Does Lack Of Sleep Cause Hair Loss? A Few Tips To Improve Sleep

Sleep well because the look of your mane can speak volumes about your sleep cycle.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shruti Chavan, MBBS Dr. Shruti Chavan Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS linkedin_iconinsta_icon
Written by Anjali Sayee, BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature) Ramona Sinha MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 11 years
Fact-checked by Swathi E, MA (English Literature) Swathi E MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Last Updated on
✔ Evidence Based

StyleCraze believes in credibility and giving our readers access to authentic and evidence-based content. Our stringent editorial guidelines allow us to only cite from reputed research institutions, academic journals, and medically established studies. If you discover any discrepancy in our content, you may contact us.

A girl showing her hair fall

Image: Shutterstock

High blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, and more — these problems are associated with sleep deprivation. But does lack of sleep cause hair loss, too? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Sleep deprivation can weaken the hair follicles and lead to hair shedding. In addition, stress and lack of sleep can cause androgenetic alopeciai  A form of permanent hair loss from the scalp due to an excessive response to androgens (hormones responsible for male characteristics). or hair loss (1). This article assesses the relationship between lack of sleep and hair loss. Read on.

Science Behind Sleep Deprivation, Stress, And Hair Loss – A Vicious Cycle

Insufficient sleep can cause stress which leads to hair loss.
Image: Shutterstock

Adequate sleep is essential to stay healthy and maintain your well-being. A peaceful sleep for 7-8 hours is needed for the body’s natural repair and regulation process. It also helps your physiological system recover from stress. Insufficient sleep has negative consequences on the health that directly or indirectly leads to thinning of hair.

Our body undergoes different sleep or circadian cycles that regulate the stem cells and growth of hair follicles. During the anagen stage (hair growth phase) of the hair development cycle, a circadian oscillation results in stem cell development of hair follicles that stimulates hair growth during a particular period of the day (2).

Poor sleep patterns and improper circadian cycle raise the cortisol level (stress hormone) that results in hair loss (3) (4). A study published in the American Journal of Pathology illustrated the relationship between stress levels and hair growth. The release of neurohormones, neurotransmittersi  Signaling molecules secreted by a neuron that carry chemical signals without which the body cannot function. , and cytokinesi  Small membrane-bound proteins that are crucial for the growth and activity of immune system cells and blood cells. related to excess stress level affects the hair growth cycle (5).

Sleep deprivation affects the human growth hormone functioning which leads to hair loss
Image: Shutterstock

However, sleep disorders like insomnia or lack of sleep affect the functioning of the human growth hormone (HGH). A study shows that the night surge of growth hormone is dependent on the sleep cycle. Irregular, limited, or disturbed sleep lower HGH levels, which leads to thinning hair or male/female pattern baldness (6) (7).

Therefore, a regular sleep routine of 7- 8 hours may help manage stress and decrease premature shedding of hair.

protip_icon Fun Fact
The circadian cycle or circadian rhythm is controlled by a structure (like a master clock) located in the hypothalamus known as the ‘suprachiasmatic nucleus’

Apart from insomnia, sleep disorders like sleep apnea may also play a role in hair loss. Find out more about it in the next section.

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Hair Loss?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where the upper airway gets blocked, reducing or completely stopping the airflow. This may disrupt your sleep and result in poor sleep quality, which may lead to hair loss. Sleep apnea may cause hair loss due to the following reasons:

  • Insufficient sleep may promote insulin resistance, which may increase the level of androgens (male sex hormones) in your body (8). The increased androgen levels may lead to hair loss (9).
  • Sleep apnea often leads to poor sleep quality, which may cause stress. Elevated stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle and result in hair loss (10).

Lifestyle changes, proper diet, and regular sleep-wake cycles are important to improve hair quality and reduce hair shedding (telogen effluvium). Here are a few strategies that can help improve your sleep environment.

Tips To Improve Sleep Hygiene

Follow a sleep routine and take the needed precautions to get a proper goodnight’s sleep
Image: Shutterstock
  • Maintain a consistent sleep routine. It helps regulate your body’s natural function, improves the quality of life, and positively impacts the stem cell proliferation of hair follicles.
  • Keep your room dark and limit the light from electronic devices. A study showed that darkness stimulates melatonini  A natural hormone produced by the pineal gland (located in the brain) that helps promote sleep. secretion that improves the quality of sleep (11), (12). You can also wear an eye mask or eye pad for better sleep.
  • It is easier to sleep if your surroundings are quiet. Thus, make your room sound-proof or close the door for a good sleep.
  • A comfortable bed and pillow are essential to enhance your sleep quality.
  • Alcohol intake during bedtime also hampers sleep quality and hygiene. Hence, avoid consuming alcohol before you go to bed.
  • Do not eat a heavy meal just before sleeping. Maintain at least 2-3 hours of gap between dinner and bedtime.
  • Reduce the stress in your daily life. Deep breathing exercises and yoga may help relax and calm the mind.

Shashwat Agarwal, a blogger, talks about his personal experience with hair loss due to lack of sleep. He shares how it affected him, “For many months leading up to my first semester in college, I hadn’t been sleeping well. Unaware of the fact that it was impacting my hair negatively. I never imagined that not sleeping well could lead me to getting bald. But it did (i).”

protip_icon Quick Tip
Avoid oversleeping as extra sleep can also throw off your internal clock and disrupt your circadian rhythm.

Infographic: Breathing Exercises For Better Sleep

Inadequate sleep or lack of sleep can result in hair loss and hair thinning.. While a proper hair care routine and a balanced diet are essential for healthy hair, improving your sleep hygiene can reduce hair fall and improve hair health. Here are some exercises you can try to help you fall asleep.

Check out the infographic below to know more!

breathing exercises for better sleep (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Lack of enough sleep affects your hair health. It affects the body’s natural repair process and causes many health issues, including hair loss. Poor sleep quality raises the stress hormone level and causes hair loss. Therefore, sleep and hair health are interlinked, and maintaining a healthy sleep cycle is important. Following the tips mentioned in the article can help you improve your sleep quality, teaching you how to stop hair fall caused by lack of sleep. Also, it is best to consult a doctor to diagnose the underlying condition behind hair loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does oversleeping cause hair loss?

No, oversleeping does not cause hair loss.

Can 6 hours of sleep cause hair loss?

Adults need at least 7 or more hours of sleep every night. So, 6 hours of sleep may cause hair loss. Poor sleep and an irregular circadian rhythm may raise stress hormones and cause hair loss.

Can pillows cause hair loss?

Pillows by themselves do not cause hair loss. However, pillow cases with a rough texture may lead to hair damage, resulting in hair loss.

Key Takeaways

  • Sleep deprivation can cause hair follicles to deteriorate, resulting in hair shedding. It may also lead to androgenetic alopecia or hair loss.
  • Hair quality and shedding can be improved with lifestyle changes, a good diet, and regular sleep-wake cycles.
  • However, if you’re experiencing a lot of hair loss or shedding, you should see a dermatologist to find out the root cause.

Lack of sleep can cause hair loss. Learn how to get the rest you need to keep your hair healthy in the following video!

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. 4 Lessons I Learned The Hard Way After Losing My Hair At 19
https://medium.com/in-fitness-and-in-health/4-lessons-i-learned-the-hard-way-after-losing-my-hair-at-19-73fc448e79c4

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Female pattern hair loss: current treatment concepts
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684510/
  2. Circadian Clock-mediated Control of Stem cell Division and Differentiation: beyond night and day
    https://dev.biologists.org/content/develop/141/16/3105.full.pdf
  3. Androgenetic Alopecia: Quality-of-life and Associated Lifestyle Patterns
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3107963/
  4. Interactions between sleep, stress, and metabolism: From physiological to pathological conditions
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4688585/
  5. Stress and the hair follicle: exploring the connections
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1868107/
  6. Growth hormone and cortisol secretion in relation to sleep and wakefulness
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1188300/
  7. Further Clinical Evidence for the Effect of IGF-1 on Hair Growth and Alopecia
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5939720/
  8. Role of Sleep and Sleep Loss in Hormonal Release and Metabolism
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3065172/
  9. HORMONE IMBALANCE—A CAUSE FOR CONCERN IN WOMEN
    http://www.rjlbpcs.com/article-pdf-downloads/2018/18/221.pdf
  10. Hair and stress: A pilot study of hair and cytokine balance alteration in healthy young women under major exam stress
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5397031/
  11. Melatonin, the Hormone of Darkness: From Sleep Promotion to Ebola Treatment
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4334454/
  12. New perspectives on the role of melatonin in human sleep, circadian rhythms and their regulation
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6057895/
Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
disqus_comment

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.

Dr. Shruti Chavan
Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS
Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.

Read full bio of Dr. Shruti Chavan
Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Ramona Sinha
Ramona SinhaEditor
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Swathi E
Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

Read full bio of Swathi E
AFS
Latest Articles