Hair loss after pregnancy: What to expect and what you can do

One of the perks of pregnancy is glossy thick hair but after birth women frequently notice lacklustre locks and are shocked to see ‘shedding.’

Fear not, postpartum hair loss is very common for new mothers and is completely normal but it can be quite stressful.

During pregnancy, our body goes through significant hormone changes which support the pregnancy as well as the development of the foetus. Female sex hormones such as oestrogen increase which, in turn, has an impact on the hair follicle, too.

We lose on average one hundred hairs a day but after pregnancy, this can increase up to four hundred, which is why many women report seeing full hairbrushes and plug holes awash with hair.

Postpartum alopecia, or hair loss after pregnancy, happens normally shortly after birth and the NHS reports that it can be a gradual or sudden change.

What is postpartum hair loss?

We have thousands of follicles on the scalp and each follicle goes through many growth cycles throughout our lifetime.

Trichologist specialist, Rali Bozhinova from The Belgravia Centre explains that the increased oestrogen changes the dynamics in the hair follicle in pregnancy.

‘Many women notice very luscious thick hair while they are pregnant as the hair follicles tend to remain in their growing phase for longer than usual. The normal daily hair shedding also reduces significantly because less follicles reach their resting (telogen) phase.

‘Once we give birth, our hormone levels return to their pre-pregnancy levels. This means that oestrogen reduces, and the hair cycle changes as a result. This process can start approximately three months after giving birth, although breastfeeding can delay it slightly.’

How long will postpartum hair loss last for?

Hair loss after pregnancy may illustrate itself in a thinner hairline or general hair volume. Annoyingly, this doesn’t help when wanting to pull off your favourite hairstyle but Rali explains that while the aesthetic of the hair may change but the good news is this is temporary.

‘Within three to six months, the hair cycle tends to stabilise which means loss slows down.

‘Women may notice many short new hairs growing across their scalp. The hair may look thicker on the roots but still thinner towards the ends. With time, these hairs grow in length so, gradually the hair improves on its own.’

How can I treat hair loss?

Postpartum hair loss cannot be prevented or stopped, as it is a normal process but there are certain tips which we can follow to ensure that the hair recovers and grows healthily.

Rali recommends making sure general health is in tip-top condition which will always be good for hair growth.

‘Many factors such as stress and dietary deficiencies can prolong the telogen effluvium growth so, good mental and physical health will usually have a positive impact on our hair, too,’ she says.

Having a newborn can be stressful and significant mental stress can sometimes prolong hair loss. It is important to look after yourself and talk to friends, family or even your GP if you feel stress becomes unmanageable. Mental health should not be ignored.’

She also believes a healthy balanced diet will ensure you are not lacking any nutrients.

‘Some women develop iron deficiency due to blood loss and it is important to make up for this by eating foods rich in iron or taking a supplement containing iron. Your GP will be able to advise you if this is needed.

‘This may sound easier said than done as many new mums may not have the time to focus on their diet after giving birth, but it is important to drink plenty of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains so that all these vitamins and minerals that we absorb from our diet can help our body recover quicker and hence, the hair to recover quicker.’

There is also the widely used topical drug, Minoxidil, which can be put on the scalp and has been used widely by trichologists. But this is mainly for longer hair loss cases and many health professionals say to avoid it if breastfeeding.

Are there any holistic approaches?

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLT6ECTU/

Dub it an old wives’ tale, or call it holistic but Tiktok has been flooded with hair loss hacks to promote growth.

One popular hack is using rosemary oil which may stimulate nerves in the scalp, and in turn, possibly restoring hair.

It is important to always dilute rosemary oil with a carrier oil and to avoid getting into the eyes.

It’s also thought that a head massage is beneficial to help dilate blood vessels beneath the skin. Don’t have anyone to do the hard work for you? Then you may prefer to do it yourself and use a scalp massager tool.

Rali stresses the importance of looking after the hair too.

‘Ensure that the hair is not pulled too tightly as this can weaken the hair further especially around the hairline. You can try a loose low ponytail or a loose low plait instead.

‘It is also advisable to avoid significant trauma to the hair – e.g. avoid strong heat from hair straighteners as well as chemical trauma from bleach or perms.’

When should I see a doctor?

Mostly postpartum hair loss is temporary and with a little time, will naturally grow back to pre-pregnancy levels.

Rali explains that occasionally there may be longer hair loss coinciding with another condition which only presented itself subtly before pregnancy.

‘A common example of this can be when women have female pattern hair loss – this is a complex genetic condition associated with the dihydrotestosterone hormone which can weaken hair follicles over time.

However, for some women, this condition can be aggravated after significant hormone change such as that after pregnancy. In such cases, it is always advisable to speak with a professional so that a treatment plan can be made.’

MORE : When to drop your child’s final nap