If your scalp has been itchier, flakier, or shedding more than usual lately, stress could be the hidden culprit. While we often associate stress with mental and emotional strain, our new research shows it can have a very real impact on physical health too, especially the hair and scalp. In fact, 84% of UK adults say they feel stressed to some degree, and for many, it’s showing up right at the roots.
In this blog, we’ll explore the findings from our nationwide survey on how stress affects your scalp and why some people feel it more than others. You can also learn what to do to protect your scalp during high-stress periods.
How stressed are people in the UK?
From our research, we discovered that 84% of Brits claim to experience some level of stress on a daily basis. Some are more stressed than others, with more than a quarter (26%) of people claiming to be ‘moderately stressed’, while 23% claim to be ‘quite stressed’ and a shocking 10% claim to be ‘very stressed’.
These findings show just how widespread stress has become in the UK. While some people may experience it as occasional overwhelm, for others, it’s a constant background pressure affecting daily life. And as stress becomes more chronic, its effects are increasingly being seen on the scalp, from irritation to hair shedding.
The most stressed regions
Londoners, people in Northern Ireland, and Wales are more likely to be stressed, with 89% saying they feel some level of stress on a day-to-day basis.
However, when it comes to those across the UK who are the most stressed, these regions top the list for residents who describe themselves as “very stressed.”
When asked about their scalp health, 30% of people in Wales said they notice negative changes in their hair and scalp when stressed, the highest of all the regions. This is in contrast to 24% in the South West and 26% in Scotland.
This shows that stress isn’t just a big-city issue. While London often gets the spotlight, people across the UK are experiencing high stress levels, with Wales reporting the highest percentage of people feeling “very stressed.” This suggests wider social and lifestyle factors may be at play, from work pressures to financial concerns and access to support.
Why stress affects women’s scalp health more
Our research highlights a clear gender divide when it comes to stress. Almost nine in ten women (88%) say they feel stressed, compared to eight in ten men (80%). Over half of women say they notice visible changes to their hair and scalp during stressful periods, showing just how closely our wellbeing and skin health are connected.
Women appear to be feeling the effects of stress on their scalp more than men. Alongside higher reported stress levels, hormonal changes may play a significant role. Fluctuations linked to menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can make the scalp more sensitive, which may explain why women are more likely to notice visible changes during stressful periods.
This highlights just how closely stress, hormones and scalp health are connected.
Your 30s and 40s are the most stressful years
If you feel like life is especially intense right now, you’re not imagining it. People aged 35–44 are the most stressed generation, with almost everyone in this age group (95%) saying they feel stressed to some degree. This is often a stage of life where career pressures, financial responsibilities and family commitments collide. Juggling multiple roles can take a toll, and the scalp may be one of the first places this stress shows itself.
Certain industries are also feeling the pressure more than others. Those working in architecture, consulting, fashion, insurance, internet, and market research all reported very high levels of stress in the survey.
How stress triggers scalp problems
So what actually happens to your scalp when stress hits?
Almost one in two people (49%) say they notice negative changes to their hair and scalp when stressed. For many, the symptoms appear quickly, with 42% saying they noticed changes within just a few days and 36% saying they saw changes within one to two weeks.
Overall, the most common symptoms include increased hair shedding or breakage (36%), persistent itchiness, dandruff (30%), and flaking (27%). But these experiences aren’t the same for everyone.
The top five symptoms for women:
• Increased hair shedding or breakage (45%)
• Persistent itchiness (34%)
• Dry or tight-feeling scalp (27%)
• Increased flaking (25%)
• Greasier scalp than usual (25%)
The top five symptoms for men:
• Dandruff (37%)
• Persistent itchiness (34%)
• Increased flaking (30%)
• Dry or tight-feeling scalp (27%)
• Increased hair shedding or breakage (27%)
While stress-related scalp issues look different for everyone, itchiness, flaking, and hair shedding are among the most common concerns. For many, these changes happen quickly, which can be both worrying and frustrating, especially when symptoms don’t fade as fast as they appear.
Fast to appear, slower to fade
Stress-related scalp symptoms can show up quickly, but they don’t always disappear as fast. More than a quarter, 28%, said it took one to two weeks for their scalp to improve, while almost a quarter, 24%, reported it took up to a month for their symptoms to ease.
Interestingly, not everyone tackles the issue head-on. A quarter (25%) admit they ignored their symptoms at first, while some chose to disguise the problem by styling their hair differently rather than addressing the discomfort underneath.
What’s driving the problem?
Poor sleep and ongoing fatigue emerged as the biggest contributing factor, with over half of people (54%) linking their scalp issues directly to lack of rest. When the body doesn’t get enough recovery time, inflammation can increase, making the scalp more prone to irritation, flaking, and sensitivity.
The research also revealed clear gender differences in what’s driving these symptoms.
The top three drivers of stress-related scalp issues, according to women:
• Hormonal changes (59%)
• Poor sleep or fatigue (57%)
• Increased anxiety or mental health problems (52%)
The top three drivers of stress-related scalp issues, according to men:
• Poor sleep or fatigue (51%)
• Increased anxiety or mental health issues (48%)
• Financial stress/cost of living (42%)
This suggests that while sleep and mental wellbeing affect everyone, financial worries are playing a particularly strong role in stress for men.
Protecting your scalp
For those experiencing dandruff, flaking, or inflammatory scalp conditions, products containing coal tar can help calm irritation and restore balance. Coal tar has been used for decades thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, making it particularly effective for ongoing scalp concerns.
Trichologist Amy Hunt said: “From a trichological perspective, stress is a significant trigger for scalp conditions. Chronic stress keeps the nervous system in a heightened state, increasing cortisol levels, which can disrupt immune function and weaken the scalp’s protective barrier. This can accelerate skin cell turnover and inflammation, making conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis, and eczema more likely to flare, particularly in those already predisposed.”
Trichologist Marta Teixiera said: “Coal tar has been used for over 60 years and remains one of the most effective treatments available. It’s anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and helps restore the scalp’s natural balance. That’s why I recommend products like Polytar, which use coal tar as their main ingredient. It’s affordable, effective, and helps people regain confidence in their hair.”
Polytar is a coal tar shampoo designed to help manage scalp conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, dandruff, flaking, and itching. If stress is flaring up your scalp, adding Polytar to your weekly haircare routine may help soothe and rebalance it.
Methodology: Polytar Stress on the Scalp Report 2026 with 2,000 nationally representative adults.
