August is Hair Loss Awareness Month!

How Stress, Diet, and Hormones Affect Your Hair — And What You Can Do About It

Your hair tells a story — and sometimes, that story includes unexpected shedding, thinning, or breakage. If you’ve noticed changes in your hair, you’re not alone. August is Hair Loss Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to learn how everyday factors like stress, diet, and hormones can impact your hair health.

The Stress Factor: When Life Gets Overwhelming, Your Hair Feels It

Stress isn’t just a mental strain — it can have visible effects on your body, including your hair. High stress levels can push hair follicles into a “resting” phase, leading to a condition called telogen effluvium, where more hairs fall out than usual.

Common Stress-Related Hair Loss Triggers:

• Major life changes (job transitions, loss, relationship changes)
• Chronic illness or hospitalization
• Significant emotional stress or anxiety

The good news? Stress-related hair loss is often temporary. Addressing the underlying stressors and working with a dermatologist can help restore your hair’s natural growth cycle.

Diet & Hair Health: You Are What You Eat

Your hair needs essential nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Poor nutrition or restrictive diets can lead to deficiencies that directly impact hair growth and quality.

Key Nutrients for Healthy Hair:

• Protein — The building block of hair
• Iron — Vital for oxygenating hair follicles
• Zinc & Biotin — Support hair structure and strength
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids — Nourish the scalp and support hair health

Incorporating a balanced diet rich in these nutrients — or discussing supplementation with your dermatologist — can make a noticeable difference.

Hormones: The Hidden Hair Influencers

Hormones regulate many of your body’s functions, including hair growth cycles. Hormonal shifts due to pregnancy, postpartum changes, menopause, thyroid disorders, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to increased shedding or hair thinning.

Signs Your Hair Loss May Be Hormonal:

• Thinning at the crown or part line
• Diffuse thinning over the scalp
• Excessive shedding post-pregnancy or during menopause

Consulting with a board-certified dermatologist is key to understanding if hormonal imbalances are affecting your hair and what treatments may help.

Taking Control of Your Hair Health

The first step toward healthier hair is understanding the underlying causes of hair loss. Whether it’s stress, nutrition, or hormones, our expert dermatology team is here to help you create a personalized treatment plan.

✨ Ready to take control of your hair health? Schedule a consultation with us today.