In conversation with Dr. Lokendra Limbu, we get to know the truth behind the hair fall problems.

About the Doctor:

Dr. Lokendra Limbu is a Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, Venereologist, and laser surgeon who has been diligently working in this field for the last 8-10 years. During three years of working together with Absolute aesthetics, Labim mall, he has come across various cases that have only contributed to his growth as a professional. 

  1. Most people are facing hair loss problems, especially, after covid. Is it true that the virus causes hair loss problems?

- Yes, people have faced hair loss problems after covid-19 recovery. However, until now, we have not been able to find some specific indicators to find out that the hair fall that follows after the covid-19 is particularly because of the virus. So the consensus now is that this hair fall might be because of any other stressful situation in the body. For example, other illnesses, like, typhoid, mental stress, and physical stress would also normally lead to hair fall problems. The mechanism is the same, hair fall is due to a stress response. 

 

To break down a hair cycle for a non-medical person:

Three cycles of hair fall:

  1. Growing phase (Anagen)
  2. Resting phase (Telogen)
  3. Shedding phase (Exogen) 

 

Normally, your hair will grow for 3-6 years which is called the growing phase. After that, it enters the resting phase for anywhere between 2-3 weeks which is called the Telogen phase. Then, the hair will start shedding, anywhere from 2-4 months which is called the Exogen phase.

 

  1. How can covid-19 cause hair loss problems?

When we have stressful conditions, our body is made for self-conservation. So, when we have covid-19, we get stressed so our body focuses mainly on the major internal organs. The body wants to preserve vital organs like the heart, lungs, livers, etc. by decreasing the blood flow in the not-so-essential areas like hair and nails. 

Now suddenly what happens is, that 90-95% of hair in the growing phase decreases, and the percentage of hair in the shedding phase increases. The very process is already started when one is covid infected, however, since the shedding phase takes about 2-4 months, we witness the hair fall after the recovery.  

 

 

  1. Difference between hair shedding and hair loss problems?

Hair shedding is a natural and normal process. We consider 100-150 hair strands to fall out to be hair shedding and if noticed more than that, it is hair loss. 

 

  1. Does the hair fall differ from than regular one? What does it look like?

There are different types of hair loss. The hair loss problem is known as Alopecia. During hair loss due to covid or any other stressful situation, a larger percentage of hair is shifting from the growing phase to the shedding phase which is called telogen effluvium. Sometimes, you can have hair fall due to hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders, and nutritional deficiencies. They may or may not be of the same type.

The hair fall type due to covid is known as Telogen effluvium, which is the same for hair fall that occurs after any stressful situations. 

 

 

  1. Is there any link between covid vaccine and hair loss problems?

So far, there has been no link between covid vaccine and hair loss. If you are asking me, whether the hair fall is due to a vaccine, then we have not seen that or say there has been no evidence.

 

 

  1. What can be the treatments for hair loss?

So far, if you have Telogen effluvium, you don’t need to worry about the treatments. As sooner or later, the percentage of hair that has entered the shedding phase will fall out and new hair will grow. One thing that should be known is that when the hair is shed off, the root of the hair is still intact to the skin for the new hair to grow.

In fact, the new hair that is coming from within is pushing the hair out. There is no need for a particular treatment. Having said that, everybody may not have the same quantity of hair fall. So, it is better to consult the doctor.  

 

 

  1. At what point should one know it’s time to visit a doctor?

Sometimes the hair fall might have other reasons like lack of nutrition, metabolic disorders, hormonal change, etc. Or it might be stress, covid, and other factors altogether. Therefore, it is still a good idea to visit a dermatologist.