If your hair is falling out in clumps it can be nerve-wracking and cause you to panic.
Hair loss after pregnancy is common, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it.
This article will provide you with tips on how to prevent hair loss after pregnancy and help you maintain its healthy state.
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
During pregnancy, our bodies go through several hormonal changes. One is that our hair follicles stay in the anagen or growth phase for longer. This causes our hair to grow faster than usual throughout pregnancy. However, about 3 to 6 months following birth, we experience a rapid reduction in hormone levels. The majority of our hair follicles enter the telogen or resting phase, and when this occurs, the hair falls out.
Hair loss after pregnancy is a common problem caused by hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, or even genetics. In most cases, hair growth and loss return to normal within 6 to 12 months after birth, although this might be delayed by not meeting your nutrients needs.
How Hormones Affect Your Hair Shedding Postpartum
Hormones play a significant role in your body during pregnancy. They are responsible for the changes your body goes through, including hair growth and shedding. After giving birth, your hormone levels will return to normal, which can result in increased hair loss.
How Much Hair Loss After Pregnancy Is Normal?
It is common for women to experience hair loss after pregnancy. The average person loses 80 hairs per day, but they can lose up to 400 hairs per day after pregnancy. Shedding should begin to slow six months after delivery as hormone levels return to normal.
There are a number of things you can do to help reduce hair loss after pregnancy including eating healthy, taking prenatal vitamins, and using natural oils like coconut oil or olive oil.
How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last?
Postpartum hair loss is a temporary phase that can last between 6 to 12 months after pregnancy. Although, hair loss should start slowing down after 6 months.
Can Postpartum Hair Loss Last 2 Years?
Postpartum hair loss is only temporary and will eventually go back to normal within 6 to 12 months. Make sure you consult with your doctor if your postpartum hair loss is lasting longer than 12 months.
How To Prevent Hair Loss After Pregnancy – Treatments
There are a few key things you can do to help keep your hair healthy and strong. Eating a balanced and healthy diet is important, as is keeping your stress levels under control; stress can put a lot of strain on the body and can lead to hair loss.
Here are some postpartum hair treatments to try:
1. Avoid Heated Styling Tools
Using heated styling tools such as hair dryers and curling irons can cause some hair to break off and fall out. This is because the heat from these tools dries out the natural oils in your hair, making it more brittle and prone to breaking.
If you’re looking for a temporary fix, consider buying hair extensions. This will give your hair a fuller look and take the focus away from your postpartum hair loss.
Butterfly clips are also a great option for volume. Just clip them in at the roots and style as usual.
2. Eat Well
Breastfeeding makes it very easy to forget to eat and neglect your protein intake.
Consider sipping a glass of milk, nibbling on roasted chickpeas, or breaking open an egg for a snack to get your protein fix.
Ensuring you get enough iron is also crucial to avoid hair loss, especially if you lost a lot of blood during labour or were iron-deficient during pregnancy.
If you’re drinking tea or coffee to make up for your lack of sleep, keep in mind that the tannins in these beverages inhibit iron absorption.
If you must drink tea or coffee, do it between meals or at least one hour after you’ve finished your last meal.
In addition, you might want to incorporate the following into your diet:
- Dark leafy greens
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Fish (source of omega-3s and magnesium)
- Nuts
- Legumes
During the postpartum period, it is also important to drink plenty of fluids to replenish lost minerals.
Furthermore, keep up your intake of essential vitamins like A, C, D and E as well as proteins like biotin.
3. Take Vitamins
There is no one vitamin that has been specifically shown to help with hair loss, but it is important for your overall health to make sure you are taking vitamins if your daily requirement is not fully met through food.
This includes B-12, biotin, and other important vitamins and minerals that are essential for your overall health.
4. Use a Volumizing Shampoo
Volumizing shampoos are special shampoos that have ingredients that make hair look fuller. If you have thin or fine hair, using a volumizing shampoo can help to add some volume and thickness to your locks.
You could try salon-quality shampoos with added vitamin E to promote growth and prevent breakage.
Whatever volumizing shampoo you choose, make sure it is free of harmful ingredients like phthalates, sulfates, and parabens.
What Is The Best Supplement For Postpartum Hair Loss?
Biotin is a B vitamin that is essential for hair, skin and nail health. It helps to maintain the keratin infrastructure of the hair shaft and prevents it from breaking. Consuming biotin daily can help prevent hair loss during and after pregnancy.
Do Prenatal Vitamins Help With Postpartum Hair Loss?
Some women choose to continue using their prenatal vitamins throughout their postpartum period in an effort to help with hair loss. It is important to note that nursing women have unique nutritional needs that are not always addressed by a traditional prenatal vitamin formulation.
Speak to your doctor to ensure you get the right vitamins for your needs.
Which Lack Of Vitamin Causes Hair Fall?
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of hair loss in women. Iron deficiency can be caused by many factors, including not eating enough iron-rich foods and blood loss. Other vitamin deficiencies that can lead to hair loss are zinc, selenium, and vitamin D.
Conclusion: How To Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss
The leading cause of hair loss after pregnancy is hormonal changes that result in hair shedding. But knowing how to prevent hair loss after pregnancy and understanding that this is just s temporary phase can positively help you face the postpartum period.
If at any point you are concerned about the amount of hair you are shedding, make sure you speak to your doctor about how to prevent further postpartum hair loss.
