Postpartum Balding: How to Ease Hair Fall After Giving Birth

For new moms, motherhood comes with numerous new experiences, but there are a few that come in the form of uninvited body changes. Postpartum hair loss is one of them, typically in the months after giving birth.

It is unexpected to discover additional hair shedding in the shower or on the pillow, but postpartum hair loss can be treated in most cases. It is not always preventable, but understanding the cause and symptoms prepares you for managing the condition.

In this article, we’ll go through the causes of postpartum hair loss, how you can deal with it, and what Hairy Hair can do to help with your thinning.

What Causes Postpartum Baldness?

You might feel your hair getting thicker and fuller during pregnancy. Hormone levels change when pregnant because your body is busy bringing in plenty of nutrients for a growing baby. Pregnancy glow can lengthen the growth phase of the hair growth cycle, while normal thinning is postponed.

This is great while you’re carrying a child, but after childbirth, your body reacts in a lot of different ways. Estrogen levels decrease massively in the postpartum period, where more hairs shift into the shedding phase. This is known as excessive hair shedding telogen effluvium. It’s also known as stress hair loss, as your body reacts to a major event like childbirth.

In a published study by the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, 91.8% of mothers who had given birth said they developed hair loss following childbirth.

Your body feels that it is under attack, and therefore, it directs nutrients to your vital organs. Your hair doesn’t get priority, and therefore, it stops your growth. It is an all-natural process as your body reverts back to the pre-delivery stage after giving birth.

When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Begin?

Postpartum hair loss typically starts around two to four months after childbirth. At this point, the hormones are resuming their normal state, and there is possibly time for your hair to recuperate from the stress of having had the baby. 

Once the equilibrium of the hormones has been restored, shedding of the hair that was being kept at bay during the pregnancy takes place, and healthy hair growth can begin again.

How Long Does Postpartum Balding Last?

For most people, hair loss after delivery takes a period of approximately six months to one year, according to the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. Most women will find that the hair will go back to normal by the first birthday of the child. If it is longer than that, then you need to go see a doctor.

Postpartum Hair Loss Signs

In postpartum alopecia, your hair becomes thinner than it was before pregnancy or falls out in large quantities while combing your hair. The normal individual loses 50 to 100 hairs each day, but when the number is more, it can become a problem.

Postpartum women can also see low iron levels, insulin imbalances, and thyroid issues, which can all contribute to hair loss.

How Can You Treat Postpartum Hair Loss?

Postpartum balding can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to manage the issue:

• Hairstyles: Tight or restrictive hairstyles, such as high ponytails or braids, can put pressure on hair follicles and make shedding worse.
• Heat Styling: Straighteners, blow dryers, and curling irons can all further damage weakened hair. A heat protective spray can be utilised to shield hair from hot temperatures, but generally, you ought to try to utilise lower settings if you must use heat styling equipment.
• Gentle Hair Tools: Use a wide-tooth comb to help detangle wet hair to avoid pulling or breaking strands.
• Shampoo & Conditioner: Different formulas interact with your follicles, so it’s good to be mindful of harsh chemicals in your hair care products. Using products that add volume and nourish your hair can help reduce breakage while keeping it hydrated. 
• Diet: Having a well-rounded diet can help to protect your hair while it’s in a vulnerable state. Postpartum women often have low levels of iron, so it’s worth checking your levels if you’re feeling lethargic. Vitamin C is also crucial since it helps your body absorb iron.
• Herbal Supplements: Botanicals like rosemary, ginseng extract, peppermint, and lavender can help to soothe the scalp and promote hair growth in some cases.
• Scalp Massage: A scalp massage not only helps to manage stress, but it also can stimulate circulation to the scalp. Using an essential oil like tea tree, cedarwood, or ylang-ylang can further improve the benefits.

Hair Tourniquets

That extra hair loss during the first few months following your child’s birth isn’t just a blow to your appearance, but also can affect your child.

A tourniquet is when a hair falls out and winds around a baby’s limb, like a finger or toe. It winds around so tightly that it can cut off circulation or become infected. Median age at diagnosis with hair tourniquet syndrome (HTS) was 4 months according to Pediatric Dermatology.

It is rare, but you may have to be prepared if it happens. If you notice a strand on any part of your baby’s body, locate the loose end and start loosening the hair slowly. In case you can not find a loose end, use scissors or a knife to snip the hair slowly. If it becomes too difficult to safely attempt, you will have to call a doctor.

How Can Hairy Hair Help with My Hair Loss?

New mothers lose more hair after childbirth. While this will return to normal within the first year with the baby, it is more permanent for some people. If you do not find that your hair returns to its previous state after this time, you should seek a medical professional to ascertain whether there is another explanation for hair loss. 

Postpartum hair loss is irritating but otherwise usually temporary. To support hair health, treat your hair gently and be mindful of what you use on your hair to monitor your hair during this period. If you already have a condition that has resulted in shedding, postpartum baldness will exacerbate the condition. You will have to treat the cause of hair loss to treat the condition effectively.

If you’re looking to tackle your hair loss effectively, contact Hairy Hair. Our comprehensive hair loss treatment is designed to fight the leading causes of hair loss. The solution acts as a vasodilator to encourage increased nutrient delivery to your follicles while aiming to lower DHT levels to prevent miniaturisation and give your strands a chance to grow strong. 

When you’re ready to get started, all you have to do is fill in our short online form. Once we know you and your hair loss, one of our expert Australian GPs will review your information and create a personalised treatment plan. They’ll give you a call to outline the details and answer any questions you have before your treatment is ready to ship right to your door.