What To Do If Youre Experiencing Pregnancy Hair Loss
If youre losing hair during pregnancy, there are a few things you can do, according to Factor. She recommends you should strive to be getting the right nutrients both on your hair and inside of your body. Eating well and continuing to take your prenatal vitamins can help with pregnancy hair loss, as well as going easy on your hair. She says to be extra gentle to prevent excess hair loss. This means no dying, no heat, no tight styles.
Reduce stress where possible, suggests Kennard, and use targeted supplementation , and aim for getting restorative sleep if you can. Always check in with your health care provider, though, before starting any supplements especially during pregnancy.
Postpartum Hair Loss Is Totally Normalbut There Are Things You Can Do To Stop It
Your hair is falling out in clumps, and you’re starting to panic. Hair loss after pregnancy is quite common. Here’s when it will stop and what you can to slow down the shedding.
A few months following the birth of her third child, amid the sleep deprivation and endless nursing sessions, 29-year-old Alicia Mideys hair started coming out in alarming clumps. It really started to accelerate three months after I gave birth, says the Chesapeake, Va., mom. I knew it was a part of the postpartum process, but that didnt make dealing with the bald spots around my hairline easier. It was worse than it had ever been with my first two children.
Stephanie Black, a 38-year-old mother of one from Charlton, Ont., had a similar experience, though her hair loss was delayed. In my case, it didnt start until about a year after I had my son, and it happened so fast I thought I was going bald, Black says. My doctor said it was likely pregnancy related, but I was surprised that it took so long to take effect, since I only breastfed for a few months and didnt go back to work until months after my hair started falling out.
Shedding hair at a noticeable rate in the first two to six months after having a baby is not unusualonline parenting groups and social media status updates are full of new moms posting, Is this normal? Im freaking out! But the experience can vary among women.
What Should I Do If Im Losing Hair After Giving Birth
If you have given birth recently and have noticed that you are losing your hair, there are several things you can do about it: 1.If you want to keep your hair in good health, make sure you eat healthily and keep taking your prenatal vitamin supplement.2 To prevent an excessive amount of hair loss after pregnancy, be especially careful with your hair when it is in the shedding phase.3 If you can help it, avoid using curling and flat irons, as well as blow dryers.
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How Long Does Your Hair Fall Out After Childbirth
After pregnancy, many mothers experience a sudden loss of hair. This is because the hormones released is a normal cause of the hair follicles to shrink and shut down. In most cases, the hair will begin to grow back within 6-8 weeks because of a steady rise of estrogen levels but can take up to 12 months for full regrowth.
It is important to note that not all women experience a bald spot after giving birth â some may only experience a reduction in hair density or length. If you are experiencing hair loss, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider so that they can help guide you through the healing process.
Try A New Cut And Color
First and foremost, visit a stylist for professional advice, says Scuoppo. They may recommend a different hairstyle that incorporates those fine hairs in the front. If you previously had long hair, or a layered cut with pieces that came down to the chin in the front, you may need to shorten it into long bangs that frame the face.
Celebrity stylist Oribe agrees that it’s a good idea to go shorter in the front. Sexy, short-in-the-middle, longer-at-the-sides bangs would look amazing, says Oribe. Layering your hair all over will also give you more fullness.
Coloring your hair can also give it body, says Scuoppo. If you feel that your hairline is receding and you have dark hair, highlighting the front acts as a camouflage. Or try glossing, a treatment that gives hair all-over shine.
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Can You Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss
Yes! Although delivering a child will always lead to a dramatic decrease in estrogen, there are a few key factors that can influence the severity of your hair loss.
Some of these factors include nutrient status, toxin exposure and pre-existing conditions. So, although postpartum hair loss cant be completely avoided, it can be dramatically decreased by optimizing your nutrition and reducing your exposure to unnecessary toxins.
Dermatologists Tips For New Mothers
If the excessive hair shedding bothers you, these tips from dermatologists can help until your hair regains its normal fullness.
Use shampoo and conditioner that add volume. Heres what dermatologists recommend using and avoiding:
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Use a volumizing shampoo. These shampoos tend to contain ingredients like protein that coat the hair, making the hair appear fuller.
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Avoid any shampoo labeled conditioning shampoo. These contain heavy conditioners that can weigh down the hair and make it look limp.
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Use a conditioner formulated for fine hair. These contain lighter formulas that will not weigh down hair.
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Use conditioner primarily on the ends of your hair. Applying conditioner to your scalp and all of your hair tends to weigh down hair.
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Avoid conditioners labeled intensive conditioners. These are too heavy.
Finding the best shampoo and conditioner for thin hair is really a matter of trial and error. There is no single ingredient that makes a volumizing shampoo or conditioner for fine hair better than the rest.
Try a new hairstyle. Some haircuts make hair look fuller. An experienced stylist can tell you what will work for you.
Many new mothers prefer short hair. A short style can make hair look fuller. Short hair also can be easier to manage, which can save time. With a baby, anything that saves time can be a real boon.
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Is Hair Loss Normal After Delivery
Yes, postpartum hair loss is very common and majority of women face this soon after delivery. Though it may be a temporary condition but there are chances it leaves behind visible signs of hair loss. And for women wondering if they will turn bald due to this hair fall post-pregnancy, do not panic. You just need to pay a little attention and keep up with your diet and fitness routine things will fall back to normal within a year.
Also Read: Hair Loss During Pregnancy Treatment & Prevention
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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Tips For Managing Hair Loss
People may find the following tips helpful for making hair appear thicker and fuller:
- Use volumizing shampoo and conditioner formulated for fine hair, as these products may not weigh the hair down as much as products for thicker hair or intensive, heavy conditioners.
- Apply conditioner to the ends of the hair rather than the scalp or all over. Using conditioner all over the hair can weigh the hair down.
- Consider consulting a stylist or hairdresser about a new style to make the hair appear thicker and fuller.
- Avoid vigorous brushing, wearing tight hairstyles, or using rollers. These can pull more at the hair.
- Avoid applying excess heat to the hair with styling tools, and either use the coolest setting on a hairdryer or allow hair to air dry.
Eating a nutritious, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables may help protect hair health and encourage growth.
How To Stop Or Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss
If the hair loss youâre experiencing is caused by hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth, the hair loss may simply stop on its own without any treatment at all.
Still, there are steps you can take to help prevent some of the hair loss:
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Get enough vitamins and nutrients by eating lots of fruits and vegetables
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Be gentle when you wash and brush your hair
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Donât wear tight hairdos that can pull on your hair
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Use only the cool setting on your hair dryer.
Above all, try to be patient with yourself. You have lots on your plate right now and there might not be much more you can do than wait it out. For some tips on handling your hair, you might like to try some of these easy hair styling cheats for new moms.
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When Should You See The Doctor About Postpartum Hair Loss
If you notice that your hair loss is particularly severe, for example, if itâs patchy or youâve been shedding hair for longer than about six months or so, it might be time to see your doctor.
In some cases, a thyroid issue such as having an overactive thyroid may be causing the hair loss. Some thyroid conditions are also linked to pregnancy or the postpartum period. If your doctor diagnoses a thyroid condition, he or she will be able to recommend treatment.
Another possible cause of hair loss is an iron deficiency. If untreated, this can lead to a condition called iron deficiency anaemia, which can lead to other symptoms like
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heart palpitations
Your doctor will be able to investigate the reasons for the iron deficiency and â if necessary â prescribe iron tablets to remedy the lack of iron in your blood.
The Reason For Hair Loss
All hairs 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 called catagen before entering its resting phase telogen. Shedding occurs exogen and the process starts all over again. If you still wish to learn more about hair loss then read the link for you to know more about hair loss.
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How Much Postpartum Shedding Is Normal
If youre finding a surplus of strands on your pillow or clogging the shower drain, youre not imagining things. Salinger explains that when you havent just had a baby, losing about 80 hairs a day is normal, but that new moms shed about 400 hairs a day. By six months postpartum, the hair loss should slow to pre-pregnancy amounts.
If you feel the shedding is not slowing down, chances are good that there are other health issues at play. Pregnancy can change your level of ferritin and can put your thyroid out of whack, so make sure to tell your doctor that youve noticed a lot of hair loss, and ask to have blood tests done to check both.
Is There Treatment For Postpartum Hair Loss
Taking care of a newborn is a stressful, exhausting time and can put a lot of strain on your body, as can breastfeeding. Start by ensuring your blood sugar, iron, ferritin, zinc and vitamin D levels are normal. Next, do as much as you can to minimize stress , eat a healthy diet with plenty of protein to aid the hair growth process, and dont be afraid to shampoo frequently. Its commonly thought that not shampooing as often will minimize hair loss, but the truth is, the frequency with which you wash your hair will not affect the amount of hair you lose, says Salinger. The hair that is ready to fall will fall.
If youve ascertained that your blood work is normal, consider talking to a dermatologistor certified trichologist. Treatment options can include medication, therapies to reduce inflammation around hair follicles and at-home lasers that stimulate new hair growth.
The bottom line: Though losing clumps of hair feels anything but normal for most women in their child-bearing years, it really is. Its almost a mom badge of honour, says Midey. I ended up wearing headbands, and strategically parted my hair to cover bald spots. I even used hairpieces at times. But my hair is growing back steadily now. Even if I had to go completely bald in order to have my children, it would still be worth it.
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How Long Will It Last
Hair shedding should slow down around 6 months postpartum. If you find that it does not, there may be another underlying issue. Pregnancy can affect your thyroid function and your ferritin levels, both of which can impact your hair. The stress of having a newborn and/or breastfeeding may also take a toll on your body.
If your hair shedding does not ease off after about 6 months, we suggest that you consult with a Trichologist and/or your doctor.
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Does Every New Mom Experience Postpartum Hair Loss
No, but two and five months 40-50% of all new moms will experience some form of hair loss postpartum according to the American Pregnancy Association .
The severity of hair loss can vary and is influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, age, nutrient status, hormones, and pre-existing conditions. Most women who experience postpartum hair loss will notice thinning of their hair, especially around their temples, a few weeks to months postpartum.
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What If My Hair Loss Continues
If you’re experiencing chronic hair loss for six months or longer, talk with your doctor or dermatologist to investigate other causes, such as a protein or nutrient deficiency or a thyroid disorder.
BabyCenter’s editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you’re seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.
Medscape. 2018. Telogen effluvium treatment & management.
UpToDate. 2019. Maternal adaptations to pregnancy: Skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes.
Follow My Babys Growth
Hair loss postpartum, though stressful, is a completely normal symptom of your changing hormones after birth. One of the postpartum symptoms you shouldnt neglect, however, is depression. Be sure to speak to your loved ones or doctor if you are feeling highly anxious, angry, or overwhelmed in the weeks and months following delivery.
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Hair Loss After Pregnancy How To Treat It
Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
Hair loss after pregnancy is quite normal.
But during pregnancy, many women experience thicker, fuller hair at around 15 weeks gone.
Experts say this is due to the rise in hormones such as estrogen while pregnant. This hormone is thought to pause the hair renewal cycle which prevents hair from shedding like it normally does.
If you normally have thin hair, this may feel great! Many pregnant women find their hair becomes thicker and stronger.
But all good things come to an end and you may notice a sudden shedding of hair, even in clumps up to 6 months after you have the baby. Which can be quite scary.
The thing to remember is this is completely normal and it happens when your hormones start to drop back to normal levels.
Check out our pick for hair loss products here. These are what we have used.
Foods That Help Stop Postpartum Hair Loss After Giving Birth
Medically reviewed by Abbey Sharp, Registered Dietitian , BASc.
Postpartum hair loss is a normal process, but can cause stress and anxiety for new moms. We review why it happens and what foods you can eat for healthy hair growth.
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, and all of the changes it brings along with it are nothing short of magical. But that doesnt mean its fun to watch your hair come out in clumps after youve just pushed a freaking human out of your lady flower. Ah yes, if you were enjoying that thick luscious head of hair during pregnancy get ready for a RUDED awakening. According to a statistics from the American Pregnancy Association, 40-50% of women are affected by postpartum hair loss. Okay, so now I dont feel so badd.
First, lets talk about how normal hair growth occurs before we get into postpartum hair loss.
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