4 Ways to Reverse Hair Loss From Stress

By Adetoun Adeyemo. March 22, 2022

Can hair loss be related to stress? The bad news is yes, but the good news is that stress-induced hair loss is usually temporary.

“Telogen effluvium is the scientific name for stress-induced hair loss,” Robert Haber, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon, tells WebMD Connect to Care. Haber says the sources of stress that can lead to this condition include:

Childbirth
Illness
Fever
Surgery
Emotional stress
Significant weight loss

“Fortunately, if the hair loss is strictly due to the stress, complete recovery often occurs after several months to a year,” Haber says.

If you’ve been affected by hair loss from stress, there are some important steps you can take.

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

It’s important for your overall health—and your hair! A 2015 review in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research lists starvation, crash dieting, and malnutrition as some of the causes of telogen effluvium. When it comes to the best foods for preventing hair loss from stress, it’s important to focus on whole foods and a balanced diet. Try to eat foods with:

Lots of fruits and vegetables
Whole grains
Lean protein

2. Take a Supplement

According to a 2016 study in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology, stress-induced hair loss can be caused by certain nutritional deficiencies, including:

Ferritin
Vitamin D
Zinc
Vitamin B12

3. Manage Your Stress

How you handle stress can have an impact on hair loss. If you go through a stressful life event and you don’t seek help, you could have further hair loss.

Stress management techniques you can do at home include:

Yoga
Meditation
Deep breathing
Journaling
Spending time outdoors
Counseling or therapy

4. Stay Hydrated

Get Help Now

While most stress-induced hair loss is temporary, the sooner you address the symptoms of hair loss, the more likely you are to prevent irreversible damage. Speak to a medical professional today to begin your journey to a fuller head of hair.