Monitoring Your Stress Level and Hair Loss

Hello Dr Rassman,
Let me first state that I am so thankful for this free service. All of the posters on this board are richly rewarded to have access to a service like this.

I realize the following, somewhat meandering, question may be vague, but I will ask it anyway, as it is of considerable concern to me. (I am a 23 year old male.) Do men with the genetic potential to experience MPB at some point in life need to be constantly monitoring their stress level?

I run my own small business, and find that during the busiest weeks of the year, I become extremely stressed. Usually this stress lasts only for 2-3 weeks, and then I take some time off to de-stress. I always worry that those periods of stress will do permanent damange to my slightly receding hairline(between Norwood 1 and 2. If 5-8 weeks of high stress a year is dangerous to my hair health, I would immediately begin taking on less inventory and earn less money. I know myself well enough to realize that I’d rather be an average income earner with hair, than a business tycoon without! And their isn’t a shred of doubt about it!

Thank you Good Dr.

Good question! Stress is part of life. Managing stress is a matter of balance and there are many ways to manage stress properly. As the Bobby McFerrin song from the late 80s says, “Don’t worry, be happy!” Not a bad philosophy, so the key is to manage stress better without necessarily changing your life direction to address the fear of going bald, for example.

I would never be so bold as to suggest that potential hair loss is something that you need to worry about. If you wish to take that extra step, then get your hair mapped out for miniaturization from time to time, which is a way to show (with good measurements) if there is anything to worry about with regard to genetic balding. It only takes a few minutes and it will give you peace of mind. Meditation is also a good way to manage stress, so spend some of that money you are making and learn the art of meditation. That might give you the best of all worlds.