Hair Loss Among Minorities and the Role of COVID-Related Stress
Just like numerous other matters in the recent past, we can attribute it to the coronavirus. It has been well-established that minorities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, facing greater challenges ranging from mortality rates to economic upheaval. And it has emerged that those in communities of color are also encountering a higher incidence of one of the more unexpected reported aftereffects of COVID-19: hair loss.
Recently published research in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology discovered a 400% rise in hair shedding (technical term: telogen effluvium) among people of color. This significant increase was noticed by dermatologists practicing at two NYC hospitals, located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, in racially diverse areas that witnessed some of the highest COVID-19 death rates in New York City. So, what's the reason behind this?
Well, to begin with, this is not necessarily directly linked to the coronavirus. “There's no data indicating that COVID-19 has any effect on the hair follicles,” explains Dr. William Yates, a board-certified hair restoration surgeon in Chicago. Instead, the culprit is stress related to COVID. Stress causes chaos to the hormones that assist in regulating the hair growth cycle. “We all shed hair daily, but it only becomes a concern when you lose more than you grow. Typically, approximately 90% of the hair is in the growth phase and only 10% is in the shedding phase,” says Dr. Yates. “However, when you're under stress, that ratio can change. It can become equal, or the amount of hair that's shedding can even exceed the amount that's growing. That's when you truly start to notice it.” Another aspect worth noting about stress-related hair loss is the timing; it doesn't occur immediately after a stressful event. Instead, it takes approximately three to four months to manifest. Dr. Yates points out that the research found the increased hair shedding to occur in July 2024, which is chronologically in line with the start of the pandemic, he says.
Okay, but how does the race factor come into the picture? The experts we conversed with had diverse viewpoints on the subject. Dr. Yates remarks that he would have preferred to see the findings of this research compared to the non-BIPOC population. He also adds that although he has undoubtedly witnessed an increase in those dealing with excessive shedding, it's evenly distributed among his Caucasian and non-Caucasian patients.
But Abra McField, a trichologist and hair health practitioner from St. Ann, Missouri, claims that there are several additional factors contributing to this surge of hair loss among minorities more than others. “We typically have coarser, more entangled, curlier, and drier hair. This means we have the same problems as everyone else, but we're more susceptible to hair loss. Everything we do to our hair externally, even combing it, can cause potential harm and breakage and worsen the situation,” she says. In related news, she adds that African American hair has a biologically distinct growth cycle; African Americans naturally lose more hair in a shorter period of time compared to Caucasians, she states.
McField also mentions the styling habits of Black Americans as another potential factor. Traction alopecia – hair loss caused by the pulling of styles such as tight braids, wigs, and weaves – is extremely common, and stress-related hair loss merely intensifies the problem, she says. Similarly, many Black women rely on professionals to assist in caring for and styling their hair; with salons closed during the pandemic, they may have been doing too much to their hair, doing the incorrect things, or completely neglecting it, all of which can also aggravate stress-related hair loss, she says.
Here's the positive news: If your excessive hair shedding is, in fact, solely caused by stress (that is, there's no underlying issue, such as illness or genetics), the condition will eventually resolve on its own. It can take anywhere from two to three months, once the stress diminishes, but eventually the growth cycle will normalize and the hair will begin to grow back, points out McField. In the meantime, since none of us can simply wave a magic wand and completely eliminate stress, whether it's pandemic-related or otherwise, there are measures you can take to help minimize its impact on your hair. Both experts we spoke with concur that it's crucial to be extremely gentle with both your scalp and hair, particularly when it comes to the products you're using. That implies avoiding harsh chemicals and chemical treatments, including relaxing, straightening, and coloring. Addressing the issue from the inside out can also be beneficial. Dr. Yates suggests ensuring you obtain sufficient nutrients essential for healthy hair growth – biotin, vitamin D, protein – through your diet and/or supplements.
And lastly, don't forget to deal with the stress factor as well. Pay attention to and be aware of your stress triggers, advises McField, who also holds a degree in psychology. Even something as straightforward as practicing deep-breathing exercises for two minutes at a time, she adds, can help calm your mind and even reduce hormone imbalances. “Dealing with hair loss is like waging a battle. You want to be in a position where you have strong defences before entering the fight, and all these things can help ensure you're in the best possible position, even when stressful events occur,” McField says.
