Is Stress Causing Your Hair Loss?
Hair loss can feel like a mystery. One day your hairline looks sharp and full, the next you're inspecting the shower drain and wondering if you’re shedding more than just bad habits. But before you blame hormones, genetics or age, it might be time to look at something less obvious—and more common: stress.
The Hidden Hand Behind Hair Loss
Stress isn’t just a feeling—it’s a full-body event. When your nervous system gets hijacked by work pressure, lack of sleep, or emotional strain, it doesn’t just affect your mood. It throws off your body’s natural rhythms, including the cycle that controls hair growth.
Let’s break it down:
1. Telogen Effluvium: The Most Common Culprit
This fancy Latin name just means one thing: stress shoved your hair into “rest mode.” Under normal conditions, about 85–90% of your hair is actively growing (called the anagen phase), while the rest is resting or shedding.
When stress hits—whether it’s from a breakup, illness, overworking, or even extreme dieting—your body diverts resources to more “urgent” systems, like your heart and lungs. Hair? Not a priority.
As a result, a large number of hairs prematurely enter the telogen (resting) phase. And in a few months, they fall out—all at once. You may notice thinning at the crown, a receding hairline, or more hair in your brush. It’s not instant, which makes the connection easy to miss.
2. Trichotillomania: When Stress Gets Hands-On
This isn’t just shedding—it’s pulling. Trichotillomania is a psychological condition where people cope with anxiety or tension by pulling out their own hair. It’s more common than you think, especially in high-stress professions or among people who tend to internalize emotion.
The good news? Recognizing the behavior is the first step toward stopping it—and getting help from a therapist or support group can work wonders. You’ve got this! *hugs*
3. Alopecia Areata: Autoimmune Meets Anxiety
Sometimes, chronic stress flips a biological switch and confuses your immune system into attacking healthy hair follicles. The result? Patchy hair loss—often in circles—on the scalp or beard area.
While alopecia areata isn’t caused by stress alone, stress is often the trigger that sets it off in people who are genetically prone.
How to Tell if Stress is Behind Your Hair Loss
If you’re noticing sudden thinning, and you’ve recently been under unusual pressure—mentally, emotionally, or physically—stress could be the spark. Hair loss from stress usually shows up 6 to 12 weeks after the stressor.
You might also notice:
A wider part line
Less hair in your hairline
More hair on your pillow, sink, or shower drain
The silver lining? Most stress-induced hair loss is temporary—if you address the root cause.
What You Can Do About It
1. Dial Down the Stress
Easier said than done, right? But this is where the classics work best: sleep more, move your body, cut back on caffeine, talk to someone. Your nervous system can recover—but only if you give it the chance.
2. Feed Your Follicles
Stress also depletes your body of nutrients that support healthy hair: B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and protein. Make sure you’re eating real, whole foods—or consider a targeted supplement like this one.
3. Use Products That Support Scalp Health
A healthy scalp is the foundation of good hair. Look for products that reduce inflammation and restore balance—like rosemary, calendula, nettle, and castor oil. I’m obsessed with this scalp oil that rub into my scalp EVERYTIME before I shampoo. If you’re unsure of how often you should be shampooing, make sure you read this first.
4. Talk to a Pro
If your hair loss is ongoing or feels extreme, get a blood panel and check in with a dermatologist or functional medicine provider. Sometimes hair loss is the signal—not the problem.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means your body is trying to tell you something. And if stress is part of the conversation, the good news is: you can do something about it.
Take it as an invitation to slow down, nourish yourself, and get back to the basics. Your hair—and your head—will thank you for it. If you’re not stressed or overwhelmed right now and you’re still losing your locks, check this out.
This post contains affiliate links to some of my favorite products that I recommend to make your hair journey less confusing. Currently, I’m in the process of developing a game changer to help you even further and create a one stop shop for all of your skin, hair, and scalp needs. If you want the latest and greatest updates on this secret project of mine as well as first dibs on these blog posts, be sure to subscribe to my mailing list by clicking the link below. Talk soon!
XOXO,
Andy Fischer
