Postpartum hair loss, or hair loss after pregnancy is totally normal and not anything to worry about. While there's no specific medical treatment for postpartum hair loss, there are steps you can take to manage it and promote hair health. If you’re going through postpartum hair loss and unsure about what to do, this article is just for you.
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Postpartum Hair Loss: Why it happens and how to deal with it
Are you a new mum? Then postpartum depression and hair loss are very common. Being a mother of a newborn is intensely gratifying and challenging too.
Motherhood is beautiful but also the toughest job, indeed! When your little one arrives, you must spend countless sleepless nights caring for your baby. It is likely a transition period of your body, where hair loss is very common; this is also known as postpartum hair loss, which is unnerving to a new mother.
The early stage of motherhood is undoubtedly a very difficult part. Drastic physical changes, along with sleep deprivation, promote undefining hair loss, & premature hair greying. Motherhood brings new sensations with unmatched joy. But you need to take care of your body for your well-being.
If you’re going through postpartum hair loss and unsure about what to do, then this article will give clarity. You will get suggestions on how to combat the problem and enjoy shiny, lustrous hair when your hormone start to set at equilibrium.
Postpartum hair loss; The reason behind it
If you think you're the only one facing postpartum hair loss, then you are not alone. You may have seen you're losing a bit more hair than the usual cases, or you feel your hair is gradually thinning, then it is very common because some hair comes off after childbirth.
But do you know postpartum hair loss starts from pregnancy because of hormonal fluctuation? Two common female hormones are estrogen and progesterone. An imbalance in two of these hormones profoundly impacts hair growth cycles.
The amount of estrogen hormone increases during pregnancy, which decreases the blood flow to the scalp, and thereby weakens the follicles, which ultimately causes extensive hair loss. Even after delivering a baby, these kinds of hormonal imbalances cause significant hair loss. Postpartum hair loss is devastating for new mothers but doesn't worry, and it is curable by following a good lifestyle.
Postpartum hair loss starts 2 to 4 months after childbirth. In some cases, it is pretty normal. Even this hair will restore naturally after six months of delivery. In the postpartum phase, women experience hair falling out in large chunks, and they feel they are going to get bald soon. But if your hormones work well and easily get into equilibrium, your hair growth pattern will be back to normal within 3-6 months.
How to minimize postpartum hair loss?
As we said, experiencing hair fall after pregnancy is pretty normal and natural. So we can only avoid it partially. However, you can have your hair healthy strong, and prevent damage and help your hair look fuller. We always recommend not using your hair styling tool this time as it may cause unnecessary hair damage, and reduce the volume, so limit these whenever possible.
If you are living without a curling iron, then remember to use a heat protectant spray before it to limit the amount of damage.
After childbirth, the doctor always asks you to maintain a balanced diet, which facilitates hair growth and restores your hormones. Your diet must be enriched with green leafy vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, fish, colorful fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains because a new mother needs a lot of iron, calcium, vitamin C, magnesium, and folic acids. In some cases, doctors also suggest taking multivitamins and prenatal vitamins to overcome postpartum hair loss.
Also, you can do natural hair care to add volume that would help you to conceal bald patches and thinning. Along with all these concerns, one should manage stress. A new mom's stress management regime must be enriched with relaxing baths, meditation, walking in nature, and pampering yourself. Taking care of a newborn is really hectic, and it isn't easy to make time for your own, But you must make a schedule to give yourself a pampering session and relax your mind.
Hairstyle to try
A simple hairstyle change can help a new mother reduce hair loss; we understand that you are always running out of time as a new mom. You may go through a baby's strict nursing schedule and don't get enough time to sleep, and in this condition, you may feel that looking for a new hairstyle is luxurious. But yes, it could work for you. To make your job easy, we have rounded up quick and easy hairstyles which can do on a daily basis to prevent your hair from shedding.
The updo, donut bun, and ponytails are great options t conceal hair loss and look clean and tidy. These hairstyles are easy to achieve, even if you are just running out of time. But if you are going through serious baldness due to postpartum hair loss, you must consult a hair transplant surgeon. He may suggest a corrective hair transplant surgery. It is an aesthetic surgery to surgically conceal bald patches, it is a surgery to improve your outlook and refine the hair structure.
Conclusion:
Postpartum hair loss, also known as telogen effluvium, is a common condition that occurs due to hormonal changes after childbirth.
During pregnancy, elevated estrogen levels prolong the growth phase of hair, resulting in thicker hair. After giving birth, estrogen levels drop, causing a large number of hairs to enter the resting phase and subsequently shed, leading to noticeable hair loss. This process is usually temporary and hair growth typically returns to normal within six months to a year.
To manage postpartum hair loss, it's important to maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly iron and biotin, which support hair health.
Gentle hair care practices, such as using a wide-toothed comb, avoiding tight hairstyles, and minimizing the use of heat styling tools, can also help reduce hair breakage and loss.
If hair loss is severe or persists beyond a year, consulting a healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment options is recommended.
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