Hair loss and fatigue

Fatigue, one of the causes of hair loss

Physical and psychological fatigue, closely linked to stress and burnout, can have an impact on hair loss. We explain everything.

• Fatigue associated with an emotional shock can lead to reactional hair loss, known as “acute telogen effluvium”. It usually appears three to four months after a triggering factor. The hair cycle is thus disrupted, triggering an abrupt, diffuse and simultaneous loss of hair in the telogen phase. Hair loss can reach 300 hairs per day, compared to the normal rate of 60.
• Fatigue associated with more intense stress or with a low-calorie diet can also cause hair loss and could lead to more severe temporary loss, referred to as “acute telogen effluvium”. More women are affected than men. Once the triggering factor has been identified and eliminated, the outcome is always positive. Patients need to wait 6 months before they will see new regrowth, and between 12 and 18 months before hair returns to its original state.
• Fatigue associated with an iron deficiency(or a lack of iron in the blood, with or without anemia) can cause chronic hair loss, scientifically referred to as “chronic telogen effluvium”. It generally appears sporadically over the course of several years in middle-aged women with healthy, thick and shiny hair initially.

Hair loss and fatigue: how to overcome it

Unlike androgenetic alopecia, the upside to occasional hair loss is that it is reversible, provided that you quickly apply good hair care methods and adopt good habits. Start by watching what you eat: fueling up on vitamins is essential for fighting against fatigue and counteracting its direct side effect, hair loss.

Stop using shampoos and hair care products that are overly harsh on the scalp, and opt instead for gentle products dedicated to “tired” hair. At this point, anti-hair loss shampoo and lotion should be an integral part of your routine. Regarding this last point, be sure to choose your products depending on the type of hair loss (occasional or chronic) you are experiencing. Finally, with hair loss and stress being closely linked, do not hesitate to ask your doctor for help with identifying the causes of your burnout. A treatment of food supplements containing vitamins and minerals may be helpful given the essential role they play in the hair’s physiology. Sophrology or hypnosis sessions with a psychologist can also help you learn to manage stress or explain your level of fatigue. We mustn't forget to mention, of course, the benefits of regular moderate physical activity.