Feeling Stressed? Here’s How it Affects Your Aging Hair

It’s hard not to feel stressed during times of uncertainty, especially today when everywhere we turn we’re confronted with a new reason to feel anxious.

Stress can affect many different parts of our overall health--including our heart and cardiovascular system, mental health and skin. But, did you know that stress can also affect hair health?

As we age, a number of physiological changes that affect hair’s texture, color and thickness are already taking place. We may experience changes in hair color thanks to a spike in oxidative stress that hinders a strand’s ability to produce melanin. Our follicles shrink and our scalp becomes drier, leading to a lack of volume and more breakage. Many of us also experience hair thinning which can be hormonal and/or genetic.

According to Dr. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin from the Mayo Clinic, when we add extreme situational stress into the equation, the body “pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might fall out suddenly when simply combing or washing your hair.” Stress can also trigger “the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles — causing hair loss.”

Now you’re in a perfect storm, dealing with aging hair that is already thinning due to hormonal or genetic causes, coupled with increased shedding due to the stress of everyday life.

It’s important to note that some shedding is normal for many women. It’s very normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day, especially during warmer seasons when the weather is hot and dry.

Many times you will also notice natural shedding when you are in the shower or brushing and blow-drying your hair. But large, unusual amounts of shedding each day can actually point to stress as the cause.

The good news is that stress-related hair loss is both manageable and temporary; hair lost due to stress should grow back on its own within a few months.

Hair thickeners and hair vitamins are great for helping combat the changes you may experience in thickness and texture as you age.

Our Lift Me Up Hair Thickener is a 2-in-1 styling and treatment product. This lightweight, spray on gel wraps around each hair strand to increase its diameter and lift hair at the root for visibly thicker, fuller hair while nourishing the scalp and follicles to support healthier hair. It’s also vegan, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.

Also, you can try our vegan Significant Other Hair, Skin & Nails Supplement with Biotin and a blend of B Vitamins and zinc that will help you fight follicle fatigue and promote healthy hair.

You can also greatly reduce stress by taking a break from the news and social media, meditating, deep breathing, reading, crafting or even setting up a virtual coffee date with your girlfriends.

What’s your favorite stress buster? Join our Facebook community to share your tips and tricks.