My Stress Has Gone But I'm Still Experiencing Hair Loss'

Hailey

Question: My hair started falling out a few years back due to stress. Now I have no stress at all but my hair loss is not reducing. Is there anything I can do about it at least to reduce it?

Answer: Hi Hailey. Stress-related hair loss is generally down to one of two conditions.

Often it is caused by Telogen Effluvium (TE), a temporary hair loss condition which can last up to 12 months. It can also become chronic if the underlying cause of the hair loss - in your case, stress - is not dealt with, however as you say you are no longer experiencing stress, this is unlikely to be the case.

Shedding from TE occurs all over the scalp and should stop of its own accord in due course. The hair generally regrows naturally, however, there is treatment for Telogen Effluvium available to help speed this process along.

Although Telogen Effluvium itself lasts no longer than a year, it can trigger Female Pattern Hair Loss if you have a genetic predisposition. This is a permanent and progressive condition which causes thinning hair around the top of the head, most noticeably around the parting and temples. Again, this can be treated and the sooner the better in the case of genetic hair loss, as it is likely to worsen over time.

Another possible reason for your hair falling out previously is an autoimmune condition called Alopecia Areata. This is fairly easy to identify as it causes patchy hair loss anywhere on the scalp, as the hair falls out in clumps, often leaving smooth rounded or oval-shaped bald patches behind.

Whilst the cause of Alopecia Areata is currently unquantifiable, stress or a sudden shock is known to spark it off by prematurely sending some - or all - of the follicles into the resting phase of the hair growth cycle.

This means that the affected follicles start to shed hair but there is no new hair to replace it. The follicles instead remain dormant, awaiting a signal to resume normal hair production, however if or when this signal comes is impossible to predict. Alopecia Areata can continue for an unspecified amount of time and can also go away of its own accord, but it may recur.

There is Alopecia Areata treatment available which uses minoxidil to help regrow hair and has been seen to produce promising results in many Belgravia clients.

In order to define the hair loss treatment programme that is best suited to your specific hair loss condition, medical profile and lifestyle needs, we recommend you consult a hair loss specialist. They will provide you with a diagnosis, either in person or online if you are based outside London, and recommend a specially-tailored regime designed to help you regrow your hair.