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COVID has jet-hosed collateral damage into every aspect of human life, but there’s still a lot we don’t know about its long-term effects.
A further added stress is the hair thinning suffered by an estimated 30% of COVID patients. This condition, known as telogen effluvium, is a type of hair loss often caused by severe illness (such as COVID-19), stress or significant life changes. The triggers can shift the hair growth cycle causing them to go from their growth phase (anagen) to their shedding phase (telogen) prematurely.
Telogen Effluvium
It’s normal to shed 80 -100 hairs each day as part of the hair’s life cycle of: growth – shed – rest - repeat. In normal hair growth only 10% of the hair on the head is in the ‘shedding phase’ (telogen), but when you’re experiencing telogen effluvium, the disruption to the normal life cycle of the hair can push up to 30% into the shedding phase earlier, and in severe cases even more than this.
This disruption is usually due to physical or psychological stresses on the body such as:
It typically shows two to three months after the event and usually takes six to eighteen months before the hair grows back fully, which it generally does once the trigger has gone away.
You can speed up the recovery process by keeping to a healthy balanced diet and plenty of hydration. Your body needs protein, vitamins and minerals to grow hair. Getting sufficient Vitamin D is also important as this stimulates hair growth, and being indoors restricts access to sunlight and the intake of Vitamin D.
Hair follicles contain receptors, which vitamin D binds to, and according to studies, deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to reduced hair follicle growth and hair thickness.
Other reasons for hair loss such as iron deficiency or under-active thyroid can be identified with a simple blood test through your GP.
There isn’t a single pill or silver bullet to deal with hair loss. It mostly requires following healthy lifestyle habits and allowing nature to reset itself.
But there’s a lot you can do to maximise the hair you have. These are the steps we use in the salon to get the most from hair.
Step 1 - LifeSaver Pre-wash Treatment boosts hair strength and fullness at a core level. It also helps cleanse and balance the scalp supporting the follicles.
Step 2 - Using the correct Cashmere Protein shampoo and conditioner for your hair type will further boost, strengthen and protect.
Step 3 - Styling products can dramatically add to thickness by working close to the surface cuticle. Thicker Quicker texturises and thickens floppy silky hair which is generally near the roots.
Volumising Mousse smooths and thickens the naturally textured hair, generally at the mid-lengths and ends.
Step 4 - Ten Second Transformation as the very last stage once hair is dry, can boost thickness, pliability and volume on textured hair whilst smoothing frizz and nourishing dry tips. Generally not suitable for soft, floppy, silky hair.
Later this year we will launch specific growth products to nourish and stimulate below the scalp and encourage thicker fuller hair renewal.
Michael Van Clarke
Further Reading
Clean Living and Pregnancy Haircare - Michael Van Clarke
Hair Loss in the Menopause - Michael Van Clarke
The word ‘healthspan’ has been absorbed into our daily lexicon. It pops up as often as lifespan now as the movement to maximise health progresses. Healthspan is the length of time a person is healthy, not just alive, and was coined by gerontologists in a 1987 Science article. A period of life in which you are healthy and free from chronic disease or disability.
