Image of man struggling to sleep

Can a lack of sleep cause hair loss?

Today we're going to answer the question - Can a lack of sleep cause hair loss?


It’s important to not underestimate how important sleep is, it links to several brain functions, including:

  • Cognition
  • concentration
  • productivity
Sleep helps the body to repair cells, with some evidence suggesting that getting a good night’s sleep may help you to control your weight through consuming fewer calories during the day. But did you know that not getting enough sleep can directly and indirectly cause hair loss?
In this article, we're going to explain how a lack of sleep can:
  • Indirectly Speed up genetic hair loss - including male pattern baldness  
  • Directly trigger a form of temporary hair loss cause Telogen Effluvium 

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute points out that sleep plays an important role in proper health and overall wellness in your body and is needed for effective:
  • Brain functioning
  • Calorie intake
  • Preventing Depression
  • Lowering risk of heart disease

In this article it was found that lack of sleep can result in higher levels of stress, which are shown to cause hair loss, with some experts actually describe lack of sleep as a form of stress.


Telogen Effluvium can shock follicles into the resting or the shedding period of the hair growth cycle but once the stress is under control and your sleep patterns get back to normal, healthy hair growth should return. It's important to note that hair loss related to stress and hair loss can happen a few months after a stressful or sleep deprived period, and it can take up to six months for full regrowth to become noticeable.
Telogen Effluvium which continues for more than six months is known as Chronic Telogen Effluvium or Diffuse Hair Loss.
This piece of research shows that the body also undergoes numerous cycles during sleep, which promote the stem cell activity that generates epithelial cells for hair growth.
It also highlights that long periods of stress stop the skin and hair follicle functioning properly.

    Lots more research is needed to get to grips with the role that sleep plays in the growth of hair, but so far the research shows that a lack of sleep can have a terrible impact on our health and our hair. 

     

    What to do:

    Sleep at regular times

    Image of a sleep mask


    First of all, keep regular sleeping hours. This programmes the brain and internal body clock to become accustomed to a routine.
    Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. By working out what time you need to wake up, you can set a regular bedtime schedule.


    Wind down
    Winding down is a critical stage in getting ready to sleep. There are lots of ways to relax:

    Relaxing bath

    • A warm bath helps your
    • body reach a temperature that's ideal for rest.
    • Writing "to do" lists for the next day organise your plans and clear your mind of distractions.
    • Light relaxing yoga stretches help to relax the muscles. Avoid vigorous exercise as this has the opposite effect.
    • Try reading a book or listening to the radio as it relaxes the mind by distracting it.
    If hair loss is something that's happening in your life right now, please try It Really Works Vitamins. We've had hundreds of reviews from satisfied users all over the world!

     
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