How Do You Know If Your Hair is Stressed?

Most everyone has felt stressed at some point, but did you know that your hair can be stressed, too? It pays to know whether your hair is stressed, given that this stress can lead to a plethora of hair problems. In this article, we’ll tell you what to look for when assessing your hair’s condition. By the end, you’ll be able to tell whether your hair is stressed and take steps to fix it. Let’s get right into it! 

What is Stressed Hair?

For those who don’t know, stressed hair is hair that is either damaged or under some type of strain. It’s essentially hair that could be in a better state. Some of the main causes of stressed hair include over-styling, overprocessing, lack of sun protection, unchecked stress, hair neglect, and more. 

Signs Your Hair is Stressed

Stressed hair almost always announces itself. And that’s a good thing because the signs it gives off can help you pinpoint and remedy the issue. Keep reading for some signs that your hair is stressed. 

Your Hair is Falling Out 

Hair fall is one of the most jarring and overt signs of stressed hair. If you’re losing between 50 and 100 hairs per day, that’s totally fine. You should only be concerned if you’re losing more than that. You may notice hair coming out when you brush or style your hair, after running your fingers through it, or during your showers. Several things could be to blame for this, including: 

• Uncontrolled stress

• Certain medications

• The aging process 

• Hormones 

• Certain medical conditions

• Hair chemical overprocessing

• Heat damage

Your Hair is Dry 

Healthy, adequately managed hair is moisturized and supple to the touch. Stressed hair, by contrast, is dry. Not only will it look dry, but it may also feel dry and rigid. If your hair isn’t as soft as it normally is, there could be something going on with it. Common reasons for this include: 

• Lack of moisturizing products. 

• Skipping the conditioner. 

• Product buildup.  

• Washing your hair with hot water. 

Your Scalp is Dry 

If your scalp is really dry, you may have a problem on your hands. Dry scalp can progress to skin abrasions and infections if left untreated. Some of the main causes of dry scalp include: 

• Cold weather. 

• Washing your hair with hot water. 

• Skin conditions like eczema and dandruff. 

• Excessive heat styling. 

• Dehydration

Your Scalp is Excessively Oily 

Some look at an oily scalp as a normal thing, and it is in some cases. But it can also be caused by some form of stress. When you’re stressed out, the hormones produced can cause your hair follicles in your scalp to go into oil production overload. That’s when you may experience hair greasiness, limpness, lack of volume, and other oil-related issues. Other causes of oily scalp include: 

• Hormonal shifts

• Using the wrong hair care products

• Dietary factors 

• Going out or living in a humid area.

• Overwashing your hair or washing with really hot water, causing your follicles to overcompensate by producing more oil. 

You Have Split Ends

Split ends are another form of hair stress that many overlook. They are points along the hair shaft where one hair splits into two or more sections. It’s a direct sign of hair damage and could stem from: 

• Rough styling or excessive amounts of friction

• Lack of hydration or moisture 

• Wearing your hair in tight styles 

• Aggressive detangling

• Lack of regular trims 

There are many other types of hair stress that you should be aware of; there’s just not enough room to include them all. Hair dullness, slowed hair growth, and itchy scalp are just a few others to be on the lookout for. We hope you found all the information you were looking for and that this article has made it easier for you to determine whether your hair is under stress. We wish you the best of luck with your hair! 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.