Last October, actor Malaika Arora had famously spoken about her hair fall post recovering from COVID-19. This hair loss, experts say, typically begins after recovery, about six to eight weeks after the infection is detected. It can also be quite severe, with certain individuals losing up to 40 percent of their hair. “There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus causes hair loss; the cases we are observing are of a condition known as Telogen Effluvium (TE). TE leads to temporary hair loss after stressful events and is known to occur after high-fever illnesses such as dengue, malaria and typhoid. In case of COVID-19, the hair shedding is linked to the stress and trauma of battling the infection,” explains Dr Niketa Sonavane, a cosmetic dermatologist at Ambrosia Aesthetics. TE is characterised by sudden hair shedding and you may notice clumps of your hair falling out especially while shampooing and combing. 

Be gentle: While washing your hair, massage your scalp in a gentle circular motion. Wash in a downwards direction instead of piling your hair up, in order to reduce tangles. Consider a haircut as trimming away dry ends may reduce tangles and pulling while combing. Also, avoid ingredients such as sulphates, parabens, alcohols, and artificial fragrance in your hair products. Steer clear of heat styling and chemical hair treatments such as hair spa and re-bonding.