Postpartum Hair Loss: How to Get Over It

Congratulations, your little bundle of joy is finally here! Welcome to motherhood. You now know what it’s like to cluster feed the baby, hear a little human cry for no reason, change diapers after every two hours and be up till 4am at night just because the little one simply doesn’t realize it’s time to sleep. But it is all worth it when your little angel looks up at you with their huge, glowing eyes and innocent smile, reserved just for you!

These of course are not the only changes that you are going through. There must be multiple physical changes that you had no idea could happen, including the weight, saggy breasts and worst of all perhaps, the hair loss. Your hair, which had become so beautiful during pregnancy, is now starting to fall out.

As stressful as that might be, understand this. It is completely normal! You are not alone in this and most moms experience it at some point or another after the baby has arrived. Still worried sick about how quickly the hair is disappearing? Here are some answers that will help you in managing the loss and keep your mind at peace.

What is Postpartum Hair Loss?

It is not real hair loss. Sounds unbelievable? Believe it! The reason this is happening is because you gained extra hair during your pregnancy and now that the pregnancy is done, the hair too must leave. Doctors call this excessive hair shedding.   It occurs due to the lowering of estrogen levels that got elevated during pregnancy.

Good news mom… this condition is temporary. It will end, even if you feel like it is taking forever and you are going bald. For most women, the hair tends to become normal again in time, like you were before you got pregnant.

The reason why the hair is falling out so much is that estrogen levels were highly elevated during  pregnancy. This means that your hair went into a kind of freezing effect, which means that the hair that should have fallen out stayed put. The head full of hair during pregnancy was because of this. Your use of prenatal or multivitamins gave them the glow and shine too.

Now that estrogen levels are normalizing, your hair is falling out and it feels as if you will go bald. Do not worry, there is nothing wrong with you, nor are you deficient in any nutrient. It is a hormonal issue that will get better on its own within a few short months.

The start of hair loss generally occur from the 4^th month of birth to the 6^th, and how long it lasts varies from woman to woman. Some women claim that it takes a year for the hair to stop falling out. Rest assured, the situation does improve on its own.

Is There Anything You Can Do?

No and yes. No you can’t do anything about the hair falling out. As mentioned before, it is the extra hair that was supposed to fall out but did not because of high estrogen levels. What you can do though is take some measures to ensure your hair remains healthy and the falling out of the hair comes to an end quicker.  Here are some options for you.

Eating a Nutritious Diet

Having food that is full of nutrients  is a must. What you eat has an effect on all parts of your body, including your hair. So be mindful of what you eat. Be particular about eating fresh and organic dairy items along with fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lean meats, and beans. Also be careful that you drink more water as dehydration can result in dull looking hair.

Do Not Stop the Vitamins

Yes, your hair loss is not because of any deficiency, but your body still needs extra vitamins to supplement for what you feed your baby. The vitamins that your doctor prescribed help in keeping your body healthy, which in turn causes your hair to remain healthy as well. Be sure to take the prenatal or calcium and iron supplements for at least the first 6 months of your baby’s birth.

Volumizing Shampoo or Hair Treatment

Some experts suggest using volumizing shampoos for excessive hair loss. Even if this doesn’t reduce the shedding of the hair, it will keep your hair from becoming too damaged or losing its shine.

Another thing that can help is getting a salon hair treatment. The have oils and products that  not only help you relax, but also protect your hair from damage. Protein treatments are great to keep your hair well nourished. You can talk to your stylist and ask what they think will be the best thing for your hair at this stage.

Skip the Heat and Styling

Using styling products like mousse, gel, hair sprays, can cause damage to the hair. Since your hair is already damaged, it is best to stay away from such products. One more way to keep your hair safe is by avoiding heat. Be it straightening or curling, keep the rods a safe distance for at least 6-8 months. Your hair will thank you for this precaution.

New Hair Cut & Style

A new haircut or style will not only help you feel good about the way you look, it will also ensure that your fragile hair isn’t pulled and further broken. Opt for a short haircut as that would help in making your hair look healthier. Go for long bangs or long bobs as they are easier to manage with a small baby.

You can also get highlights and lowlights to add more volume to the fine hair. Your hair will look fuller, more stylish, and you will love the new look!

Keep stress away. Remember, the more worried or anxious you become, the more your hair will fall out as stress leads to body damage. Keep cool and let the problem cover its full cycle. Once the hair loss has stopped, you can take some supplements particularly designed for fine or thin hair.

References

• https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/hair-care/hair-loss-in-new-moms
• http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/postpartum/dealing-with-postpartum-hair-loss/
• https://www.babycenter.com/0_postpartum-hair-loss_11721.bc
• https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/postpartum-hair-loss