What shock hair loss? What is triggering shock hair loss?
Essentially what happens is any major shock to the body, whether it be fever or illness from covid, change in hormones, medications, or stress. What happens is a portion of the hair. That is normally in the growing phase, get shifted to the resting phase. Up to 50% of the hairs can be shed. Because of the hair cycle, we typically see it 2 to 3 months after the cause.
For example, you know someone was sick with covid in march we’re seeing some of the hair shed in June or July because of the natural hair growth cycle. It’s also interesting that we’re not just seeing loss from people who had covid, but also from the stress of the pandemic, whether it be financial stress, psychological stress. This can be triggered by any major stress even emotional or minor stress such as childcare.
Natural hair growth cycle is divided into three phases. The first is the growth phase, which is anagen that includes about 80 % of hairs. We have about 10 % in between and 10 % that are resting. Any time we have a major stress. The shift happens where the hairs will get increasing shifted up to the shutting down phase. Sometimes up to 50 %.
Typically, 2 to 3 months after the inciting factors stress where we start to see shedding. It can last up to 6 to 9 months – everyone’s different, but it could take up to 6 months to resolve. Understandability, it can be incredibly stressful and distressing for people when they’re seeing excessive hair shedding in the shower, on their clothes, on their pillow, or on the hairbrush. But the good news is there is a recovery. This is not permanent.
We all know when you are experiencing excessive hair loss, 6 months seems especially a long time. Especially for women who want to see their full hair thickness come back. The good news is that generally, shock hair loss does not cause scarring and the hair thickness will come back. This is not just for covid patients. It is also for all who are dealing with life.
There are other times you can absolutely see shock hair loss. Common factors such as postpartum after childbirth from the stress of delivery and hormonal changes. Even some common medications, common flu, major emotional stress such as divorce, loss of job, or shelter in place can trigger rapid hair loss.
What are some of the things we can do to protect our hair or to expedite the return to full-thickness?
Important to have a well-balanced diet with adequate protein to build new hair. Eat sufficient fruit and vegetables and add iron supplements if you may be anemic. If you are not pregnant or nursing, can consider using over-the-counter minoxidil 5% to shift more hair into the growth phase. Consider MD Nutri hair supplement and MD Hair treatment product to support hair through the regrowth process during this delicate recovery phase. With regular continue usage, one can to expedite the process of hair regrowth. Be patient and understand that hair shedding is a common body’s response to stress. With proper nutrition, supplementation, and hair products. Most will restore normal hair volume and thickness within 6-9 months.
