Hair Loss Due to COVID-19 Related Stress Is A Real Thing

How stressed have you been over the course of the past twelve months? The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has perhaps been the single most stressful event and experience in recent memory, so it’s no surprise that over half of Americans surveyed by Harvard last year are reportedly more stressed than they were before the pandemic began.

COVID-19 and Female Stress-Related Hair Loss

One alarming statistic is that, according to a recent article in the New York Times, Google searches for “hair loss” and related keywords have increased by nearly 10% over the past twelve months. This means that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more women are experiencing the phenomenon known as “telogen effluvium”. This phenomenon, more commonly known as temporary hair loss, can cause hair loss at three times or more the natural rate as more hairs are pushed into the growing cycle, making us shed more often.

Though hair loss, in general, tends to be more common in men, telogen effluvium itself is more commonly found in women - especially after stressful periods such as childbirth. One dermatologist at New York Medical Center, Dr. Abigail Cline, says that “any kind of stress” can trigger telogen effluvium. Whether it’s directly related to physical or mental stress, both have been felt more commonly and more intensely in the past twelve months due to the pandemic.

According to Harvard Medical School, temporary hair loss that occurs through telogen effluvium typically begins to show between two and four months after the event that signifies as the key “stressor”, and in most average cases tends to last for about six months. Others may last a shorter period of time, and others still may never quite see the full extent of their hair loss come back even months or years later. Many medical professionals will recommend a consultation with a certified physician to discuss potential treatment plans in order to find the best way that you can start recovering from hair loss brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, women may consider obtaining a prescription from their doctor for a “cranial prosthesis” (specific terminology required by health care providers for wigs), along with a letter explaining that a

cranial prosthesis for hair loss and its effects is not for cosmetic reasons, but rather emotional well-being. In using the “cranial prosthesis” language, a wig becomes coded as a medical necessity and not a fashion item and may be covered fully or in part by your health insurance provider.

Take Control of Your Hair with a New Look

Wigs and hair extensions offer a real solution for women to get back to looking and feeling their best. In fact, thanks to high profile celebrities and influencers, the wig and hair extension industry is booming and is projected to reach $10.42 billion by 2024.

American wig company, Dini wigs has recently revolutionized a safe and highly efficient way for women to order wigs with the creation of ‘Dini From Home’, a personalized service that allows customers to receive the same incredible quality in-store without the risk of COVID-19 infection.

The service consists of a preliminary Zoom appointment to get an idea of the wig of your dreams. This is followed by a package with all the tools you need to complete a 3D scan. A second Zoom appointment helps customers properly prepare for the scan which is done via a phone app. An exact replica of the customer’s head is then built and used to create the wig which is followed up with a final Zoom appointment to make sure everything is perfect.

Women who are experiencing hair loss in particular rely on the kind, empathetic and patient service of Dini Wigs. Hair loss is traumatic, no matter what the reason. Whether it is stress- related, alopecia, cancer, hormones or other medical reasons, a woman can find herself extremely self-conscious when she loses her hair. Dini Wigs delivers world-renowned top- quality service, with each wig being expertly crafted and completely natural-looking, using untreated and high-quality European hair.

Our hair feels like a part of identity, almost like a safety blanket that allows us to feel like ourselves. But losing it does not have to define you. The choice to wear a wig is up to the individual alone, but it may be the thing that makes you feel confident and back to yourself again.

To find out more about Dini Wigs, please visit diniwigs.com.