Losing sleep? Your hair will pay for it
P
une: Over a few months, Raj from Mumbai noticed more hair on his pillowcase than usual. The 29-year-old approached a dermatologist who linked his problem to a poor sleep pattern.
Raj said, "My sleep was hampered for months. I always thought hair loss was about stress or diet, but I never expected lack of sleep to hit this hard. I've lost a lot of hair. After researching and consulting a doctor, I realised that sleep is directly connected to hair health. I corrected my lifestyle and food habits and focused on my sleep pattern and that reduced my hair loss."
Doctors said that sleep deprivation leads to a rise in stress levels that impact hair.
The body creates extra cortisol, a stress hormone and high cortisol levels are associated with telogen effluvium, a disorder in which hair follicles enter the resting phase prematurely, resulting in excessive shedding.
Deep sleep boosts blood flow to the scalp, allowing oxygen and critical nutrients to reach follicles.
Dr Sapana Kamalani, dermatology consultant at Jupiter Hospital in Pune, said sleep regulates critical hormones such as melatonin which helps manage the hair growth cycle.
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Hormonal imbalance resulting from sleep deprivation can result in thinning and delayed regrowth.
She added that deep sleep promotes collagen formation, an important structural protein that promotes healthy hair by strengthening the hair shaft and improving overall scalp health.
"Lack of sleep can cause a dry, irritated scalp and reduced hair structure, leaving hair more susceptible to breaking and thinning.
Finally, sleep is necessary for immune system function. A weakened immune system makes it more difficult for the body to heal damaged cells, particularly those in the scalp and hair follicles affecting hair growth," Dr Kamalani added.
Preeti, a 37-year-old from Pune, said, "Post-partum, I have had many sleepless nights. My hair began to grow thin, appear lifeless, and fall more frequently than usual because of late nights and poor sleep.
I was undergoing treatment for my hair but they were not effective. But once I corrected my sleep cycle, I could see my hair strengthening over the in the next few months."
Dr Prajna Satpathy, dermatologist at Inamdar Multispecialty Hospital said when we hit that deep sleep stage, our bodies kick into repair mode, and that includes our hair follicles.
During this time growth hormones are released, helping to fuel the hair growth cycle.
If we don't get enough sleep, it can throw a wrench in this process by ramping up cortisol and lowering melatonin levels. Both can harm hair health, she added.
She added, "High stress hormones can push hair into the shedding phase too soon, resulting in noticeable thinning or hair loss. Plus, a lack of quality sleep can mess with how our bodies absorb nutrients and synthesize proteins, which are essential for strong, shiny hair.
Even the health of our scalp and oil production are influenced by our sleep patterns."
She said that many people tend to overlook the importance of good sleep hygiene when tackling hair loss, but it is a crucial piece of any treatment strategy.
"Ideally one must sleep for 7-8 hours every night. Certain medical conditions like thyroid problems, PCOS, anaemia, or autoimmune conditions can significantly impact both sleep and hair health," Dr Satpathy added.
Saloni Anand, co-founder of haircare company Traya Health, said, "If you are not sleeping well, if your nights are restless or you are struggling to fall asleep it can directly impact hormonal balance and increase inflammation — both contributors to hair loss. Stress, city life and even geography influence sleep quality and consequently, hair health."
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Pay Attention To Body's Clock
In 2022, a study published in 'Annals of Medicine and Surgery', a peer-reviewed, open-access, online journal, involving over 25,000 individuals showed that those with sleep disorders were at a higher risk of developing alopecia areata
Another study published in 2023 in 'Annals of Dermatology' by Korean Dermatological Association, demonstrated a correlation among stress, sleep disturbance and alopecia areata
A recent study by a hair health company Traya involving over 1.5 lakh Indian men and women, showed a link between poor sleep and increased hair loss
The study identified sleep disturbances in Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and Bengaluru, directly related to compromised scalp and follicle health
Factors such as delayed sleep onset, night-time wakefulness and regional stress markers contributed to hair fall
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