If the increased shedding you’ve experienced lately is a symptom of COVID-19, you might wonder: how long does COVID hair loss last? Unfortunately, you may have approximately six to nine months of hair loss ahead of you. Now, this timeline isn't set in stone, as various factors (many of which are still unknown) can influence the duration of one's hair loss and whether or not this symptom manifests at all.
But hair loss after COVID is not unusual. Research has estimated that 22% of people who were hospitalized with the disease experienced this symptom, and one study concluded that anyone with a history of COVID-19 is approximately four times more likely to experience hair loss than someone who was never infected.
The good news is that COVID-19 hair loss is not permanent. It's actually grouped under a kind of temporary hair loss caused by an illness that's called telogen effluvium. In this article, we'll dive into all the not-so-fun ways COVID wreaks havoc on your strands and how to support your mane in the meantime.
WHY DOES COVID-19 CAUSE HAIR SHEDDING?
So, what does COVID have against our innocent follicles anyway? It turns out it all comes down to our body’s stress response: when we experience trauma like an infection or illness, it "shocks" our system. In response, our bodies—including our scalps—release cortisol to help us fight off the invader.
If the cortisol release is chronic or too severe, it can interfere with the normal hair growth cycle and cause a condition known as telogen effluvium, or stress related hair loss. When this occurs, our follicles shift from the Anagen (active growing) phase and enter into the Telogen (resting) phase. This premature shift makes them more vulnerable to shedding, with up to 70% of scalp hairs falling out in large numbers.
Needless to say, the idea of losing over half of your hair overnight is terrifying. But this episodic hair loss is not without good intentions. Because your body is firing on all cylinders to protect your crucial functions from the virus, it’s actually conserving energy by putting other, less crucial processes like hair growth on hold.
So while the shedding may be unnerving, it’s ultimately a sign that your body is just doing its job. So then, how long does COVID hair loss last once it initially begins — and when would you first start noticing more shedding than usual?
HOW SOON DOES HAIR SHEDDING BEGIN?
In most (but not all) telogen effluvium cases, you'll notice more shedding around two to three months after the precipitating event—but with COVID-19, it could be sooner. How long does hair loss last after covid? One small study found that the average date of hair loss onset post-COVID was 45 days. Another found that some female patients reported experiencing shedding only a few weeks after their diagnosis.
Of course, the longer it takes COVID-19 hair loss to start, the more difficult it is for patients to attribute it to the virus. After all, our hair cycles are incredibly complex and subject to many external factors. That's why it's so important for us to be mindful of both their state and any potential triggers in order to support them through thick and thin.
WHAT DOES COVID HAIR LOSS LOOK LIKE?
While the internet may use the words "shedding," "thinning," and "hair loss" interchangeably, these terms actually refer to very different types of mane misfortune.
Hair thinning refers to the lack of density rather than the size or thickness of each strand. Your tresses become increasingly sparse, and you may start to notice your scalp peaking through some patches. Hair shedding, on the other hand, refers to the number of actual strands that are falling from your head. It's a totally normal bodily function—with many of us losing 50-150 strands a day on average—but it can become excessive due to conditions like telogen effluvium.
The major difference between hair loss and hair shedding is what causes it. Hair loss tends to be a more complex medical issue caused by things such as autoimmune disorders, genetics, and certain medications. Unlike shedding, it's often a permanent condition that requires ongoing treatment and care in the form of prescription medications like Minoxidil (e.g., Rogaine®) or Finasteride.
In contrast, shedding is usually just a symptom of an underlying issue, like telogen effluvium from COVID-19. In most cases, once the infection or illness is resolved and the stress response passes, your normal hair cycle will resume, and the shedding will stop. So while it may look like COVID is causing hair loss, it's actually just temporary excessive hair shedding.
HOW TO TREAT COVID RELATED HAIR LOSS
Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic wand we can wave to restore your hair in the blink of an eye. It takes time for COVID hair loss to run its course, and, in most cases, it will resolve itself on its own without any intervention. But that doesn't mean you just have to twiddle your thumbs and watch your mane wither away.
There are scientifically proven treatments that can immediately stop hair shedding and even jumpstart the regrowth process if your condition has progressed to full-on hair loss. Daniel Alain's innovative hair growth systems are designed to stop shedding in its tracks and bring your strands back to their former, pre-COVID glory. By combining a personalized treatment plan with targeted products that nourish and rejuvenate, you can start seeing results in no time.
Read on to learn our top methods for keeping hair healthy and strong—even when COVID hair loss strikes.
Use INTACT Anti-Hair Shedding Treatment
When your hair is falling out by the handful, you have one mission and one mission only: to hold on to every strand you've got. Daniel Alain's INTACT Anti-Hair Shedding Treatment will help you do just that. Its powerful, patented PiliLock® Sevilla Orange Complex is clinically proven to reduce hair shedding by up to 77%—and that's just after one use.
By stimulating the tiny muscles that surround each hair follicle, INTACT strongly grips each strand into place, so they're less likely to fall out during high-shed activities like washing, brushing, and styling. Plus, the stimulating effect gives your roots a boost, resulting in more noticeable volume and thickness.
Regrow Your Hair with Minoxidil
When it comes to regrowing hair, Minoxidil is the heavy hitter of the bunch. This powerful over-the-counter remedy has been clinically shown to regrow hair in people with androgenic alopecia (aka, pattern baldness) in both men and women.
COVID-19 hair loss is not considered androgenic alopecia as it's not a genetic hair loss condition. But while Minoxidil has only been FDA-approved for treating genetic hair loss, there is some evidence that this topical medication can be used for other types of shedding and hair loss, such as telogen effluvium from COVID-19.
Why You Should Take a Minoxidil Response Test First
Even though it feels like everyone and their mother recommends Minoxidil as the cure-all for hair loss, it actually doesn't work for everyone. Daniel Alain's research team recently discovered a specific kind of enzyme activity that's necessary to convert Minoxidil into its active form. If you don't have enough of that activity on your scalp, then you'll see no results from using this treatment—no matter how consistent you are.
This discovery led Daniel Alain to create the world's first-ever Minoxidil Response Test, a clinically proven diagnostic tool that measures the amount of SULT1A1 enzyme activity on your scalp. It's quick, painless, and can be done in the comfort of your own home. That way, you don't have to waste time or money on a treatment that won't give you the results you're after.
Wear a Human Hair Wig or Topper
Even if you're successful in keeping your hair on your head and you're able to use Minoxidil to regrow your lost strands, it doesn't mean you'll have perfect, luscious locks overnight. Most hair loss treatments can take months before they start showing visible results.
While you wait for your treatment to work its magic, it helps to have a human hair wig or topper on hand. These gorgeously realistic pieces (like the ones we sell at Daniel Alain) are made with premium, 100% genuine European hair, and are an excellent way to mask your thinning areas while also giving you a beautiful, natural-looking mane. Plus, they provide an instant confidence boost!
STOP COVID HAIR LOSS AT DANIEL ALAIN
At Daniel Alain, we understand that no one wants to experience hair loss—especially from something as serious and widespread as COVID-19. But with the right products and hair loss treatments (and a little patience), there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to regain your full head of hair.
That’s why we offer INTACT, your secret weapon against stress-induced shedding that keeps your strands out securely in place. And if your shedding has progressed to the point of hair loss, then our Minoxidil Response Test can help you determine whether or not Minoxidil will help you get it back.
At Daniel Alain, we believe in taking an individualized approach to COVID hair loss and putting the power back in your hands. So don't wait any longer—take the first step towards reclaiming your locks today and book a consultation with one of our experts.
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Our stylists will help you find the right hair loss solution just for you.
MORE RESOURCES AND WAYS TO LEARN
Trying to get your hands on all the hair health info? We've got you covered. Whether you're looking for tips on how to regrow your hair or just want to learn more about the science behind shedding, we have all the facts and figures you need.
- Watch our hair loss videos here.
- See what customers are saying in real reviews here.
- Join our growing community of empowered men and women. Read about customer journeys here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is COVID Hair Loss Permanent?
No—COVID hair loss is not permanent. In the majority of cases, it resolves itself within six to nine months.
How Do You Recover From COVID Hair Loss?
Time is, unfortunately, the only real cure for COVID hair loss. However, Daniel Alain's INTACT Anti-Shedding Solution is clinically proven to reduce shedding and keep your hair where you want it: on your head. Click here to learn more.
Does Everyone Experience Hair Loss When Contracting COVID-19?
No—not everyone experiences hair loss when they contract COVID-19. However, it is a common symptom of the virus and can affect both men and women.
Will COVID Hair Shedding Go Away on its Own?
In most cases, yes, COVID hair shedding will go away on its own. If your COVID hair shedding hasn't stopped after nine months, talk to your doctor about implementing some more aggressive solutions.
What if My Shedding Has Progressed to Full-on Hair Loss?
If your shedding has progressed to full-on hair loss, you might want to explore more aggressive treatments like Minoxidil. However, not everyone will respond to this so-called holy grail treatment. You need to have enough SULT1A1 enzyme activity on your scalp for Minoxidil to convert into its active form and start working.
Daniel Alain's Minoxidil Response Test can predict whether or not you're a good candidate for this FDA-approved topical medication by measuring your SULT1A1 levels. Click here to order your test today!
Is There a Way to Immediately Stop COVID Hair Shedding?
Yes—INTACT Anti-Shedding Solution. This fast-acting pre-shampoo treatment contains clinically proven ingredients that prevent further hair shedding and keep your strands in place. All it takes is one use to start seeing and feeling the difference. Click here to learn more about INTACT.
Is INTACT Safe to Use on My Hair?
Yes—INTACT is free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, oils, SD-alcohol, artificial dyes, and gluten. It's also vegan-friendly and safe to use on color-treated hair.
Does INTACT Regrow Hair?
No—INTACT does not regrow hair. It's a preventative solution that reduces shedding and thinning, so you can keep your hair where it belongs: on your head.
Will Minoxidil Regrow My Hair?
Possibly—but not everyone will see the same results. You need to have enough SULT1A1 enzyme activity on your scalp for Minoxidil to convert into its active form and start working. Daniel Alain's Minoxidil Response Test is clinically proven to predict whether or not you're a good candidate for this FDA-approved topical medication. Click here to order your test today.
Does Minoxidil Work for Everyone?
No—Minoxidil doesn't work for everyone. This treatment requires a certain level of SULT1A1 enzyme activity on your scalp, so it's important to get tested before starting any treatment. Click here to order Daniel Alain's Minoxidil Response Test and determine if Minoxidil is the right solution for you.
How Does a Minoxidil Response Test Work?
All you have to do to learn if Minoxidil will work for you is submit a few strands of your hair to Daniel Alain's state-of-the-art lab. Our team will then analyze the sample and provide you with your digital results in just seven to 14 days. Click here to order your test today.
