If I Lose Weight After Giving Birth Will That Affect My Hair Loss
Answered by: Healthilys medical team
Losing a lot of weight in a short period of time can be a trigger for hair loss, but this isnt linked to giving birth. You may want to lose any extra weight you gained during pregnancy, but its important to do this safely and avoid very low-calorie or crash diets. These arent healthy or sustainable, and can mean your body isnt getting the calories and nutrients it needs especially if youve chosen to breastfeed, as this can use up to an extra 500 calories a day.
Hair Supplements And Postpartum Hair Loss
Its best to get the nutrients you need for hair health by eating a balanced diet. You should speak to your doctor before taking any supplements during pregnancy or after the birth.
Certain vitamins are important for hair growth. If your hair loss is thought to be caused by something other than hormonal changes after pregnancy, your doctor may do blood tests for iron, B12 or folate, and suggest a supplement if your levels are low.
Some other vitamins, including zinc, biotin and selenium, have also been linked to hair loss, but theyre not usually tested for.
If you don’t think youre getting all the nutrients you need from your diet and youre not breastfeeding, you could consider taking a multivitamin that contains a balanced amount of these nutrients. If youre breastfeeding, you could try a supplement thats designed for breastfeeding mothers.
Unless recommended by your doctor, its best not to take a large amount of any 1 nutrient, as occasionally this can lead to you getting too much, which can be harmful.
The Shift From Pregnancy To Postpartum
When someone is postpartum, their normal hair shedding cycle resumes. This often makes people feel like they are losing more hair than normal, but sometimes this is just because less hair falls out when you are pregnant.
Normal hair sheds 50-100 hairs per day, regularly, says Luis Pacheco, master hair expert, colorist, and founder of wellness-based beauty and lifestyle brand TO112. It’s called the exogen phase, or resting phase, of the hair follicle. This is when it stops growing and rests between growth cycles and sheds the hair shaft to make way for new growth.
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.
This type of hair loss occurs after any kind of stressor including illnesses, general anesthesia, and even a happy occasion like the birth of a child, she adds.
Telogen Effluvium is when a stressful event, like childbirth, forces hair into the “resting state.” This basically means hair will not grow, and a symptom of this condition is hair loss. This is a reversible condition.
Don’t Miss: Is Hair Loss A Sign Of Cancer
Taking Care Of Your Hair In Pregnancy
As well as becoming thicker, many women find that their hair changes in colour or texture during pregnancy. In response to these changes you may decide to make changes to how you style your hair, perhaps by dyeing it a different colour.
It is now thought that dyeing your hair during pregnancy is largely safe, although you can take some extra precautions to keep yourself and your baby safe by:
- Waiting until you are at least 12 weeks pregnant
- Getting highlights instead of a full dye to prevent the dye touching your scalp
- Using semi-permanent vegetable dyes
- Getting advice from a professional hairdresser
How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last
Don’t freak: You’re not going bald, you’re just getting back to normal. If you’re breastfeeding, some of your extra hair may hang on to your scalp until you wean or start to supplement with formula or solids.
But nursing or not, take comfort in knowing that by the time your baby is ready to blow out the candles on that first birthday cake and perhaps has plenty of hair of her own your catch-up hair loss will be finished, and your locks should be back to the way they were before pregnancy too.
Read Also: What Is Dht Hair Loss
Dont Panic Postpartum Hair Loss Is Normal
It can be an alarming discovery. Youre going about your regular hair-care routine savoring those moments alone where you can tend to your own self-care. When all of a sudden you look down at your brush and find large clumps of your hair tangled in the bristles!
Dont panicpostpartum hair loss is normal. Learn more about what causes postpartum hair loss, how long it lasts, and some postpartum hair loss remedies to help treat it.
How Hormones Affect Your Hair
Hormones are the biggest reason for your pregnancy hair changes and postpartum hair loss.
During pregnancy, your high levels of estrogen prevented your usual rate of hair loss. Normally, your hair falls out in small amounts every day. During pregnancy, your hair loss decreases. The effect is compounded by your increased blood volume and circulation, which also causes your hair to fall out less than normal.
So after your baby arrives and your hormone levels drop, your hair makes up for lost time by falling out in much bigger clumps than it normally does. The total volume of your hair loss probably isnt more than you would have lost over the last nine months, it just seems like it because its happening all at once.
Postpartum hair loss can set in any day after your baby arrives, and it sometimes continues as long as a year. It usually peaks around the 4-month mark, so if your baby is a few months old and youre still losing clumps of hair, that doesnt mean its time to panic!
You May Like: How To Prevent Thinning Hair Female
Add Volume And Fortify
If you do experience excess shedding, you can add back volume with specialised products, he says. Look for gentle, lightweight cleansers and conditioners specifically designed to volumize with added ingredients such as keratin for fortification and baobab to provide hydration.
And remember, dry shampoo can still be your best friend! Find a good quality one that can boost volume and texture.
Before you go, check out some of our favorite products that might actually help you sleep:
Best Prenatal Vitamin For Hair Loss
One of the best over-the-counter prenatal vitamins for hair loss is Feed Mom & Me Complete Prenatal with DHA. It is backed with all the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy hair growth.
This prenatal supplement is formulated by an OBGYN & Registered Dietitian, containing all the nutrients needed to conceive and during pregnancy. Each small and easy-to-swallow pill is packed with 22 vital natural nutrients to provide nutritional support for you and your growing baby. It contains Vitamin A, B Complex, Vitamin C, D, E, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, and Selenium.
The vegetarian formula is free of artificial colors or flavors, chemicals, preservatives, non-GMO, dairy, soy, or gluten-free. Adding to that, it is a women-owned company. Who better than a female would understand pregnancy!
Don’t Miss: What Helps Thinning Hair In Women
Will My Hair Every Grow Back
Remember: this is just a phase and its not permanent. Most women who experience hair shedding after pregnancy will notice their hair return back to its normal fullness by their babys first birthday. Some womens hair regains its fullness even earlier than one year post-birth. If it has been more than a year since youve given birth and your hair doesnt regain its normal fullness, make an appointment with your dermatologist. You need a proper diagnosis to determine if there is something else causing your hair loss and to help your dermatologist develop a treatment plan for you.
Are You Experiencing Postpartum Hair Loss You Are Not Alone
As a new mother, were sure that your life has undergone many changes, and hair fall is one of them. Also known as Telogen Effluvium, postpartum hair loss is the excessive shedding of hair that happens one to five months after childbirth.
But not to worry, youre not going bald! Hair loss after pregnancy is completely normal. Between 40 and 50 percent of women experience postpartum hair loss according to the American Pregnancy Association.
Don’t Miss: What Is Male Pattern Hair Loss
Natural Postpartum Hair Loss Remedies
When it comes to your bodys postpartum recovery whether its your hair, your vagina, your c-section scar, or your postpartum bleeding there are a few natural ways to get yourself back on track faster.
- Rest and take it easy .
- Prioritize nutrition in your diet.
- Follow your doctors advice on postpartum care .
Taking good care of yourself may not magically stop your hair from falling out, but it will make you feel a LOT better. And it might give your body the fortification needed to overcome postpartum depletion and grow f*cking great hair.
Ditch The Hot Styling Tools
The last thing your hair needs after giving birth is to be ravaged further with hot styling tools. These can damage your remaining hair and even make it look thinner.
If you can, let your hair air dry and pat dry gently with a soft towel.
Be gentle while brushing and even invest in a wide tooth comb which is gentler on knots. Hair may come out in clumps if you brush too vigorously.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Hair Loss Due To Menopause
Everything You Need To Know About Covid
Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned many things about how this virus affects the body. We now know that many patients experience COVID-related issues long after their initial infection.
These ill effects can include breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, fatigue, and more. Some patients are struggling with an unexpected effect long after their COVID-19 infection: hair loss.
Cases of COVID-19 hair loss are becoming more prevalent as patients recover from their initial bout of COVID and notice the lasting impact it has had on their body. So what causes COVID-19 hair loss and how can it be remedied? Read on to learn why hair loss occurs after COVID and how it can be reversed.
Hair Loss In New Moms
Hair loss in new moms
Many new moms see noticeable hair loss a few months after having a baby. This is normal and not true hair loss. Dermatologists refer to this condition as excessive hair shedding. The excessive shedding is caused by falling estrogen levels.
If the excessive hair shedding bothers you, these tips from board-certified dermatologists can help until your hair regains its normal fullness.
Many new moms see noticeable hair loss a few months after having a baby. This is normal and it is not true hair loss. Dermatologists refer to this condition as excessive hair shedding. The excessive shedding is caused by falling estrogen levels.
The good news is that this excessive shedding is temporary, and you do not have to do anything to remedy it. Most women see their hair return to its normal fullness by their childs first birthday. Many women regain normal fullness even earlier.
You May Like: Does Genvoya Cause Hair Loss
Regoxidine Womens 5% Minoxidil Foam
Minoxidil is an ingredient that might be useful in helping to reset hairs in the rest phase back to the growing phase faster, says Dr. Francis. Its a topical medication that opens blood vessels and is theorized to stimulate and improve blood flow to the hair follicle when applied on the scalp. Just note: When you start using this product, you might notice a temporary increase in shedding as a result of your hairs transitioning between phases, she cautions. Typically this lasts two to four weeks. Think of it as all the hairs that would have shed being gathered up and stimulated to transition to growing simultaneously, adds Dr. Francis.
Know that Minoxidil can cause rashes in some people, so if you notice any redness, itchiness, tenderness, scalp discomfort, bumps, flakes, or rashes stop using it, stat. And you should avoid it if youre nursing, says Dr. Francis. Otherwise, you can use a half capful on a dry scalp every day.
Can I Get Hair Loss From Iron Deficiency
The body needs a lot of nutrients during pregnancy. Many women then have an iron deficiency, which leads to hair loss. Women are generally more likely to be of Eisenmangel affected than men. Your doctor can use a blood count to determine whether you have a deficit and whether you may need a supplement to compensate for the iron deficiency. In addition to iron deficiency, hair loss can also have a Thyroid disease be causative. If the hair loss persists for more than 6 months after pregnancy, a medical examination is absolutely necessary.
Also Check: How To Get Hair To Stop Thinning
Why You Shouldnt Be Alarmed About Hair Loss After Pregnancy
Whether its your first child or your fifth, each pregnancy is a beautiful event that brings a cycle of constant change to your body, including hair loss after pregnancy. This is one area that perhaps is an unexpected experience the changes related to your hair. While the addition of vitamins and hormonal fluctuations leads to an incredibly full and healthy head of hair during pregnancy, once pregnancy has ended that may become a different story. The good news is that post-partum hair loss is temporary, but it is still important to understand it in order to handle it effectively.
Famous Figures With Covid
COVID-19 hair loss has been a headline in the last year, as numerous celebrities have spoken out about their experience with post-virus symptoms.
Charmed star Alyssa Milano has been very open about her struggles with hair loss after COVID. She even shared a video on Twitter showing how large amounts of hair were easily falling out when gently touched. Ms. Milano has since stated that topical treatments and supplements have helped resolve most of her hair loss.
Drake also shared his experience with hair loss and COVID-19 recently. The popular musician explained that he lost a great deal of hair shortly after having the virus. He claims that his hair eventually grew back in, but the growth pattern was entirely different than before.
Reality star Khloe Kardashian also opened up about struggling with post-COVID hair loss. She reported large amounts of hair shedding for several months after recovering from the virus. Apparently, her hair loss ceased as time went on, thanks to a well-balanced diet and supplements.
Read Also: What Vitamins For Thinning Hair