Sore throat, trouble breathing, loss of taste…what’s missing in this list of COVID symptoms? One that took us all by surprise: hair loss. If you’re suffering from COVID hair loss, you have options. One of the first things people reach for are vitamins for hair loss after COVID.
Even after all the other COVID symptoms disappear, hair loss lingers for many, causing emotional distress. We’re talking specifically about telogen effluvium, stress-related hair loss. In this case, COVID is the stressor.
We get it — watching your hair fall out slowly or uncontrollably is enough to cause turmoil in anyone’s life. That’s why we’ve helped men and women across the globe find hair loss solutions. We offer clinically proven hair loss treatments and luxury, 100% human hair wigs and toppers.
So where do vitamins fall on the list of COVID hair loss solutions? Can they really help?
Today, we’ll walk you through the best vitamins to take for hair loss after COVID, and steps to take if you still don’t see results.
What Vitamins SHOULD I TAKE FOR COVID HAIR LOSS?
So, how much stock can you put in vitamins for COVID hair loss? Dermatology scholars are the first to call out the “challenging, conflicting evidence” surrounding vitamins and hair loss. While vitamins and minerals do impact hair health, that impact isn’t always clear.
A survey conducted heard similar sentiments, examining insights from 144 dermatologists for their opinions on vitamins for hair loss:
- 60% of respondents recommended vitamins and minerals for one or more hair loss types
- 62% of respondents saw vitamins and minerals as an effective treatment for stress-related hair loss (telogen effluvium)
The telogen effluvium insights are especially important as we discuss vitamins for hair loss after COVID. Why? Because it’s the most common hair loss type among COVID patients.
Your body feels depleted after fighting off the virus, which causes the stressor behind stress-related hair loss. Of course, healthy eating, rest, and lots of water will help your body recover. But vitamins might give your tresses that extra kick to feel alive again.
Now, is there a best vitamin for COVID hair loss? We’ve seen many of our clients struggle with hair loss, and one thing’s certain:
Hair loss causes, symptoms, and effective treatments are different for everyone.
Meaning? Some vitamins might work for you, while others won’t. We’ll offer some professional and medically researched opinions about the best vitamins for COVID hair loss, along with alternatives.
Multivitamins
The researcher in the survey mentioned above asked dermatological specialists about multivitamin supplements for various hair loss causes. Here’s what they reported:
- 37% recommended multivitamins for alopecia areata.
- 27% recommended them for androgenetic alopecia (genetic hair loss).
But when asked about telogen effluvium — both of which can occur as a result of COVID — multivitamin recommendations went up.
- 59% recommended multivitamins for chronic telogen effluvium.
- 52% recommended multivitamins for acute telogen effluvium.
While acute hair loss is most common in COVID patients experiencing hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium affects those with “long COVID.” This takes the average duration of symptoms from a few weeks to months or even a year.
The surveyed dermatologists also named multivitamin supplements in their top 3 recommendations for stress-related COVID. Second on their list?
Iron
Iron is vital for cell function — yes, hair cells, too. While your hair strands comprise many dead cells, your follicles have two live cells: dermal papilla and epithelial cells. Your body’s red blood cells also need iron to produce hemoglobin, which contributes to hair growth. MD Piliang describes iron screenings as standard when diagnosing hair loss patients.
Now, we know iron deficiency can cause hair loss. Guess what kind? Telogen effluvium, again. This nutritional deficiency causes enough stress for your luscious locks to snap. The connection to COVID? Scholars describe anemia, a condition prompted by low iron, as a “common manifestation” in COVID patients.
Low iron stores are a common denominator for various alopecia patients. About 55% of dermatologists in the survey recommended iron as a treatment for telogen effluvium.
What supports iron-deficient tresses? More leafy greens, legumes, quinoa, and red meat. Or, an iron supplement.
Keep reading for more on our list of the best vitamins for hair loss after COVID.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
At first glance, biotin might seem the best of all the vitamins for hair loss after COVID. We’ve seen tons of drugstore products touting biotin’s natural healing properties for hair loss. But does it actually work?
Biotin (vitamin B7) is thought to reduce hair loss symptoms only if patients experience a specific biotin deficiency. Meaning it’s not a cure-all for hair loss, thinning, or shedding. There simply isn’t enough research to support such claims.
So, it’s worth checking out your biotin levels at your next physical. Otherwise, be weary of “too-good-to-be-true” claims from the endless biotin products on the shelf.
Vitamin D
Sunlight is your hair’s best friend, especially during a COVID infection. Medical experts linked low Vitamin D levels to positive COVID-19 results. But does that link to hair loss? Dermatologist Dr. Popescu and her team describe how hair follicle cells have unique vitamin D receptors.
These receptors “modulate keratinocyte proliferation and hair growth cycling.” Meaning?
Huh?
Vitamin D helps your body produce more cells, which is essential for your hair growth cycle to continue its natural course. According to the survey we referenced earlier, 36% of dermatologists use vitamin D to treat acute telogen effluvium, a common COVID hair loss condition.
Folic Acid
We haven’t noted any significant studies examining the effects of a folic acid supplement on COVID hair loss specifically . However, one doctor describes this B-vitamin’s mitigation effects for anemia — a symptom for many COVID patients. If you’re suffering from anemia as a result of COVID, talk to your doctor about folic acid for your hair loss symptoms.
IF YOUR HAIR LOSS STILL WON'T GO AWAY
Vitamins are a fabulous supplement to a hair loss strategy — but they might not be enough to get your hair exactly how you want it. Despite promising vitamin studies and links to improved hair loss symptoms, almost every expert will tell you evidence is limited.
You should always get a doctor’s stamp of approval for any vitamin program. Dermatologist Antonella Tosti cautions against uninformed supplement programs for hair loss. She noted some patients take vitamins that could even exacerbate shedding, like Vitamin A.
Maybe you’re on a medically backed regimen, but still don’t see results. COVID took away a few weeks of work, and now it’s impeding your confidence. We applaud you for staying persistent, but it’s OK to need a little extra help.
Here at Daniel Alain, we’ve spent over 30 years carefully crafting and testing hair loss solutions in our CLIA-certified lab. Peer reviews, skilled artisans, and dermatologists inform our hair loss products, as well as our happy customers. Vitamins can help – but if they’re not enough, you might want more horsepower to foster hair regrowth.
Use INTACT Anti-Hair Shedding Treatment
Are you experiencing acute telogen effluvium from COVID? Whether it’s a few extra hairs on your pillow or downright clumps in the shower — even early-stage hair loss feels stressful.
You might be waiting months for Minoxidil or vitamins to kick in. In the meantime, why not focus on hair retention instead?
Our cosmetic treatment, INTACT, is clinically proven to stop hair fall after just one use. All you need is 30 minutes to apply the formula to your scalp. After that, the formula’s patented Pililock® Sevilla Orange Complex goes to work, tightening its grip on every single one of your hair follicles to constrict and save precious strands from shedding.
Use Minoxidil for Hair Regrowth
Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved hair loss drug used by tons of brands, from Rogaine® to Hims and Hers. Big caveat here — Minoxidil is only FDA-approved for genetic hair loss. COVID hair loss is usually stress-related, in which case Minoxidil might not actually help. But if your symptoms are brought on by genetic hair loss, it’s worth looking at Minoxidil.
Confusing, right? Let’s clear things up…
Why You Should Take a Minoxidil Response Test First
Here’s the thing: we would love Minoxidil to work for everyone, but it only works for 30-40% of women. Things look up slightly for men; still, 50% of them won’t see any improvement. Why? It’s called SULT1A1 enzyme activity, and you need it in your scalp to respond to Minoxidil.
That’s why Daniel Alain’s Minoxidil Response Test for women and men is a vital precursor to Minoxidil treatment. Instead of waiting months to see results (or worse, no improvement), we’ll test your hair strands and let you know within one week if you’ll respond to the drug.
If you want to bypass the waiting game and feel fabulously confident immediately, we’ve got the perfect solution for you.
Wear a Human Hair Wig or Topper
If you have a widening hair part, bald patches, or receding hairline, it’s easy to feel ashamed in public. We’ve seen so many beautiful men and women avoid social outings for fear of peers noticing their hair loss symptoms. Even with treatment, regrowth takes time.
A 100% human hair wig with flawless construction, impeccable movement, and oh-so-luscious locks solves that problem. No matter your stage of hair loss, the right wig offers comfort, confidence, and security. Each one of our wigs is made with only premium materials, from delectable Swiss lace to run-your-fingers-through silky human hair. Our skilled wig artisans hand-tie each wig individually, securing every strand in place. You won’t feel nervous about any slips — just ask our clients.
And if you’re craving la creme de la creme in the wig world? Peruse through our Purely Natural collection of wigs made with the world’s most elegant, virgin 100% human hair.
Find a hair loss solution at daniel alain
So, do vitamins for hair loss after COVID actually work? Experts lean toward yes, with the caveat of limited evidence and varied results. While a medically informed supplement plan could support COVID hair loss, you might want a more certain solution.
At Daniel Alain, we’re all about certainty. That’s why we spent years perfecting every single one of our hair loss solutions before bringing them to market. We’re dedicated to providing security, comfort, and confidence in all our hair loss solutions.
Bottom line? Vitamins for hair loss after COVID can help, but Daniel Alain’s 100% human hair luxury hair wigs, Minoxidil Response Test, and INTACT hair shedding treatment for women or men will help you reclaim your confidence again — that’s a promise.
If you feel overwhelmed by your options, take a deep breath. You aren’t alone! Our talented beauty experts are here to answer any questions. Book a consultation today, and we’ll help you find a hair loss solution that works for you.
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We’re at the forefront of innovation in the hair industry. Eager to learn more? We’ve got you covered. Learn more about vitamins and COVID hair loss in our FAQs below, or check out these other helpful resources:
- Daniel Alain’s Hair Loss Learning Center
- Daniel Alain’s latest patents and innovations
- Real hair loss stories from men and women like you in our customer journeys.
- Client Photos and Videos of our Follea wigs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Helps With Hair Loss After COVID?
COVID hair loss is usually telogen effluvium, which is caused by mental and physical stress. Usually, removing the stressor (in this case, recovering from COVID) should see your hair loss symptoms subside. Plus, vitamins like iron and biotin have shown promising results.
Will Taking Vitamin Supplements Reverse COVID Hair Loss?
Vitamin supplements could encourage hair regrowth after COVID hair loss. However, you might experience more favorable results by including vitamins in a more grand hair loss strategy informed by a doctor. When vitamins don’t allow for regrowth, an anti-hair shedding treatment like INTACT could help you retain existing hairs.
Why Does COVID Cause Hair Loss?
COVID is a stressful experience for your mind and body. It can result in enough stress to disrupt your hair loss cycle, known as telogen effluvium.
Can the COVID Vaccine Cause Hair Loss?
The COVID vaccine is agreed to cause rare instances of hair loss. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System displays just under 2,000 reports of alopecia for people who took the COVID vaccine. Still, studies are limited and more evidence is needed to understand the link.
How Long Does Hair Loss From COVID Last?
Hair loss from COVID usually lasts up to two months for acute telogen effluvium. However, some patients with “long COVID” can experience symptoms for much longer.
Does COVID Cause Everyone's Hair to Shed?
No. Experts assert about 25% of people with COVID struggle with telogen effluvium – stress-related hair loss, mostly women. Additionally, some sample studies show a causal link between genetic hair loss and COVID severity, as well as COVID and alopecia areata.
Is COVID Hair Loss Permanent?
No, COVID hair loss usually subsides a few months after you recover from the virus. However, patients with “long COVID” can experience extended hair loss symptoms for up to a year or more.
Can COVID Hair Loss Go Away On its Own?
Yes, COVID hair loss can go away on its own once you heal from the virus. This is common for most stress-related hair loss cases, as removing the stressor gets your hair growth cycle back on track. However, some people notice lingering hair loss symptoms and use vitamins and other treatments to speed up regrowth.
Is There a Way to Immediately Stop Hair Loss After COVID?
The fastest way to stop further hair loss after COVID is through INTACT, an anti-hair shedding treatment. After just one use, the formula locks your strands in place and prevents hair fall. Of course, INTACT isn’t a regrowth solution — but it’s a great product to minimize hair loss as you wait for other treatments to kick in.
Does Intact Actually Work for COVID Hair Loss?
Certainly. INTACT is clinically proven to retain existing hairs no matter your hair loss condition, including COVID hair loss.
Is Intact Safe to Use on My Hair?
Yes, INTACT is a safe product to use on your hair. Its careful formula is free of dyes, silicones, SD-alcohol, and parabens. The product underwent several peer-reviewed clinical studies and we spent over five years perfecting it. A nice bonus? It’s totally safe to use on color-treated hair.
Can Intact Regrow My Hair?
No. INTACT is a cosmetic solution meant for hair retention, not regrowth.
Will Minoxidil Regrow My Hair After COVID?
Minoxidil is FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia, not necessarily stress-related hair loss. While COVID has caused some triggers in androgenetic alopecia symptoms, its most common manifestation is telogen effluvium. You will have better results by addressing the stressors causing your hair loss, first. Then, you might consider Minoxidil. Always consult with a doctor for best results.
