Pandemic Side Effects: What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Hair Loss

In my first blog on hair loss, I shared an overview of common causes and some helpful tips to manage or prevent it. Yet, even years after the pandemic, many people are still facing significant hair loss and alopecia issues. That’s why I’ve expanded on this topic, diving deeper into additional factors that may be contributing to hair loss and providing new insights on the role of diet and lifestyle in keeping your hair healthy.

Hair loss can be gradual and may appear as thinning across the scalp or in specific patches. Did you know that it’s normal to shed around 100 hairs daily? With roughly 100,000 hairs on the average scalp, some shedding is natural—but if you’re noticing more than usual, it’s time to explore why.

Understanding the root cause is key to finding effective solutions.

The first thing we have to do is identify the reason why we are losing hair, the most common factors can be:

1. Aging

2. Heredity (androgenic alopecia)

3. Physical and/or emotional stress (telogen effluvium) causes the loss of up to 3/4 of the hair, lasts up to 6 to 8 months, it is usually temporary, the most common causes of this type of hair loss are:

· High fever or infection.

· Parturition

· Surgeries

· Drastic low-protein diets

· Medicines

. And it has also been identified as a side effect of COVID-19

4. Alopecia arata

5. Anemia

6. Disorders or diseases

7. Burns

8. Hair Products

9. Hormonal changes

10. Thyroid Diseases

11. Nervous habits

 Hair loss from menopause or childbirth often goes away after 6 months to 2 years.

When to Contact a Doctor If:

1. Fall into an atypical pattern.

2. Rapid fall and at an early age.

3. Pain or itching with hair loss.

4. The skin on your scalp is red or scaly.

5. Changes in hormones or menopause.

For many, hair loss may actually be inherited. In women, inherited hair loss is often subtle, starting as thinning along the part line or hairline. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to see hair loss around the crown and temples. While most people start to notice inherited hair thinning between ages 40 and 50, it can sometimes begin as early as the teens or early 20s—and it can be inherited from either parent.

WHAT TO DO?

If you have already identified the factor why you are losing hair, it is time to take action, regardless of the reason and even if you have to consult a doctor, do not leave everything to the science of medicine and chemicals, here are some tips on what you can do for a speedy recovery,  Keep in mind that it's always important to consult a hair care specialist.

If you are going through strong hair loss, I recommend that you relax about it and focus on taking care of it, little by little the problem will be solved, here are some tips that will help you recover faster.

· Avoid hairstyles that pull the hair such as braids, ponytails, buns etc., too much tension on the scalp stresses the follicles.

· Carefully select the styling tools you use, tools that overheat due to malfunction affect the health of the hair.

· Avoid processes with harsh chemicals for your hair, especially homemade products, without the supervision of a specialist.

· Use special products to prevent hair loss and promote growth, make sure they are of good quality and recommended by a specialist, either a cosmetologist, stylist or doctor.

· Continuous visits to the salon at least every 4 to 6 weeks to trim your hair and stimulate growth, refresh your color, and apply treatment if necessary.

Using the wrong or low-quality products can make hair loss even worse. Just like we prioritize skincare for a glowing complexion, our scalp needs attention and care, too! We often focus on facial care from a young age, but it’s only when hair issues like thinning or loss appear that we think about scalp health.

Many of us focus on achieving shiny, soft hair, often reaching for products that promise these results. However, these products—especially those heavy with oils—can build up on the scalp, weakening hair follicles and potentially leading to hair loss, dandruff, or even infections.

Remember, "a healthy scalp is essential for growing strong, healthy hair." Taking care of your scalp now can make a huge difference in the health and longevity of your hair!

Revitalize Your Life with Healthy Eating Choices

Let's talk about food, the consumption of vitamins reinforces your health, hair loss is often the reflection of poor health, - beyond aesthetic concern, we must pay attention to our mental and physical health!

A poor diet will cause a vitamin decompensation in your body, and your hair will suffer immediately, these are some of the foods that you can include in your diet to strengthen your body, according to your taste and need.

I recommend the consumption of foods rich in iron, zinc and vitamin B12, here I provide you with a list of foods that you can incorporate into your diet.

·  Seaweed, spirulina, cholerlla and wakame, rich in vitamin E known as the vitamin of longevity and beauty. Its consumption stimulates the production of keratin and gives shine and elasticity to the hair.

·  Blueberries, full of vitamin C, promote circulation in the scalp and prevent hair from becoming dehydrated, if not enough vitamin C is consumed, hair splits easily.

·  Sweet potato, high in vitamin A, promotes sebum production, which in turn helps the scalp stay hydrated.

·  Whole grains, rich in B complex (B1, B6 and B12) that prevent hair loss.

·  Spinach, rich in iron, which helps oxygenate and keep hair follicles healthy. Together with beta-carotene, iron strengthens the circulation of natural scalp oils.

An iron deficiency contributes significantly to hair loss.

·  Eggs, the yolk contains zinc in abundance this nutrient is essential for cell renewal, which is vital for hair growth, zinc prevents the depigmentation of the strands, helping to delay the appearance of gray hair.

·  Lentils contribute to healthier hair rich in folic acid, promote hair growth and strengthen hair follicles.

·  Walnuts, rich in Biotin and Copper It is proven that a lack of Biotin and Copper can lead to hair loss.

·  Salmon, rich in omega-3, helps to improve the skin of the scalp helping hair grow strong and healthy.

 I highly recommend consulting a hair specialist to get personalized guidance—and remember, patience is key! Hair recovery takes time, but by following these tips, you’ll make the process smoother and see results faster. Stay consistent, and your hair will thank you!