Losing your hair after pregnancy can feel scary, but it is very common. Postpartum hair loss happens to many women and is usually temporary. This blog will explain why postpartum hair loss happens and how you can treat it.
Keep reading to find easy tips for healthy hair!
Key Takeaways
- Postpartum hair loss is common and affects over 90% of new mothers. It starts around three months after giving birth and usually ends within 6 to 12 months.
- Hormonal changes, especially the drop in estrogen, cause excessive shedding. Stress and fatigue can worsen the condition.
- Good nutrition helps reduce hair loss. Foods like spinach, eggs, salmon, berries, and avocados support healthy regrowth. Staying hydrated is essential too.
- Gentle hair care habits matter during postpartum. Use sulfate-free shampoos, avoid tight hairstyles or heat tools, and massage with natural oils for scalp health.
- Severe or prolonged hair loss lasting more than six months could signal thyroid issues or iron deficiency—consult a doctor if this happens.
What is Postpartum Hair Loss?
Postpartum hair loss is a common condition many women face after giving birth. It happens due to hormonal changes in the postpartum period. During pregnancy, increased estrogen levels cause hair to stay in its growth phase longer, making it appear thicker and fuller.
After childbirth, these hormones drop quickly, leading to excessive shedding of hair.
This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Over 90% of new mothers experience some level of this condition. Many notice clumps of hair falling out or thinning around three months postpartum.
The good news is that this process is temporary, and normal hair growth usually returns within 6 to 12 months.
Postpartum hair loss shows how much your body changes during motherhood.
Causes of Postpartum Hair Loss
Postpartum hair loss happens due to changes in the body after giving birth. These changes can affect how your hair grows and sheds.
Hormonal changes
Hormones play a big role in postpartum hair loss. During pregnancy, estrogen levels rise. This causes the hair growth cycle to slow down. Hair appears thicker and fuller because less hair falls out.
After giving birth, estrogen drops sharply. Hair follicles enter the shedding phase all at once. Women experience excessive hair shedding for this reason. Breastfeeding can also cause hormonal changes that prolong hair thinning or delay new hair growth.
Stress and fatigue
Shifts in hormones after pregnancy can make your body more sensitive to stress. Stress and fatigue can increase postpartum hair loss. Many women experience hair thinning or noticeable hair loss during this time because their body is working hard to recover from childbirth.
Lack of rest exhausts the body and disrupts the normal cycle of hair growth. Stress may cause more strands of hair to fall out than usual. As a result, fine hair might feel thinner, leaving many women searching for ways to promote healthy regrowth.
When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start and Stop?
Postpartum hair loss usually begins about three months after giving birth. Many women notice significant hair shedding during this time. This happens because hormone levels, especially estrogen, drop after pregnancy.
Pregnancy hormones earlier kept more hair on your head and reduced shedding.
Shedding often continues for four to five months after childbirth. The amount of hair you lose may feel like a lot, but it’s temporary. Most women see their hair return to its usual thickness by their baby’s first birthday.
Hormones stabilize within 6 to 12 months, allowing the body to stop losing excess strands and start regrowing new ones naturally.
How to Treat Postpartum Hair Loss
Learn simple ways to care for your hair and improve its health during postpartum.
Nutritional adjustments
Postpartum hair loss is common after giving birth. Eating the right foods can help reduce hair shedding and promote regrowth.
- Eat more green vegetables like spinach and kale. These are rich in iron, which helps prevent further hair loss.
- Add eggs to your meals for protein that strengthens strands of hair. Eggs also contain biotin, which promotes healthy hair growth.
- Include fatty fish like salmon in your diet to boost omega-3 intake. This supports scalp health and makes the hair look fuller.
- Snack on berries that are full of antioxidants and vitamins to protect and improve the condition of your hair.
- Enjoy avocados for their healthy fats to keep your scalp nourished and your strands shiny.
- Include red meat if you aren’t vegetarian or vegan; it’s packed with iron, a key nutrient for new moms experiencing postpartum hair loss.
- Drink plenty of water each day to keep both your body and hair hydrated.
- Avoid junk food as it lacks nutrients needed for strong, healthy strands.
These steps can help improve overall hair health after pregnancy while promoting regrowth over time!
Hair care tips
Nutritional changes are key, but hair care matters too. Simple habits improve and protect your hair after pregnancy.
- Use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos to clean your scalp without damage. These products help prevent hair loss after giving birth.
- Apply lightweight conditioner for fine hair to avoid weighing down your strands. Look for conditioners that add body to your hair.
- Wash your hair less often to reduce stress on fragile strands of hair. This can help improve hair breakage and promote regrowth.
- Avoid tight hairstyles like ponytails or braids, which pull on the scalp and cause loose hair to fall more easily.
- Limit heat styling or use tools on cooler settings to avoid causing your hair further damage. Heat can harm already weak strands of hair and slow regrowth.
- Gently massage your scalp with natural oils like coconut oil or argan oil every week to encourage blood flow and make the hair appear fuller over time.
- Brush slowly using a wide-tooth comb to remove the loose strand of hairs without breaking healthy ones.
These tips keep your hair healthier and may combat increased postpartum shedding effectively!
Over-the-counter products
Over-the-counter products can help with postpartum hair loss. Shampoos like Head & Shoulders and conditioners like John Frieda strengthen your hair. Supplements such as Viviscal and Nutrafol promote thicker and fuller strands.
OGX Anti-Breakage Serum prevents breakage, making your hair appear stronger.
Women’s Rogaine Unscented Foam contains 5% minoxidil. It is FDA-approved to boost your hair density. This foam helps many women restore their hair growth after pregnancy. These options make it easier to prevent postpartum hair loss and encourage regrowth.
When to Seek Professional Help
Severe hair loss lasting more than six months after pregnancy may signal deeper health issues. Conditions like postpartum thyroiditis or iron deficiency can cause increased hair loss.
Many women experience postpartum hair loss, but consulting a doctor is essential if it persists beyond this period.
If normal hair regrowth doesn’t occur within a year, visit a dermatologist or specialist. Excessive shedding that results in bald spots requires medical attention. Treatments for underlying problems can help your hair return to normal.
Conclusion
Postpartum hair loss is common and temporary. Hormonal shifts after birth cause it, but your hair will grow back. Care for your body with good nutrition and gentle hair care. Try products that help your hair look fuller.
If shedding seems extreme, ask a doctor for help.
FAQs
1. Why does postpartum hair loss happen?
Postpartum hair loss occurs due to hormonal changes after pregnancy. During pregnancy, an increase in hormones keeps more hair than usual from falling out. After giving birth, these hormone levels drop, causing excess hair to shed.
2. When does postpartum hair loss typically start?
Hair loss usually starts a few months after pregnancy and can last for several months before it stops.
3. Is postpartum hair loss permanent?
No, postpartum hair loss is only temporary. Most women find that their hair returns to its normal growth cycle within 6-12 months.
4. How can I treat or reduce postpartum hair loss?
Use gentle products that promote healthy growth and avoid those that weigh down your strands. Eating a balanced diet with protein can help strengthen your follicles and make your locks appear fuller.
5. Can certain practices prevent losing too much during this time?
Yes, being easy on your strands by avoiding tight hairstyles and harsh treatments can help reduce shedding while encouraging them to grow back stronger.
6. Are there any warning signs of serious issues related to shedding after childbirth?
If you lose a lot of strands beyond the typical time frame or notice patches missing entirely, consult a doctor as it could signal other health concerns like alopecia or nutrient deficiencies affecting restoration efforts!
References
- https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/motherhood/fourth-trimester/the-truth-about-postpartum-hair-loss
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23297-postpartum-hair-loss
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5315033/
- https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/postpartum-health-and-care/postpartum-hair-loss/ (2022-02-22)
- https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/best-postpartum-hair-products