Worried you’re losing your cool and your hair? That’s a scary thought for most women, and a recent post on the blog Eco Pretty caught our attention with its claim that more women are losing hair at a younger age due to stress. Dr. Anna Magee of Charlottesville Dermatology, however, says she has not seen a marked increase in stress-related hair loss in her practice.
Under usual conditions, Magee says that it’s normal to lose 100-200 hairs a day. If you’re starting to worry that you’re losing more than normal, keep track by counting—it might be tedious, but it’s the simplest way to determine the extent of the loss. Eco Pretty gave a good review to John Masters Deep Follicle Treatment & Volumizer for Thinning Hair, a product meant to bolster scalp health and encourage hair growth.
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Losing it? You can get help for a stressed-out scalp. |
On the more severe end of the scale, women who experience extreme stress—triggered by an event such as childbirth, the death of a spouse, or a severe illness—may suffer from telogen effluvium. That means extreme hair shedding from six weeks to two months following the event or illness. Although the condition has no specific treatments, hair typically grows back.
For other types of hair loss, like female pattern baldness, Magee typically advises patients to start with an over-the-counter product that includes minoxidil, like Rogaine. If you have concerns, keep your hat on and get to the doctor.
