Postpartum Hair Loss: What to Expect and Tips for Relief

Postpartum Hair Loss: What to Expect and Tips for Relief

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If you have hair loss after pregnancy or postpartum hair loss you may notice a sudden shedding of hair, even in clumps, in the six months after you give birth.


What Are The Causes of Postpartum Hair Loss?


It doesn’t happen all at once, so you may not notice it, but the average person loses about 100 hairs a day. When you're expecting, your pregnancy hormones keep those same hairs from falling out. This leaves your hair looking lush and thick. 


But all good things must come to an end, and that includes the hair boost you experience while pregnant. When your hormones fall back to normal, the extra hair falls out, too. 


How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last?


Don't worry: You're not going to go bald, you're just getting back to your normal hair thickness. If you are breastfeeding, some of your extra hair may remain on your scalp until you wean or start to supplement your baby with solids or formula.


Regardless of nursing or not, you can relax in knowing that by the time your baby is about a year old your hair loss should cease with your hair returning to the way it was before pregnancy too.


Tips For Dealing With and Preventing Postpartum Hair Loss


If you are losing hair since giving birth, here are few things you can do about it:

  1. Keep your hair healthy by eating nutrient rich foods and continuing to take your prenatal vitamin supplement, in addition to other supplements such as collagen and biotin supplements. 
  2. Be gentle with your hair while experiencing hair loss or during your shedding season to prevent excess hair loss after pregnancy. Shampoo only when necessary, and use a wide-toothed comb to minimize tangling, in addition to a good conditioner.
  3. Instead of harsh rubber bands, use scrunchies or barrettes to put hair up and eliminate pulling hair into tight ponytails.
  4. Eliminate blow-dryers, curling and flat irons, and any chemically based treatments like highlights, perms and straightening sessions until the shedding stops.
  5. If your hair loss is excessive, talk to your practitioner. When hair loss is accompanied by other symptoms, hair loss after pregnancy could be a sign of postpartum thyroiditis.

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