Hair Loss After COVID-19 Vaccine: Treatment Options

Since the pandemic, a lot of myths about the COVID-19 vaccine have circulated — including when it comes to hair loss. So is there actually a link between the COVID vaccine and hair loss? 

While vaccines generally are safe for most people, in rare cases, they can cause side effects such as hair loss. Still, the COVID-19 vaccine is an effective, research-backed vaccine that helps your body develop antibodies to the virus that causes COVID and prevents severe complications from infection. And as it turns out, contracting the coronavirus disease can lead to hair loss as well.

Below, we outline what the research says about the COVID vaccine and hair loss, and explain how to stop excess shedding — whether or not it’s vaccine-related. 

There’s not much evidence showing that hair loss is a common side effect of getting vaccinated. Rarely, COVID-19 vaccines — along with some other vaccines — may trigger a form of hair loss known as alopecia areata in certain individuals.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly targets hair follicles, leading to shedding. This effect can happen across the entire body or just on the head.

In rare cases, COVID-19 vaccines may cause this kind of immune system activation, but there’s not enough research to draw firm conclusions. 

In fact, it’s also possible that getting the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may help prevent hair loss.

Some people have experienced hair loss due to COVID. It’s possible that hair loss from the virus is the result of telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair shedding. 

Telogen effluvium can happen when a person contracts a severe illness, such as a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Other possible triggers include:

• Acute illness

• Major surgery

• Stressful or traumatic events

• Ongoing emotional stress

• Significant weight loss

In fact, a 2020 study involving 214 people with telogen effluvium found that 90% had contracted a COVID-19 infection.

It’s extremely difficult to pinpoint the prevalence of hair loss following the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 13 billion doses of the vaccine have been administered worldwide, including boosters. Since people experience hair loss for a number of reasons, it’s difficult to say with certainty whether the cause is the COVID-19 vaccine.

Still, a 2022 study noted 915 incidences of alopecia following the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. People with family histories of alopecia areata and thyroid issues are the demographic that may have an increased risk of experiencing hair loss due to the COVID vaccine. Hair loss could begin anywhere from two weeks to four months after receiving the second dose (as opposed to the first dose).

It’s worth noting that the findings from this case report are limited in time, scope, and available data. But one promising takeaway is that about 80 percent of the hair loss patients reported hair regrowth since their diagnosis — in other words, it’s temporary hair loss.

About 80 percent of people report hair regrowth after experiencing hair loss post-vaccine. Additionally, alopecia areata has a high rate of spontaneous remissions, meaning people get better without treatment.

In general, treatment for this form of hair loss focuses on addressing the body’s inflammatory immune responses. Treatments might include injections, immunotherapy, or topical steroids.

Your personal recovery journey from alopecia-related hair loss isn’t something we can outline here. Rather, a healthcare professional can consider the severity of your symptoms and your tolerance for different therapies to determine the best treatment approach.

Your provider can also help you figure out whether your hair loss was a potential side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine or a result of something else, like another medical issue, a skin condition, physical stressors, or a medication you’re taking.

Many people experience excess hair shedding, and there are a variety of possible explanations for it. One of the most common types of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.

If you’re experiencing a form of hair loss other than alopecia areata (the type the COVID vaccine can trigger), FDA-approved medications like minoxidil or finasteride could help. Both of these address the root causes of hair loss in male pattern baldness.

You might also consider supplements like biotin to help boost hair health and support the hair growth cycle. Lifestyle factors, such as maintaining a healthy diet, can also help.

Does the COVID vaccine cause hair loss? It’s unlikely. But let’s recap what we know about the COVID vaccine and hair loss:

• COVID can cause temporary hair loss. Some evidence suggests the COVID vaccine is a potential triggering factor of alopecia areata, but this side effect is rare. That said, you’re more likely to experience temporary hair loss as a result of a serious COVID infection than you are from getting the vaccine.

• It can also help prevent COVID-related complications, like hair loss. By getting vaccinated, you can avoid severe complications from COVID. Illness is another possible trigger for a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium, though again, hair will likely regrow post-COVID.

• COVID-related hair loss is usually temporary. Whether due to an immune response to the vaccine or COVID itself, any lost hair will typically grow back. 

Even though it’s technically possible for hair loss to be COVID-related, a number of other factors can cause hair shedding. Talk to a healthcare professional to determine the root cause of your hair loss and to learn about your hair loss treatment options.