your hair is noticeably greasier, it could be because the body is producing more hormones known as androgens which increase oil production in the scalp.
- Strand Breakage
When you’re feeling stressed, the body reacts in different ways and often hair health is neglected as energy is redirected to more vital body parts. This can significantly impact hair condition, leading to more frequent strand breakage.
- Premature Graying
Greying is a normal sign of aging, caused by a decrease in the pigment-producing cells melanocytes in the hair follicle. However, high-stress levels have been shown to accelerate the loss of these melanocytes and cause premature greying.
- Hair loss
Hair follicles naturally alternate between growth and rest phases. Hair loss occurs when they stay in the rest phase, meaning that the hair continues to shed but without new growth. While it’s normal for growth phases to slow down with age, chronic stress can significantly slow down hair growth.
There are three types of hair loss linked to chronic stress:
- Alopecia areata – This occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss either over the entire scalp or in round patches.
- Telogen effluvium – This is caused by a change in the number of hair-growing follicles, resulting in shedding, often in patches, especially in the centre of the scalp.
- Trichotillomania – Also known as the hair-pulling disorder, this involves pulling out the hair from the scalp and other parts of the body and can be stress-related.
Strategies For Managing Stress to Improve Hair Health
To improve the quality of your hair, particularly when dealing with stress-related issues, it’s first of all necessary to reduce or eliminate stress.
Here are some effective ways that can help to manage your stress levels:
- Exercise
Regular exercise can reduce stress-producing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline while increasing mood-boosting endorphins. You don’t need to start training for a marathon; simply introduce daily routines such as yoga or walking, both of which can be beneficial.
- Meditation
Practicing meditation, either on its own or combined with a yoga routine, is an excellent way to de-stress and clear your mind. This relaxation technique not only promotes mental well-being but also positively impacts physical health, including the condition of your hair.
- A Balanced Diet
Eating a diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals is essential for overall health, including hair health. Incorporate foods high in vitamins B, C, and E to encourage healthy hair growth. And, stay well-hydrated throughout the day to ensure proper cell function.
- Topical Treatments
Your doctor may recommend various medications for hair loss. However, traditional remedies, like coconut, rosemary, or geranium oils, may also have a positive effect on hair growth and scalp health when massaged into the scalp.
Effectively managing stress is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your hair. Alongside stress management, selecting appropriate hair care products from the De Lorenzo range is equally important to ensure your hair remains healthy and vibrant.
