TLDR Stress can worsen skin and hair conditions by affecting the skin's immune response and hormone levels.
The document from 2006 reviews the connection between the brain and skin, particularly how stress affects the skin's immune and neuroendocrine systems, potentially exacerbating skin diseases and conditions like alopecia areata and chronic dermatitis. It explains that the skin has its own local stress response system, producing stress hormones and mediators such as CRH, cortisol, and catecholamines, which can lead to neurogenic inflammation and impaired hair growth. The paper also discusses a study using a murine model that showed chronic psychological stress could inhibit hair growth through mechanisms involving NGF, SP, and mast cells. The findings underscore the importance of further research into the brain-skin axis to develop treatments for stress-related skin and hair disorders.
Cited in this study
9 / 9 results
122 citations
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July 2005 in “The FASEB journal” Hair follicles produce and respond to melatonin, affecting hair growth and sensitivity to estrogen.
115 citations
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May 2005 in “Brain Behavior and Immunity” Stress increases nerve fibers and immune cell activity in mouse skin, possibly worsening skin conditions.
76 citations
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March 2005 in “Journal of Molecular Medicine” Certain mice without specific receptors or mast cells don't lose hair from stress.
349 citations
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February 2005 in “The FASEB journal” Human skin can make serotonin and melatonin, which help protect and maintain it.
162 citations
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September 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Hair loss causes stress and affects mental health; treatment and support needed.
108 citations
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July 2004 in “American Journal of Pathology” Stress increases a factor in mice that leads to hair loss, and blocking this factor may prevent it.
30 citations
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October 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology” Minoxidil helps prevent stress-caused hair loss in mice.
194 citations
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March 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology” Stress stops hair growth in mice by causing early hair growth phase end and harmful inflammation through a specific nerve-related pathway.
125 citations
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September 2001 in “The FASEB Journal” Stress can cause hair loss by negatively affecting hair follicles and this effect might be reversed with specific treatments.
