Tag Archive for: seasons

Holiday shopping and holiday stress

Holiday Hair Stress

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holiday hair stress

The holiday’s can be a very stressful time. Most people are aware that stress can take a toll on your mental well-being, but did you know that stress can also affect your hair? Often times stress and anxiety can cause hair loss, which may induce more stress initiating a vicious cycle.

Hair loss can be a complex issue. Stress and anxiety increase levels of cortisol in the body. The influx of cortisol may cause hormone imbalances and increase skin sebum production. The body’s supplies to maintain healthy hair and growth are diminished.

The American Hair Loss Association states that during this time your body does not supply the hair with the nutrients it needs and tells your hair in the growing and resting phase to shed. The increase in sebum also clogs the pores on the scalp, which obstructs hair growth. Because of this, it is important to maintain a healthy scalp for healthy hair. The hair loss is not an immediate reaction, and often times an individual will not experience hair loss or shedding until 6-12 weeks after the stressful event. In some cases, shedding may not begin until 3-9 months after the event.

Holiday stress from traveling

With the holiday’s approaching, it is important to remember to take time for yourself and decompress–self-care during the holidays is extremely important. Ideas for stress relief include: meditation, yoga, or exercise. Eating a well-balanced diet and getting 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night can also help ward of stress and hair loss.

If you are experiencing an increase in hair loss this holiday season contact us at 615.662.8722.

A female doctor holding a heart with a stethoscope while discussing seasonal hair loss.

Breast Cancer diagnosis on the rise!

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breast cancer diagnosis on the rise!

It seems that every time we turn around these days, we’re hearing of someone new being diagnosed with breast cancer. Whether a family member, close friend, co-worker, or celebrity, the numbers have been on the rise and seem to show no indication of slowing down.
Take a moment to wrap your head around these statistics…

  • About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
  • In 2017, an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 63,410 new cases of non–invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
  • About 2,470 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2017. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.

Although we can see that the numbers are on the rise, there are a couple of things we can do to be proactive:
Get your Screenings! Plain and simple, folks (men are included in this)
This is not only dangerous, but a clear indication that either one feels that they can escape the reach of cancer or they don’t fully realize the power cancer can have on one’s life. It is vital that every woman (and man) get yearly screenings, making sure to do self-checks on a monthly basis.
Lifestyle: While there’s been an influx in those adopting healthy habits (diet, exercise, holistic health approaches, etc.), there still remains to be a rather large indication that one’s lifestyle can lead to a cancer diagnosis. This is particular true of those that participate in smoking, excessive alcohol usage and recreational drug use. Predisposition to cancer due to your lineage is unavoidable, but the manner in which you live your life can easily change the trajectory of your future health.
Age: Life expectancy is expanding, and while that’s generally a positive thing, it also brings about an increase in chances of being diagnosed with cancer, for women this generally means breast cancer.
Environmental Factors: Stress, exhaustion, and unhealthy relationships—all these and much more make for unwelcome components in one’s direct surroundings. 
The battle against cancer will eventually be won, while we don’t know when that is and may never see the day, it’s still a cause worthy of our time, efforts and support.
“Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage mean we face our fears. We are able to say, ‘I have fallen, but I will get up!’”- Maya Angelou

Four seasons in a photo. Seasonal hair loss, also known as telogen effluvium.

Seasonal Hair Loss: Fact or Myth?

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seasonal hair loss: fact or myth?

Our four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. For most of the world, these seasons bring about change outside, whether it in the temperature or other elements in nature. At times these transformations are welcome, while at other times we wish they’d never take place. Hair loss is the latter of those two emotions, similar to the ten inches of rain, constant icing of the roads, or scorching temperatures. What is it about certain seasons, specifically Spring & Autumn that brings about hair loss and what can you do about it?

Seasonal Hair Loss: Fact or Myth?

Seasonal Hair Loss: Fact or Myth?

The sudden struggle of hair loss during spring & autumn has plagued many women for years. Studies have shown that these 2 seasons, more than the others, is a time where even the healthiest of individuals will face the pain of hair loss. This is due to the life cycle of the hair follicles. The typical cycle runs between 2-6 years, throughout there is a large portion that is constantly growing, while a small amount is considered to be ‘resting’, preparing to fall out. For most women, the resting stage takes place in July, and then just a few months later proceeds to fall out. Although this shedding is noticeable to you, there’s no cause for concern. Seasonal hair loss is common amongst all mammals, including humans.

How do you avoid this unique seasonal change? Great question! We highly recommend that you take the proper precautions to treat your hair. This is only possible if you know your hair and it’s unique needs well. If you’re not sure where to get started, make an appointment to meet with one of our professionals at HPIHair and learn more about your individual hair needs. Visit us at https://hpihair.com or call 615.622.8722 for more information!