Let’s talk about sleep and hair loss, but first, it is important that we observe the general common causes of hair loss. Hair loss often correlated with deficiencies within the human body, hereditary illnesses, general diseases, as well as their side effects. Examples for causes of hair loss include, protein deficiency, low vitamin levels, anemia, thyroid disease, and chemotherapy. It is important that we don’t neglect discussing the effects of hormones and hormonal imbalance. For this reason, hormonal imbalances in women during pregnancy, as well as women in menopause and female puberty, play a role in changes within all hair textures, and especially in African-American hair.

Hair loss does not necessarily refer to all of the hair falling off the head. Rather, it often refers to bald patches on the head, which is a symptom of alopecia areata, as well as traction alopecia, that specifically refers to the thinning of hair as a result of tight braids, tight buns and ponytails. Patients who take medicine that result in side effects such as hair loss, tend to experience diffuse hair loss, better known as Telogen Effluvium. This type of hair loss is the thinning of hair throughout the entire scalp.

People tend to lose between 50 to 100 hairs per day, but this is increased with age and stress. Stress often leads to headaches, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, depression, overeating, social withdrawal, and muscle pain. For this reason, it is important to have stable serotonin levels. It is also necessary to get the required hours of sleep, which is at least seven hours at night, in order to balance stress, maintain healthy hair growth, and to attain an overall healthy body.

Sleep is important because it allows the body to restore and rehabilitate the cells, as well as other important functions within the body, so that the average human has the energy to deal with stress, physical, and emotional labor throughout the coming day. A lack of sleep can also lead to the weakening of the immune system, an imbalance in hormone levels, and mental vitality. Hair is very sensitive to these hormonal and emotional changes, and naturally, if the body is unstable, then hair loss and hair damage is a common result.

Now, let’s talk about adrenaline and progesterone. When we are stressed, our body releases adrenaline and this directs blood away from where it is needed, such as the scalp, as it stimulates hair growth. Our body is trying to help us by doing this, as it is then directed towards the heart and the lungs, which provide a more important function. However, this does lead to hair loss. Progesterone is a hormone that is released while being stressed, and this causes hair loss.

Telogen Effluvium can result in hair loss for up to six months, whereas more chronic diseases, or androgenic alopecia, which is genetic, could be more permanent and more difficult to combat. For this reason, it is important to determine whether the hair loss is related to stress, chronic illness, side effects, or genetics, in order to determine the needed treatment to restore hair growth.

Overall it is important to get sleep, take care of mental health, and as usual, avoid using excessive amounts of chemicals, heating tools, products, or tight protection styles. It is never too late to take control of our lives and educate our community on the best decisions to make for our physical, mental, and hair health!