How Extreme Stress Can Cause Hair Loss

Hair Falling Out in Clumps? Here’s All You Need to Know about Hair Loss, How Stress Causes Hair Loss & What to Do about it?

As long as I can remember, I have never been satisfied with my hair. Not even a little bit. Nearly every photo of me growing up reveal uncombed, frizzy hair. Moreover, once I became a mom, the struggle got real with never ending hair-fall, breakage and dryness.

That being the case, I’ve always been on the look-out for anything that claims to make my hair thicker and stronger. But somewhere down the line in my pursuit for having strong and shiny hair, I’ve finally accepted the fact that it isn’t in the genetic cards for me.

However, the last few months have been super busy and super exciting as we decided to renovate our 20-year-old house into a brand-new dwelling – beyond recognition!

Exciting, isn’t it?

Yes.

However, undeniably stressful. Thanks to the disruption of my normal routine.

From putting our kitchen out of commission to showering in the kids’ bathroom and sleeping in the guest room, it had been a tough tide through and through. We took on a giant project that has drained us financially, emotionally and physically.

However, fortunately, we are in the wrapping up stage now but the stress of these last 3 months has resulted in the manifestation of my worst nightmare.

Yes. Hair loss.

I have started losing hair in clumps. And, by clumps, I mean, big bunches of hair in the shower, on my brush, and all over my newly installed white marble floor. It is indeed one of the most terrifying part of the entire process as it has taken a toll on my self-confidence.

Isn’t it ironical that hair loss though one of the most soul-crushing experiences is also unbelievably common?Statistics suggest that more than 50% of the women experience noticeable hair loss at least once in their lifetimes. And of all the different hair loss causes in women, the most significant one is stress, affecting around one-third of susceptible women.

So even though hair loss is usually more associated with middle-aged men, women are more prone to suffer from stress related hair loss.

How stress causes hair loss?

We have around 100,000 hair follicles on our scalp. Of these hair follicles, about 85% to 90% are in the anagen phase (growing) at any given time. The rest are in the telogen phase (resting). Meaning those hair will fall out. So, it is normal for any person to lose around 50-100 hair each day.

However, when someone encounters sudden extreme stress like death of a loved one, divorce, loss of job, house change etc. or undergoes a long period of chronic stress such as some illness, depression etc., it triggers an episode of telogen effluvium – an abnormal shift of hairs into the telogen phase all at once. So, you may lose around as many as 300 hair a day instead of the normal 50-100.

Why we lose hair after a stressful period?

What actually happens during a stressful period is that our body diverts its energy away from non-essential functions like hair growth to more important things such as survival. So, when we’re stressed our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol that signals our hair follicles to shift from the growth phase into the resting or falling out phase making us lose enormous amount of hair all of a sudden at a rapid rate.

How to reduce hair loss due to stress?

While there is no official treatment for hair loss due to stress, massaging the scalp with certain essential oils has now been scientifically proven as an effective remedy for hair loss. The benefits of oiling hair have long been prescribed as a blanket treatment for all hair woes, be it dandruff, premature hair greying, thinning hair, dull hair or stress induced hair fall.

So girls, it seems that our mothers and grandmothers were right about their advice of oiling hair twice a week and leaving this oil overnight for strong and healthy hair. Massaging the scalp with oil increases blood circulation that promotes the flow of nutrients to scalp thereby nourishing hair and boosting hair growth.

The massaging technique also encourages sound sleep acting like stress buster, which is the main cause of hair loss. Besides, regular oiling of hair increases tensile strength of the hair preventing hair breakage and reducing frizz.

However, not all oils are created equal. In the process of experimenting with different products and treatments for combating my current hair fall problem, I have found ayurvedic products to be most effective for hair loss.

How an ayurvedic oil for hair loss is better than other products or treatments?

Since earliest times, Ayurveda has provided enduring solutions to all our hair problems. Be it premature balding or thinning of hair, ayurvedic herbs like Brahmi, Bhringaraj, Amla, Jojoba have long been the most effective remedies.

These natural herbs are loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins A, E, and D etc. which are important for building strong hair follicles. The other good thing about ayurvedic oils for hair loss is that they are made from purely natural ingredients sans any chemicals thus reducing the chance for any side effects.

A relaxing scalp massage with an ayurvedic hair oil goes a long way in reducing stress, boosting blood circulation and inducing a good night’s sleep. So, if you’re looking for the best oil for hair loss then look no further than ayurvedic hair oils. In my case, I think I have hit the nail on its head with Kesh King Ayurvedic hair oil.

Kesh King Hair Oil for Hair Loss

Kesh king hair oil is made using the traditional Tel Pak vidhi in which 21 powerful herbs like Shikakai, Nagakesara, Bramhi, Henna, Neem, Haritaki, Manjistha, Bingharaja, Bibhitaka, Amalaki etc. are cooked in sesame oil.

Enriched with vitamin E, B complex, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and protein, sesame oil is a proven age-old remedy to reverse premature gray hair. Also, the fatty acids in the oil help the potent herb actives to penetrate deep into the hair roots, along with combating inflammation and irritation of the scalp.

Naturally, the oil is effective in reducing and curing stress induced hair loss and other hair woes. I’m not a fan of hair oils but I’d been so crushed by my current stressful environment and its consequential hair loss that I’ve used this oil consistently for one full month.

And I’m glad to state that I’m satisfied!

The Kesh King oil has a soothing scent that feels good when massaged to the scalp. It relaxes down the nerves, uplifts the senses and brightens the mood. As for the hair loss stopping claims, I have seen some improvement in shedding during the last one week.

Though, I haven’t noticed any new growth or baby hair yet. May be, it takes time. But I’m greatly relieved with the fact that it has reduced my hair fall and made my brittle, frizzy hair a bit stronger and smoother.

My hair feel shiny and bouncy whenever I use this oil before shampoo.

Summary

Of all the different hair-loss causes in women, stress is the most common. For many of us, an acute stressful event can lead to severe and rapid hair fall. If you’re losing more than 150 strands a day, do consult your doctor for stress related hair loss.

While, there’s no official treatment for hair loss due to stress, massaging the scalp with natural oils is said to be an effective remedy for controlling excessive hair shedding. Kesh King is an ayurvedic oil for hairloss that is easily available at all local retail stores and on brand official website Shop.keshking.com

The oil is made from 21 natural herbs using Tel Pak vidhi. I’m using this oil from the last one month. And even though I haven’t noticed any regrowth or increased density after using this oil but it has definitely reduced my hair fall and induced some life into my dull tresses. I highly recommend this oil to anyone experiencing hair loss or other hair issues caused due to stress or busy lifestyle.