As your pregnancy due date approaches, you're likely looking forward to finally welcoming your little one. However, there's one thing you most likely are not looking forward to… postpartum hair loss.
Many women find that during pregnancy their hair grows thicker and a few months after becoming a new mom they begin to see noticeable hair loss. Rest assured, we’ve made a comprehensive guide on postpartum hair loss, its symptoms, and ways to prevent and stop it.
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
Several new moms experience noticeable hair loss a few months after having a newborn. This is normal, and it's not actual hair loss. Dermatologists name this condition excessive hair shedding - caused by falling estrogen levels.
An average individual loses up to 100 strands a day, but not all at once, so it goes unnoticeable. However, when you're expecting, the pregnancy hormones prevent those hairs from falling out.
When your hormones drop back to normal, the extra strands fall, too. Fortunately, this excessive shedding is temporary, and you don't have to do anything to correct it. Most new moms notice their hair going back to its normal fullness by their little one's first birthday. Several women recover normal hair fullness even earlier.
When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start?
Postpartum hair shedding does not start immediately after your little one is born. In fact, this noticeable loss of hair may come as a surprise after most other postpartum signs have gone, with peak hair loss happening around four to five months postpartum.
Hormones are the ultimate reason for your change in pregnancy hair and postpartum hair loss. During pregnancy, the high levels of estrogen your body produces stop your expected rate of hair loss.
Usually, your strands fall out in small amounts daily, but this hair loss decreases during pregnancy. The effect is enhanced by increased blood volume and circulation, leading to your hair falling out less than usual.
So after your newborn arrives and your hormone levels reduce, your hair makes up for the lost time by shedding in much larger clumps than it usually does. The total volume of your hair loss is likely not greater than you would have lost over the last nine months; it just seems so because it's happening altogether.
Postpartum hair loss sets in after your baby's delivery and can sometimes continue for as long as a year. If this happens to you, you're not alone. Close to half of all new moms experience this condition.
How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last?
Hair loss typically lasts up to three to fifteen months and should slow down after. You should see noticeable improvements by the time your little one is blowing the candles on his first birthday.
Although, some women notice their hair doesn't have quite the density it had pre-pregnancy.
When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Stop?
Postpartum hair loss is normal. It typically starts within five months of welcoming your newborn and begins slowing down three months or so after that.
Being gentle with your hair and experimenting with quality hair products and styles can help get you through it. Speak with a dermatologist if you believe you are experiencing severe postpartum hair loss or if the symptoms continue for more than a year.
How To Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss
You can prevent postpartum hair shedding by keeping a healthy lifestyle and body in the weeks and months following your delivery:
Tip #1: Take Care Of Your Hair
When your hair follicles are in the telogen phase (the resting phase), they are in their optimal fragile state and can shed easily. To prevent premature shedding, be careful and gentle with your hair when washing, drying, and brushing, and avoid tight hairdos that cause too much tension on the follicles.
Also, a silk pillowcase can help ensure your hair isn't pulled out while sleeping. Being gentle with your hair will make sure your telogen strands stay on your scalp for as long as possible.
Tip #2: Eat Well
Because hormonal fluctuations that lead to postpartum hair loss may be unavoidable, diet changes and increased energy after delivery can also tamper with the hair cycle.
When the body experiences nutrient imbalance, it shuttles energy to vital organ systems like the brain, heart, liver, and lungs and away from not too important functions like growing hair.
Such can extend or exacerbate the period of postnatal hair loss. To prevent this, ensure you maintain a healthy diet with lots of leafy greens, supplements, vegetables, proteins, and fruits.
Tip #3: Take Your Vitamins
Vitamins shouldn't be an alternative to a well-balanced diet, specifically when you're a new mom with an infant to take care of. But they may assist as a supplement if your diet is not healthy enough.
If you're experiencing postpartum hair loss we recommend Goldie Locks® Hair Growth Supplements for postpartum hair loss to help stop shedding and promote hair regrowth.
- 93% Reported improvement in overall hair health
- 92% Experienced accelerated hair growth
- 90% Reported less shedding
- 87% Visibly saw improved hair density
Tip #4: Minimize Stress
Stress is one of the primary causes of hair loss; hormones like cortisol can negatively impact your hair cycle, increasing the hormonal changes after delivery. Although it may not be easy to rest with a newborn, try to take some relaxing time out for yourself alone.
Consider a spa day or indulge in a massage or meditation. Gentle exercises like modified postnatal yoga can as well help to reduce stress levels.
Goldie Locks® Supplements contain a powerful blend of all-natural ingredients designed to not only promote longer, stronger, healthier hair - but also to help reduce stress, improve energy levels, boost immune support, and help regulate mood.
Tip #5: Change Your Style
Several new mamas opt for a shorter, easy-to-manage hairdo. Shorter hair can be styled to disguise thinner hair and help when the new hair starts growing.
Most or all of the hair you shed will grow back, but the process will naturally take some time. New hair will look like flyaways, so a shorter hairstyle can help blend the newer hair with the remaining hair, and they can all grow together.
How To Stop Postpartum Hair Loss
Here are some tips you can take to reduce the effects of postpartum hair loss and help stimulate healthy hair growth.
Tip #1: Maintain A Balanced Diet
We are all aware that maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for the best health and well-being. For postpartum moms especially, a balanced diet can help your overall recovery and stop postpartum hair loss from progressing.
Ensure your diet has all the necessary balance of nutrients and vitamins found mostly in whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruits. Keep in mind to drink lots of water all through the day to help keep you hydrated.
Tip #2: Get Nutritional Support
It's not relatively easy for a growing family or new family to prepare a well-balanced meal or eat at regular times after the arrival of a newborn.
Taking vitamins for postpartum hair loss can help your body get necessary nutrients. These will help supply the minerals and vitamins required to reduce changes to your hair.
Goldie Locks® Supplements contain 20+ over the counter vitamins, herbs, and minerals to help you find balance and get the most out of your day, all whilte looking and feeling your best.
As always, we recommend seeking the advice of your medical provider before beginning any supplementation.
Tip #3: Modify Your Hair Care Routine
You may notice that modifying your hair care routine can help prevent further hair loss. Consider using a shampoo fortified with biotin like Goldie Locks Ultra-Hydrating Signature Shampoo - the best shampoo for postpartum hair loss.
Your hair is more fragile when wet so brush carefully after you wash it or wait for it to get dried. Set your hair blower to a cool setting and avoid using straightening irons or hot rollers to prevent additional damage that can result from excessive heat.
Your hair may benefit as well from other specialty products such as a deep-moisture conditioner, hair masks, and scalp sprays to help it maintain lustrous locks.
Tip #4: Skip The Styling
Heating your hair with a curling iron, straightener, or hair dryer can often make it appear thinner. Consider holding off on heat styling and allow your hair to air-dry as the thinning gradually diminishes. Not only will this help hair not appear as thin, but it will prevent hair breakage that comes with applying heat to your strands.
Brushing your hair too hard may also cause it to fall out in bigger clumps, so make sure to also be gentle while brushing.
Tip #5: Be Patient
Excessive hair shedding can be a startling and frustrating postpartum symptom for new moms. Be patient as you allow your body to find its rhythm and your crown returns to its former glory.
Final Thoughts
In most cases, postpartum hair loss will restore itself as hormone levels return to usual. Following the tips above, should offer relief in your postpartum journey. If you're still noticing excessive hair loss as your little one hits their first birthday, you may want to seek out a dermatologist to ensure there isn't another cause for your hair loss.
