The Ins & Outs of Postpartum Hair Loss

November 27, 2022

Having a baby is hard enough, but the hair loss that usually ensues after doesn ’t make things any easier. You might have noticed that during pregnancy, your hair was incredibly thick and shiny, but postpartum it ’s a completely different story — your hair texture and hair levels have dropped — you can thank your hormones for that. 

What Happens To Your Hair During Pregnancy

After the elation of becoming pregnant starts to settle, your hormones get to work. A rise in hCG, estrogen and progesterone begins, which is what has such a drastic impact on your hair. Normally, you lose about 100 hairs a day, however, during pregnancy, the increase in hormones stops your hair from falling, which is why it feels so thick. 

The Truth About Postpartum Hair Loss

During pregnancy, it isn’t so much that your hair got thicker, it is simply that your normal hair fall stopped and gave off the appearance of denser locks. After pregnancy, usually around month 4, or the end of the fourth trimester the sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone is what causes your hair to fall — which is actually your regular shedding cycle getting back to normal. However, when your normal hair fall happens all at once, it can feel as if you’re losing a great deal of hair. 

How To Cope With Postpartum Hair Loss

  • Take a break from heat styling. Most likely, you won’t have the time or energy to style (or even wash) your hair when the baby comes. Give yourself a break and skip the heat to cut down on damage and excess stress placed on your strands. 
  • Choose protective styles. Instead of high ponytails or top knots, opt for a low nape knot or loose braid to take the pressure off your scalp. 
  • Get adequate nutrients. Your time will be seriously stressed, but eating well and continuing with vitamins postpartum is key to helping your hormone levels recover quickly.
  • Chat with your doctor. If the hair loss feels excessive, you may want to chat with your physician to see if the shedding is normal or if there is another underlying cause.
  • Try not to stress. Easier said than done, stress can also contribute to further hair loss. Instead, ask your stylist for bangs to hide any fallout, be gentle with stying and above all else try to enjoy this precious time with your baby. 

 

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