It is now becoming recognized that hair loss after COVID-19 is a growing trend. After living through a COVID-19 diagnosis, patients are noticing clumps of hair falling out. These unwelcome additions to their experience are unsurprisingly causing distress among patients.
A silver lining may be that the hair loss seems to be temporary, likely due to a condition is known as telogen effluvium. Telogen is a technical term referring to the hair growth cycle. Effluvium, from the Latin effluo, means “to flow out or away.” The diagnostic term literally means that hair is flying out of one’s head.
Undoubtedly, post-COVID-19 patients feel this is an accurate description.
The exact cause of hair loss is hard to pinpoint. In general, telogen effluvium is seen after distressing events. For COVID-19 patients, possible causes range from the virus or fever being responsible to simply the physiological and emotional stress of surviving a traumatic event.
This makes it even more of an undesirable situation for those experiencing hair loss after a medical crisis. While the situation is unpleasant, it does appear to be short-lived. Patients can anticipate regrowth of their own hair eventually.
Coping with COVID-19 Hair Loss
In the interim, Wig-A-Do has many options for those looking to cope with hair loss after COVID-19 in the short term.
Hairpieces are an effective, appropriate option for those who have experienced localized, a limited loss that has produced a short or bald patch on their scalp. If rather, hair thinning has occurred, more traditional clip-in extensions are available to add length and volume. Both pieces and extensions can be worn as frequently or infrequently as desired.
If more than fifty percent of hair has been lost post-COVID-19 due to telogen effluvium, a full wig may be the simplest solution for recovering patients. Coming in many styles, colors, and materials to match budgets and looks, full wigs are virtually indistinguishable from natural hair and can help restore a sense of normal.
Wigs come in two main materials: human hair and synthetic hair. Longer lasting – but also more expensive – human hair wigs are often considered a long-term investment piece. Synthetic wigs have a shorter life span and smaller price tag and maybe more suitable for someone who intends to only wear a wig infrequently or for a short while.
For those recovering from COVID-19 and temporary telogen effluvium, a synthetic wig may be more cost-effective.
No matter why you are experiencing hair loss, Wig-A-Do is here for you. Get in touch with our staff to make a socially-distanced, masked-up appointment to see which hair loss pieces may be the best fit for you. Reach out to us today by calling (856) 235-3534 or sending us a message.
