Over the last three years, many things have happened, including the emergence of new social media trends and, of course, the pandemics that are stressing the world. Due to this illness, we checked the news every hour to get the latest information. Things are slowly returning to normal, but they still affect people infected with the virus.
Given that stress is one of the causes of hair loss, no one should be surprised at the link between hair loss and Covid-19. Dr. Robert Finney, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, said, “There is a form of hair loss called telogen effluvium, which is often called” stress-induced “and is childbirth, illness, medication, or major. A stress factor in life. “
Can COVID-19 really cause hair loss?
To answer this question, you first need to understand the process of hair loss and how it happens.Our hair goes through four Main phase:
- Anagen – Growth stage (lasting 3 to 7 years)
- Katagen – Transition phase (lasts about 10 days)
- Rest period – Pause phase (lasts about 3 months)
- Exogen – Shedding phase (lasting 2-5 months)
Nearly 90% of the hair is in the active phase, the follicle continues to grow new strands, and less than 15% is in the telogen phase. Stress and hormonal changes can lead to a higher percentage of hair transitioning to telogen. This means that more hair is resting or missing than usual, with a lower percentage during the anagen phase. This causes the following situations: Telogen effluvium (TE)..
“Psychological stressor-influenced epinephrine and cortisol can cause these hormones to contribute to COVID-related hair loss,” said Brigitte Hill, a certified hair scholar. In these situations, our body damages tissues and creates pro-inflammatory conditions that can cause TE.
Use of spironolactone for hair loss
The recommended medicines for hair loss depend on your health condition, so see your doctor if you want to cure this hair loss. Spironolactone may be prescribed because it reduces the production of androgens such as testosterone and other male-related hormones. High levels of androgens cause a type of hair loss known as androgenic alopecia. the study The use of spironolactone has been shown to reduce androgen levels and promote hair growth.
Use minoxidil and finasteride for hair loss
Minoxidil and finasteride are more commonly used in the hair growth industry to help recover from hair loss. Minoxidil is also known by the brand name Rogaine. “The best treatment on the market is topical minoxidil,” said Dr. Finney. The treatment is applied directly to the scalp.
Finasteride is another topical treatment aimed at minimizing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced by the inactive testosterone hormone. This by-product of testosterone causes hair follicles to contract. Both minoxidil and finasteride counteract these effects, but hair loss may resume when you stop taking them.
Use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for hair loss
Dr. Finney said: “PRP is arguably a good treatment option. The growth factors in our platelets are effective in preventing hair from transitioning to rest and telling them to wake up.” Blood There are not many risks to treatment as it is extracted from the client’s body.
PRP It is a hair loss treatment that depends on the regenerative ability of our own body. It is also used in sports to help repair damaged tissue. It is believed that damaged hair follicles can also be repaired. Blood is drawn from your body, platelets are separated, and then injected into the area of the scalp that needs to grow.
Lifestyle changes to manage hair loss
The basics for good hair health begin with a proper cleansing routine to maintain a clean scalp and hair without buildup and dandruff. “Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. We want to neutralize pH levels and ensure that sebum and other contaminants are removed,” says another hair expert, Sarah Mardis. increase.
It is important to choose a good shampoo and other hair care products. For example, avoid using dry shampoo for oily skin. Dry shampoo keeps dead skin cells and oils attached, which creates an ideal space for microorganisms to infect hair follicles. A healthier body also leads to healthier hair, so consult a dermatologist before choosing a diet and paying attention.
Final idea
Pandemics move the whole world, and their protracted effects can affect the health of our hair and other parts of our body. The virus indirectly causes hair loss by increasing stress levels and can cause telogen effluvium.
Medications like minoxidil can help treat this hair loss, but they can also help make other changes to your daily life. Eating a healthier diet and choosing the right hair care product for your hair type will help you fight hair loss. However, if hair loss lasts longer than expected, consider consulting a hair specialist. Vinci Hair Clinic offers free consultation to all new clients. Book your appointment today!
