Caring for your hair in a Covid world - by Anthony Pearce – Specialist Trichologist

Press release 9th March 2021

Although the entire world has suffered the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic, we in Australia or New Zealand perhaps cannot fully comprehend the devastating physical, emotional and psychological toll it’s taken on the people of other nations around the world … but as 2020 progressed the devastating effects of this viral contagion was quickly realised.

Contracting Covid-19 (or any other significant virus) generates immense physiological stress on the body and its defences. A Covid-19 diagnosis would create almost overwhelming emotional and mental distress in anyone witnessing its advance across the world.

Scalp hair growth is metabolically continuous - but not life ‘essential’ - and readily disrupted when illness or severe, protracted stress assaults the body. Loss of hair density may not be apparent for some months, and shedding may be minimal or dramatic in amount depending on the severity of the cause.

Those practitioners who could pivot to offer remote consultations for customer hair loss concerns saw an increase in people seeking advice – particularly for Alopecia areata – an autoimmune condition recognised by its distinctive ‘bald spots’ on the scalp.

The multi-factorial effects of Covid-19 notwithstanding, women should be aware that any changes in hair quality or density is almost always a reflection of underlying nutrient or metabolic disturbance, or where they are hormonally within the different stages of life. By contrast the commonest form of hair loss in males is androgenic balding, which is part of our secondary sex characteristics as adult males.

For complex reasons of gender, ethnicity or faith women are generally at increased risk of iron, Vitamin D or Iodine deficiency, or developing an autoimmune condition than are most males.

If you’re not too concerned with any current hair shedding, quality dedicated hair growth treatments such as the Watermans ‘Grow Me’ range is an excellent starting point to consider. Diligent use for 3-4 months can see a reduction in hair thinning and the hope of healthier hair growth.

Should hair shedding not diminish or is accompanied by noticeable fatigue – or other symptoms – you should seek the advice of a qualified health practitioner.

Anthony Pearce – Specialist Trichologist