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.
When Will Postpartum Hair Loss Stop
The good news is its typically over by the time your baby reaches 6 months of age, although some women have reported their thinning hair lasted until their babys first birthday. So, while it isnt fun while its happening, it is relatively short-lived.
And, remember, there are ways to deal with it or make it less noticeable so dont let it diminish the joy youll get from being a mom. Although I felt pretty self-conscious about my hair loss following the birth of my baby, I tried to keep it in perspective that there were worse things that could be happening to me. In the meantime, I did everything I could to make my hair look fuller so I didnt feel as bad about it.
Its not like I woke up one day, stared at my head in the mirror, and noticed miraculous growth. But I did notice less hair in my hairbrush and fewer hairs falling out. Then, months later, I noticed I wasnt having to do as many tricks to fake a full head of hair I actually had it again!
What Is The Typical Hair Cycle
Hair goes through a growth cycle that includes growth and shedding. It includes three main phases :
- Anagen: This is the growth phase, where the hair follicles push out hair fiber. According to DermNet NZ, around 85% of hair follicles are actively growing hair and will continue to do so for 26 years .
- Catagen: This is the transition phase when hair follicles in diameter and hairs can become club-shaped. If these hairs subsequently shed, hair may appear to be thinning. This stage can last for a few weeks.
- Telogen: This is the resting phase when the hair follicle is not active, and no hair grows. DermNet NZ states that around 15% of hair follicles are typically in the resting phase. After 23 months, the anagen phase starts again and pushes telogen hair out.
In a regular hair cycle, it is typical for people to lose around 50100 hairs each day. A disruption to the cycle, such as childbirth, can result in up to 70% of hairs in the anagen phase switching to the telogen phase. Dermatologists refer to this as telogen effluvium.
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When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start And Stop
During pregnancy, you likely experienced a full head of hair. This is due to how pregnancy hormones affect the hair cycle along with your nutritional state from prenatal vitamins. However, once you are no longer pregnant changes occur.
It is estimated that at least 50% of women will experience some degree of postpartum hair loss. The medical term for this hair loss is telogen effluvium. The hair loss typically begins occurring around 10-16 weeks postpartum.
Phases Of Hair Growth
There are three phases of growth: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
Anagen phase: This is the growing phase where the follicle lengthens and the hair shaft grows. The growth phase can last for several years.
Catagen phase: This is the transitional phase where the follicle shrinks and the shaft starts to detach from the follicle. This phase lasts for about two weeks.
Telogen Resting Phase : This is the resting phase where the follicle is inactive and the shaft is released. Hair stays in the resting stage for about three months.
After the telogen phase, the follicle will enter the anagen phase again and new hairs will start to grow.
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How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last
Now that you know when and why it starts, you may be asking yourself when does postpartum hair loss stop?
Its important to remember that postpartum hair loss is only temporary. For many women, 4 months postpartum hair loss is quite common and postpartum hair loss may continue for several months. Normal hair growth patterns typically return after 6 months postpartum, but some women may experience postpartum hair loss up to a year after childbirth.
Speak with your doctor if you believe you are experiencing severe postpartum hair loss or the symptoms persist for more than a year.
How To Help Postpartum Hair Loss
You can find many things helpful in the market for the treatment of premature hair loss, but if you are facing or have faced hair loss after childbirth, you will need to know about the best option for the hair loss treatment. Knowing how to get a permanent treatment for the hair loss is one of the most beneficial options to be implemented for the recovery of the hair. There are several postpartum hair loss treatment, but one of the important options for the permanent treatment of the hair loss is the hair transplantation. If you are looking for the right way of treating the hair loss, then the article is very helpful. Hair loss after childbirth has become a common problem for the people. Having a hair loss in the postpartum period can make the person feels awkward and very uncomfortable. To know more about the effective ways of hair loss treatment you can visit for more information on hair loss treatment.
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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.
When Should I See A Doctor
More good news about postpartum hair loss: it usually resolved on its own without any needed medical intervention. With that said, extreme or prolonged postpartum hair loss can be a sign that perhaps there are other issues at play and should be reason to seek out a healthcare provider.
If your hair does not regain its normal fullness after one year, you may want to see a dermatologist. Something else may be causing your hair to fall out. People lose hair for many reasons, and an accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, advised Dr. Vergara-Wijangco.
If you’re concerned that your postpartum hair loss isn’t turning around, seek professional medical advice.
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Postpartum Hair Loss Vitamins
Most hair loss products on the market are geared and advertised towards men, so its refreshing to find one that was actually created for women. Nutrafol is a 100 percent drug-free, super-concentrated natural product thats clinically shown to boost hair growth performance. The companys Women Core Plus has proven to be one of the most effective and healthy supplements to help with postpartum hair loss. I have baby fine hair & am going through menopause. My hair is silkier, thickening, and growing faster! states one happy Amazon reviewer. I am getting compliments on how terrific my hair looks.
Sometimes, all you need is a vitamin boost to help your hair and skin and Natures Bounty makes a vitamin thats sure to help. One of the biggest nutrient in these capsules is biotin, which is thought to help hair, skin, and nails look their best. Its worked for plenty of Amazon customers. This was an add-on product so because of that I thought I would give them a try. Just under a 2 week trial my hair stopped falling out and my nails stopped splitting and peeling, one of them wrote. You get 60 caplets per jar.
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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When To See A Doctor
While your hair will likely start to grow back before your babys first birthday, if youre not noticing any new hair growth after this period, it may be time to see a doctor. If the hair loss is severe, or doesnt improve by 12 to 15 months after birth, I recommend seeing your doctor for an evaluation, says Dr. Roskin.
While postpartum hair loss isnt anyones favorite thing to deal with, its worth remembering that its a temporary, and typical, part of the postpartum processand for the vast majority of people, youll have your full head of hair back in no time.
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Nutrafol Core For Women
Vitamins For Postpartum Hair Loss
Pregnancy depletes levels of vitamin B6, calcium, and folate. Deficiencies in Vitamin D and B vitamins have also been associated with postnatal depression. Prenatal and postnatal supplements assist with healthy fetus development and nutritional support. However, many postnatal supplements are unlikely to address the complete spectrum of nutrient needs following pregnancy or adequately replenish micronutrient reserves. As a result, women may benefit from adding a vitamin supplement to their regime that is specifically designed to help postpartum hair recovery.
Pregnant and lactating women need to increase their intake of essential micronutrients to support their health and the health of their baby. Women’s daily recommended dietary intake for a non-exhaustive list of nutrients is listed in the table below:
| Micronutrient | |
| 600 | 500 |
Vitamins and minerals, such as those shown above are essential for cellular growth and function, and deficiencies may lead to hair loss and other health issues. Recent research shows postpartum hair loss may be treated with vitamin D, iron, and vitamin C supplements. Further, deficiencies in folate, riboflavin, biotin, and vitamin B12 are linked with hair loss. Supplements that include these B vitamins can help improve hair growth.
The proprietary blend of ingredients in Baby Blues Vitamins delivers a balanced mix of these vital nutrients to support hair growth and whole-body health during this life stage.
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Can My Hair Loss Affect My Baby
Postpartum hair loss is a normal part of pregnancy and childbirth and wont affect your baby.
But hair that falls out can wrap around your babys fingers, toes or other body parts. This rare occurrence is called a hair tourniquet and can cause pain and cut off blood supply. If you notice this, youll need to unwind the hair, cut it carefully or call your babys provider.
Why Youre Losing Hair
While this is a completely normal and luckily temporary issue, its nice to have a little science-based info for those times you think you might actually be going bald. Like with most pregnancy-related things, postpartum hair loss is due to hormonal changes. While pregnant, our estrogen levels rise, which stimulates the dramatic increase in the growth phase of our hair. After birth, however, the hormones shift yet again, and your hair enters its resting phase, which is followed, about 3 months later, by shedding and regrowth. These phases are typical of hair growth, but they become very intense thanks to the upsurge of hormones during after pregnancy.
Pro Tip:Choose a healthy, organic conditioner that wont add weight to your hair, and one that also enables you to skip the shampoo between washes, says Fabian Lliguin, Co-founder and CEO of Rahua. Rahuas Voluminous Conditioner works wonders for this, and thanks to its Omega 9 Amazonian molecules, it also reduces hair loss while maintaining the essential moisture and oils on the hair and scalp.
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Dealing With Hair Loss After Pregnancy
Bringing a child into this world is the most joyful thing in the parents life. Giving birth to a child can bring many physical and psychological changes in a mother. Hair loss can be one of the most common changes in a mother post-pregnancy. A mother may notice hair everywhere, such as on pillows or the floor, and sometimes in food.
The fast-growing thick and dense hair makes women happy. Hair loss after pregnancy is a persistent complaint after a few days of delivery. It is normal to shed hair after a few days of delivery. This hair loss may continue for a few months, so dont panic. Lets understand the causes of hair loss after childbirth, how long it continues, and some remedies to manage it.
When does hair loss start after childbirth?
Postpartum hair loss doesnt start immediately after childbirth. Women may experience hair loss 2-4 months after delivery when most other postpartum symptoms have subsided. Most women experience heavy hair loss around 4-5 months after childbirth. The amount of hair loss varies from woman to woman.
What are the causes of postpartum hair loss?
Our body hair grows in cycles . Estrogen hormone plays a crucial role in hair growth. During pregnancy, estrogen levels are high in womens bodies, which promotes more hair follicles to enter the growing phase. Therefore, you experience longer and thicker hair during pregnancy.
Stress and nutritional imbalance may also cause hair loss after childbirth.
- Eat a healthy diet:
How To Cope With Postpartum Hair Loss
If you feel discouraged by hair loss, he says to keep in mind that this is a temporary phase. According to the doctor, most shedding will resolve about three months after it starts. Knowing when this shedding will likely subside can help prepare you mentally and emotionally for this change.
Remember, postpartum hair loss occurs because you have just given birth to a baby. Try to focus on the bigger picture and have a long-term view.
Don’t get down on yourself, says Pacheco. Your body just did a fantastic thing, and it took a lot of work. Postpartum hair loss happens to every new mom to varying degrees. My best advice is to focus on regrowth because once it starts to fall out, it needs to run its course.
Since this fallout has nothing to do with your hair health or hair shaft, it cannot be stopped once it starts. However, there are ways to mitigate the loss.
Stress hormones can also lead to hair loss, says Pacheco. So try not to panicthe follicles aren’t dying off into baldness they are just resetting and letting go of old growth. Your hair will come back. Often stronger and fuller than before, and maybe with a new texture or wave than you had before.
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Can Postpartum Hair Loss Or Changes Be A Sign Of A Problem
After giving birth, your life wont be the same. Your hair might always be a bit thinner now than it was before you became a parent, too. Although, it will grow normally.
You might also be surprised to see hair growing in places other than on your head. During pregnancy, increased levels of androgen hormones can also cause more hair to grow on your abdomen or face. Luckily, this extra fuzz usually goes away by about six months postpartum. Waxing or shaving this hair is a solution if it bothers you.
While postpartum hair loss is normal, medical conditions such as thyroid problems or anemia can cause hair loss. If you feel like youre shedding a whole lot of hair with no end in sight, mention it to your doctor to rule out other issues.
Can Postpartum Hair Loss Be Reversed
Postpartum hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in women. Its caused by pregnancy and childbirth. It is also known as peripartum hair loss. There is no cure for postpartum hair loss, but there are some things you can do to help your hair grow back stronger. One of the best ways to help your hair grow back stronger is to protect it. You can use an anti-frizz product that helps keep hair frizz free. This can help prevent your hair from losing its style. Minimize the use of hair dryers. This can cause hair to become brittle and break. Its also better to sleep with your hair in a ponytail. It will keep your hair moisturized and the frizz free. It will also keep your hair from getting tangled. Keep your hair moisturized. This can help prevent hair from breaking and frizzing. Moisturize your hair every day.
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Pick The Right Hair Care
The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that one of the biggest things you can do to reduce hair shedding and see greater volume and thickness is to simply swap up your hair care products. Youll want to choose a volumizing shampoo that will lift and boost your hairs volume, without weighing it down. Avoid conditioning shampoos that can do the opposite.
If conditioning is a concern, and definitely something you need for your dry hair, though, look for conditioners specifically formulated for fine, thin hair, and focus on conditioning the ends of your strands, versus your scalp.