STRESS

The functional response with which the organism responds to a more or less violent stimulus (stressor) of any nature.

The mechanisms of stress were described for the first time by Hans Seyle (A syndrome produced by diverse nocuous agents, 1936): stress is characterized by two moments, the stimulus and the response. The term can indicate both, generating a possible semantic ambiguity. To clarify it, Seyle created the word stressor to indicate the causal agent and retained the word stress or stress response to indicate the resulting final condition. [ Treccani – Biology and medicine – Stress ]

Stress is usually a positive factor that allows us to face adversities efficiently, allows us to react to daily events with balance and keeps our learning, memory and attention skills vital, allowing us to resolve small and major problems of everyday life.

However, when stressful stimuli take over and the body is no longer able to react positively, problems begin. The organism subjected to harmful conditions operates a series of organic responses that allow it to face and overcome the moment of difficulty.

Stress can cause both acute and chronic telogen effluvium, factors that undermine the effectiveness of our anti-baldness strategies and compromise all our efforts.

The nervous system also has its own autonomous part, which automatically controls the regulation of visceral activities not directly subjected to our will. It is divided into the orthosympathetic and parasympathetic system and is connected to the adrenal medulla with nerve fibers.
When we are subjected to acute stress, the adrenal medullary area is stimulated to produce adrenaline and noradrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormones, which allow the body to face imminent danger. Blood pressure and heartbeat increase in intensity, the heart pumps more blood and therefore there is greater blood supply to the muscles and brain. Excitement and concentration increase, while other functions such as digestion, cellular reproduction and responses to inflammation, which are less important at that moment, are inhibited. Once the danger is over, the concentration of these two hormones should decrease until they return to normal levels.

Adrenaline also acts at the level of the hair follicle, its increase in moments of strong stress causes an acute telogen effluvium.

Strong and sudden stress is often due to a very important emotional event and can cause hundreds of resting hairs to fall out (acute telogen effluvium). The hair takes refuge in the telogen phase and blocks all activity. After three months it will be lost, but the structure of the follicle will not be damaged and once the moment of stress is over, it will be ready for a new cycle.

If the stress is less intense and more constant over time we will instead have a chronic telogen effluvium, the loss will be less important, but it will also be more difficult to solve the problem.

In some way, adrenaline and norepinephrine produced in excess due to physical or psychological stress, contribute together with DHT in the action of “disturbing” the metabolic activities of the hair follicle.

Stress can cause sudden graying (loss of the original hair color) if we are not predisposed to common baldness

In summary, stress can affect hair in several ways:

1. Hair loss: Prolonged stress can cause an increase in the level of stress hormones in the body, such as cortisol, which can affect the hair growth cycle. This can lead to increased hair loss, known as telogen effluvium, where hair enters the resting phase prematurely and falls out excessively.
2. Premature Aging: Chronic stress can accelerate the aging process, including aging hair. This can manifest itself through the early appearance of gray hair.
3. Altering the growth cycle: Stress can affect the hair growth cycle, leading to slower growth or a decrease in the production of new hair.
4. Itchy scalp: Stress can cause irritation of the scalp, which can manifest itself through itching, dryness or flaking.
5. Loss of shine: Stress can reduce sebum production, which can make hair look dull and dry.
6. Trichotillomania: In some cases of extreme stress, people may develop trichotillomania, a disorder in which one has an irresistible urge to pull out one’s hair, causing thinning and localized hair loss.

To reduce the effects of stress on your hair, it is important to effectively manage stress through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, a balanced diet and adequate sleep.
Additionally, maintaining a good hair care routine and avoiding harsh or harmful treatments can help maintain hair health.
In case of persistent problems, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist or trichologist for specific treatment.

• Knowing your hair | Introduction
• Knowing your hair | Hair life cycle
• Knowing your hair | The effluvium and the outflow
• Knowing your hair | What is hair made of?
• Knowing your hair | Why does stress cause hair loss?
• Knowing your hair | Hydration guide
• Knowing your hair | Role of nutrition in hair health
• Knowing your hair | Complete guide to hair types