The Covid-19 pandemic has obviously had a huge impact on the world and the lives of so many people. And it’s making moves in the hair loss world. Many women, and men, who had luscious locks before contracting COVID are experiencing hair loss. And for those who are totally new to hair loss, it can be an overwhelming, difficult to navigate time. There are so many questions.

Lusta Hair is no stranger to hair loss. We truly get what you’re going through. We wanted to spend a moment going through what you might expect when experiencing hair loss from COVID.

Is hair loss a normal side effect of COVID?

COVID, as we know, can cause a whole range of symptoms and long-term effects. One of the common symptoms of COVID is hair loss. What is it about this disease which prompts the loss of hair? COVID usually causes what is known as ‘Telogen Effluvium’. This is a type of hair loss that has been around for a long time. Telogen Effluvium is hair loss which is caused by trauma or stress. When we contract COVID, our bodies' can go through intense stress. But the hair loss doesn’t occur right away. That’s because our hair actually has its own life cycle. The stages of this lifecyle are 1) anagen phase, when your hair grows, 2) catagen phase, the resting and transition phase and 3) telogen phase, where your hair falls out. Everyone experiences these 3 phases, but with Telogen Effluvium your hair transitions to the loss phase very quickly. Although your hair may seem fine and healthy for quite a while after recovering from COVID, it takes about 3 months for the hair loss to start. Telogen Effluvium is usually a temporary form of hair loss, that only lasts for one hair cycle (3-6months).

How much hair will I lose?
The amount of hair loss you'll experience is different for everyone. Some people find that their hair is falling out in clumps and others experience a diffused thinning all over the scalp. Unfortunately, hair loss can be quite an unpredictable thing and it's hard to gauge exactly what your hair loss will look.

Will hair loss from covid grow back?

This isn’t as simple of a question as we’d like it to be. If your hair loss is Telogen Effluvium, it’s likely your hair will grow back when your next hair growth cycle starts. But, Telogen Effluvium can trigger more long term forms of hair loss. It’s best to contact your doctor or dermatologist to see if they can give you answers for your specific circumstance.

How long does hair loss from covid last?

Again, this is a tricky question to answer. Some people find that their hair starts growing back after about 3-6 months. Others find that their hair may take a few years to get back to normal. And for some, hair loss becomes more permanent.

What can I do to help my hair grow back?

Hair loss is a tricky thing. Finding a solution that works for you can be quite a process. We suggest reading this article all about hair loss solutions and which ones actually work.

If my hair never grows back, what can I do?