Why Is Hair Loss After Having A Baby A Thing?

For most women, hair loss after having a baby is a very real occurrence. Those long, super shiny curls are now dull and falling out. Ugh. But you don’t have to accept this lying down. (But if you want to lie down, go for it!)

After birthing a new human and figuring out the new normal in your life, finding clumps of hair tangled in your hairbrush or swirling the drain after a shower can be quite alarming.

The thing is the shedding of hair post baby is quite normal. Hair loss after having a baby happens for most women in the six months that follow giving birth.

Causes of Hair Loss After Having A Baby

During pregnancy, every woman experiences tremendously high levels of progesterone and estrogen. As a result, we experience continuous hair growth throughout pregnancy and will typically notice lustrous and thicker strands. 

After delivery, your hormones begin to level out over the next six months. Your hair remains in the resting stage for approximately the first three months and then begins to fall out. Soon after, you will notice the re-growth taking place, which is generally in the shape of baby bangs along your hairline.

New moms, know that this season you are in is hard. But it won’t always be this way.

How Long Does It Take For Postpartum Hair Loss To Stop?

The alarming rate at which your hair falls in postpartum might be scary at first, but the good news is that it is usually only temporary. Many women experience postpartum hair loss for about four months, though some may experience it for a bit longer. It took my hair about 5 months to go back to normal. Normally, experts say hair growth pattern should return to normal within six months to a year after delivery.

Note: In case of severe symptoms or excessive hair loss for more than a year, you must consult your doctor.

How To Combat Hair Loss After Having A Baby

You can effectively manage your postpartum hair loss in several ways. However, one thing you must take note of is that postpartum hair loss is a normal occurrence due to your changing hormones. So don’t expect it to stop immediately. 

The following tips are going to help you minimize the impact of your postpartum hair loss and will be helpful in gradually promoting healthy re-growth of your hair.

1. Nutritional Supplements

It is natural for new moms to feel overly worried about their postpartum hair loss. If you are anxious, perhaps you should consult your doctor regarding mineral supplements or vitamin intake. These are helpful agents of hair re-growth and stopping or minimizing hair fall.

The American Pregnancy Association approves of the following for postpartum hair loss:

• Vitamin E
• Iron
• Zinc
• Vitamin C
• Biotin (B7) or Vitamin B complex.
• Laser Hair Caps

FDA-cleared laser caps are one of the most advanced and effective treatments for hair re-growth. You may consider this as a convenient remedy to tackle your postpartum hair loss issues. This is an effective and safe hair loss treatment for women ages 18 and older. Laser hair caps have several benefits:

• They can revitalize frail and damaged hair.
• They can create thicker and healthier hair follicles.
• Laser caps can treat balding and thinning hair.
• They can reverse postpartum hair loss.
• There are no side effects, and the device is FDA-cleared.

2. Healthy Balanced Diet

There is no doubt about the fact that a balanced and healthy diet is optimal for every person’s wellbeing and good health. For postpartum mothers, in particular, one cannot overstate the importance of a healthy diet, since it plays an integral part in restoring and halting the postpartum hair fall from progressing. 

One major way of combating your hair fall is to maintain the required balance of nutrients and vitamins. You must include fresh fruits, whole grains, and vegetables as these are the biggest sources of nutrients. In addition, it is equally important to remember that a sufficient intake of water is a must for thorough hydration. 

3. Hairstyle Change

Is it time for a new mom hairstyle? A shorter hairstyle is not only practical and easier to manage for new moms; it also effectively reduces the appearance of the postpartum process.

You may be very fond of your hair length but think of it from an alternative perspective. An adjustment in your styling will reduce the level of stress on your fragile hair and enable it to re-grow faster with less burden. 

You must also try not to brush your hair too vigorously when in postpartum. This could split or tear your delicate hair, nor should you force it into styles like cornrow braids, ponytails, and weaves. 

5. Improve Your Hair Care Routine

Changing up your hair care routine may also help to reduce your hair loss. You might try a shampoo for postpartum hair loss, one that contains silica and biotin along with a deeply moisturizing conditioner.

Bottom line

Hair loss after having a baby is a natural process most women experience. There are certain ways in which you can reduce the amount of hair fall. However, you must also remember that this condition often corrects itself once your hormones start normalizing and return to balanced levels. Good luck, mama! This season won’t last forever!