Hair loss after pregnancy or postpartum hair loss is normal and common. Most moms experience it especially around three months postpartum. It’s a temporary phase so don’t panic. This phase usually ends by 6 months as your hair will return to its normal growth cycle.
Hair loss is also unrelated to breastfeeding. No evidence shows that breastfeeding causes
Causes
During pregnancy, your hair becomes thicker and more lustrous. But after having a baby, you will notice that your hair is falling out in clumps. This happens because of the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body.
So these hormones keep your hair from falling out. After you give birth, hormones levels drop back to normal and hair starts to fall out. Postpartum hair loss starts around the third or fourth month after birth.
When you brush your hair or take a shower, clumps of hair may fall out. You may also find strands of hair on your pillow when you wake up. We lose about 80-100 hairs a day which is totally normal. However, new moms lose about 400 hairs a day.
It’s a shocking number that makes you think you’re going bald. But don’t worry, this is not true, your hair is just getting back to normal.
After about six months, hair loss should slow and your hair growth cycle should return to normal again. But some women may experience postpartum hair loss for more than six months, between 6 months to one year.
If hair loss is not slowing down after one year then you should consult your
Dealing With Postpartum Hair Loss
Your life is going to change after having a baby. Taking care of the baby and breastfeeding is so much work to do. This can put a lot of strain on your body.
Stress can worsen any skin condition so reduce stress levels as much as you can. Of course, it’s not easy to control stress levels when you’re responsible for a baby but you can try.
So here are some things that you can do to deal with postpartum hair loss:
- First, relax, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that this is normal. It is temporary and your hair will grow back soon.
- A healthy balanced diet helps with the hair growth process. A healthy diet leads to healthy skin and hair.
- Ask your doctor about continuing to take your prenatal vitamin supplements.
- Have blood tests to ensure blood sugar, vitamin D, zinc, and iron levels are all normal.
- Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Homemade natural conditioners can help moisturize and deep condition your hair. Use the product that gives you the illusion of fullness.
- Use different styling products such as mousses. Also, add volume to your hair around bald spots or thinning patches.
- Parting your hair in a different place to hide thinning patches.
Also,
- Wear headbands and scarves to disguise hair loss. New moms don’t have enough time to devote to hair care so wearing them can really help.
- Visit a professional stylist and ask for advice. It’s a good time to get a new haircut. Bangs can hide thinning patches.
- You can ask your stylist to add some highlights or lowlights to add more dimension. Also, darker hair looks fuller.
- Try glossing which is a treatment that adds shine to your hair.
- Straight hairstyles make thinning patches and bald spots look more obvious. So try to go with your natural curl or use a curling iron to add texture to your hair.
NOTE:
If your hair loss is excessive or hair loss is not slowing down, it could be a sign of other postpartum issues. You should consult your doctor if you notice any changes.
Don’t worry everything is going to be okay, you just need some time to get used to all these responsibilities.
Life is going to be so much easier after your baby’s first birthday. And your hair will grow back and look perfect as it used to be. Don’t forget, it is definitely still worth it.