Clinical Research Examines Stress Baldness Link

relaxation could have a very positive effect on your hair

It is commonly known that extreme stress and anxiety can cause hair loss in men and women but not much is known about the actual process and the extent that people can blame their hair loss on these psychological conditions.

A new study done at the University of Luebeck which was led by Professor Ralf Paus makes clear that hormonal reactions that are triggered when in stressful situations can lead to a higher production of the specific hormones testosterone and cortisol which are both known to play a part in male pattern baldness and other types of alopecia.

The compound testosterone which is produced in large quantities by men is very much part of the process which causes male pattern baldness. The testosterone in the body is converted to Dihydrotestosterone which forms in the scalp and actually kills hair follicles. An excess of cortisol has been known to cause bad skin and an unhealthy scalp which again contributes to hair loss.

The clinical testing done for this research utilised a team of Handball players while they were competing at the 2007 World Championships. These men were obviously undergoing a great deal of tension and stress as they performed and the researchers monitored their hair loss during this period. It was clearly seen that their hair loss increased during this particular championship and the levels of cortisol and testosterone increased too.

Professor Paus also conducted tests with rats which showed that extreme stress had an effect on the health of the hair follicle roots. He went on to say that the results were not 100% definite but that it was “quite possible” that relaxation could have a very positive effect on your hair. People who are relaxed and who do not suffer from stress tend to have better skin than those people who are under a great deal of tension. It is likely therefore that the hair can also be affected by these things.