Hair Loss · 2 min read
Holiday Stress, COVID & Weight Loss: Causes of Shedding
Holiday stress, a COVID infection or rapid weight loss on semaglutide can all trigger telogen effluvium. What it is and what helps.
By the Hair Solutions of Long Island specialists ·
The short answer
Stress, illness such as COVID and rapid weight loss can push many hairs into the resting phase at once, causing telogen effluvium about 2 to 3 months later. It is usually temporary, and scalp care, good nutrition and laser therapy support regrowth.
Have you Ever Felt Stressed Around the Holidays?
If your answer is YES, you could possibly experience shedding in about three to six months because it takes time for the stressor to shift the hair cycle.
Have you Had COVID?
Covid triggers hair loss, also called Telegen Effluvium due to stress, medications, and fever.
What the heck is Telogen effluvium?
It’s sometimes referred to as stress shedding and is characterized by a sudden and unusual amount of hair loss. Intense period of emotional or physical stress sends your body into survival mode and it stops non-essential functions in order to preserve nutrients. Your body thinks that growing hair is non-essential. You will notice more hairs than usual in your brush, on your pillow, or in your shower drain. Telogen effluvium doesn’t cause symptoms like flaking, itching, pain, or a rash.
Have you had rapid weight loss due to medications like semaglutide?
People using Ozempic ( semaglutide ) and other related glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for rapid weight loss are experiencing many side effects.
It is important to note that rapid weight loss can also cause telogen effluvium. Additionally, experts hypothesize that the hormonal shifts from semaglutide and similar drugs can trigger not only temporary telogen effluvium but also early onset male and female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is a progressive condition that can continue to worsen over time, resulting in permanent hair loss.
Other Triggers of Telogen Effluvium
• Fever • Illness • Thyroid or organ dysfunction • Surgery • Medication changes • Pregnancy or postpartum • Psychological stressors such as a major life change
What can help?
• Hair supplements like some B vitamins can help improve hair growth. • Therapeutic scalp treatments • Patience: Within several months, the issue should resolve on its own.
Frequently asked questions
How long does telogen effluvium last?
Most cases improve within 3 to 6 months once the trigger has passed.
Can semaglutide cause hair loss?
Rapid weight loss on semaglutide can trigger telogen effluvium. Eating enough protein helps.
