Signs You Might Be Suffering From Postpartum Hair Loss

Three weeks ago I was taking a shower when I noticed a clump of hair, much larger than normal, on the shower floor. I didn’t think much of it at the time because it had a few days since I had shampooed my hair and I was dealing with the loss of my grandmother just days before. I chalked it up to stress. When I returned home and got back into my routine I started to see that this was not a onetime occurrence, I had been losing a lot of hair daily. Knowing that a lot of women suffer from postpartum hair loss I decided to read up on it and this is what I found.

• Usually occurs around three months - Check
• Large amounts of shedding hair - Check
• Feeling of thinning hair - Check
• Tired, dull looking hair - Check

So what is postpartum hair loss and could you be suffering from it too?

Postpartum hair loss is normal! As high as 90% of women will experience some postpartum hair loss and it is temporary. Most women will return to their usually hair growth pattern between 6 months and a year after birth. Depending on how long your hair cycle lasts, hair loss can occur for a few weeks to a few months. Many moms experience some type of hair loss, some quite dramatically called postpartum alopecia, and others don’t experience it at all. Some women may have it with one pregnancy but not another. My point is that it is common, it is normal and thank goodness it is temporary!!

So what exactly is going on here?

Hair goes through three phases during it’s cycle, the growing stage called anagen phase, the resting stage called the telogen phase and the shedding stage called the exogen phase.

Soaring estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy cause hair to continue to grow. This is why many women have thicker, lustrous and more vibrant hair while pregnant. (I might mention that some women the opposite is true. Hair can become dry and brittle, gets oily faster and some texture changes can occur. Hormones are often to blame but can also be a sign of a nutrient deficiency common in pregnancy). Those hormones pause the exogen phase leaving most of your hair in the growing or resting stage. Hair remains in the resting stage for approximately three months before it falls out and new growth begins.

Some misconceptions about this type of hair loss are that you’re washing your hair too much or that breastfeeding is the cause. Unfortunately both breast and bottle feeding moms a like experience hair loss. It’s simply a part of your body returning to normal.

Can it be stopped?

The truth is the hair that is ready to fall will fall. But there are some things you can do to help it return to normal and not make it so obvious.

• Buy a static mop. It makes it easier to clean up all that fallen hair.
• Eat a well-balanced diet and make sure you’re getting plenty of protein.
• Have your blood work check and make sure the following items are under control and at a normal level.
• Blood Sugar
• Iron
• Zinc
• Vitamin D
• Ferritin

• Try not to stress (I know, easier said than done with a newborn).
• Do not use heating products on your hair.
• Curling irons
• Flat irons
• Crimpers
• Blow dryers

• Do not use harsh chemical treatments or dye your hair.
• Avoid toxic chemicals such as sulfates, silicones and parabens.
• Take / Try
• Biotin
• Flaxseeds
• Fish oils
• Fenugreek
• Coconut milk
• Hair masks
• Scalp massages

Appearance

• Try parting your hair differently to cover up your concerned areas.
• Visit your hair stylist for some high/lowlights to add some depth
• When your hair starts to regrow get some layers. It will be less obviously that you are experiencing hair regrowth.
• If you notice new growth around your forehead think about adding bands if you didn’t already have them.
• A new haircut may help with postpartum baby blues but don’t cut it too short!
• If you find small hairs sticking up all over as your hair regrows try some styling cream or gel.

 When to talk to your Doctor

• When shedding becomes extreme or you’re losing large patches of hair (hair loss can be a sign of thyroid issues).
• If you are still losing hair around your baby’s first birthday (typical hair loss does not usually continue that long into the postpartum period).