Ask the Hair Expert: How can I make my thicker and stronger naturally?

Every supermarket aisle for shampoo or hair oil is stacked with products that boast of it’s magic to give you longer, thicker, stronger hair. Every brand tells you that it’s product is the best for you.

Is there any truth to it all?

Well yes, there is always a fair amount of research that goes into creating a product. For instance, if there a hair oil being sold for thicker, stronger hair – then it must have some key ingredients that help you in this department. What would really help is if you can decipher the literature printed on the packaging! (check with your trichologist!)

Now, there is more to growing your hair thick and strong, than just the product you use. It has to do with your diet, your lifestyle, your hair care routine etc. plus your hair products.

Many of our patients, friends and family members ask us about ways to boost hair’s health and quality. Given the present hectic lifestyles and stress levels, hair thinning is the biggest worry for most. And for those who do not have any evident hair thinning or hair fall issues, it is the quest to grow hair long, thick and strong.

In our ‘Ask the Hair Expert’ series today, we will give you some clarity on this very subject.

You asked: “How can I grow my hair thick and strong naturally? Can I get thick hair without using any product? What can I do differently on a regular basis that can help my hair quality get better?”

Here’s the answer from the Hair Experts.
A balanced diet, disciplined hair care routine, and balanced lifestyle – your key to thick and strong hair!
Understand what is best suited for you, to promote thick hair growth & maintain its health, with the help of a Trichologist!

Let’s first take a quick look at why your hair isn’t perhaps thick in the first place. You can always catch up on our multiple blogs on hair loss and thinning for more details!

The most common prevalent reasons for hair breakage, thinning and hair loss at large are:

• Ageing
• Genetic predisposition
• Nutritional deficiencies, poor diet
• Overuse of styling products
• Frequent chemical treatments
• Viral fevers and illnesses
• Hormonal imbalances
• Fungal infections
• Autoimmune problems
• Acute stress
• Misuse of oral contraceptives and medications
• Poor scalp hygiene
• Poor hair care
• Unhealthy lifestyle

While on the topic, it is also important to understand that there is a difference between hair thinning, hair breakage and hair loss! Each of it has its own causes, signs and symptoms. The common thread here is – you don’t want to experience any of it! And you wish to grow your hair strong and thick!

Here’s what you need to do to grow your hair thick and strong, naturally

• Regular Oil MassageOiling hydrates and nourishes your hair and scalp. A good oil massage boosts hair growth by stimulating the hair follicles and increasing blood circulation on the scalp. It also helps by increasing the tensile strength of the hair, reducing frizziness, breakage and hair fall. Essential oils like lavender, thyme, and rosemary can prevent hair thinning and balding. Warm the oil to match your body temperature and gently massage it on to your scalp in a circular motion using your fingertips. The process is also a great stress buster! Do read our blog on the importance of oiling for finer details!
• Wash and dry your hair the right wayWashing and drying your hair the wrong way can lead to hair damage and breakage. This seemingly simple routine activity can affect your hair without your realising the true cause. And this will basically go against your aim of having thick and strong hair!
  You should first rinse your hair with lukewarm water and only then apply diluted shampoo. This helps it spread better. You can ask your trichologist for guidance on hair-thickening shampoos containing ingredients like biotin.
  Massage the shampoo onto the scalp, scrubbing with the fingertips, and slowly work it through the length of the hair. Do not use rub your hair back and forth, or scrape the scalp with nails. And do not use hot water! In fact, you should finish your wash with a cold rinse ‘cos this helps close the opened cuticles.
  Once you are done washing and rinsing, blotch out the water from your hair gently by pat drying with a towel. You can leave it towel-wrapped for a few minutes and then open it up. Towel-followed-by-air drying is perhaps the most natural way to dry your hair. Avoid rough back-and-forth motions. This damages the hair shaft and leads to hair breakage. Do not comb your hair when wet – one of the most common mistakes observed. Do read our blog on best practices to follow for washing and drying hair.
• Condition & deep conditionA step that is often skipped. Conditioning works on your hair’s outermost layer, the cuticle, closing it and smoothing it after the wash process (during which the cuticle is opened up). Your hair looks healthy, shiny and bouncy when your cuticle is smooth. This step helps preserve and lock up the much-needed moisture levels, nutrients in your hair.
  While the conditioner does its job, you need an additional step to truly tackle all the external factors affecting your hair. And that step is deep conditioning. For hair that is much exposed to external factors and is damaged, deep conditioning periodically is a must. These come in the form of hair masks/ wraps and help in protecting + restoring your hair’s keratin. It strengthens the core of each hair shaft with a dose of protein (look for the ingredients on your pack) while adding gloss and vitality without weighing it down with its oil content. Hair masks play a vital role in repairing and strengthening your hair.
• Comb your hair rightAgain, a mundane task – but when done wrong leads to hair fall and breakage. We recommend using a wide-toothed wooden comb (preferably made of rosewood). These are anti-static (unlike plastic combs). This helps avoid why your hair gets frizzy, making it brittle and prone to breakage. They are gentle on your hair, do not scratch the scalp and help in preventing the tangling of hair to a great extent. Do read our blog on the importance of using the right comb, the right way. This can truly aid hair growth and help you retain its thickness.
• Use products that are chemical-freeFrequent use of hair products that are loaded with chemicals will go completely against your quest for thick, strong hair. And if you are someone who already has hair or scalp concerns, it will only aggravate the problem, leading to hair loss.
  Chemicals used in products to dye, bleach, straighten or perm the hair tends to break the hair shaft. This can result in hair thinning and in very rare cases, permanent hair loss. Hair loss in such cases is typically reversible if dealt with in time. Hair trends are fine to follow, but do make sure you do not go overboard with it!
• Avoid chemical treatmentsStudies have further shown that chemical treatments, especially those with a high concentration of formaldehyde, trigger some side effects such as scalp irritation, discolouration of hair and scalp, dry and rough hair prone to breakage, split ends, loss of texture and excessive hair fall. Clearly this is no way to achieve thicker hair! Most of these products and treatments may claim to make your hair look better, but it’s not just about the looks! Your hair needs to be healthy from within for it to bounce with life.
  Trichology offers treatments that are safer options, to help repair wear & tear, rejuvenate your hair and give it a bounce, without damaging it with harsh chemicals.
• Stay well hydratedIf you are aiming for hair that is thick, glossy, frizz-free and strong, then you should be getting in 10-12 glasses every day! ‘Cos water is the cheapest, most accessible, magical potion loaded with all those minerals your hair needs!
  Water hydrates your hair cells, making them work the way they are supposed to and this helps your hair grow long and strong. And when you are well hydrated, you help keep away hair loss. Staying hydrated clearly has huge hair benefits!
  Water can be consumed in different forms. Apart from drinking water, you could lock in fluids through various other sources like coconut water, yoghurt, cottage cheese/ paneer, fresh fruits and vegetables. These are water-rich items, packed with multiple vitamins and nutrients that can ensure your body stays well hydrated. Do read our blog to understand the significance of hydration for your hair.
• Eat rightYour hair is what you eat! Looking for thick and strong hair? Your answer is in your diet!
  If you are someone who follows our pages you know the importance we give to a balanced diet, with all those magical hair foods! Proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and water, are six major classes of nutrients that are required by every human body. Healthy hair prevails in the body of the person who has all these six major classes of nutrients in the right proportion. There is a reason why people who have health problems like obesity or malnutrition are prone to hair related problems!
  You may have read our blog on Hair structure and anatomy. Hair is basically made up of a structural protein called keratin. Hair foods, as we call them, are superfoods that ensure your hair is strong, healthy and full of life. For instance, copper helps to prevent hair loss and contributes to improving hair colour and thickness. Copper can be added to the diet through grains and beans.
  Another example – Vitamin B complex which includes B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, biotin and folic acid are together important for the health and the growth of the hair. They are hence termed as hair growth vitamins. These hair growth vitamins also help in reducing hair loss problems and helps in improving the overall thickness of the hair.
  If you ensure that your diet is abundantly packed with such essential hair nutrients, you will boost hair growth naturally, and get that thickness and strength you are looking for.
• Keep stress at bayEvery hair strand undergoes its own hair growth cycle. And chronic stress impacts this cycle adversely. In recent times there is a sharp increase in people suffering from diffuse hair loss caused by hectic stressful lifestyles.
  Diffuse hair loss or diffuse alopecia is a condition in which the individual’s hair density decreases across the breadth of the scalp. Any disturbance to the hair growth cycle triggers this. And that is how stress sets it off – when it affects the hair cycle. Do read our blog on the topic to understand how stress can affect your hair.
  If you are aiming at hair that is thicker and stronger, you definitely need to work on keeping your stress levels in check.

Half the battle is won if you consciously consume a well-balanced diet containing green leafy vegetables, milk products, nuts and grains. This is highly recommended, to give good nutrition to your hair. Further, drinking 2-3 litres of water a day will provide the most important minerals for hair strength. This apart, do give your hair the TLC it needs, and do keep the above-mentioned pointers in mind. A periodic visit to a Hair Clinic and consulting a trichologist can help ensure that your hair’s health is in order.

Now that you have a better understanding of what your hair needs, to make it thicker and stronger naturally, ask yourself – Am I eating right? Am I taking care of my hair right?
And do what is needed to correct the course, if you aren’t quite there yet!

And we are just a call away, for any questions!

And with that, we sign off today! For more on hair & scalp concerns, and for all things ‘Hair’, do follow our blogs on hair loss, hair care, treatments & solutions, and interesting hair trivia!

Connect with us on social media on the links below. Do leave your questions & comments and we will address them all, just as we have done today!

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Hair Loss & Heart Disease

A receding hairline is every man’s biggest problem, quite like hair thinning or hair loss is a nightmare for women. Some resign to it and move on. Some fight the signs. Some ignore it completely.

But what if we told you that your hair loss may be indicative of a heart condition?
Now that surely puts a twist around things, doesn’t it?
You then view any kind of hair loss in a more serious manner… After all matters of heart have to be taken seriously!

Baldness and hair loss may be more than just a cosmetic concern: it could be a marker for heart disease. This is especially true in men who also have other risk factors such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.

Recent research have indicated that male pattern baldness and premature greying in men under 40, are at risk of heart disease. In fact the studies say that men with these hair concerns are five times likelier to develop heart conditions! This is a risk factor higher than the one posed by obesity…

Today, we will help you understand the relationship between your hair and your heart, as simply as possible. We will keep off the complicated medical terminologies!

Role of blood circulation for hair health

Everything starts with the heart, right? Our circulatory system is what keeps our body alive and functioning. The heart is the engine behind it all. It distributes oxygenated blood, nutrients, water – all that we need, throughout our body, including our head.

Poor circulation will lead to issues everywhere! Limbs can become numb, hair follicles will die and one can end up with brain damage! The spectrum is wide here!

Let’s speak specifically of hair and scalp today.

If you are someone who follows our blogs, you know how the hair follicles are nourished by blood circulation. We have discussed this in various contexts, as you may have read. A healthy heart and proper blood circulation helps in transporting oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles effectively. This nourishes the hair roots, promotes growth and helps reduce hair loss.

When the circulation is stimulated by various hair & scalp care routines, you ensure that the follicles receive the boost they need for hair growth. If the circulation is poor, your hair growth cycle will be disrupted and your scalps’ health is affected.

If you look closely at the anatomy of hair, at the base of the hair follicle is the papilla. This contains capillaries, or tiny blood vessels that nourish the cells. Good blood circulation ensures that these capillaries are well nourished. This is crucial for your hair’s health.

Blood flow to the scalp is a bit different from the rest. The blood circulation to your scalp, is the furthest. Simply put, it reaches your scalp after satisfying all other organs and parts! Further, it is not an ‘active’ part of the body and hence needs stimulation to get that circulation going well.

What happens when the circulation to the scalp is poor?

Insufficient or irregular blood circulation prevents the hair roots from receiving sufficient nutrients. These essential nutrients are the ones that are responsible for your hair’s strength and the life of your hair follicles. For a healthy scalp, proper blood circulation is vital.

Given the significance of blood circulation for your scalp, it may serve well to lend your heart & circulatory system a hand every now and then! Adopt hair care practices that involve stimulating the follicles and the blood vessels – like a periodical scalp massage, oiling, drinking adequate water (it plays a major role in blood circulation!), taking a cold shower, eating healthy and tricho treatments, to name a few.

We have discussed what the heart does for your hair. Now let’s discuss what your hair can tell you about your heart!

Hair loss and heart disease

Heart disease is typically associated with high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, increased body mass index (BMI),hyperglycemia,dyslipidemia, lack of physical activity and smoking. These are what can be termed the traditional risk factors for developing cardiovascular disorders.

However, more recent studies have revealed two more risk factors that people will not quite relate to heart diseases – male pattern baldness and premature greying!

It has been identified that a male who is under 40 and diagnosed with male pattern baldness or MPT and/or premature greying is five times more at risk to develop a heart/ coronary artery disease than others. This risk factor thus surpasses obesity as a marker! It is being said that these factors can indicate a biological age which may prove to be significant in determining the heart disease risk.

This would mean that if you are a male under 40 and you have premature greying and androgenic alopecia, then you need to monitor your heart heath and keep a check on your lifestyle in terms of diet, exercise, stress management, habits of smoking or consuming alcohol etc. Women who fall in this category with FPT are also suspected to be at risk, but there is no conclusive evidence documented on this.

As you may recall from our other pages, Androgenetic alopecia or MPT in men is characterized by hair loss in the frontal and vertex scalp area. This is seen more in men who are genetically predisposed to the condition and between the ages of 25 – 40. And it has a significant effect on quality of life. Unfortunately, lately, thanks to various factors there has been an increasing number of young males in their 20s are facing premature balding. And this is a direct indication of their risk towards heart conditions.

What heart conditions are we talking about here? Coronary artery disease may be described as the narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, slowing or even blocking the process. This can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, other cardiac symptoms and heart attack.

What could be the reason for this increased risk?

One of the factors researchers have pointed out is the biological link between hair loss and heart disease involving elevated levels of male hormones. It is possible that the biological ageing is faster in certain individuals than others. Certain hormonal and genetic linkages, apart from the biological aging, and the pattern of cell apoptosis, may be defining how the process differs from one person to another. This gets reflected via hair changes such as the MPT or the premature greying. There is also speculation that this may be an indicator of DNA damage.

Premature greying and balding are connected to the aging of hair follicles, especially with follicles being a target for the male hormones, androgens, for instance testosterone – and the way each individual responds to the process – this in turn reflects their susceptibility to heart disease.

To draw these conclusions, studies have been conducted across in varied demographic groups and all have indicated that invariably those with adverse heart conditions have had either MPT or premature greying.

Some published data on this – men with cardiovascular disorders had significantly higher rates of premature greying (50% as against 30% in others) and male pattern baldness (49% as against 27% in others). After taking into account various other factors, it was concluded that men with these hair concerns have five folds the risk of heart issues.

Thus, it is said that men with these hair concerns should monitor their heart health and take due care. In fact these studies have also shown that many young men with heart ailments had none of the other traditional risk markers, but these hair concerns!

Does this mean doctors should be screening for these hair concerns alongside the traditional risk factors? Perhaps yes! As trichologists we are definitely seeing a rise in patients who are very young and facing premature balding. And all such patients have lifestyle and diet related concerns which are your ‘traditional’ risk factors anyhow for heart concerns!

For now, it looks like what is bad for your scalp may be bad for your heart as well!

So it would be good to stay aware, stay conscious and keep a check on your hairline! A periodical consultation with a trichologist can help keep track, throw light on possible hair concerns and with a clear diagnosis, a relevant path forward can be taken under supervision. It is always better to be prepared! So, if there is a hair concern that looks like a marker for a heart concern, be sure to have everything checked out. And do a thorough review of your choice of lifestyle, habits, diet etc.

There are ways and means to tackle your hair loss. While at it, you should rule out other concerns as well. Having said that, there are other causes of hair loss, so don’t panic – just because you may be suffering from male or female pattern hair loss does not mean that you will suffer a heart attack! Have your concerns addressed with a professional.

Keep your hair and heart healthy with the TLC both need!

With that, we sign off for now! For more on hair loss and for all things ‘Hair’, do follow our blogs on hair care, treatments and solutions and interesting hair trivia!
Connect with us on social media on the links below. Do leave your questions & comments and we will address them all, just as we have done today!

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Ask the Hair Expert: Can Vit D deficiency cause hair loss?

Vitamin D – The ‘sunshine vitamin’ that every second person seems to be deficient of

these days!

Isn’t it fascinating that so many of us are not good on the Vit D scale as we should be, considering we live in a classified hot-tropical country with more-than-enough sunshine?
But it’s not just the sun-exposure, much has to do with our diets and also certain other conditions that can trigger an anomaly.

Thanks to the widespread issue of Vit D deficiency, we have a lot of queries coming our way on its relation to hair loss, over social media and at our clinics. Hence today, on our ‘Ask the Hair Expert’ series, we will discuss the impact of this particular nutrient on your hair.

You asked: “Is my hair falling ‘cos of vitamin D deficiency? Can a low Vit D cause alopecia? Is it treatable?”

Here’s the answer from the Hair Experts.
Yes. A dip in your Vit D levels CAN impact your hair and cause hair loss concerns.
However, it is important to understand whether this deficiency is the sole reason for your hair loss or only an aggravating factor. A trip to your Trichologist’s clinic can help you decipher this and treat it as required.

Meantime here, we will help you understand the role of vitamins in general, and vitamin D in particular, for your hair’s health.

Why do we need Vitamins?

Vitamins are essential nutrients needed by our body to perform a variety of functions. Our body cannot produce it as needed, and we source it externally. Sun exposure helps our skin to synthesize it. Synthesis of Vitamin D takes place in the epidermal keratinocytes. This happens under the influence of ultraviolet (UV)-B light. or obtained from diet or dietary supplements. While this is the primary source, it can also be obtained from diet or dietary supplements.

Vitamins are crucial for good hair growth and overall hair health. They are essentially classified as fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. The difference between the two lies in how our body absorbs them and how each vitamin acts within our body.

Hair Growth Vitamins, as we call them, help with controlling hair loss and help with the overall thickness of the hair. This apart, vitamins help in hydrating the hair shaft, thereby preventing split-ends.

Different vitamins have different roles to play in our body, and they are needed in different quantities. The sources vary for each. Do read our blog on the topic for further insights.

What does Vitamin D do?

Vitamin D, the chemical names of it being ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin. It helps our body with some key functions including calcium and bone metabolism, helping absorb the calcium needed to strengthen bones. It helps us have a healthy brain, teeth, lungs, skin and hair. It helps keep our immune system strong and even helps balance insulin levels.

It is notable that Vit D, indirectly or directly, regulates about 3% of the human genome. Vit D has the power to stimulate cell growth.

Vitamin D helps maintain a proper balance of minerals such as calcium and phosphate in your body. These are essential for the formation of bones and teeth. It also is crucial for the absorption of these minerals from the intestines into the bloodstream.

This apart it has been discovered that it is associated very closely to many physiological factors such as the immune regulation, protection against radiation, infections and even oxidative stress! It also helps in treating skin conditions like psoriasis.

What does Vit D do for your hair?

Vitamin D plays a big role in the development of hair follicles. It is a hair follicle differentiation promoter. It helps with strengthening follicles, promoting hair growth, and also plays a significant role in ensuring a normal hair growth cycle – helping the cellular turnover – the constant division of cells in the hair follicle bulb. It further helps build an immune defence mechanism as well.

What happens when you don’t get enough Vit D?

There have been extensive studies done on Vitamin D levels and how a dip can impact us. Low levels of Vit D have been linked to diabetes, muscle disorders, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and even certain types of cancer. Bone softening, low bone density, osteoarthritis and heart disease are also linked to Vit D deficiency.

Insufficient Vit D levels occur when you do not have sufficient sun exposure and when your diet doesn’t give you the needed inputs.

Here are some of the tell-tale symptoms of Vit D deficiency:

• Fatigue, lethargy, low-energy
• Decreased endurance
• Bone, joint, muscle pain
• Mood swings, irritability
• Anxiety, depression
• Frequent illness
• Frequent fractures
• Loss of bone density
• Very slow recovery when wounded
• High blood pressure
• Infertility
• Weight gain
• Hair loss

Vitamin D deficiency in kids can lead to Rickets, which is a serious bone problem causing bowed legs. In adults, it can lead to concerns such as osteoporosis or osteopenia (soft bones). A low Vit D count is also associated with conditions such as asthma, eczema and tendency to some allergies.

What causes Vit D deficiency?

Lack of sun exposure and inadequate dietary nutrition typically causes deficiency. Some people also end up with low Vit D levels due to certain underlying conditions such as Crohn’s disease or Celiac disease, which hinders with the absorption of nutrients by the body. There are also certain medications that lead to a low Vit D count – antifungals, glucocorticoids, medications for HIV and anticonvulsants to name some.
Does such deficiency affect hair?

Yes it does, as noted above. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to hair loss.

Also, those who have hereditary Vitamin D receptor (VDR) deficiency (VDR gene is what helps your body respond to the Vit D you get from diet or sun exposure) or have a VDR mutation concern, have been observed to suffer from alopecia.

Alopecia Areata is a very common form of hair loss in all genders. Also known as spot baldness, it is a skin condition that’s characterised by hair loss. It causes distinctive bald patches and causes loss of hair from scalp, face, and even other parts of the body. It is an autoimmune disorder wherein the body’s own defence system attacks some cells causing hair loss.

This condition is always seen in association with stress or viral infections or immunization. However, studies have also shown that most men & women who experience alopecia or diffuse hair loss, have low Vit D levels i.e. serum25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 30, irrespective of age and sex. It was also observed that such parties also have higher levels of C reactive proteins, one of the markers of autoimmunity.

Diffuse hair loss is again something that is so common, which we discuss often. This happens mainly when the hair growth cycle is disturbed. The underlying condition could be varied, one of which is Vit D deficiency.

While we have spoken of issues arising from deficiency, there have also been studies that have shown that those who have higher levels of the vitamin may be affected by Telogen Effluvium. There is no conclusive data available on this, but there have been relevant discussions.

Do read our blogs on hair loss, to understand the possible concerns better.

What can help restore the Vit D levels in your body and recover from the related hair loss?

If you suspect that your hair loss is caused due to such deficiency, you should consult a professional, get those supplements prescribed along with dietary changes, and spend more time outdoors in the sun to help combat the deficiency!

Here are some great resources of Vit D:

• Milk and milk products
• Mushrooms
• Soy milk
• Almond milk
• Tofu
• Oranges
• Avocados
• Chia Seeds
• Legumes, Nuts & Seeds
• Fortified foods such as Vit D enriched cereals, yoghurts and juices.

Depending on how much of a deficiency you have, your medical background otherwise and the kind of hair loss you are facing, you will need medical advice to restore good hair and health.

How can a Trichologist help with your diet?

It is key that any diet that you follow is something that is specifically designed for you…works for you, your needs, your lifestyle and daily routines. And when it comes to your hair, then even more so. Your diet should take into account your hair & scalp condition and your medical condition or history.

A trichologist will examine your hair & scalp, understand your existing diet plan, study your medical history, and clearly diagnose whether there is a deficiency. He/She will accordingly prescribe a change in diet or food supplements, where need be. Supplements will also help maintain healthy hair while counteracting the impact that various external and internal factors have on your hair and scalp. If your hair and scalp require any specific tricho treatment, you will be guided on that as well. Thus, you will address your hair concerns in a holistic manner, internally and externally.

Vitamin D basically affects many aspects of a person’s health, including hair health. It can trigger or worsen a hair problem. It is important to hence have a clear diagnosis and tackle the problem with scientific solutions.

Let us remind you that one solution never fits all, especially in the case of hair problems! Multiple factors such as your lifestyle, occupation, geographical location, metabolism tendencies, nutrition balance, medical case history & more, impact your hair. Decipher what your hair needs with the help of a hair expert and stay clear of concerns. Don’t hesitate to seek professional advice.

And with that, we sign off today! For more on hair & scalp concerns, and for all things ‘Hair’, do follow our blogs on hair loss, hair care, treatments & solutions, and interesting hair trivia!

Connect with us on social media on the links below. Do leave your questions & comments and we will address them all, just as we have done today!

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Student Special – How to not let stress get to your Hair during exams!

Come March and exam fever is all around!

From pre exams, school final exams, to college exams, competitive exams, professional course assessments, paper submissions… the list goes on. A stressful time for students and parents alike!

We understand that this kind of stress, in particular, is largely unavoidable. However, we can surely review the way we deal with it all. An effort has to be made to alleviate stress. ‘Cos stress silently triggers much within our body, the impact of which we do not realise until later.

Your hair is one of the first organs to show a reaction to stress. Severe stress affects the hair’s growth cycle, leading to more hair fall than usual.

Let us first help you understand how stress can affect you and your hair. We will then move to discuss how you can deal with it, overall, and specifically, how to stay clear of hair worries

How does stress affect you?

Emotional or mental stress gives rise to chain reactions in your body. It’s not just how you ‘feel’. There are actual physiological stress responses that include gastric, cardiovascular and hormonal changes. The organs that feel the ‘stress’ are your brain, nerves, muscles, joints, your heart, stomach, pancreas, intestines and your reproductive system. Your skin and hair, the most visible parts of your body show a tremendously negative reaction as well – hair fall and acne, to name a couple.

Stress alters the hormonal balance in your body. Hormones, as you know, are chemicals that are produced by various glands in your body’s endocrine system. They travel through your bloodstream, to various organs and tissues, telling the organs what or what not to do! Most bodily functions and processes are regulated by these hormones. So any disturbance to its balance can affect a wide range of functions, including your hair growth cycle.

Studies have shown that stress causes changes in serum levels of certain hormones like glucocorticoids, catecholamines, growth hormone, prolactin, cortisol, and thyroid hormone. While some of these changes are needed for your ‘fight or flight’ response, it can at large lead to bodily concerns. If you are someone who is already having endocrine disorders or fluctuating hormones, stress makes matters worse.

It is also important to remember that when you are feeling stressed, your immune system also responds a tad different than normal. Emotional stress has been observed to cause oxidative stress, which has been implicated quite a bit in depression, anxiety disorders and overall high anxiety levels. This state leads to a certain type of cell death. To give you a context, cell death is often discussed for its relevance to development, degenerative diseases, and even cancer.

Yes, the effects of stress can be minimal (when dealt with, head-on) or wide (when not handled!). It all rests on how it is managed. Do understand it’s implications, make your loved ones aware of it (parents – do have a chat with your stressed student-kids) and deal with it in a collaborative manner.

What happens to your hair when you are stressed?

As mentioned above, when you are stressed, your body releases certain hormones, and the overall hormonal balances are disturbed/altered as a response. These changes communicate with the cells throughout your body, including your hair molecules.

When it comes to stress and hormones, women typically experience imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels, while men experience imbalances in their testosterone levels. Having said that, both genders have a proportion of both sex hormones and see it get affected by stress.

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a fine example of this – a byproduct of the male hormone testosterone, whose increased levels are damaging to the hair follicles. DHT shrinks the hair follicles, shortening their life and leading to tremendous hair fall. Do read our blog on the topic to understand the effect of DHT on hair.

Chronic stress is known to throw your hormones off the radar, and this becomes an underlying condition for various hair & scalp complications. The erratic routines that are typically followed during stressful periods, such as during exam times, further aggravate the situation – lack of sleep, irregular meal times/ skipping of meals, lack of nutritious well-balanced diet, inadequate consumption of water, skipping oiling/washing/hair wash routine, to name a few concerns.

What are the hair problems that get triggered/ aggravated due to stress?

The most common forms of hair loss caused by stress are Diffuse Hair Loss and Telogen Effluvium where there is excessive hair loss from the entire scalp and not in any specific pattern such as with FPT or MPT.

The most common stress-related hair problem is Telogen Effluvium (TE). This is when the Telogen phase of your hair growth cycle is prolonged. It is characterized by diffuse hair loss and hair thinning. Diffuse hair loss in itself is known to be a direct result of physiological and emotional stress.

To understand TE, it is important to understand the hair growth cycle. Do read up on it. With TE, the Anagen phase slows down, pushing lesser follicles into the next stage – approx. 30% of the hair follicles move into the Telogen phase – more than normal – ideally, 85-90% of your scalp hair is in the anagen stage, 1% in the catagen phase and 10-15% in the telogen phase. Prolonged telogen phase, with more hairs getting pushed into it, means hair loss. Do read our blog on the topic to understand the condition better.

Trichotillomania is another problem that is seen much in students dealing with stress. It is an impulse-control disorder noticed in children, teenagers and young adults, directly related to stress. It is when you have an overpowering desire, an impulsive action, to pull out your hair. While it’s predominantly pulling hair from the scalp, there are instances when it is observed being pulled from other places of the body such as eyebrows or eyelashes. It is a psychosomatic disorder that needs clinical treatment.

Alopecia Areata is yet another hair problem that can be triggered due to chronic stress. As you would have read on our earlier blogs, this is an autoimmune disorder wherein the hair follicles are attacked by the body’s immune system, leading to hair loss. It gives rise to bald patches or spots on the scalp and hence also known as spot baldness. Emotional stress leading to use of antidepressants or other medication increases the probability of getting Alopecia disorder. This is again a condition that needs clear clinical diagnosis & professional intervention.

Research has shown that in the student community, stress-related hair problems are more pronounced in those in university/college. Otherwise latent disorders too have a tendency to flare up when under severe stress.

Thus, stress impacts the body, and particularly one’s hair, in a very direct manner. The ill-effects of an attacked or compromised immune system can be catastrophic.

Before we speak on what you can do to shield yourselves and your hair from the effects of stress, there is one important aspect we would want to highlight.

With hair loss, the cause of the loss occurs about 2 or 3 months BEFORE the actual hair loss. This is because of the internal imbalance, point in discussion being severe stress, causes many of the growing hairs to pass prematurely to the resting ‘telogen’ phase. The hair remains in this phase for about 2 or 3 months and THEN falls out. We then start to worry, three months after the actual cause has occurred!

Temporary self-correcting diffuse hair loss will begin 2 or 3 months after the event causing the hair loss, and no treatment can really quite stop the loss. It will start after 2-3 months and return to its normal state after 6 months. You will simply need to care for it as always, with a balanced diet and a disciplined hair care regimen. Unless there’s an unknown underlying medical condition for your hair loss, the concern should only last for, say the 6 months, around the particular period of stress or anxiety.

Permanent diffuse hair loss will not be corrected unless the causative factor is corrected. This needs a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment – both for the causative factor and your hair individually, yet cohesively.

So! Now when you are at the peak of the exam season, take due care! And you won’t have to sweat it 3 months from now!

Some tips to keep the stress out of your hair!

Stress and hair fall are connected in a vicious circle that only you can put a brake on. Your hair shouldn’t be adding to your existing worldly worries! If you’re losing hair because of stress or anxiety, then the first thing to attack is to get those stress levels under control. Do not panic. And get acting. The earlier you learn to manage stress, the sooner your hair concerns get addressed.

Here’s what you can do as you go through your exams and study schedules.

Have a clear plan. Get yourself organised and chart a clear schedule to help you stay ahead of timelines. Efficient time management can cut down stress and anxiety by half! Easier said than done, we know. But it’s important that you do this!

Learn to relax. Consciously try to not ‘react’ to situations and get stressed. Acknowledge it and work on it. Learn to take a step back, and view things calmly. Take on any form of relaxation that suits you and your body; anything that helps you manage the stress. Spend time on yoga, meditation, music, dance, a stroll, reading a book…whatever helps to calm those nerves and give you some mental space. This can go a long way in dealing with stress.

Eat healthily. Nothing else can amp up your spirits, body, mind, and hair, like a good well-balanced meal. A balanced meal with all those Hair Foods will ensure that your hair is strong enough to make that stress-ball bounce right off! Take your trichologist’s advice on nutritional supplements for your hair. Do not self-prescribe.

Drink up. Water! Not sodas and caffeine. Water, with all those magical minerals in it, does wonders for your body and hair. When you are well-hydrated, half your battle is won. Stress per se can cause dehydration. Anxiety makes your heart rate go up, and your breathing heavier, thereby losing more fluids. Not to mention that when you are all wound up in stress, you forget to drink water! Studies have actually indicated that when you are just half a litre dehydrated – your cortisol (stress hormone) levels shoot up. When you are hydrated, you reduce the level of the physiological responses to stress. This doesn’t mean drinking 8 glasses at a time! Keep drinking small amounts of water throughout the day.

Stay active. Exercise regularly. Stay active and fit. Exercise has the ability to reduce the levels of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. Staying active with any form of exercise helps stimulate the production of endorphins, the chemicals in our brain that functions as our body’s natural painkillers and mood uplifters. Exercise also helps regulate sleep, which in turn can reduce stress and relieve tension in the body.

No tight hairdos. If you have long hair, wear it comfortably. Braids would be our recommendation. But not too tight that they put a strain on your hair follicles, which are already under attack from within thanks to stress.

Oiling. Not only is this good for your hair but great to help you relax. A good oil massage will nourish your hair while giving you the much-needed relaxation and soothing effect amidst all the chaos and stress around you. Do not skip this routine, especially during the periods of high tension! Oil regularly and wash your hair with a scalp cleanser. Condition and deep condition whenever you get the time, once a week. Keep your hair moisturised and nourished.

Go for a trim before things get too hectic – to sail through the next couple of months. Your hair needs a trim periodically. It helps keep damage at bay and makes it easier to maintain. Not to mention a new cut or style can lift those spirits a bit!

Sleep well. Aim for 8 hours of sleep every night. If you can manage about 7, you will be fine. And if 8 hours are not quite working out, take those power naps when you can during the day. A 20-minute power nap can do wonders. It will instantly revive you.

Speak up. Ask for help. Stay in the company of people who engage you, motivate you and not add on to the stress! When you feel things are getting out of control, speak up. Talking aloud about the things on your plate can help declutter your mind, and this helps reduce stress. Seek help when in need, and take help when it is extended. There is nothing to feel hesitant about.

Don’t be hard on yourself. Breathe. Calm your nerves once in a while with a deep breath and remind yourself of your many strengths. Don’t beat yourself up on what’s not done. Review the work done every now and then. Take satisfaction from the tasks accomplished before you chug forward.

While we have spoken about the exam season, the related stress and what you should be mindful of in this context, self-care (be it your overall health, your hair, or emotions) is important year-round. It has to be given its due importance and prioritised, especially when in stressful situations.

Every lock comes with a key. As do hair problems. Don’t let stress get to your hair. When stress crosses a threshold, it starts rendering your hair dull, lifeless, dry, brittle and prone to breakage. If stress and hair loss persists, in spite of measures taken to control it, do visit a Trichologist. There may be some underlying condition you need to have checked. Consult a trichologist and address your hair concerns the right way.

A trichologist will carry out a detailed analysis of your hair & scalp condition, your routine and diet, along with your medical case history. If he/she feels that you are a tad too stressed, they will also help you with some tips to handle the situation! This apart, once a diagnosis is drawn, if need be you will be prescribed appropriate treatment. It could be a topical treatment, basic hair fall treatments, rejuvenating therapies, changes to diet or routine habits, or other specific tricho treatments, depending on your hair’s need.

Take care and keep your hair out of the exam season! It can be done quite simply, we assure you!

We sign off with our best wishes for success, to you and your loved ones, this season!

If you need any help with your hair, you know we are just a call away!

For more handy tips on hair care, do check out blogs. Perhaps a good way to take a break from your exam schedules & destress! You can also connect with us on social media on the links below. Please leave your questions & comments, and we will address them all!

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