New Delhi, March 26 -- Most people associate hair fall with genetics or nutrition. Very few think about sleep. But chronic sleep deprivation can quietly disrupt hormonal balance, increase stress levels, and affect the hair growth cycle.

If you've been sleeping poorly and noticing more shedding, the connection may not be accidental.

Hair follicles are highly active cells. They depend on proper hormonal regulation, oxygen supply, and tissue repair - all of which are influenced by sleep.

During deep sleep:

When sleep is disrupted, this recovery process weakens.

Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to:

High cortisol, in particular, can push hair follicles into the resting phase prematurely. This can trigger telogen effluvium, where sheddi...