Stress, diets, ageing among top 10 women hair loss* triggers

Extreme stress, crash diets and ageing are among the top 10 causes of hair-loss* in women, according to one of the world’s leading hair experts, Dr Adolf Klenk.

The other triggers are a lack of energy in hair, sunburn, the energy-sapping effects of high- performance sport, lack of nutrients in the diet, pharmaceutical drugs such as some chemotherapeutics and contraceptives, physical stress from braids or dreadlocks, and the temporary physical and psychological impact of pregnancy and childbirth.

Klenk, who in 2001 discovered caffeine’s positive effects on protecting against hair loss* and subsequently produced the Alpecin and Plantur range of hair products for men and women respectively, said emotional trauma contributed significantly to losing hair.

“Research shows that women with high stress levels are 11 times more likely to experience hair loss* than those without,” he said, adding: “Various studies also show that losing hair contributes to anxiety and impacts on self-esteem.”

A South African survey noted that 43% of women under 39 reported thinning or abnormal hair loss*, largely attributed to emotional stress. This rose to 50% of women between 46 and 55.

Another survey showed that more than a third of women reporting hair loss* had experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety due to the condition.

Klenk, head of Germany-based Dr Wolff Research, said studies showed that through daily use, the caffeine complex in Plantur 39 may help counter the negative impact of triggers contributing to hair loss* in women over 40.

(* without a result of a medical condition)

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