As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives in unprecedented ways, many people are reporting unexpected side effects of the disease, including hair loss. While hair loss is not a direct symptom of COVID-19, studies have shown that it can be a potential long-term consequence of the illness.
I am a third-generation hairdresser, I have seen firsthand the impact that hair loss can have on individuals and their self-confidence. In this blog, I will go over the topic of COVID-19-related hair loss in more detail, including the potential causes, the latest research findings, and practical tips for coping with this condition. Whether you have experienced hair loss yourself or know someone who has, this blog aims to provide you with the information and resources you need to understand and manage this challenging condition.
1. Stress
Hair loss in COVID-19 patients can be caused by stress, which has been linked to hair loss for a long time. The pandemic has caused unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety for many people, and this can potentially lead to hair loss. When a person is under stress, their body produces a hormone called cortisol, which can affect the normal hair growth cycle. Specifically, cortisol can cause hair to enter a resting phase, known as telogen, earlier than it should. This can result in hair shedding and ultimately hair loss. Therefore, managing stress through techniques such as meditation, exercise, and therapy, can help to prevent hair loss in COVID-19 patients.
Reference: Gupta, M. A., & Gupta, A. K. (2013). Stress and alopecia areata: a psychodermatologic study. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 93(1), 39-44.
2. Immune system
Hair follicles can be damaged by the body’s immune response to the COVID-19 virus, which may attack healthy tissues and organs. As a result, hair loss is a potential consequence of the illness. In some cases, the hair loss may be temporary and the hair may grow back once the body has recovered from the infection. However, in other cases, the damage to the hair follicles may be permanent, leading to long-term hair loss. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between COVID-19 and hair loss, including the role of the immune system in this process.
3. Inflammatory
COVID-19 infection can trigger a strong inflammatory response in the body, which is the immune system’s way of fighting off the virus. While inflammation is a necessary response to infection, excessive or prolonged inflammation can be harmful and may contribute to tissue damage. In the case of hair loss, the inflammatory response caused by COVID-19 can damage hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
Inflammation can affect hair growth in several ways. For example, it can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, causing hair to enter the resting phase (telogen phase) prematurely. This can lead to increased shedding and hair loss. Inflammation can also damage hair follicles directly, causing them to shrink and produce thinner, weaker hair.
In addition to damaging hair follicles, inflammation can also disrupt the nutrient supply to hair follicles. This can lead to a decrease in hair growth and an increase in hair shedding.
4. Nutrition Deficiency
COVID-19 infection can trigger a strong inflammatory response in the body, which is the immune system’s way of fighting off the virus. While inflammation is a necessary response to infection, excessive or prolonged inflammation can be harmful and may contribute to tissue damage. In the case of hair loss, the inflammatory response caused by COVID-19 can damage hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
Inflammation can affect hair growth in several ways. For example, it can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, causing hair to enter the resting phase (telogen phase) prematurely. This can lead to increased shedding and hair loss. Inflammation can also damage hair follicles directly, causing them to shrink and produce thinner, weaker hair.
In addition to damaging hair follicles, inflammation can also disrupt the nutrient supply to hair follicles. This can lead to a decrease in hair growth and an increase in hair shedding.
5. Medication
In some cases, medications used to treat COVID-19 can cause hair loss as a side effect. For example, anticoagulant medications, such as heparin, can cause hair to thin and become brittle. This is because these medications can interfere with the normal blood flow to the hair follicles, which can lead to hair loss.
Steroids, which are often used to reduce inflammation in COVID-19 patients, can also cause hair loss as a side effect. Steroids can interfere with the normal hair growth cycle, leading to increased shedding and thinning of the hair. In some cases, steroid-induced hair loss can be permanent. It’s important to note that not all COVID-19 patients will experience hair loss as a result of medication side effects.
6. Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, is a common genetic condition that causes hair thinning and balding in both men and women. While androgenetic alopecia is typically a gradual process, there is some evidence to suggest that COVID-19 infection may exacerbate or trigger this condition.
Androgens, a group of hormones that includes testosterone, play a role in the development of androgenetic alopecia. Some studies have suggested that COVID-19 infection may increase the activity of androgens in the body, which could exacerbate hair loss in individuals with this condition. Additionally, the stress and inflammation associated with COVID-19 infection may also contribute to hair loss in individuals with androgenetic alopecia.
7. PRP
Hair loss can be caused by various factors, including genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, stress, and certain medications. There are various treatments available for hair loss, and the appropriate treatment will depend on the underlying cause of your hair loss. One option that has gained popularity in recent years is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy.
PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the platelet-rich plasma into the scalp. Platelets contain growth factors that can stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth. To find out more about the treatment click here!
About Author
Alina Casper is a third generation hairdresser. She was born and raised in Lithuania and ventured to the United States immediately after high school. She feels fortunate to receive a wonderful education in both Lithuania and America, especially since she was a junior in high school who simultaneously graduated with a business degree from the University in Lithuania as well as Pasadena college when arriving in the States. However, while studying all those hours she always spent time in her grandmother’s salon.
Learn more about Alina and all hair related tips on her website:
3generationshair.com
References:
Here are some studies that has been done to conduct on Covid 19 related hair loss:
- Mubki, T., Lattouf, C., & Jolliffe, V. (2020). COVID-19 and hair loss: Frequently asked questions. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 83(2), 684-685.
- Rossi, A., Magri, F., Dondossola, E., & Coggi, A. (2021). Could COVID-19 represent a risk factor for alopecia areata? The Journal of dermatological treatment, 1-2.
- Wambier, C. G., Goren, A., & Vaño-Galván, S. (2021). Androgenetic alopecia present in the majority of patients hospitalized with COVID-19: The “Gabrin sign”. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 84(3), 680-682.
These studies provide evidence that COVID-19 can cause hair loss and suggest possible mechanisms for this phenomenon. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between COVID-19 and hair loss.