How Do Drugs Cause Hair Loss
Drugs cause hair loss by interfering with the normal cycle of scalp hair growth. During the anagen phase, which lasts for two to seven years, the hair grows. During the telogen phase, which lasts about three months, the hair rests. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair falls out and is replaced by new hair.
Medications can lead to two types of hair loss: telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium. Learn more about other causes of baldness.
Telogen effluvium is the most common form of drug-induced hair loss. It usually appears within 2 to 4 months after taking the drug. This condition causes the hair follicles to go into their resting phase and fall out too early. People with telogen effluvium usually shed between 30% to 70% more than the normal 100 and 150 hairs a day.
Anagen effluvium is hair loss that occurs during the anagen phase of the hair cycle, when the hairs are actively growing. It prevents the matrix cells, which produce new hairs, from dividing normally. This type of hair loss usually occurs within a few days to weeks after taking the medication. Itâs most common in people who are taking chemotherapy drugs for cancer and is often severe, causing people to lose most or all of the hair on their head, as well as their eyebrows, eyelashes, and other body hairs.
The severity of drug-induced hair loss depends on the type of drug and dosage, as well as your sensitivity to that drug.
When To See A Doctor About Hair Loss After Pregnancy
Postpartum hair loss is common and its usually nothing to worry about. However, you should see a doctor if you have other symptoms as well and particularly if you have symptoms of the other causes of hair loss after pregnancy listed below.
You should also talk to your doctor if your hair doesnt go back to normal after 1 year.
Hair loss can be caused by lots of different things, and your doctor can check the cause and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Use our Smart Symptom Checker to help rule out other possible causes of hair loss, such as a scalp condition or health condition.
What To Do About Postpartum Hair Loss
You can’t prevent postpartum hair loss. It’s a normal part of the recovery from pregnancy. There aren’t any treatments to stop telogen effluvium or to speed up new hair growth. Doctors recommend eating a healthy and balanced diet. This may help hair grow after the shedding phase ends.
The hair you shed after having a baby will grow back over time. However, you may notice that you have a lot of new hairs that are much shorter than the rest of your hair. These are the new strands growing in, and they are a normal part of the postpartum hair growth process.
You may not like the look of your hair during the shedding and regrowth phase. In that case, you can use styling products or techniques to improve the way your hair looks. Try lightweight conditioners to avoid weighing hair down and making it look limp. Volumizing products can make your hair appear fuller. A fresh cut or new color can also improve how your hair looks. Your stylist might be able to suggest styling tips that would help as well.
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Is It Possible To Overdose On Biotin
The US recommended dietary allowance for adults is 30 micrograms daily, while for breast-feeding women its 35 micrograms.
I take one tablet daily with 45 micrograms, so a little more than the RDA.
Biotin is water soluble so its unlikely you could overdose, but like any supplements, read the label and check with your pharmacist.
Maintain A Healthy Diet
We all know that maintaining a healthy diet is an important factor for optimal health and wellbeing. For postpartum women in particular, a healthy diet can help your overall recovery and stop postpartum hair loss from progressing.
Make sure your diet includes the necessary balance of vitamins and nutrients found primarily in vegetables, whole grains and fresh fruit. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to stay hydrated.
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The Best Supplements For Postpartum Hairloss
For many years it was suggested that women continue to take their prenatal vitamins for as long as they are breastfeeding. However, you may now find advice that women switch to a postnatal vitamin during the postpartum period.
Postnatal vitamins, such as these or these, typically include higher doses of Vitamin D3, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. This increase in vitamins works to keep mom and baby healthy. These vitamins may also help slow postpartum hair loss.
Some women believe that including a biotin gummy supplement into their routine significantly helped with hair loss. However, some women do report side effects.
This gummy and this one are consistently reported as favorites. However, it is best to consult your healthcare provider before beginning a supplement.
When To Visit Your Healthcare Provider
If you notice that your hair loss is particularly severe or that youâve been shedding hair for longer than about half a year, it might be time to see your healthcare provider.
In some cases, a thyroid issue such as having an underactive thyroid may be causing the hair loss. Some thyroid conditions are also linked to pregnancy or the postpartum period. If your healthcare provider diagnoses a thyroid condition, she will be able to offer you treatment.
As you already know all too well, pregnancy and the postpartum period are filled with lots of wondrous â and not so wondrous â changes in your body.
Although it may seem as if thereâs no end to how many ways your body is changing, when it comes to your hair things will soon return to normal.
How We Wrote This ArticleThe information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
- See all sources
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When Should You See A Doctor
Many new moms suffer from excessive postpartum hair loss, which usually peaks four months after giving birth.But by the babys first birthday, most women should regain their natural hair growth.
It is worth seeing a doctor if your hair does not regain normal fullness after one year.Another medical condition may be causing your hair loss, such as thyroid disease or anemia.
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Side Effects Not Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Some side effects of fluticasone / vilanterol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Creamy white, curd-like patches in the mouth or throat
- difficulty with moving
Inhaled corticosteroids, also known as steroids or glucocorticoids, can cause side effects like insomnia or thrush, and strategies like rinsing your mouth after you use them might help reduce some side effects.
These medications are generally used on an ongoing basis to control symptoms of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , or other chronic breathing disorders.
Inhaled steroids work by mimicking cortisol, a hormone produced by the body that normally reduces inflammation. Corticosteroids alleviate chronic airway inflammation, reducing bronchoconstriction and bronchospasms .
Corticosteroids should not be confused with anabolic steroids, which are used to stimulate muscle growth.
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Hair Loss And Glycemic Loads
Chronically elevated blood sugar also damages the blood vessels. This is important to our hair because hair follicles are small-scale organs in their own right. This makes them fully dependent on an adequate supply of blood to receive all the necessary nutrients. Without this, problems can develop, including hair loss.
Also, insulin is found in hair follicles. It is possible that it plays a role in the regulation of androgen metabolism, including DHT.
Tellingly, scientists have now established a strong link between male pattern baldness and the risk of heart disease . This data suggests that men with baldness might be damaging their hearts through poor lifestyle choices, of which the most important ones are dietary.
The data also shows that on average, men with pattern baldness tend to weigh more, have larger waists, higher BMIs, and have higher fasting blood sugar levels. All this suggests a possible link between pattern baldness and insulin resistance .
Can Postpartum Hair Thinning Be Prevented
While the area of postpartum hair thinning is sadly under researched and often underreported by women experiencing it, there are ways to support recovery through this transition for better hair growth.
One option is to consider adding a supplement to your routine. Nutrafol Postpartum was developed with an OBGYN using whole-food-sourced ingredients traditionally used for lactation to target root causes of postpartum thinning hair. The blend of clinically-tested ingredients were chosen to help support recovery from nutrient depletion and the physical and emotional stress that can lead to thinning hair in postpartum women.
Prenatal and postnatal supplements tend not to account for the increased nutrient needs women have during the unique period after pregnancy and childbirth. Nutrafol Postpartum was formulated to fill the nutritional gaps between prenatal and postnatal needs and to deliver added nutrition specifically for postpartum hair growth support. Unlike other options on the market, Nutrafol Postpartum is breastfeeding-friendly, compatible with most prenatals and multivitamins and can be taken immediately after birth to support whole-body and hair health recovery.
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What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss
The average person loses about 100 hairs a day, but not all at once, so you don’t notice them. When you’re expecting, however, your pregnancy hormones keep those hairs from falling out leaving your hair looking as lush as a supermodel’s, or so thick that you can barely get a brush through it.
But all good things must come to an end, and that includes your awesome new ‘do. When those hormones drop back to normal, the extra hairs drop, too.
Genetics Could Be To Blame For Excessive Postpartum Hair Loss
While postpartum hair loss tends to resolve itself for most women after six months to a year, as noted by KellyMom, it is possible that you could continue to shed strands well after your little ones first birthday. In fact, according to Todays Parent, losing hair after giving birth could signal more long-term genetic hair loss problems. David Salinger of the International Association of Trichologists told the site that postpartum hair loss can be the catalyst for hereditary female pattern baldness, and that, in this case, it can become more pronounced with each pregnancy.
If significant shedding stops after the regular postpartum period, it doesnt necessarily mean you wont experience more in the near or distant future. When you have a family history of hair loss and experience moderate to major changes after giving birth, it could be a sign of more to come, according to Pregnancy Magazine.
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Treatment For Baby Hair Loss
Dont pull your hair out over your babys lost locks. Experts agree that treatment is unnecessary and most hair thats lost in the first few months of life is regained during months 6 to 12.
Theres really nothing you can do to stimulate regrowth, but if you suspect a medical condition like ringworm or alopecia areata, see your doctor for help with a diagnosis and treatment options and to prevent further hair loss.
You may be able to help reduce hair loss from friction by giving your baby more tummy time but always put them to sleep on their backs until they turn 1 and they can reliably roll over by themselves.
Whether theres a lot or a little, heres the best way to care for your babys hair:
- Use a mild shampoo made for babies. Its less irritating to a newborn scalp.
- Dont overdo it. According to the AAP, you only need to suds up your babys scalp 2 to 3 times a week. Anything more and you risk drying out the scalp.
- Dont scrub. Take a washcloth wet with shampoo and gently massage it over your babys head.
- Use a soft-bristled brush on your babys sudsy hair if you see cradle cap and want to try to gently remove some scales. But dont go to battle. Cradle cap is harmless and will eventually resolve on its own.
Less Care For Other Kids
New moms with single baby dont have the challenge to tackle this situation. But it is really challenging when comes to dealing with more than one child.
When you plan extended breastfeeding that means you will spend most of your time with little one eventually less time for the other kids.
Kids need their mom to talk and listen to them, to spend quality time with them, and to attend their school celebrations. Breastfeeding does not allow a mom to do some of these things freely.
Less attention may lead to the disordered self-esteem of the child along with resentment that their parents hold kinda favoritism.
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Treatment Options And Prevention
There are no clinically proven treatments for postpartum alopecia. The good news is, it usually resolves on its own. Since postpartum hair loss is tied to natural changes in hormone levels after pregnancy, theres unfortunately no way to prevent it.
However, some women have a slower recovery of their regular hair cycle. If your hair loss is bothersome, here are some tips that may help :
- Avoid excess brushing or styling, especially with appliances that emit high heat
- Take advantage of volumizing shampoos
- Avoid intensive conditioning shampoos
- Experiment with hairstyles that make your locks look fuller
Other things that could boost hair recovery time include keeping up with prenatal vitamins after childbirth and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
What Causes Hair Loss After Giving Birth
All hair on our bodies grows in a cycle that can last anywhere from two to seven years. The active or growing phase of a strand of hair is called anagen and determines the length of our hair. After a period of time, the hair follicle enters a transition phase before entering its resting phase . Shedding occurs and the process starts all over again.
Changes related to your hormone levels before, during and after pregnancy can affect hair growth. Its completely normal to experience hormonal imbalance after giving birth, and one of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance is postpartum hair loss.
The medical term for postpartum hair loss is telogen effluvium. The condition, which is also referred to as postpartum alopecia, is relatively common, affecting between 40-50% of women in the months following childbirth.
Postpartum hair loss occurs after childbirth because of the sudden change of hormones in your body, particularly the change between progesterone and estrogen.
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