You go about your regular hair care routine and enjoy the moments when you can take care of yourself all by yourself. Suddenly you look at your brush and you find large clumps of hair caught in the bristles. Your hair falls out and you panic. Hair loss after pregnancy is completely normal. Here's what causes it, when it stops, and what you can do to slow it down.
Thicker, fuller hair is one of the best bonuses of pregnancy. Many pregnant women say they have the best hair of their life during pregnancy. Unfortunately, just like the pregnancy itself, this is only temporary. It can be an unpleasant surprise if your hair starts falling out a few weeks after giving birth. This hair loss is completely normal, but there are a few things you can do about it.
Why does hair fall out after birth?
In pregnant women, postpartum women and menopausal women, estrogen is the most important hormoneaffects hair growth. During pregnancy, estrogen levels are high in the woman's body, which causes more hair follicles to emerge. Therefore, hair becomes longer and thicker during pregnancy.
After birth, hormone levels return to pre-pregnancy levels, causing the hair follicles to enter the resting phase. The hair then stops growing and begins to fall out after about 100 days.
Postpartum hair loss is not considered true hair loss because you are actually just losing the extra hair you gained and kept during pregnancy. Typically, your hair falls out in small amounts every day. During pregnancy, the high estrogen levels prevented the usual hair loss.
After your child is born and hormone levels drop, you make up for lost time by causing your hair to fall out in much larger clumps than normal.
By the way, these same pregnancy hormones can also cause you to notice that your hair is greasier, drier than usual, or even a slightly different color, during and after pregnancy.
Hair loss can begin any day after birth and sometimes lasts up to a year. However, it usually peaks around the 4th month after birth.
How much hair loss is normal?
If you have too manyFinding strands of hair on your pillowor the shower drain is clogged, don't imagine. Losing around 80 hairs per day is normal unless you have just had a baby. New mothers can lose up to 400 hairs per day. Six months after birth, hair loss should return to pre-pregnancy levels.
Can you prevent hair loss after pregnancy?
There is not much you can do to prevent this hair loss. But with simple measures you can minimize the effects and promote hair growth.
- Eat a healthy diet to improve your overall health and ease postpartum discomfort. Include such foods in your diet that are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, brown rice and oatmeal.
- Avoid tight hairstyles like braids, braids, and curlers, which can put strain on your hair.
- Blow dry your hair as cool as possible or let it air dry. Do not heat it with the curling iron.
- Be careful when washing and combing your hair. Avoid vigorous brushing and do not brush more than once per day.
- Try a new haircut toMaking your hair appear fullerand facilitate the regrowth of new hair.
- Use volumizing shampoos and light conditioners that don't weigh your hair down.
- Avoid chemical treatments such as highlights, perms, and straightening treatments until hair loss stops.
- Reduce stress to regulate hormonal balance. Practice various relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or breathing exercises. Make time for regular physical activity. Ask friends and family for help with caring for the baby or even with household chores if you feel overwhelmed.
- Wear hair accessories: Headbands, scarves and headscarves are a stylish way to conceal postpartum hair loss. They are particularly popular with mothers who have little time for hair care.
When should you see a doctor?
If your hair has not returned to normal after a year, you should see a dermatologist to make sure there is no additional cause for your hair loss. Other factors may contribute to or inhibit hair regrowth, and a diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.
Even if it seems to you that the changes in your body are endless, your hair will soon return to normal.
