YouTube channel @CarolynFrostTrichologist
Post Covid hair loss – Hair shedding following Covid-19 infection
Post Covid hair loss can occur a little sooner than average telogen effluvium type of diffuse hair loss. Instead of three months after the causative event, it may be closer to two months, even sooner.
Why does Covid cause hair to fall out?
As Trichologist, hair specialist, I am finding common denominators in clients the blood work who are experiencing post covid hair loss. Nutritional lows of the following elements are proving to be the contributing to the hair loss:
• Iron
• Ferritin, the storage of iron
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D3
Those who did not have nutritional sufficiency prior to contacting the infection, are the ones showing up in my clinic with the post covid hair fall.
Blood test and post covid hair loss
We check blood work to track your current and past levels where possible. Medicine only look for ‘in range’ but that is bare minimum for health. Just scraping in at the lowest levels of iron, ferritin, B12 or Vitamin D3 can set you up for the post covid hair loss. But in medicine, anything ‘in range’ is termed ‘normal’.
Ferritin, the storage of iron has a reference range in Australia of 30-300, if you are at 35, you are deemed normal. For health, immunity and normal hair growth, the ferritin needs to be 70-100.
If levels remain low, then the hair may not regrow to its original structure, your genetic hair type. This is especially important in the case of deficiency, which is lower than the medical lowest number.
What causes the hair loss?
The hair cycle is responsible for this type of diffuse hair loss. The hair is in a cycle of growing, resting, and falling. Disturbances to the body also can disturb the hair cycle.
When this happens the growing hairs are prematurely pushed into the falling phase resulting in double daily hair loss. This can be up to 320 hairs falling per day.
What else can cause hair loss?
Post covid hair loss occurs because of the number one known factor to disturb the hair cycle, viral infections particularly when there is fever or antibiotics involved. Other common causes of hair loss are:
• Hospitalization and surgery
• Childbirth – post partum
• Medications, including hormonal medications
• Thyroid dysfunction – highs, lows and moving function
• Significant stress especially emotional stress
• Nutritional deficiency
How long after covid will the hair loss last?
When the hair cycle is disturbed, it can take 3 months for the hair loss to stop. You will never go bald from this type of diffuse hair loss so don’t worry.
It can then take up to 12 months to regrow, where it is so important your nutritional levels are in sufficient ranges to support the normal hair growth once again.
Losing your hair after covid – there is good news
Absolique Trichologist can help to slow down the hair loss by introducing some topical products to be incorporated into your hair washing routine.
The products we use and recommend for assisting with this type of diffuse hair loss and helping with hair growth are Absolique G.R.N grow, revitalise and nourish, and Activance Clinician.
It is also a good idea to check current bloods, make sure your levels are sufficient, not low, or deficient as that will prolong the hair loss and inhibit hair growth.
For help to slow the post covid hair loss and to help regrow hair, contact Absolique Hair Health Clinic by email info@absolique.com.au phone 07 3229 3242 or book online.
If it is simply reassuring you the hair will regrow, or checking bloods levels for you and helping you reach sufficiency through food, lifestyle or supplements, there is a service for you. We also offer free 15-minute phone chat, request your appointment today info@absolique.com.au YouTube channel @CarolynFrostTrichologist
Post covid hair loss study – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9262270/
