Sis, you weren’t imagining things. The pandemic did make your hair fall out.
During the past 18 months, those sudden bald spots, wider parts and handfuls of hair in your combs, brushes and drains might have seemed surreal but in fact, they were actual consequences of the coronavirus.
In the medical world, this phenomenon is known as Telogen Effluvium (TE), a condition in which sudden trauma forces more hair strands than normal, into the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. This means the abrupt “shock” significantly reduces its growth rate and causes excessive hair shedding.
Typically, TE occurs one to two months after the disturbance and is triggered in many different ways. But nowadays stress, post-viral inflammation and fever from COVID are the prevalent symptoms.
However, there’s good news: TE is temporary and reversible. Although the hair loss lasts about six to nine months, in most cases your hair will return to normal on its own.
In the meantime, until your condition improves, tender hair care is best. The following method is simple, yet highly effective:
- Make the switch to milder products. Vegan systems are best.
- Opt for gentle styling methods such as heatless roller sets, rod sets, twist-outs, braid-outs and updos.
- To ward off further damage, avoid thermal styling tools, excess tension, shampooing too frequently, chemical straighteners and dyes.
If you suspect your hair loss is caused by something more than TE, consult with a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and advice. You can find one at Find A Dermatologist.
