‘The hidden factor in hair thinning’: why chronic stress causes hair loss – and what to do now to stop it

From the moment I noticed my hair thinning in my mid-40s, I embarked on a programme of hair boosting. I tried iron supplements, eating more protein and an endless raft of expensive shampoos, from hair-loss-specific products to all-natural blends. I booked appointments at specialist trichologists, took supplements and doused my hair with rosemary oil. I even gave my head a nightly 10-minute massage that would apparently ‘boost blood flow to the scalp’ (this made not a jot of difference, apart from amp up my levels of frustration). Minoxidil was the next port of call – the only licensed over-the-counter treatment for hair loss – and that has, at least, halted the shedding. But it’s only with hindsight that I realise something else could have been at play – and that’s the amount of stress in my life, aka the hidden factor in hair thinning.

Stress – especially when it’s chronic or intense – is one of the most common triggers for hair loss, says Dr Sharon Wong, consultant dermatologist and co-founder of DOSE. ‘It prompts the release of hormones and signalling molecules that increase oxidative stress and inflammation around the hair follicles. This disrupts the normal hair growth cycle, pushing more hairs prematurely out of the growth phase (anagen) and into the resting phase (telogen), which is followed by shedding. The result is a noticeable increase in hair fall and reduced volume, a condition known as telogen effluvium, which typically appears around two to three months after the stressful event. Stress can also affect the immune system, sometimes triggering conditions like alopecia areata – an autoimmune form of hair loss that usually causes round patches of baldness, but in more severe cases can lead to widespread hair loss across the scalp and body.’

Nutrition, says Dr Wong, matters – ‘particularly adequate protein and key micronutrients like iron’. But she adds: ‘Managing stress is just as important. Without addressing it, the downstream inflammatory and hormonal effects of stress can continue to disrupt the hair growth cycle, undermining even the best nutritional support.’

The good news is that acute stress-related hair loss is usually temporary. ‘But persistent stress can prolong or worsen hair loss,’ she adds. ‘It may continue to disrupt the hair cycle, hair follicle cell function and, importantly, can reduce how well other treatments work. For this reason, stress management is a fundamental part of improving outcomes and supporting regrowth, regardless of the specific type of stress-induced hair loss.’ In my case, stress stretched over many years – the death of my father was swiftly followed by my partner's redundancy, parenting two neurodivergent children and holding down a four-day a week job in journalism. It’s only recently that life’s felt easier – so perhaps it’s no coincidence that my own thinning seems to have halted, for now.

If you’re affected, what can you do? ‘In all cases of stress-induced hair loss, stress-relieving techniques are recommended as part of a treatment plan,’ says Dr Wong. ‘This may range from breathwork, meditation and mindfulness to more formal psychotherapy techniques and talking therapies. Topical minoxidil, available over the counter, can help reduce shedding and encourage regrowth. In some cases, compounded topical treatments that combine minoxidil with ingredients, such as melatonin and niacinamide, may offer additional benefits by targeting oxidative stress and inflammation around the follicles. For alopecia areata, prescription or in-clinic injectable treatments may be needed for regrowth and would therefore require an appointment with a dermatologist.’