Severa, sudden and abundant. These are the characteristics of the so-called reactional hair loss. It’s one subscriber loss caused mainly as a result of a strong stress for the organism. Unlike seasonal hair loss, it is a phenomenon that is not necessarily linked to the change of season. How to recognize it.
Reactional hair loss, the cause is strong stress on the body
Hair is very sensitive. In addition to the normal seasonal falltypical of spring and autumn, which is part of the natural replacement of the hair, the so-called can also appear reactional fall. In this case, the loss is caused by external factors that put the body under stress.
«This phenomenon is called Acute Telogen Effluvium is a temporary and sudden hair loss that generally appears 2-3 months after a stressful event for the body» explains doctor la Dr. Chiara Bocchi, trichologist and specialist in dermatology at the Aesthe Medica clinic in Ferrara.
After giving birth, an extreme diet, severe stress, fever
The causes behind the phenomenon are different: «Definitely the hormonal changes are more frequentabove all after giving birth. In this case, in fact, you have one imbalance of male hormones which lead to the loss of more than 100 hairs a day. But the phenomenon periods of intense stress can also occur or it can be caused by a prolonged tiredness, unbalanced diets or feverish illnesses”.
«These phenomena can have significant impacts at the cellular level and on the hair follicles, going to damaging the scalp and thus altering hair growth» explains the expert.
What happens to the hair
«The psychological and physical stress underlying reactional hair loss it also translates into stress at the cellular level. Which, in turn, causes the release of neuromediators, including substance Pwhich cause a inflammatory chain effect and sharp. This causes the release of a pro-inflammatory agent, TNF-a. This agent inhibits the hair cycle: hair suddenly and prematurely enters the telogen phase. Therefore leading to a sudden and drastic loss” explains the doctor.
Poor micro-circulation is also one of the mechanisms that causes a lack of nutrients to the hair bulbs, preventing healthy hair growth, and a weak anchoring of the shafts to the roots. A lack of energy, nutrients and trace elements can therefore lead to a premature telogen phase.
How much hair can you lose?
«In physiological conditions, approximately 85% of hair is in the growth phase (anagen) and less than 10% in the shedding phase (telogen)».
When a telogen effluvium, «many follicles enter the falling phase at the same time. Consequentially the percentage of hair that falls out can reach up to 30%, causing much more noticeable loss than usual. In practice this means that you can switch between one physiological loss of 50-100 hairs per day up to 200-300 hairs per day. It is precisely this sudden and widespread fall that often alarms those who experience it.”
An event delayed, even months later
A characteristic aspect of post-stress fall is the delay in its onset. In fact, it is not immediate: it can often present itself several months after the triggering cause: «The hair first enters the resting phase and falls out only after a few weeks or months. For example, an infection with fever in January can result in a more intense fall around March or April».
It’s not definitive
It is important to underline that it is one benign and reversible condition. Once the triggering factor has been identified, the hair then resumes its normal life cycle.
“THE first signs of regrowth typically appear within 4-6 months, while it may take 12 months or more to return to initial density. Be careful that the phenomenon does not last more than six monthsotherwise it is important to contact a specialist to rule out the development of Chronic Telogen Effluvium, a condition in which the triggering factor persists over time.”
How to take care of your hair in the meantime
«During this phase it may be useful to support the hair cycle with abalanced diet or specific supplements, as well as treating your hair delicately: avoid overly tight hairstyles, limit aggressive treatments and choose delicate shampoos.”
A very often underestimated gesture is also massage of the scalp, so as to stimulate the local microcirculation and integrate specific supplements and lotions into the hair routine.
