Pandemic Hair Loss—Yes, It’s a Thing.
Here’s why.
Along with the countless effects of the pandemic, you may experience a sudden onset of hair shedding. This fairly common and predictable form of hair loss, telogen effluvium, typically arises after a stressful event. If you become ill from coronavirus, you may notice excessive hair shedding three months later.
Even if you do not become ill from the virus, you may still experience hair shedding due to stress related to quarantine protocols, staying at home, job loss, financial uncertainty, family and friends becoming ill, and many other unforeseeable circumstances. Anything that causes stress, such as a move, death in the family, divorce, job change, illness, or changes in health may lead to telogen effluvium.
It’s important to know that most cases of telogen effluvium are limited in nature. Your hair follicles remain healthy and the potential to regrow your hair remains. Even so, the process may last up to six months and create a great deal of concern and anxiety. Recovery of hair growth could take close to a year, which is the typical length of a hair growth cycle.
Get a diagnosis.
We can help. If you are concerned about hair loss, consult a board-certified dermatologist. Hair loss is complex and there may be more than one cause. Diagnosis generally includes a clinical evaluation of your scalp and hair, and sometimes blood work. Treatment varies based on the cause of your hair loss and specific diagnosis.
Take good care of your mind and body.
Meanwhile, I suggest that you take good care of your mind and body. A well-rounded, nutritional diet, along with proper exercise, adequate sleep, and, of course, good skincare can help prevent worsening of this condition. I also typically recommend decreasing the frequency of shampooing and rotating hair styles to avoid repeated injuries and strain to the same areas of your scalp. Gentle hair care, such as avoiding heat and chemicals, is also advised.
What am I planning to do to get ahead of this? I’m trying meditation for the first time to help decrease stress and to sleep better. I increased my exercise during stay-at-home recommendations to neutralize the impact of stress eating (I’m only human!). I am also planning on taking a daily multivitamin, which I admit I never did before, and I just purchased a low laser light device online to try—I will keep you posted on my experience with that.
Talk to us.
As always, please reach out to me or my colleagues at SSDP for questions, concerns, or to schedule an appointment. Please stay safe and healthy during these challenging times.
