As we frustratingly approach two years of living through the pandemic, it is pretty well established that temporary hair loss – telogen effluvium – is one of the more common complications associated with COVID-19. Many of the physical and psychological impacts of COVID-19, such as high fever, severe infection, illness, significant weight loss, physical trauma, and emotional stress, are precisely the kinds of disruptions that lead to telogen effluvium. Quarantines, worries about jobs and finances, juggling the responsibilities of parenting and career – these common pandemic-related stressors alone are more than enough to cause hair loss, even for those who aren’t otherwise sick.
However, one aspect of the pandemic that DOES NOT appear linked to hair loss is COVID-19 vaccines. Plainly put, scientists have found no connection between any of the widely available COVID-19 vaccines and increased hair loss.
Anytime someone goes through an infection, gets a fever, or experiences significant stress, as is the case with COVID-19, they can experience telogen effluvium. Many vaccinated people experience side effects from the shot, including fever and mild illness. But those side effects do not appear to create the conditions that cause temporary hair loss like COVID infection itself.
As reported recently in the Boston Globe, “Dr. Shira Doron, infectious disease physician at Tufts Medical Center said hair loss following coronavirus vaccination has not been detected in any surveillance.”
Nevertheless, many fully vaccinated individuals and those who have not been infected with COVID-19 can and do experience pandemic-related hair loss. This is due to the immense stress, disruption, and uncertainty that COVID-19 continues to cause for so many people. Quarantines, worries about jobs and finances, juggling the responsibilities of parenting and career – these common pandemic-related stressors alone are more than enough to cause hair loss, even for those who aren’t otherwise sick.
During this time, the physicians and staff at the Miami Hair Institute remain committed to helping our clients address their hair loss issues safely and effectively through our
To receive your personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.