Thursday, May 2, 2024

Postpartum Hair Loss: Causes, Treatment & What to Expect

hair loss after pregnancy

They may test you for thyroid disorders or other health issues. Dr. Yates explains that within 24 hours of a baby being delivered, estrogen and progesterone decrease sharply in the new parent. “Estrogen decreases even more with breastfeeding because excess estrogen can interfere with milk production,” says Dr. Yates. Your hair might always be a bit thinner now than it was before you became a parent, too.

When Should you See the Doctor About Postpartum Hair Loss?

Luckily, this extra fuzz usually goes away by about six months postpartum. Excessive shedding or hair loss doesn't usually happen right after delivery. Instead, it begins a few months after delivery, often peaking around four months postpartum. Postpartum hair loss typically lasts a few months, though this varies from person to person.

Helpful Tips to Tackle Postpartum Hair Loss

When breastfeeding, some extra hair may hang on to a woman’s scalp until she weans or starts to supplement with formula or solids. But nursing or not, within one year of the baby’s birth, a woman’s catch-up hair loss will be finished, and her locks should be back to normal, too. Lastly, it’s essential to know that postpartum hair loss won’t affect your newborn child.

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Eating well doesn’t have to be too complicated or time-consuming. Avocados and eggs are a good source of protein and healthy fats, which boost your skin and hair health2. If you’re short on time, smashed avocado and poached or scrambled eggs on wholegrain toast is a quick, filling meal. While hair loss can be alarming for new mothers, the shedding will eventually stop and your hair will return to its pre-pregnancy fullness.

How can I prevent postpartum hair loss?

Your every day shower drain shedding is a result of the telogen phase. While postpartum hair loss is a natural process, you can do a few things to minimize hair loss and promote hair growth. You don’t need to seek treatment for postpartum hair loss since your hair will eventually return to normal on its own.

Normal hair growth patterns typically return after 6 months postpartum, but some women may experience postpartum hair loss up to a year after childbirth. Once hormone levels dip after giving birth, the body lets go of the hair, resulting in shedding. “Hair loss that occurs in the postpartum period is known as telogen effluvium,” notes Dr. Mariwalla. She explains that this type of hair loss has nothing to do with pregnancy itself, but rather, is caused by the stress of delivering a baby. Adapting to life with a newborn can be challenging, and the experience of postpartum hair loss can amplify stress and anxiety. However, it’s important to recognize that hair loss following childbirth is both normal and widespread.

Can Postpartum Hair Loss Last 2 Years?

Slip Hair Scrunchies are made of silk to prevent excess tension. “It is important to refrain from too-tight ponytails, braids, and cornrows, which can put excess tension on the hair fiber,” and can lead to breakage, adds Hill. With a newborn (cutely) demanding your time, chances are good you won’t have time to spend hours on your hair. Furthermore, keep up your intake of essential vitamins like A, C, D and E as well as proteins like biotin.

During pregnancy, rising estrogen levels slow down the natural cycle of hair follicle shedding. As a result, some women may actually lose fewer hairs while pregnant. As you already know all too well, pregnancy and the postpartum period are filled with many wondrous — and not so wondrous — changes in your body, and postpartum hair loss is one of them. Still, certain vitamins and minerals – such as vitamin A – can contribute to healthy hair growth, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough of these as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Although no specific vitamins have been shown to affect hair loss, they can help support your overall health. "Other things to consider during and after pregnancy which can impact hair growth include women's thyroid function, iron levels, vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin B12 - also known as folate," says Asfour.

How your hormones change during pregnancy and postpartum

Including a variety of fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins in your diet is the best way to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs. Speak to your doctor to ensure you get the right vitamins for your needs. Volumizing shampoos are special shampoos that have ingredients that make hair look fuller. If you have thin or fine hair, using a volumizing shampoo can help to add some volume and thickness to your locks.

During the postpartum period, it is also important to drink plenty of fluids to replenish lost minerals. If you’re drinking tea or coffee to make up for your lack of sleep, keep in mind that the tannins in these beverages inhibit iron absorption. A hair tourniquet forms when a strand of hair falls out and wraps around a baby’s toe, finger, or other body part. A single strand can wrap so tightly that it cuts off circulation or causes an infection. Finding the best shampoo and conditioner for thin hair is really a matter of trial and error.

hair loss after pregnancy

Despite probably having some knowledge that new parents do lose hair after giving birth, the process can still feel unexpected and overwhelming. At the very least, it can be challenging, even if it doesn't bother you that much. While some of the hairs on your head are actively growing, others are chilling out in a resting phase. Eventually, the hairs in the resting phase fall out, and new hairs sprout in their place.

While it may not be preventable, the use of appropriate hair products and hairstyles can provide some relief as you await the regrowth of your hair. Typically, by the time your baby celebrates their first birthday, your hair should have fully restored its volume. Many new moms see noticeable hair loss a few months after having a baby. Dermatologists refer to this condition as excessive hair shedding. Many women see hair loss within a few months of delivery, generally peaking around four months postpartum. This is not true hair loss, but rather “excessive hair shedding” caused by a drop in the hormone estrogen.

Postpartum hair loss, or postpartum telogen effluvium (PPTE), happens between two and six months after giving birth. When you're pregnant, your body produces extra estrogen to support the baby's development. Once the baby is out and living its best life, you no longer need the extra hormones, so you'll experience a drop in estrogen.

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