Coronavirus and Hair Loss
Toftild has been receiving a high number of enquiries about increased hair loss after COVID-19. Many people contact us with the experience of significant hair loss after being infected with COVID-19 or following vaccination.
Can COVID-19 Lead to Increased Hair Loss?
Hair loss has not yet been officially recognised as a direct symptom of the coronavirus itself, as there is no evidence that the virus attacks the hair follicles.
Can Stress Trigger Hair Loss?
A completely natural human response to the coronavirus is the stress that often follows in its wake. The body typically reacts to stress and illness by gathering all its resources and focusing on healing itself. In other words, the body “prioritises” the task of recovering rather than growing new hair. As a result, more hair strands shift from the growth phase to the resting phase of the hair growth cycle.
It is therefore often a misunderstanding that stress alone is the sole cause of hair loss. However, stress affects us in all aspects of life, meaning we may not get the necessary vitamins and minerals, sufficient sleep, and other essential factors that together create the right conditions for healthy hair growth.
Hair Loss and High Fever
High fever is one of the symptoms of the coronavirus, and when experiencing high fever and severe infection, the same bodily response occurs as during stress. The body uses its energy to fight the virus and the fever, rather than prioritising basic functions such as hair growth. Since fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, this is likely why so many experience significant hair loss after the illness.
The Hair Enters the Resting Phase
The resting phase of the hair cycle is called the telogen phase, and sudden hair loss of this kind is known as Telogen Effluvium (TE). It is the most common cause of diffuse and sudden hair loss.
When more hairs than normal enter the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, sudden hair shedding occurs. We typically lose between 50–150 hairs per day, but this number increases significantly during the resting phase. You may notice that your ponytail feels thinner or that your parting has become wider than before.
Toftild’s Hair Loss Solutions
If you are one of those affected by hair loss after COVID-19, we can help you. Toftild offers many effective solutions to compensate for significant hair thinning. Many clients successfully use our hair toppers, toupees, top extensions and traditional hair extensions. There is an almost unlimited selection of colours, lengths and application methods, ensuring each solution becomes a completely natural part of your everyday life.
Remember that sudden hair loss is often temporary. And remember that we can support you during the period while your hair is recovering and regaining its growth.
If you would like to know whether we can help you, we offer a free email consultation. All you need to do is send an email to Lise Toftild, briefly describing your hair loss and which salon location you may wish to visit. Please also attach photos of your hair loss: one from the front, one from each side, and one from above. These images will be deleted after the evaluation in accordance with GDPR. Please allow up to 7 business days for a response.
