Life brings stress, but losing hair doesn’t have to be part of the package. Could vitamins for stress and hair loss be one way to fight back against stress-induced hair fall? Perhaps!
There are over 100,000 hair follicles on the adult scalp, constantly cycling between growth and rest. Most hair is in the anagen (or growth) phase, and as it transitions into the telogen (or resting) phase, hair sheds.
Shedding up to 100 hair strands per day is completely normal, but when too much of that pesky stress hormone (AKA cortisol) enters the picture, things take a turn.
Significant stress can trigger an abrupt shift of hairs into the telogen phase, leading to telogen effluvium – a condition in which hair sheds excessively.
Severe stress could also trigger your immune system to attack your hair follicles and cause hair loss, known as alopecia areata.
At Daniel Alain, we understand how debilitating stress-related hair loss can be. We're here to reassure you that it doesn’t have to be permanent. With the right strategies, like vitamins for stress and hair loss or clinically proven solutions, you can revive your confidence and defend your tresses against the stresses of life.
Whether you start taking vitamins for stress-related hair loss daily, opt for more intensive solutions like INTACT or Minoxidil for men and women, or explore techniques for reducing stress — we’re breaking down all your options for taking back control and falling even more in love with your hair.
What Vitamins MAY HELP STRESS-RELATED HAIR LOSS?
Excess stress can trigger your body to produce too much cortisol. This can lead to many adverse health effects, including potential hair loss. This is because when the body is under chronic stress, it may not be able to properly nourish the hair follicles, leading to hair loss or thinning.
Vitamins are a great way to get your body’s cortisol levels back in sync. While they can help restore your hair to its former glory, they can also benefit your overall health.
But vitamins for stress hair loss can only go so far in the face of prolonged, significant stress. To truly address stress-induced hair loss, it’s necessary to focus on reducing stress itself.
I know, I know — Easier said than done, right?
Incorporating stress-reduction techniques into your daily routine, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises, is a good place to start. Getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet can also help balance your cortisol levels.
To be safe, you’ll also want to minimize the use of harsh hair care products and heat tools to protect your hair follicles from further damage.
Combining stress reduction with the right vitamins can be a powerful way to address the effects of stress on the body and improve the health of your hair.
So which supplement is right for you? Here’s our list of the best vitamins for stress and hair loss:
Selenium
Stored mostly in muscle tissue, selenium is essential for supporting your body's overall health and optimal thyroid function.
Your thyroid gland, in particular, relies heavily on selenium to produce selenoproteins that help keep it working as it should. In fact, the thyroid gland contains the highest concentration of selenium in the body.
In addition to keeping your thyroid in working order, selenoproteins protect the body from oxidative stress, which can lead to the breakdown of hair follicles and eventual loss of hair.
Selenium is even considered one of the best vitamins for stress and hair loss in patients struggling with telogen effluvium.
The catch? Too much selenium could have the opposite effect and trigger more hair loss — so be sure to stick to the recommended dose.
Incorporating selenium supplementation can also help:
Biotin
Biotin, or vitamin B-7, is one of the most well-known vitamins for stress hair loss and hair growth in general. There’s a reason you see biotin in almost every pill for addressing hair fall — it all comes down to a little protein called keratin.
Keratin is the main structural and protective component for your hair, skin, and nails. It also supports your overall health in myriad ways, including giving your hair strength, elasticity, and defense from damage.
Biotin stimulates keratin protection, resulting in stronger, healthier hair. Some studies even suggest that it doesn’t just reduce hair fall but may foster hair growth, as well.
Along with giving your hair a boost, biotin supplementation may:
Fatty Acids
Fatty acid supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, are beneficial vitamins for hair loss from stress because they promote healthy hair growth and prevent any further breakdown of hair follicles.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that your body needs to function but cannot produce independently. They’re important for maintaining overall health, as they have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
As far as hair, omega-3 fatty acids provide the necessary building blocks for healthy growth. They may also prevent the breakdown of hair follicles by reducing scalp inflammation and stimulating the production of healthy oils that keep it moisturized.
In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, other fatty acids like omega-6 and linoleic acid can also boost hair health.
Other benefits of incorporating more fatty acids in your diet include:
- Supports healthy cell membrane formation
- Supports brain and nervous system function
- Improves thyroid and adrenal activity
- Prevents blood clotting
B-Vitamins
B-Vitamins are a set of eight water-soluble nutrients essential for optimal body function. They’re responsible for processing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as supporting the nervous system, producing hormones, and creating red blood cells.
The B-Vitamins are made up of:
- Thiamine (Vitamin B-1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2)
- Niacin (Vitamin B-3)
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B-5)
- Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6)
- Biotin (Vitamin B-7)
- Folic acid (Vitamin B-9)
- Cobalamin (Vitamin B-12)
What makes this group of nutrients such good vitamins for stress hair loss, though?
B-Vitamins foster healthy cell rejuvenation by boosting your production of red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen throughout the body and micronutrients that keep your organs in tip-top shape — your scalp included.
B-Vitamin supplementation can also improve your overall health by:
- Regulating the adrenal glands
- Improving metabolic processes
- Supporting brain function
- Supporting your heart, liver, and kidneys
Vitamin A
Vitamin A (or retinoids) is a fat-soluble nutrient that’s naturally present in many foods. It’s essential for healthy vision, growth, cell division, reproduction, and immunity. Vitamin A also has antioxidant properties, which protect your cells against free radicals.
As far as vitamins for stress and hair loss, vitamin A is vital in helping cells grow and promoting sebum production, similar to the way fatty acids do. Sebum is an oil that keeps the scalp moisturized and prevents your hair from becoming dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.
And a healthy scalp equals healthy hair!
But go easy — like selenium, excess consumption of vitamin A can have the opposite effect on your hair.
Other perks of incorporating vitamin A supplementation in your regimen include:
- Preserving your eyesight
- Reducing your risk of cancer
- Boosting your immune system
- Improving chronic acne
- Maintaining healthy bones
- Promoting healthy reproduction
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is another fat-soluble vitamin essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It does this by helping the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus: both vital for bone health.
Some evidence suggests that vitamin D is also important for maintaining healthy hair. This results from lower levels of vitamin D, which have been linked to hair loss and poor hair growth. Like vitamin A and fatty acids, this nutrient regulates your scalp’s oil production keeping your scalp and hair hydrated, healthy, and happy.
Besides being one of the best vitamins for stress and hair loss, what else can vitamin D do for your overall health? It can:
Vitamin E
Wrapping up our list of vitamins for stress hair loss is vitamin E.
Vitamin E is thought of as a single nutrient, but it’s really a group of eight fat-soluble compounds — the main one being alpha-tocopherol.
This vitamin is a natural antioxidant essential for stronger hair growth and a healthy scalp. In addition to reducing oxidative stress, vitamin E increases capillary circulation in the scalp, thereby promoting hair growth. (Minoxidil works similarly but has a much stronger effect).
Taking vitamin E can also help you:
- Lower your risk of heart disease
- Support those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Manage severe menstrual pain
- Improve skin health
- Improve cognitive health
STOP hair loss due to stresS at daniel alain
Even the best vitamins for stress and hair loss will fall short if you don’t address the root of the problem: your stress.
The good news is you don’t have to do it alone.
At Daniel Alain, we’re with you every step of the way.
From stress-related hair loss to thyroid hair loss and everything in between, we’re proud to provide safe, affordable, and effective hair loss solutions that keep you feeling your absolute best — no matter what life throws your way.
Tired of hair loss supplements and products that don’t deliver? Let’s turn to scientifically-backed solutions.
If hair shedding is adding to your stress, it’s time to meet the INTACT Anti Hair Shedding Treatment. This patented, clinically proven treatment feels like a luscious hair mask and helps retain hair after the very first use.
The secret? Our patented PiliLock® Sevilla Orange Complex that literally locks your hair in place.
If diffuse hair loss is holding you back, Minoxidil for men and women can set you free.
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As the only FDA-approved product for regrowing hair, Minoxidil pushes your hair into the growing phase — giving you new growth and stronger, healthier hair.
Get proactive about your hair and order your Minoxidil Response Test for Men or the Minoxidil Response Test for Women to determine if Minoxidil is the answer for you.
Stress happens, but hair loss doesn’t have to. Visit Daniel Alain today to get your hair (and confidence) back on track.
- Not sure which hair loss solution is right for you? Book a consultation for personalized guidance from our team of hair experts.
- Boost your confidence and camouflage stress-related hair loss with a premium hair topper that looks just like your natural hair.
- Visit our learning center for additional tips, resources, and strategies for managing hair loss.
book a free consultation
Our stylists will help you find the right hair loss solution just for you
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Stress-related Hair Loss?
Stress-induced hair loss is triggered by severe, prolonged stress. This typically results from major, negative life events (such as the death of a loved one, financial burdens, divorce, work-related issues, etc.)
How Does Stress Affect the Hair Growth Cycle?
Significant emotional stress can shift an abnormal amount of hair follicles into the telogen phase simultaneously, resulting in excess hair shedding, called telogen effluvium.
What Can I Take for Hair Loss Due to Stress?
Some vitamins for stress and hair loss you can take are:
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Biotin
- Fatty acids
- B-complex Vitamins
- Vitamins A, D, or E
Can You Regrow Hair After Losing it From Stress?
Usually, yes. Most stress-induced hair loss is temporary. However, in some cases, hair doesn’t always return to its normal density.
How Do I Know if Stress is Causing Hair Loss?
If you’re losing more than 100 hair strands daily or suddenly notice bald patches on your scalp, you might suffer from stress-related hair loss.
What Does Stress Hair Loss Look Like?
Stress-related hair loss can vary from excess hair shedding to patches of hair loss along the scalp.
How Long Does it Take to Stop Hair Loss From Stress?
Stress-related hair loss is often temporary, lasting only three to six months before your normal hair cycle resumes.
What is the Best Way to Treat Stress Hair Loss?
The best way to treat stress-related hair loss is to reduce stress. You can also try incorporating vitamins for stress hair loss or more aggressive hair loss solutions, such as an anti-hair shedding treatment or regrowth medication.
Is There a Way to Immediately Stop Stress Hair Loss?
Yes! The INTACT Anti-Hair Shedding Treatment is the only treatment on the market clinically proven to reduce excessive hair shedding in as little as 30 minutes.
Does Intact Actually Work for Hair Loss Due to Stress?
It depends. For initial signs of thinning or shedding, INTACT is an ideal solution for retaining hair and preventing further hair fall during high-shed activities, such as brushing, washing, styling, etc.
However, more significant hair loss may be better addressed with Minoxidil, the generic form of the brand-name Rogaine®.
Is Intact Safe to Use on My Hair?
Yes — INTACT is a color-safe, vegan-friendly formula free of gluten, artificial dyes, SD alcohol, silicones, parabens, sulfates, or oils.
Does Intact Regrow My Hair?
Although INTACT doesn’t directly impact your hair’s life cycle, it immediately strengthens that hair you do have, securing it to your scalp and preventing further hair fall.
Does Minoxidil Regrow My Hair?
Yes! Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved product for regrowing hair in both men and women.
Why Doesn't Minoxidil Work for Everyone?
Minoxidil only works if you have sufficient Sulfotransferase (SULT1A1) enzyme levels. People with lower levels of this enzyme may need to boost their SULT1A1 levels to create a healthy hair environment for Minoxidil to work as intended.
Taking the Minoxidil Response Test for Men or the Minoxidil Response Test for Women will help determine if you need a SULT1A1 booster to supplement your Minoxidil treatment.
How Does Minoxidil Testing Work?
After receiving your Response Test, you submit six hair strands to our CLIA-certified lab. Your hair is then analyzed to help determine your scalp’s atmosphere and whether or not you have the SULT1A1 enzyme required for Minoxidil effectiveness.
Then just sit back and wait — In 7-14 days, you’ll receive your digital results!
What if My Test Results are Negative?
If your SULT1A1 activity is too low for Minoxidil effectiveness, you can still use Minoxidil in combination with our Patented SULT1A1 Enzyme Booster for women or men. This booster increases SULT1A1 enzyme levels up to 7X, creating the ideal scalp environment for Minoxidil to work its magic.
Download guide to learn everything about Minoxidil
