Hair Loss and Covid
Has this happened to you?
Here at the salon, we’ve seen a significant increase in severe hair loss and a decline in overall hair health caused by, yes, you guessed it, stress! This condition is also known as Telogen Effluvium and can be a direct side effect of Coronavirus itself. We have started noticing clients losing significant amounts of hair around two months after contracting Covid-19. This hair loss can then last anywhere from 4-9 months and possibly even longer without proper treatment.
However, don’t fret. We’ve got some tricks up our sleeve to help you combat hair loss, get your locks looking their best, and encourage your hair to grow back sooner rather than later.
Stress Less
It’s easier said than done but is essential in stopping severe hair loss. Try meditating daily to help lower stress levels. Guided meditations are great if you’ve never meditated before and aren’t too sure how to start. We suggest Headspace’s guided meditations for beginners. Watch your stress melt away.
Limit Your Wash Days
Cut down the number of times you wash your hair throughout the week as it can cause unwanted stress on the hair.
Use Products That Promote Healthy Hair and Scalp
Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner that nourishes your locks and prevents further breakage. Here’s what we recommend:
- We love Bumble and Bumble’s Full Potential line infused with our Hair Preserve Blend, this exfoliating shampoo removes buildup that can clog pores and will help create the optimal scalp environment to keep the hair you have. While applying your shampoo, show your scalp a little love by giving it a gentle massage to increase blood flow and stimulate growth.
- Pair your shampoo with the Full Potential conditioner to fight against breakage, add strength, and detangle. When you use the Full Potential Shampoo and Conditioner, your hair will immediately look fuller, and after four weeks hair feels stronger and looks healthier.
- For a bonus, use the Bumble and Bumble Full Potential Booster Spray on dry hair once or twice a day on targeted areas. This highly potent treatment promotes strength and You look at your hairbrush and wonder if you’re seeing things. Maybe it’s just been a while since you cleaned the hair out of it, so it just seems like a lot more than normal. But then you’re in the shower washing your hair and you realize that, actually, it is as bad as you thought. A slight panic rises and you start analyzing everything you’ve done the past few months that could be a reason for the excessive amount of hair that keeps coming out onto your hand. The hair loss is so much that you start collecting it to the shower wall so the drain doesn’t clog…
Skip the Heat
Leave the irons behind and try to air dry when possible. Embrace your hair’s natural texture or use an air-drying product to help keep frizz under control. Try Bumble and bumble’s Don’t Blow It or Surf Styling Leave In to give your air-dried hair an intentional look with BIG STYLE.
Get Silky
Naturally improve the overall health of your hair by investing in a silk pillowcase. It improves hair hydration and eliminates friction on the hair while sleeping. P.S it also helps prevent wrinkles!
Nourish Your Body
Get those vitamins and minerals! Always incorporate a healthy diet into your lifestyle. If you find you just can’t get all your vitamins from your food, try adding Hair Heart Gummies to your daily routine. They taste amazing, and bonus – they’re all natural! If severe hair loss continues, try adding in Viviscal Hair Vitamin for extra support.
Love Your Locks
Don’t forget to love your hair, whatever stage it’s in. Stress-related hair loss is not a forever thing, so don’t let it get the best of you. If your severe hair loss continues, always consult with your doctor. Use our tips and tricks to bring your tresses back to life and visit us in the salon if you want to give your hair some extra love and attention!
Just a Heads Up
In my experience dealing with the aftermath of extreme hair loss, there have been no problems doing regular root touch-ups and all-over color. With that said, until we get the hair to optimal strength and condition, I do not recommend adding highlights, going extremely lighter, or doing fashion colors that require bleaching and processing.
Client Testimonial
One of my clients who dealt with severe hair loss in November shares her experience to give hope to those of you going through it currently.
“I was initially terrified at the amount of hair I was losing daily. At first, I didn’t understand why. I didn’t connect it to Covid until I my doctor and you. My doctor was able to diagnose me immediately as Telogen Effluvium due to stress after Covid, which is the same as you thought when I saw you at my hair appointment.
It was such an abnormal amount of loss and frightened not only me but also my husband. I first noticed my hair was falling out around two months after testing positive for COVID, then slowed down after three months.
Your suggestions were informational and encouraging; stay calm, take supplements, use specific hair products. You offered me vitamins with great informational pamphlets, scalp massage, leave-in treatments, reminded me it was temporary, gave encouragement you could see new growth, and suggested we wait on highlights to get the hair elasticity.
Fortunately, we started to see regrowth almost immediately. My confidence is back after realizing this was a temporary diagnosis. If it wasn’t for you I would never have processed the experience in a positive manner. I kept hearing you say, “stay calm, I see new growth, and it’s temporary!” From the very beginning, you gave me informative views on the hair loss, and the tools I would need to reduce stress and care for my hair. THANK YOU!!!”