What Do Dermatologists Say About Stress and Its Impact on Hair Growth? - Dr. Su Glow x Grow

What Do Dermatologists Say About Stress and Its Impact on Hair Growth?

Is my queen constantly stressed? Stress has the potential to harm your body, especially your hair. To repair the damage, you must first understand how the body reacts to stress. 


Stress definitely kicks in at some point, and you know the worst part? Daily problems, unexpected issues, and, on top of that, “the pandemic” can cause stress levels to soar. When stress starts to become an intense part of your life, it might have long-term consequences.


After the stress has made a space in your daily life, it gradually shifts your body into “survival mode.” And that later leads to hair loss, along with poor sleep, digestion, and more. 


Okay! Let’s understand this. Hair growth is divided into three phases

  • Anagen stage- the growth: hair strands come out of the skin.
  • Catagen stage- the resting phase: hair stops growing, and the follicle at the base of the strand decreases.
  • Telogen stage- the fall: When the hair falls out, the procedure may start all over again.

So how does stress impact hair growth? Here’s how

  • Stress increases the production of the hormone called cortisol, which influences the entire body to cause hair follicles to enter into the “resting phase”, which makes stem cells inactive.

  • Typically, while in the “growth phase,” stem cells in hair follicle parts generate into a new cell to push hair strands to come out (anagen stage).

  • And because of the stress, there’s a shift in hormonal balance. This makes the stem cells interpret this as an unusual and harmful situation, instructing the hair not to grow and fall out instead. 

Yes, okay! It’s a lot to digest, but you get the gist, right? And do you see now how much stress can impact you in the long term? These problems occur inside the body; therefore, you need to cure them from within.


4 simple changes that dermatologists would recommend you to make in your daily routine for healthy hair:

  • Stress Management
  • This one is so obvious, but it works wonders! It is the most basic step toward hair loss. If you actually wish for healthy hair to flaunt, then we would recommend you to keep some time for relaxation, meditation, exercise, or yoga in your schedule every day.


  • Sleep
  • Come on; you know that sleep is important when it comes to hair and skin. A sound sleep of 8 hours can do magic for your hair. It increases the production of hair protein. And it also produces melatonin- a hormone that is involved in hair growth. Do we need to explain further?


  • Natural hair supplements.
  • Okay, now, first. Get this in your head that there’s no such thing as an overnight magic remedy. Hair has a lot to do with “what goes in your tummy.” A well-balanced diet, regular hair care routine, and a clear mind are what lead to healthy hair. Natural hair supplements have the correct combination of nutrients to help your hair regain its strength and lustre. But always consider asking your dermatologist before taking any kind of supplement.


  • Gently wash and condition your hair
  • To avoid damage, carefully wash and condition your hair. Hair that is weak or losing out is delicate and prone to breakage. So what do dermatologists say about this? Here’s what:

    • Use a gentle shampoo on your hair.
    • After each shampoo, use a hydrating conditioner. Conditioner protects your hair from damage and split ends by coating it.
    • To speed up the drying process, wrap your hair with a microfiber towel. This cuts down on the amount of time you spend blow-drying.

    Final words

    Stress does not just affect your mental being, but it is not good for your hair either, as just discussed. So for the sake of your hair, stay away from the worries and always keep your chin up. 

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