How does Insomnia Affect Our Hair?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that is characterised by trouble falling asleep, problems remaining asleep, or both. Insomnia can affect either or all of these aspects of sleep. It is possible for persons of any age to have this condition, and its causes can range from anxiety and stress to medical disorders and the medications used to treat those conditions. People who struggle with insomnia frequently experience a number of other symptoms as well, including feelings of exhaustion, anger, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. However, one of the symptoms of sleeplessness that is less well-known is hair loss. In this piece, we will investigate the link between sleeplessness and hair, as well as address the ways in which sleeplessness might influence the health of our hair.

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The Link between Insomnia and Hair Loss

A wide range of factors, including heredity, hormonal shifts, and medical disorders, can all play a role in hair thinning and loss. On the other hand, studies have shown that a prolonged lack of sleep can also contribute to hair loss. This is due to the fact that not getting enough sleep can throw off the regular sleep-wake cycle of the body, which can result in hormone imbalances and inflammation. The hair growth cycle can be negatively impacted as a result of these abnormalities, which can then lead to hair loss.

There are three stages that make up the hair development cycle: the anagen, the catagen, and the telogen stages. During the anagen phase, also known as the active growth phase, the hair grows between 0.3 and 0.4 millimetres on a daily basis, on average. It is during the catagen phase, also known as the transition phase, which the hair stops growing and begins to get ready to fall out. The telogen phase, also known as the resting phase, is when hair falls out and the anagen phase, in which new hair begins to grow, occurs. The equilibrium of these phases can be thrown off by insomnia, which leads to the hair entering the telogen phase earlier than normal. This might result in a thinning of the hair as well as hair loss. Insomnia can also cause the body to release cortisol, which is a stress hormone that can further interrupt the natural cycle of hair growth.

Inflammation and Insomnia

Insomnia, which is known to cause inflammation throughout the body, is another factor that can contribute to hair loss. Inflammation is the natural response of the body to a wound or an infection, and it is a contributing factor in a wide variety of chronic health disorders, including hair loss. Insomnia can lead to inflammation in the body because it throws off the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and triggers the release of molecules that are pro-inflammatory. Because of this inflammation, the hair follicles may become damaged, which may eventually result in hair loss.

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Our Bodies?

As was stated before, once you find a solution to your sleeping issues, you won’t experience any further hair loss. On the other hand, if your hair loss is primarily due to genetic factors, then this problem will most certainly continue to get worse with time. Different hair loss patterns might be seen in males and females with the same condition. Whereas male pattern baldness typically manifests itself as a receding hairline or thinning on the crown, female pattern baldness typically affects the entire crown of the head. If this is the case, a hair transplant may be the only option available to you in order to restore the density of your hair.

Will a good night’s sleep solve my hair thinning issue?

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule will unquestionably improve how you feel, but it is important to keep in mind that lack of sleep is not the only factor that can lead to hair loss. There are many other aspects of your lifestyle that can have an effect on your hair loss, such as an extreme diet that is excessively high in protein, lifestyle factors such as smoking, the use of oral contraceptives, or medications that are used to control blood pressure.

 

Tips for Managing Insomnia-Related Hair Loss

There are a few things that may be done to treat insomnia if you are suffering hair loss and believe that it may be related to the lack of sleep that you are getting.

• Improve Your Sleeping Environment: Your ability to fall asleep can be significantly influenced by the surrounding environment. It may be more challenging for you to get a good night’s sleep if, for instance, the temperature in your bedroom is fairly high or if there is a lot of noise. As a result, you ought to maintain a low volume in the space while also making use of a fan or an air conditioner to cool it down. If there are disturbances in the environment that you are unable to control, you should try sleeping with earplugs. If there is no way to completely block out the light in the room, another option is to wear an eye mask.
• Don’t Drink Alcoholic Beverages Right Before Bed: In spite of the fact that you may believe that having a couple of cocktails before bed will help you relax, research shows that drinking alcohol can actually make it more difficult to get a pleasant night’s sleep. If you wish to partake in a few alcoholic beverages, the best time to do so is very early in the evening.
• Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise can leave your body feeling exhausted, which in turn might make it simpler to drift off to sleep at night. Exercising too close to bedtime, though, can keep you from falling asleep, so you should try to avoid doing so if at all possible.
• Do Something Relaxing Before Bed: It is possible that you may have an easier time falling asleep if you engage in a soothing activity for the final hour before retiring for the night. You might, for instance, give yoga or meditation a try for a short period of time. You may also try taking a relaxing hot bath or listening to some soothing music.
• Seek treatment for insomnia: In the event that you are unable to improve the quality of your sleep on your own, it may be beneficial to seek therapy for your insomnia. This may involve taking medication or engaging in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), both of which are treatment options.
• Consult a dermatologist: It is critical that you seek the advice of a dermatologist if you are losing your hair in order to identify the underlying problem. They are able to provide you a variety of treatment choices, including topical and oral drugs, to help increase the development of your hair.

Final Thought

Insomnia is a rather common sleep problem that can have a substantial negative effect on both our general health and our quality of life. The loss of hair is one of the symptoms of insomnia that is not well-known. In conclusion, insomnia can cause a disruption in the natural sleep-wake cycle of the body, which can lead to hormonal imbalances and inflammation, both of which can have an effect on the hair growth cycle.