Stress and Hair Loss: Causes, Regrowth, and Solutions

Stress really can affect your hair. In our experience at Keyoma, it often shows up as sudden shedding, thinning around the temples, or changes in texture that were not there before.

And here is what makes it even harder—worrying about your hair can create more stress, which may lead to more shedding. It becomes a frustrating cycle, and many of our clients have shared how helpless it made them feel at first.

If you are wondering whether stress might be behind your recent hair changes, you are not alone. This is a common concern we hear from people in all walks of life. In fact, a 2021 study published in JAMA Dermatology found that more than 70% of participants who experienced sudden hair shedding during the pandemic linked it to emotional stress.

The good news is that stress-related hair loss is often temporary. With the right steps, your hair can bounce back. We will explain how stress affects hair health and what you can start doing now to support regrowth.

How Stress Triggers Hair Loss

If you are seeing sudden, patchy hair loss or noticing large amounts of shedding when you comb or wash your hair, it is best to speak with a doctor. In our experience at Keyoma, these symptoms can sometimes point to something deeper, like a nutritional deficiency or a medical condition that needs attention.

Getting a proper diagnosis is the first step. A healthcare professional can help identify the root cause and guide you toward the right treatment or support plan.

There are three main types of stress-related hair loss:

• Telogen effluvium: This condition occurs when intense stress forces many hair follicles into a resting phase. A few months later, these hairs may fall out easily during brushing or washing.
  

• Trichotillomania: This is a compulsive urge to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or other areas of the body. It often serves as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, frustration, or boredom.
  

• Alopecia areata: This autoimmune condition causes the body’s immune system to attack hair follicles. While stress is believed to be a possible trigger, other factors may also contribute.

Can Emotional Stress Make You Lose Hair?

Emotional stress can take a toll on your hair. Grief, pressure at work, financial struggles, or even the everyday challenges of parenting can all affect your body in ways you might not expect. At Keyoma, we’ve seen how these stressors can disrupt hormone levels and trigger a condition called telogen effluvium.

This condition tends to appear about 2–3 months after a stressful event. In clinical terms, hair shedding generally begins around that time and may continue for 3–6 months after the stress has eased.

After the shedding phase, most people start to see new hair emerge. Many recover most of their density within 9–12 months, especially if they manage stress and maintain good nutrition.

So, while telogen effluvium may look alarming, it is often a temporary response—and typically resolves on its own once the stress is addressed.

Will Hair Grow Back After Stress-Related Hair Loss?

Stress is a common reason people experience hair loss—but here is the reassuring part. In most cases we see at Keyoma, it is temporary. Once stress levels start to come down, hair usually begins to grow back within about six months.

It also helps to know what kind of stress you are dealing with. Physical stress is often easier to pinpoint and manage. Things like illness, surgery, childbirth, or major dietary changes fall into this category.

Emotional stress—such as anxiety, grief, or chronic pressure—can be more complex and may take longer to resolve. These emotional strains tend to linger and often require deeper mental health support or lifestyle changes.

Understanding the difference matters. Knowing what is behind your shedding is the first step toward recovery. And once you begin addressing the source of the stress, your hair has a strong chance of bouncing back. Research shows that for most people, stress-related shedding resolves in 6 to 9 months as the hair cycle resets and regrowth takes over

Easy Ways to Reduce Stress Daily

While you can't always avoid stress, you can manage how it affects your body and mind by using effective coping strategies. These techniques can help calm your immediate stress response and reduce long-term stress levels over time.

Here are some stress-relief methods you can incorporate into your daily routine:

• Aromatherapy: Use essential oils to create a calming environment.

• Breathing exercises: Try deep, slow breathing to relax your nervous system.

• Exercise: Regular physical activity helps release tension and boost mood.

• Meditation: Practicing mindfulness or guided meditation can improve focus and lower stress.

• Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and release muscle groups to ease physical stress.

• Visualization: Use mental imagery to picture calming scenes or positive outcomes.

Adding even one or two of these techniques to your daily life can help reduce the impact of stress and support your overall well-being—including your hair health.

Build Long-Term Habits to Lower Stress

To manage stress effectively and build long-term resilience, it's important to develop habits that support both immediate relief and future coping. The key is consistency—these practices work best when they become part of your daily routine, not just something you turn to during a crisis.

Here are some stress-relieving habits that can strengthen your ability to handle stress over time:

• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet to support your body and brain

• Stay connected with supportive friends or family

• Exercise regularly to boost mood and reduce tension

• Practice meditation to quiet your mind and improve focus

• Incorporate mindfulness into your day to stay present and grounded

• Make time for self-care through activities that help you rest, recharge, and feel good

By maintaining these habits, you'll be better prepared to face stressful moments and recover more quickly when they happen.

How to Care for Hair During Stress

In addition to managing stress, you can support hair and scalp health by adopting simple, consistent hair care habits. While these steps may not fully prevent hair loss—especially if it's caused by stress or other factors—they can help keep your hair stronger, healthier, and less prone to breakage.

Here are some practical tips to include in your personal care routine:

• Wash your hair with cool or lukewarm water instead of hot water.

• Use gentle shampoos, conditioners, and masks free from harsh ingredients.

• Avoid styling products with drying agents like sulfates or alcohol.

• Minimize or pause hair coloring and bleaching treatments.

• Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb, and skip tight hairstyles that strain the roots.

• Adjust how often you wash your hair based on your hair type—more frequently for oily hair, less for dry hair.

• Reduce use of heat tools such as blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons.

• Sleep on silk pillowcases to cut down on friction and breakage.

• Shield your hair from environmental stressors—use a hat in strong sunlight or a swim cap in chlorinated water.

Making these practices part of your regular routine can help create a healthier environment for your hair to grow and thrive.

Take Action Against Hair Loss With Keyoma

Dealing with noticeable hair loss can be emotionally overwhelming, especially when you're unsure of the cause. If you believe stress might be contributing to the shedding, you're not alone—and there’s good reason to stay hopeful. In many cases, stress-related hair loss is temporary and reversible.

One key indicator is the timing: if your hair starts falling out after a major stressful event and there’s no clear bald spot or pattern, it may be a case of diffuse shedding caused by stress overload.

The encouraging news is that once stress levels begin to normalize, your hair can start growing back as the hair cycle resets. Focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of your stress through self-care, therapy, medical support, and lifestyle adjustments. Be patient with yourself and take a whole-body approach to healing—not just your hair.

With time, consistency, and the right stress management strategies, your hair is likely to regain its natural thickness and strength.