Abstract
Telogen effluvium (TE) is a non-scarring form of diffuse alopecia frequently triggered by psychological stress, which disrupts the hair follicle growth cycle through neuroendocrine signaling cascades. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on hair cycle dynamics, biological stress markers, and subjective hair quality in women suffering from chronic or recurrent TE. Eighty-four female participants (aged 20–48 years) were randomly assigned to either an eight-week standardized MBSR intervention group (n = 42) or a waitlist control group receiving standard supportive dermatological care (n = 42). Phototrichogram assessments, 60-second hair shedding counts, salivary cortisol area under the curve (AUCg), and standardized patient-reported hair satisfaction and quality-of-life indices were collected at baseline, post-intervention (week 8), and at a 16-week follow-up. Participants in the MBSR group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the anagen-to-telogen ratio (p < 0.001) and a marked reduction in daily hair shed counts compared to control subjects at week 16. Furthermore, MBSR participants exhibited significantly lower evening cortisol levels and reported substantial enhancements in perceived hair density, shine, and emotional well-being. These findings demonstrate that non-pharmacological mind-body interventions can modulate follicular chronobiology, offering a viable, holistic aesthetic and therapeutic approach for stress-induced hair loss.
