What’s Going on With My Hair?! Navigating Postpartum Hair Loss(And Keeping Your Sanity)
You’ve powered through sleepless nights, diaper changes, and managed to sip a cup of coffee while holding a baby in one hand. Now that you’re starting to find your rhythm, your hair seems to be having a meltdown of its own.
Suddenly, it’s everywhere—on your brush, in the shower, even stuck to your baby’s fingers! If this sounds familiar, welcome to the wild ride of postpartum hair loss. Before you panic and consider a short haircut, rest assured; this is a super common part of the motherhood experience. The good news? It’s temporary, and there are some ways to ride it out without feeling like you're shedding more than your sanity.
What’s Actually Happening to My Hair?
During pregnancy, many women notice that their hair becomes thicker and fuller.
This is thanks to higher levels of estrogen that help reduce your regular rate of hair shedding. On average, people shed about 100 hairs a day, but during pregnancy, your hair stays in a growth phase longer—so you lose fewer strands.
However, once you give birth and your hormones start shifting back to pre-pregnancy levels, all that hair you didn’t lose during those nine months decide to fall out at once.
As a hairdresser for over 15 years I’ve noticed with my clients, this usually happens about 4-8 months postpartum, but everyone’s timing is a little different, some clients even experienced it at10 months! It's important to remember: postpartum hair loss isn’t true hair loss, it’s just delayed shedding that’s catching up all at once.
Did You Know?
Here’s something you might not know: postpartum hair loss can feel even more intense if you had a particularly stressful pregnancy, experienced high levels of anxiety, or had complications during birth. Stress is known to disrupt the hair cycle, leading to more noticeable shedding after delivery. Plus, breast feeding moms might notice slightly more hair shedding because estrogen levels tend to remain lower until weaning the baby off breast milk. Your body prioritizes giving nutrients to your baby, which can make the hair cycle a bit more unpredictable.
How Long Will This Last?
This phase of shedding typically slows down by the time your baby is around 6 to 12 months old. In my experience some woman can take as long as 18 months to feel their hair go back to normal again.
The good news is that it WILL eventually return to its normal growth cycle. In the meantime, it’s not a bad idea to experiment with hairstyles that make thinning less noticeable, like looser updos or textured waves.
Don’t be alarmed if the new growth around your temples comes in a different texture (I’ve seen some girls with straight hair have ringlets grow back in). This will all calm down and correct itself in time!
Tips to Manage the Shedding
While you can’t stop the hair loss, there are a few things you can do to give your locks some love and keep them looking their best:-
-Prioritize Scalp Health:
One thing many people overlook is scalp care! Keeping your scalp healthy with regular gentle massages can stimulate blood flow, which supports hair growth. Try using a nourishing oil like jojoba or argan oil to soothe and hydrate your scalp. Flawless Lengths hair growth oil can definitely stimulate growth and help to nourish your scalp. Don’t hesitate to use a shampoo massage brush for extra scalp stimulation while shampooing!
-Go for Low Maintenance Styles:
When your hair is shedding, it’s tempting to pull it back tight to minimize the mess, but be careful! Avoid tight ponytails and buns, as they can pull on your hair and make shedding worse which is called traction alopecia. Instead, try looser styles or fun accessories like scarves and headbands.
-Watch Out for Hair Tangles:
With more hair falling out, tangles can become a daily struggle. To avoid damage, use a gentle detangling brush or wide tooth comb and start from the bottom, working your way up to gently detangle without causing extra breakage.- Switch to a Silk or Satin Pillowcase: It may sound fancy, but silk and satin pillowcases reduce friction on your hair while you sleep, which can help minimize breakage and keep your hair feeling smoother in the morning.
-Protein-Rich Foods Are Key:
Your hair is made of keratin, a protein, so it makes sense that incorporating protein-rich foods like eggs, fish, and beans into your diet could help strengthen your strands.
Don’t Forget About Vitamins!
While a balanced diet is key, some specific vitamins and nutrients can make a big difference in maintaining healthy hair:
Vitamin D: Deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to hair loss. Since it’s tough to get enough vitamin D from food alone, especially if you're spending less time outdoors (hello, new mom life!), a supplement might help keep your levels in check.
Iron: Postpartum moms are often low in iron, especially if you had blood loss during delivery. Low iron can lead to hair thinning and shedding, so eating iron-rich foods like red meat, liver, spinach, lentils, and nuts and pumpkin seeds, are important in building your iron levels.
Guess what? Even cooking with a cast iron pan can provide you with iron! I’d suggest sticking with the natural sources of iron listed above since some individuals can run into compilations with iron pills.
*Helpful tip* To help your body absorb more iron from plant-based sources, try eating foods rich in vitamin C at the same time. Vitamin C boosts iron absorption, making it easier for your body to use. Example:- Pair spinach with a squeeze of lemon juice.- Add bell peppers, tomatoes, or oranges to meals rich in iron.
Zinc: Zinc is another mineral that supports hair health by keeping your scalp and hair follicles functioning properly. Plus, it’s known for helping repair tissue, which is key when it comes to hair growth.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in foods like fish, chia seeds, and walnuts, omega-3 fatty acids help keep your hair shiny and promote scalp health by reducing inflammation, which can disrupt hair growth. Before starting any new vitamins or supplements, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
So, flawless beauties, don’t let those fallen strands drive you to the hair salon just yet! This postpartum hair loss is just your body’s way of adjusting after the whirlwind of childbirth. Embrace this quirky phase with a little patience and some fabulous hair care tricks. Before you know it, your beautiful locks will be back in action, stronger than ever. Keep shining, and remember: you’re not just a mom; you’re a hair superhero in the making!
