Stress-Related Hair Loss? Study Finds '59% Experienced It'

Have you ever been studying intensely and suddenly flinched when you saw a strand of hair fall onto your book?

You may have gotten used to the hair that falls out every time you wash your hair, but when you see it scatter onto your desk, it somehow weighs on your mind.

Is it just because you're tired? Or is there really a health problem?

Starting from this question, a research team from the School of Medicine at Syiah Kuala University in Indonesia conducted an interesting study.

"Is the stress students experience actually related to hair loss?"

The research team randomly selected 100 male and female university students between the ages of 20 and 25 and examined each person's stress level and degree of hair loss.

Stress levels were divided into five stages: 'normal,' 'slight,' 'moderate,' 'severe,' and 'very severe,' and the degree of hair loss was measured at the same time.

The results were more surprising than expected. A total of 59% of participants were experiencing noticeable hair loss with reduced hair volume, and the more severe the stress group, the more pronounced the hair loss.

This result was also scientifically meaningful.

Statistical analysis showed a clear correlation between stress and hair loss.

The statement, "It seems like my hair is falling out because of stress," was not just a matter of feeling.

Our hair grows and sheds by repeating three stages: the growth phase, the regression phase, and the resting phase.

This cycle must be maintained normally for hair to stay healthy, but when stress becomes excessive, this flow breaks down.

Sudden environmental changes or ongoing mental tension push hair prematurely into the shedding stage.

As a result, stress-related hair loss can occur, with hair shedding heavily in a short period of time.

If you remember a time when your hair seemed to fall out more during exam periods, while preparing for a job change, or before an important presentation, that is exactly the kind of situation this refers to.

The hopeful fact is that hair loss caused by stress is mostly temporary.

When the stressor disappears and your body and mind recover, hair begins to grow again.

What matters is noticing it early and taking care of your body and mind.

Enough sleep, regular meals, light exercise, and, if needed, counseling.

These are the basics for protecting your hair.

This is a case that scientifically shows that even university students who look young and healthy are vulnerable to stress, and that the result can appear as visible physical changes.

Hair loss does not happen only because of aging or genetic reasons.

The fatigue, anxiety, and sleepless nights you are experiencing now can also affect your hair.

If you feel like your hair has been falling out more than usual lately, take a look at your daily routine before changing your shampoo.

Have you been eating on time? Have you slept enough? What stress is weighing you down?

Hair does not speak. Instead, it simply falls out one by one, quietly sending us signals.

It's time for hairhair, this was Kim Jin-oh.

Pilsaengsinmo (必生新毛).

References

Mufti, N.S., Lestari, W., Hajar, S. and Kusuma Atmaja, R.M.A.P., 2024. Correlation between stress level and hair loss in students. Universitas Syiah Kuala, School of Medicine.

[This post is written directly by a board-certified plastic surgeon for informational purposes in accordance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Services Act. Hair loss surgery and treatment may have side effects, and should be carefully decided upon through consultation with a specialist.]