When it comes to postpartum, many women anticipate the sleepless nights, cracked nipples, emotional turmoil, and a time of adjustment. What many women don’t anticipate is postpartum hair loss.
Postpartum hair loss is a common and normal part of your body adjusting to not being pregnant anymore. If you’re experiencing hair loss, just know that you’re not alone and it’s very normal! Being pregnant, giving birth, and breastfeeding is hard work. It can take your body a little while to recover!
How do I know if I have postpartum hair loss?
You may notice a few months into postpartum that you’re losing hair from all over your head. This includes noticeable spots around your hairline and from the top of your head. This can seem alarming to some if you’re not prepared for it to happen, but don’t worry it’s totally normal! this kind of hair loss is very typical during the postpartum period. As your hormones fluctuate, the effects of pregnancy related hormonal changes will slowly even out and your hair will return to normal.
Causes of postpartum hair loss
When you are pregnant, your hair cycle ceases to continue its normal “grow, rest, shed” pattern. Your pregnancy hormones cause your body to hold onto all the hair it currently has, as well as all the hair you’ll grow over the 9 month span of your pregnancy. This leads to thicker, fuller, healthier looking hair.
When you have your baby, your hormones fluctuate and your estrogen lowers significantly. When your estrogen dips suddenly, your hair quickly returns to its “grow, rest, shed” pattern. Since it’s been exclusively growing for the past nine months, it skips over the “grow” part and moves straight into the “rest, shed” part.
Around 3 to 6 months postpartum is when your hair begins to shed. All the excess hair you accumulated during pregnancy is now ready to leave your scalp and be replaced by new hair.
This phase of hair loss can seem understandably terrifying to the many women who are experiencing it. Whether you’re prepared for the hair loss or not, it can often take you off guard when you are tired and have other things on your mind besides thinking about your hair’s growth phases. Don’t worry though, this really is just a phase, and it will pass! Your new hair will catch up in a few months, and you will experience new hair growth to replace what was lost.
How long does postpartum hair loss last?
Around 3 to 6 months postpartum you will notice yourself pulling larger amounts of hair out in your brush or in the shower. But don’t worry! This phase of (what seems like) excessive hair loss only lasts for around a maximum of six months. Usually it’s less than that! New hair will start growing to replace the old, and you should return to your pre-pregnancy hair by your baby’s first birthday. You may have what’s called “baby bangs” for a few months while the new growth comes in. It can be exciting and encouraging to see all the new hair grow all over your head!
How do I know if my hair loss is abnormal?
If you’re pulling large handfuls of hair out whenever you brush, if your hair continues to fall out for more than six months, or if you don’t see any new growth at that six month mark, bring it up to your doctor or midwife. Sometimes there can be an underlying issue that is not connected to pregnancy, such as a thyroid problem or an iron deficiency. Your healthcare provider can help you make dietary or supplement adjustments and hopefully help you see some improvement.
How can I best support my body during postpartum hair loss?
While nothing can completely prevent or stop postpartum hair loss, you can do several things to help support your body in evening out your hormones and growing new hair.
- Continue taking your prenatal vitamins. Your body is most likely depleted of essential nutrients after pregnancy and during breastfeeding. A great way to help fill in the gaps is to continue taking your prenatals daily, just like you did in pregnancy.
- Add collagen supplements. A great way to encourage new hair growth is to take collagen rich supplements. Your hair is made up primarily of collagen, so it may help to talk to your doctor about what supplements would suit your body best.
- Use less heat. Using heat on your hair can damage it, lowering the heat settings on your curling iron, flat iron, and hairdryer can help prevent damage to the hair you still have.
- Use a silk pillowcase. Sometimes using a cotton or polyester pillowcase can encourage your hair to fall out on your pillow when you sleep at night. Using a silk pillowcase will allow your hair to have a break and be able to heal itself while you’re sleeping instead of being rubbed against.
- Try high-protein hair masks. Just like using collagen to encourage hair growth from the inside, using a high protein hair mask can help encourage your hair to grow from the outside. Coating your hair in protein can also make the existing hair look thicker and fuller.
- Avoid thick conditioners. Not only will constantly conditioning your hair make it look limp, but it can also weigh down your hair. If you do condition, use it primarily on the ends of your hair where breakage is most common. No need to use it up high near your scalp.
- Be gentle when washing or brushing your hair. Unnecessary pulling can encourage your hair to fall out. Be gentle and go slow as you wash and style your hair.
- Try and support your overall health. Exercising daily, restoring your body of the vitamins and minerals lost during pregnancy, getting adequate sleep, and lowering stress are all great ways to support your body and encourage new hair growth.
- Avoid tight hair ties. Postpartum is a great time to switch over to using scrunchies or claw clips instead of tight hair ties. Using tight hair ties makes it easier to pull your hair back tightly, which can make your hair more likely to fall out. Try letting your hair hang loose or only tie it up with a looser scrunchie or claw clip.
Postpartum hair loss can seem daunting, and sometimes, downright scary. Don’t panic though, it’s a completely normal part of your body’s hormones returning to normal. Try not to stress over your hair, your body has just done several amazing things! You just grew an entire new person, your body is probably a little bit depleted! Give yourself grace and time as you enter this new phase of motherhood. Your body is beautifully designed, and it’s ok to feel sad if some part of postpartum upsets you. Don’t feel bad if you need to talk to someone or make some adjustments to help yourself feel better. You’re worth the time and effort it takes to get back to where you want to be! You’re amazing Mama, and you’re so beautiful! With or without big hair 🙂
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