By As if taking on caring for a newborn isn’t stressful enough, many moms are faced with the shock of postpartum hair loss. Not everyone is aware if this unfortunate (but totally normal) problem, so it usually comes as a shock when it does happen.
The good news is: postpartum hair loss does not last forever.
But in the meantime, here are some ways you can face this head-on and like a pro.
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Related: Postpartum Care Essentials
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
During pregnancy, you most likely noticed how full and luscious your locks became. This is due to a serious increase in hormones, along with the help of those prenatal vitamins you’ve been so diligent to take every day. Normally, you would lose small amounts of hair daily. But because of your higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy, this slows down significantly.
After you have your baby, your hormone levels drop significantly. So for a while you’re playing catch up with all the hair you would have normally lost during the last nine months. But don’t panic! You aren’t losing all your hair. It’s just making it’s way back to normal.
When Do You Start Losing Hair?
Postpartum hair loss can start any time after you have your baby. Most moms reach their peak of hair loss between 3-4 months postpartum. So around this time is when you may be pulling out clumps of hair, or noticing a bigger pile of hair on your shower drain. This all depends if you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding, too. If you are breastfeeding, it may happen a little later for you. But really not too much later.
[mailerlite_form form_id=2]Ways To Deal With Postpartum Hair Loss
Although for most moms postpartum hair loss is inevitable, there are way to possibly minimize how noticeable it can be.
Below are some tips on caring for your delicate locks.
1. Be Gentle With Your Hair
When styling your hair, try to stay away from pulling your hair into a tight updo. Most of the time hair loss is noticeable around the temples. So pulling tight in these areas will only exaggerate this.
Instead, go for low ponytails or buns, or just keep your hair down if you can. The less stress you put on your hair, the better.
Try not to use heat-styling tools like curlers, straighteners, or blowdryers. Stay away from chemically treating your hair until you’ve notice the shedding slow down. Wash your hair only when necessary and use volumizing shampoo and conditioner. When you brush your hair, try to tug on it as little as possible. A wide tooth comb was my go to!
2. Keep Taking Your Vitamins
Continue taking your prenatal vitamins after you’ve had your baby, especially if you’re breastfeeding. You’ll reap the benefits along with your baby. Plus these helped you get those beautiful thick locks in the first place!
3. Maintain A Well-Balanced Diet
Taking those vitamins don’t replace eating well. Drink lots of water! And make sure you are eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Making sure you’re getting the right nutrients can significantly help improve your hair health.
4. Keep Up With Regular Haircuts
I know getting your haircut won’t minimize hair loss. But it can help keep split ends at bay along with making your hair look fuller and healthier. Plus, as you get new regrowth this will help blend in those new baby hairs. Trust me, they can come in fast and they will be noticeable!
When Will Postpartum Hair Loss End?
For some women, they stop shedding excess amounts of hair around 6 months postpartum. Sometimes its can last a little longer. Typically your hair is back to normal around the one year mark. If you are noticing more than normal hair loss past a year, you should bring that up with your doctor.
Every woman experiences postpartum hair loss differently. Some may notice more hair loss than others. Some may be so lucky not to notice any at all! (If that’s the case, I envy you.)
Just remember that experiencing postpartum hair loss is totally normal. And besides noticing some crazy regrowth hairs, you should be back to your pre-pregnancy ‘do in the near future.
What do you think?