Are you one of the many people around the world that are experiencing hair loss after recovering from Covid-19?
You're not alone, this is a common side effect of the virus and here's why!
We have all learned that Covid-19 can affect people differently. Some people develop noticeable hair loss, usually 2-6 weeks after recovery. As a Professional hairstylist this is a very common complaint I hear from many people that sit in my chair daily.
As Hormone Nutritionist Laura Martire confirmed "Hair loss is usually a sign from your body that something is out of alignment and needs some extra support".
Fever, in the body is a common symptom of Covid-19 and a normal temporary side effect of fever or illness is hair loss.
Lets dig in deeper,
There are 3 stages in the lifetime cycle of a hair strand. Anagen (Growth phase), Catagen (Transitioning phase), and Telogen (Shedding/Resting phase).
Stress and illness in our body can force the hair cycle into the Telogen (Shedding/Resting) phase before its time and cause the hair to detach from the follicle. This results in losing more hairs at the same time. Hence, the clumps of hair people have been reporting seeing.
The medical term for this is "Telogen Effluvium" . Telogen Effluvium is a scalp disorder defined by thinning or shedding of the hair at an increased rate.
If you experiencing any itching or burning alongside hair loss I recommended to see a Dermatologist.
The good news is your hair follicles are still active,Yay! But it can take time for your hair to return back to normal, sometimes, 6 months to a year.
Like anything, when giving the body the correct nutrients, nourishment and attention both internally and externally, you may help speed up this process.
Internally, Laura Martire, Nutritionist, suggests "Adjustments to your diet can go a long way in supporting your body and supporting healthy hair. include foods rich in Vitamin B, Zinc (pumpkin seeds, avocado, blackberries), Omega 3’s Fatty acids, and ensure you are eating well-balanced meals that include enough protein. Start on a B-Complex supplement, especially if stress is contributing to your hair loss. B vitamins can become depleted quickly during periods of stress so supplementing may be beneficial" she states.
Externally and topically I would suggest beginning with a stimulating shampoo or treatment like ICON Energy Shampoo or ICON Shift Treatment. Both have Peppermint as a active ingredient which can help increase circulation on the scalp and help promote hair growth during Anagen (Growth) phase.
Amazing Hair Saviour is also a Natural Hair oil that can help nourish the scalp and feed it and in turn it can reward you with healthy hair as it grows!
Amber, developer of Amazing Hair Saviour herself states "the same way you would take care of your skin as its the largest organ in the body, Amazing Hair Saviour helps to take care of your scalp". She also suggest during this time of hair loss and regrowing to keep natural and not accumulate many products on the scalp"
Many clients of mine including myself have seen great results with these treatments. Some also love using a Scalp Massage Brush on their scalp to increase circulation but this not recommended during active hair loss. Be gentle and show love to the scalp and hair.
To help support you with topical and external treatments all products above are found on my website www.shophairbycristina.ca. Use Code JANBLOG (expiry Jan 31/2022) to get 10% off any of the products written about above:
1) Icon Energy Shampoo $25
2) Icon Shift Scalp Treatment $35
3) Scalp & Shampoo Massagers $12-$16
4) Amazing Hair Saviour $39
Lastly, my Hairstylist Pro tip is to always begin with taking a before picture of your hair and scalp before starting a new routine and compare every month as it takes time to see growth but its very rewarding when you see the difference of all your hard work and commitment.
Wishing you much hair health!
XOXO, Cristina D. - PRO Hairstylist and Skin therapist
Special Thanks to both Laura and Amber for sharing their insite on this blog. Find them on Instagram @lauramartire.hw @amazinghairsaviour