I Lost My Hair After Covid and This is What I Did to Help It Grow Back

I have a secret. One that I was very embarrassed about. It had me hiding under ball caps and beanies for months. Two years ago, I had Covid. I had few symptoms and luckily was feeling better in days. However, one of the fall-outs of having Covid was my hair (pun intended). This started a couple of months after having Covid. I would wake up and there was a ball of hair on my pillow, and there was hair everywhere. I probably lost 30 to 50 percent of my hair. It definitely had me worried.

A visit to the doctor told me about this condition, called acute telogen effluvium. It was a side effect of Covid for some people. According to the National Institutes of Health, acute telogen effluvium is a non-scarring hair loss that usually occurs 3 months after the stressful event that causes hair shedding, and lasts up to 6 months. It can be associated with post-Covid-19 infection. My doctor told me that she had seen some people with this, and that the hair had started to regrow within months.

She did tell me to take good care of my hair and be gentle with it over the next few months, but I also did some research and found that diet and supplements could be helpful. Everyone is different, and you may find something works better than other things. But you should talk to your doctor before starting any supplements or other approaches to hair loss and baldness treatment.

Understanding Hair Growth

To embark on a journey toward healthier hair, let's first understand the basics. Hair growth is a dynamic process influenced by genetics, nutrition, and overall well-being. The hair growth cycle consists of phases such as anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). Certain nutrients play a pivotal role in supporting this cycle, and they became the gentle nutrients I leaned on to help help with hair loss and maintain healthy locks.

Biotin - The Hair Vitamin

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is often touted as the go-to supplement for hair health. This water-soluble vitamin is essential for converting nutrients into energy and is one of the best-known nutrients people reach for to help with hair loss, supporting healthy hair, skin, and nails. Among the vitamins for hair loss after Covid people ask us about most, biotin comes up first, and it's found in eggs, nuts, and leafy greens.

True biotin deficiency is rare, but it's associated with thinning hair when it does happen. The Adequate Intake for adults is 30 mcg a day, and you'll see hair supplements go far higher than that. More isn't always better, so check with your practitioner on a dose that fits you.

A final note about biotin: high doses may interfere with some lab work, including some thyroid and cardiac panel tests. If you have an appointment for bloodwork, let your doctor know you’re taking it. This is another reason not to take the highest dose possible.

Iron - Fueling Follicle Growth

Iron deficiency has been linked to hair loss, and treatments aimed at boosting regrowth often depend on this crucial nutrient. Iron helps carry oxygen to hair follicles, supporting their growth and vitality. Incorporate iron-rich foods like lean meats, beans, and spinach into your diet. If needed, consult with a healthcare professional to determine if iron supplementation is appropriate for you.

Vitamin D - Sunshine for Your Strands

Vitamin D is not only essential for bone health but also plays a role in maintaining healthy hair follicles. Exposure to sunlight and vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish and fortified dairy products can contribute to maintaining optimal levels. If you struggle to get enough vitamin D from natural sources, supplements may be considered under professional guidance.

Low vitamin D has been studied in connection with telogen effluvium, the same shedding many of us saw after Covid. A simple blood test tells you where you stand. If you're low, the standard measure of a supplement is IU or mcg, and your provider can point you to the right amount.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Nourishing Your Scalp

Healthy scalps are essential for thriving, alive hair, and omega-3 fatty acids contribute to scalp health. Incorporate fatty fish, chia seeds, and flaxseeds into your diet to provide your body with these essential nutrients. Omega-3 supplements are available if you cannot get enough in your diet.

Collagen - A Structural Support

Marine Collagen - Wild Caught - Types I, II & III, a protein that forms the structural foundation of hair, skin, and nails, is gaining popularity as a supplement. Marine collagen, derived from fish, may provide an additional boost to hair health. Collagen won't work as a hair baldness treatment on its own, so always check with your practitioner to see if it is right for you.

When you’re experiencing persistent post-pandemic hair loss, try to zoom out. One 2023 review of natural compounds investigated for hair loss suggests that diet and scalp health play complementary roles, and there’s no magic bullet. Yes, supplements can be beneficial. But so can proper nutrition, hydration, and self-care.

As for me, my hair is back to where it was before Covid. It did take a while, but I found that being gentle with my hair and myself, eating well, getting a satin pillowcase and incorporating supplements into daily routine helped me immensely. And when I started seeing the regrowth, I was relieved!

Before making any changes to your supplement routine, consult with a healthcare professional to ensure that you're on the right track to achieving the hair of your dreams. Here's to nourishing your locks and embracing a journey toward radiant hair regrowth!

The Nutrients Behind My Hair Loss Treatment

My hair loss after covid treatment and vitamins weren't one magic pill. My post covid hair loss treatment at home came down to a handful of nutrients, working together. Gentler habits helped too. So did time. I stopped washing every day. Here's what I leaned on, and why each one may help support the hair growth cycle. Talk to your practitioner before you try any new hair loss treatment.

While there is a little research on the natural products used to study hair loss, this research suggests that nutrition and scalp health are connected, and a single product isn’t enough to solve the problem. At Village Green Apothecary, our pharmacists can look at your bloodwork and your routine and help build a plan tailored to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Covid Made My Hair Fall Out?

Why does hair fall out after covid? Short answer: The stress of a fever or viral illness can cause large numbers of hair follicles to enter the resting stage at once. These hairs will shed about two months later. This is what my doctor called telogen effluvium, which is a frequent theme in our questions on post-covid hair fall loss treatment. The good news is that this is usually only temporary.

Will covid hair loss grow back?

In most cases, yes. Telogen effluvium is a non-scarring type of shedding, so that means your follicles aren’t damaged, they’ve just taken a break. As soon as your resting period is over, hair will typically start to grow back again. It took me a long time, but my hair eventually grew back to where it was pre-Covid.

How long does covid hair loss last?

In many cases, shedding begins around three months after the disease has set in and can continue for six months, per the NIH. So that entire process, from the first clump of hair you see in the shower drain to when your hairline looks like your hairline again, could take a while. Just be kind to yourself. Slow growth is not no growth.

Can long covid cause hair loss?

Yes, it’s possible. There are people who report continued hair shedding for several months following Covid, and stress on the body is a common cause of telogen effluvium. If your hair loss persists beyond 6 months, or if you’re concerned, speak with your doctor. You can get blood work done to check levels of nutrients, such as iron and vitamin D, which could be contributing.

Why Hair Falls Out After Covid?

Hair loss after Covid typically boils down to stress. Having a fever or infection can cause a bunch of your hair follicles to enter the resting stage simultaneously, and those hairs then come out in two to three months’ time. That’s the telogen effluvium that my physician mentioned, and generally speaking, the condition isn’t permanent.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.