The Real Deal on Post-COVID Hair Loss

The Real Deal on Post-COVID Hair Loss (and Why It’s Not Your Conditioner’s Fault)

Let’s talk about something that’s been showing up in my chair way too often lately: unexpected hair loss. And no, it’s not your shampoo. Or your heat protectant. Or that one time you wore a ponytail too tight.

Hair is deeply personal, and when something changes—like excess shedding—it can feel alarming. I want you to know you’re not alone, and it’s not in your head (though yes, it’s on your head).

One of the biggest culprits I’ve seen? COVID-19.

After recovering from COVID, many clients are experiencing telogen effluvium—a type of shedding that’s often triggered by illness or stress. It shows up a few months after recovery. But here’s the truth most headlines skip: for some people, especially those with long COVID, the hair does not bounce back the way it used to. Yes, it may grow again—but often it comes in finer, more fragile, and less dense.

And if you’re suddenly noticing breakage or excessive shedding from the root—especially after your stylist has been doing your hair for years with no issues—it’s probably not your colorist breaking your hair. In fact, the professional color lines we use have become more gentle and conditioning over time, not harsher. Yet the hair itself may be more vulnerable due to what’s going on inside the body.

Another factor I’m seeing more of lately? Nutritional deficiencies linked to popular weight loss medications.
Drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy are changing people’s relationships with food—and when your nutrition drops, your hair can suffer. Hair needs protein, iron, zinc, biotin, and other nutrients to grow strong. If your body’s not getting enough, your hair follicles are the first to take the hit.

I’ve done the research (so you don’t have to), and here are some solid sources if you want to dig deeper:

Resources I Trust:

1. American Academy of Dermatology
Can COVID-19 cause hair loss?

2. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Hair disorders associated with post-COVID-19 infection in females

3. Allure Magazine
Is the Pandemic Causing Stress-Related Hair Loss?

4. GQ
COVID-19 Can Also Make Your Hair Fall Out—Here's Why

5. NPR
Why COVID-19 causes hair loss — and how to cope

6. Dove Press (Medical Journal)
Complementary strategies to promote hair regrowth in post-COVID-19 telogen effluvium

7. University of Utah Health
Losing Your Hair After COVID-19? There's Good News

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If this is happening to you, don’t panic. It’s more common than you think. But it’s also a good idea to start being honest about what your body’s been through, what medications you’re taking, and how we can support your hair from the inside out.Let’s work together on what’s real—not what Instagram tells you.
Love,

Wendy Hunt
The Style Studio in Nectar at the Villa